these boards are a bit quiet. i hope things pick up soon.

these boards are a bit quiet. i hope things pick up soon.

Weekends tend to be a bit slack.
It should pick up during the week.

I'm trying, I'm trying.

LOL I wanna put some pics on here. But I need to take the cam out in the hill country and do that..

Here is a post....... It's me in about 1979. This is what started it all.

http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu329/thisguy_photos/Geoffonminibike1979ishformatchanget.jpg

Here's a question. When did these forums officially fire up?

I'm guessing the this forum began within the last year or two.
After lurking for a long time, I finally joined last year.
Prior to then, the forum was real quiet. I mean REALLY quiet.

Then gradually it started to take off and build new members last fall.
So far, this year is really off and running, and new members are joining seemingly daily.
And that's a good thing. The more the merrier.
This forum is also starting to get some crossover from other RC51 forums as well.
Enjoy!!

The reason I asked is that I felt it was a fairly 'young' forum(no reflection of my age, ahem...), and these things take time to get rolling. As more and more people hear the word, we'll see people coming out of the woodwork from many different places, and threads about who-knows-what being posted up quickly, mark my words!
I think it's a good reflection of Honda's flagship Ducati-killer(OK, so I may be biased) for it to have got the following over a period of time, then a forum such as this to spring up years later.
I don't know how the US was for SP's/RC's, but Australia didn't get too many; they're considered a rarer Honda, and are rapidly being touted by many as 'collectable'. I might ask my contact at Honda Oz on some figures, for interests' sake...

The reason I asked is that I felt it was a fairly 'young' forum(no reflection of my age, ahem...), and these things take time to get rolling. As more and more people hear the word, we'll see people coming out of the woodwork from many different places, and threads about who-knows-what being posted up quickly, mark my words!
I think it's a good reflection of Honda's flagship Ducati-killer(OK, so I may be biased) for it to have got the following over a period of time, then a forum such as this to spring up years later.
I don't know how the US was for SP's/RC's, but Australia didn't get too many; they're considered a rarer Honda, and are rapidly being touted by many as 'collectable'. I might ask my contact at Honda Oz on some figures, for interests' sake...

Even in the States the RC51 was an expensive bike. That's why they didn't sell as many overall.
I remember drooling over a new '02 and the dealer marked at over US $11000.
Their I-4 model was around $1500-2000 cheaper.

I think one reason the bike has a following is because it's "different" than other Hondas.
It's not a ubiquitous I-4 that sounds like most other I-4's (one of my main reasons).
Also, it's sort of a poor man's Ducati. I can't afford a $20K+ Ducati, but I could afford a $10-11K Honda.
It's also a hell of a lot cheaper to maintain.

It's too bad they ceased production, it would be interesting to see what the hypothetical '09 RC51 would be like with current technology.
If you compare the advancements of Ducati and KTM, I'd say the fantasy RC51 would be in that neighborhood of 160-180 HP and weight around the same as the competition (sub-400 Lbs).

Still, I get looks and questions about the old girl.
Several friends I ride with have ridden her and come back with a smile.
The sound, the torque, the gear whine all contribute to that.
One jokingly asked if I'd put the bike in my will for him.

twins are awesome. i got my hawk last year. went for a group ride. first stop everyone flocked to my bike and all said how much they loved hearing me on the gas!!! i've already had a few comments on my newly acquired rc51.

I've just come back from a trackday, and the SP was a big hit. Whilst mine is an '02, and completely stock, a lot of people had time to come up and say what a fantastic bike it is. Once she's breathing better, and sounding like the business she really should be, I'll be stoked...
As an aside, there was a new '09 R1 there, and it sounds just like a 996 Ducati with a standard exhaust system....out of an inline 4! Weird sounding. Oh, that, and I had it covered the whole day. Not bad for a 7 year old stock 'underpowered' V twin! I love my bike!

New R1 sounds more like a V-4 to me.
They're trying to accomplish the same end, to allow the tire to recover between power pulses.
The V-twins, V-4s do this naturally, and new R1s do this by crank configuration.
All apply power better than regular I-4s, which tend to overwork the tire.
I say a show where they explained this principle. Very informative.

New R1 sounds more like a V-4 to me.
They're trying to accomplish the same end, to allow the tire to recover between power pulses.
The V-twins, V-4s do this naturally, and new R1s do this by crank configuration.
All apply power better than regular I-4s, which tend to overwork the tire.
I say a show where they explained this principle. Very informative.
Maybe that's the sound...we were all standing by the bike, and on the pit wal when we weren't out on the same session as it, trying to work out what it sounded most like. It was weird. Not bad, just...weird. You're expecting an R1 to scream, but not the '09. The thing obviously works; look at Spie's bike, straight up on it's first season, and the thing HAULS. However, I too lament the demise of the RC/SP. Yes, imagine an '09 RC51...it would have to be flat out awesome, yes?

yeah, 2009 rc51 with 1200cc!!!
i'm looking forward to hearing an 09 r1 with exhaust.

Well here's the problem...
Online Users: 170
22 members and 148 guests
1ofakindRR , 5.4 speedster , Ashcanalli , bazdrum , CraigBa , Defender , DRFLGD , Eg6torc51 , Ev0lv3d , finepooch , Gipper , hondaruss , Jardine , kgrassers , larry g , man77 , MUD , newbie1276 , skip114 , stjoh , watskooo , wicked1k

there have been many joining lately. i'm constantly welcoming people.

I didn't join right away either.
I lurked around for a while until I joined.
Of course back then there weren't many members and not much activity.
The current list shows 994 members so far. Yeah team!!

The only time I get a chance to read and post is while I'm at work!
LOL
Otherwise every weekend I'm searching for the "next" ride.
I do the house chores during the week nights so I can ride on the weekends.

This forum will for sure pick up. Like 600RR.net, we got 40k+ members and it seems like every 10 minutes there's a new member...

Sorry, all: I've been waaaay busy, but I'm back!! Spread the word, feel the love!

The reason why i reckon sp1,s were slow to sell in oz,that price of $28000AUD for the 2000 models put it out of reach for most working blokes! 12 months latter they dropped the price nearly ten grand,people who brought the 00,s were really pissed off!!!! nearly ten years down the track, makes them thin on the ground over here. the first few anyway

Agreed. I just came back from The Island's Moto GP round, and I reckon I counted 15 SP1 in total, and only TWO SP2's! They're becoming quite the collectable... I'll have to ask Honda to jog my memory with how many were released here.

Even in the States the RC51 was an expensive bike.

It's too bad they ceased production, it would be interesting to see what the hypothetical '09 RC51 would be like with current technology.
If you compare the advancements of Ducati and KTM, I'd say the fantasy RC51 would be in that neighborhood of 160-180 HP and weight around the same as the competition (sub-400 Lbs).


http://www.kardesign.co.uk/Motorcycle%20visuals_files/SP3%20copy.jpg
I think this would be a good representation.
The following site is a great site with graphical representations of updated classics.

http://www.kardesign.co.uk/Motorcycle%20visuals.html

http://www.kardesign.co.uk/Motorcycle%20visuals_files/SP3%20copy.jpg
I think this would be a good representation.
The following site is a great site with graphical representations of updated classics.

http://www.kardesign.co.uk/Motorcycle%20visuals.html

That was a good find!

I'm wondering if that was from Performance Bikes in the UK.
They used to do a what-if virtual bike almost every issue for a while.
Their version of a street going Aprilia Cube 990 was very nice.

yes. Kar lee is a writer for performance bikes.

http://www.kardesign.co.uk/Motorcycle%20visuals_files/SP3%20copy.jpg
I think this would be a good representation.
The following site is a great site with graphical representations of updated classics.

http://www.kardesign.co.uk/Motorcycle%20visuals.html

Thats a good looking bike..

you know all this talk about an 09 rc but the question i ask goes deeper than just the skin. If the rc was still around would it still be a v-twin or a v-four just curious what you guys think

you know all this talk about an 09 rc but the question i ask goes deeper than just the skin. If the rc was still around would it still be a v-twin or a v-four just curious what you guys think

If it were a v-four, it would no longer be a VTR. it would be a VFR.
VTR=V-twin racing.
VFR=V-four racing.

i agree with that however in the states it just say rvt but u never know they might go to the v-four for power and traction like aprilia did with the rsv. just curious if anyone thinks there is a big difference in the v-twin and v-four i think a v-four rc would be badass with 200 hp at the wheel that would be lots of fun :)

I think it would be a tough thing to do to find a way to make 200whp useable on the street and keep the bike affoardable to us reg joes.. I havent dynoed my RC but I couldnt imagine what another 75 or so whp would feel like on this platform..

No butu and I both know it would be a lot of fun to have another 75 horse power to pull out of corners even harder

i agree with that however in the states it just say rvt but u never know they might go to the v-four for power and traction like aprilia did with the rsv. just curious if anyone thinks there is a big difference in the v-twin and v-four i think a v-four rc would be badass with 200 hp at the wheel that would be lots of fun :)

Racing v-twin?
We all know the history. Honda considered the v-four as the perfect racing engine configuration (RC30, RC45) and only ever built the v-twin to play Ducati at their own game in world superbikes (because v-twins were allowed a capacity of 1000cc, as opposed to just 750cc). At This it was highly successful, breaking Ducati's domination at their first attempt with the SP1.
However in the world superbikes, the IL4 config is king at the moment. Honda's fireblade is competetive, so why would they spend millions of dollars, in the current financial climate, developing a bike, which would have to be homologated, just to get to a point where they already are?
Aprilia built the RS4 in the same way that honda built the RC30/RC45. Ie. they built a race bike and homologated it. Nowadays, sportsbikes are so track orientated anyway, that it is easier and cheaper to take a streetbike (that was originally built with one eye on the racetrack anyway) and turn it into a full-fat racebike.

these boards are a bit quiet. i hope things pick up soon

people cant aford vtwins....last rc51 cost 14K i think

I am a return customer. This is my second 2003. The twin sound and feel of the bike is what keeps me coming back. The other bikes I have owned, most I-4's, ride nice and smooth, you barely know you have a motor underneath...with the RC, she always belches out that deep rumble and lets you know shes there... Kind of funny watching the Harley guys when I roll by....

I just installed my "new to me" low mount Satos this evening. Now if it would warm up enough here to give her a start. The bike came home bone stock, not so much any more.:D

i like my jardine 2 into 1...i cant stand the dual pipes but love the sound of the twin.

people either know what a RC51 is or dont, but 1 things for sure, they all sure do look at it.

funny thing is i got mine so pathedicly cheap everyone thinks im loaded cuz im riding one lol.

got mine for $2000...was just a roller basicly but it ran and road. less then $1500 later its looking mighty expensive.

I am a return customer. This is my second 2003. The twin sound and feel of the bike is what keeps me coming back. The other bikes I have owned, most I-4's, ride nice and smooth, you barely know you have a motor underneath...with the RC, she always belches out that deep rumble and lets you know shes there... Kind of funny watching the Harley guys when I roll by....

I just installed my "new to me" low mount Satos this evening. Now if it would warm up enough here to give her a start. The bike came home bone stock, not so much any more.:D

I think you'll love the Satos the first time you start your engine. :D
They have a great sound.

I have to say I have a V4 in my garage but it is an 85. Honda was onto something and eventally worked it into a V5 for MOTOGP. I have always wondered if Honda would produce the V5 just to see what it would do on the street. I will say even with the V4 in the garage I always end up on the RC as I love the feel and sound the machine gives out.

Madbuyer ----- You will love the SATO low mounts. I had scorpions on first but sold them and got the low mount SATO's and love it even more.
Yes Harley riders wonder where the sound is coming from LOL

if you guys want the site to pick up, you have to create more threads with RC51 in the title, and more content about the bike.. that will bring us up on the google search allowing more traffic to the site :)