While i've had plenty of miles on my ninja 250 (first bike) and my harley night rod special... i still dont think im an experienced rider by any means...

I am very interested in the RC for many reasons but i constantly hear about how the bike "isnt for the weak hearted" or "not for inexperienced riders" and it makes me question if its for me or not...

I like the idea of the linear power output of the RC and i dont plan to track the bike at all.. just drive it to work from time to time or maybe a saturday morning ride into the country...

Would i be better off buying another Vrod?

The biggest attraction to the RC is that others say i may fit (6'6") and that at its price, i can justify having it sit in the garage if it doesnt get used as often... Buying another Vrod would cost twice a much and the Mod bug is an expensive one as well...

If you buy one for the right price at this time of the year, you can see if you like it and if it's too much bike for you, sell it early in the season and make some money off it. Win win situation.

If you buy one for the right price at this time of the year, you can see if you like it and if it's too much bike for you, sell it early in the season and make some money off it. Win win situation.

+1...............

Have you ridden one yet? I'm familiar with the how the Vrod rides, and the RC51 is different in every way. imo.
Try to ride one before you get much further in your decision making.
If you live close to Sacramento ...

other then riding my dads v-star on and off for a year or so, the RC was my first bike. and im still walking and breathing. as long as you respect the bike for what it is and not get over your head ya should be ok.


or put a throttle stop on it so you only get about 4-5k rpm and like a 33 tooth rear sprocket, that should tame down the ol' girl

DGI - Sounds like you've got a nice mixture of 2 wheeled experienced and possibly mature enough to know not to ride above your skill level (don't prove me wrong LOL).

If you only intend on riding the RC around town or to work, I don't picture the infamous "weak hearted" warning being applicable in your situation.

Definitely try riding a RC first before you jump in with two feet...


Also, it makes no sense to purchase another VROD, IMHO of course (perhaps consider the new Fat Bob instead?).

YMMV, g'luck !

DGI - Sounds like you've got a nice mixture of 2 wheeled experienced and possibly mature enough to know not to ride above your skill level (don't prove me wrong LOL).

If you only intend on riding the RC around town or to work, I don't picture the infamous "weak hearted" warning being applicable in your situation.

Definitely try riding a RC first before you jump in with two feet...


Also, it makes no sense to purchase another VROD, IMHO of course (perhaps consider the new Fat Bob instead?).

YMMV, g'luck !

I really do need to go out and ride one...

i've been looking at VFR800s as well (2007 anniversary edition is hot) but i dont at least ride an RC before i buy, i'll regret it later.

DGI, IMHO.. I own two RC51s and truely enjoy the motorcyles, I also own S-hawks (the other honda V-twin) Reading your thread. If your intentions are to ride this bike to work, and traffic.. THERE is NO joy in those trips(back and forth to work, around town) There hot, hard seat,slupped over, jerky clutch, etc....
My RC51 only move on the weekends, motoring the curvy roads, and away from the world of stop and go..
No! these bikes are not for the weak at heart, or the inexperienced.. Except for the linear power delivery, Which is forgiving to those who respect "WHAT your sitting on"
NOW.. The postive.. Finding an open curvy road, or a piece of straight road - To poke the spurs, and you will smile for an hour, or be on your way to the hospital.. Either way the excitement, and thrill was worth the experience...

imho- just won't get the same thrill, riding a TRACTOR(vrod)...

I hadn't been on a 'pure' sport bike in a good many years when I took our CBR1000rr demo for a lash, that was the sumer of 2008. While I didn't come anywhere near the edge of the envelope of that puppy (I have way too many m/c miles and years on bikes to be that foolhardy), I did give a fair thorough wringing for me and what our local roads can supply. That's when I decided I wanted an RC someday. The downside is, around here most owners don't cotton to 'test pilots' especially on these 'chew ya up and spit ya out' superbikes. And for good reason. For me, the RC is the perfect blend of pure sport and civility for normal days on the road. If you want to get silly, it will definitely teach you what you are or aren't made of. It can be a razor blade edge between having serious fun or having a serious wreck. As the Grail Knight says "You must choose wisely!"

Post up your location, there may be a local member on this forum that will let you try it out. Or find a dealer with one and ask for a test ride.

I would agree with allchaos though, the bike doesn't really like to be commuted on. I did ride mine as a coummuter for a while, but it wasn't much fun. If it is going to be something that you want to take to work a couple times a week during the summer, a vfr or vtr would be a much better choice. Both will be capable of handling anything you encounter on the street. Anyone who says they need the latest and greatest supersport for riding on the street is full of themselves, or full of something else. 90% of riders wouldn't even be able to outride the capabilities of your little 250 on the street.

OK... First, I think the reason it's not considered a good bike for beginners is because the linear power of an RC51 can be deceptive. You roll the throttle and you accelerate pretty much right along with that roll. You can be going well over 100mph before you realize it and find yourself in the back seat of the car you just slammed from behind... Or sliding across the pavement because you hit the brakes too hard when you realized your speed and it feels like someone threw you to the ground.
Second, and read this all the way through, I'm also 6'6" and I can tell you the RC51 is really a little too short for us taller guys. Especially if you change out the pegs for something stiffer and higher. I came off a '98 CBR900RR which was a giant beast and very comfortable when I picked up my RC51 SP2 after purchasing it over the internet with my American Express (A whole-nother story). When I first sat on it I thought I had made a mistake. The seat was harder, the clips were lower and the bike was just overall shorter. Then I cranked it up and took it for a test-ride.... It was LOVE at first corner! This thing tracked so well and dropped so nicely into a turn that I was hooked! It accelerated differently than anything I had ever ridden. It was geared considerably taller but never bogged when I whacked the throttle at low RPMs. I've probably owned 20 or more different in-line-4 Bikes over my 30 years of riding and never kept one for more than a year or two. I've had this bike since '06 and it will go to the grave with me... Or me with it!

GET AN RC51!!!... But respect it and be careful... I promise you will NOT regret it!!!

ETA... I ride mine almost every day. To and from work, on weekends, anywhere I need to go that doesn't require storage or passengers.

Oh, and I'm not a kid anymore. I'm 48 and had a little run-in with Stage 3 Colon Cancer last year... Still riding!

If you can handle your 250 and a Vrod without trouble you can handle an RC51. It'll ride a lot differently and will definitely be the sportiest thing you've ever been on (i.e. uncomfortable in stop and go traffic). Get it out in the country though, or better yet the track, and it'll start to make sense.

This thing wasn't designed for the daily commute but that doesn't mean you can't use it for that.

I really do need to go out and ride one...

i've been looking at VFR800s as well (2007 anniversary edition is hot) but i dont at least ride an RC before i buy, I’ll regret it later.

This is good thread in that everyone here is giving you rock-solid advice to a smart question. imo.
I had a 2002 VFR for a couple years, and loved that bike. Just sold it this last summer. For what you said in your first post, how you want to use the bike, that '07 VFR is a top pick! Way more ergo for commuting, yet easy enough to get into an aggressive canyon-carving position. And the bike will perform. Especially when all the valves open up at about 6500rpm. It's a little like a turbo, she'll really spool up quick. Throw a set of Dunlop Q2's on an otherwise stock VFR, and you got a pretty amazing bike for the money. Best of both worlds: very comfy for long trips, very capable for sport riding and very well behaved in stop and go city stuff. Especially if you put a +2 sprocket on back. And the '07 has the best graphics scheme on any 6th gen VFR.

. as long as you respect the bike for what it is and not get over your head ya should be ok.

Now you know most common folks don't have that kind of control....hell I still don't:D.

DGI since you have ridden before (which is half the battle) and can control the bike well, it would be a complete shame for you not to stimulate your pleasure center in your brain with the ownership of an RC51:D


If not, you will always wonder what it would have been like to pilot one of these man machines.:cool:

I commuted on my bike, did a 10+ hour day trip a couple weeks after buying her and headed up plenty of twisties, racked up about 11-12k miles this last year and next year I'm taking off the plates to turn her into a track whip. It's been a love/hate kinda deal with her, there are times I wish I had a bike that was "easier" to ride and times when the power delivery felt boring and that's not even mentioning all the taunting I get at work for riding such an "outdated" bike but then there have been days when the bike and I just clicked. It's a weird bike, although it's dated technology and heavier, the components used are of incredible quality (even by today's standards) and it turns in really easily considering the bulk. IMO, the RC51 just doesn't fit in anywhere. It's a power that sits between a 600 and a 1000 i4, but completely different in behavior. It's heavier than your current crop of sport bikes, but can feel more stable through corners. And comparing it to other bikes that are similar means you're digging deep into exotic lines like Ducs and Aprilias. Given that there are plenty of sport bikes as well as vtwins out there, this bike still somehow manages to stand out from the crowd.

At the end of the day, it's a pretty sweet ride and the sound is great and overall fairly unique. On the one hand, that doesn't give you many friends to play with, but on the other hand.. I don't care because I'm on an RC51. I overpaid for my RC51 and I still don't regret it and I'm pretty sure you won't either.

When you pull up to a gathering of Sportbike Riders, people will ask you... "What is that?". When you say: "It's an RC51" they'll nod their heads and say: "Oh...". You can tell at that moment they have absolutely no clue what an RC51 is! It's actually kinda' comical. They're all caught up with their Jixxers or ZX's or Busa's or even CBR's and have never heard of one of the best Sportbikes ever made!!!

ETA: Nothing against the other Sportbikes. They're just Waayyy common...

Lots of good info here, so let me add my $.02. In my garage currently sits: 2008 Hayabusa, 2007 VFR 800, 2004 RC51 and 2006 VTX 1300. All different bikes with a different purpose. I love the Interceptor with it's hard bags for long distance touring; the Hayabusa is like a hyper-active little kid who forgot to take their ADHD meds; the VTX for those "cruising Sundays; but the RC51--well--it just makes my face hurt from the smile I have all during the ride. I'm 6'5", 230# with a 36" jeans inseam--and yep--I fit on them all! You've got some riding experience and hopefully some common sense, so don't let the 51 scare you. Twist your right hand appropiately and she'll be fine in any situation. In the end--I say--GO FOR IT! Just be ready for the hurting face!!!! LOL

When you pull up to a gathering of Sportbike Riders, people will ask you... "What is that?". When you say: "It's an RC51" they'll nod their heads and say: "Oh...". You can tell at that moment they have absolutely no clue what an RC51 is! It's actually kinda' comical. They're all caught up with their Jixxers or ZX's or Busa's or even CBR's and have never heard of one of the best Sportbikes ever made!!!

ETA: Nothing against the other Sportbikes. They're just Waayyy common...

I think you need to hang out with more educated sportbike buddies, lol :D

I think you need to hang out with more educated sportbike buddies, lol :D
True... But I never said they were "buddies". I was talking about when I show up at gatherings like Bike Week or Biketoberfest. Or even at smaller gatherings. All of my "buddies" ARE more educated.

OK... First, I think the reason it's not considered a good bike for beginners is because the linear power of an RC51 can be deceptive. You roll the throttle and you accelerate pretty much right along with that roll. You can be going well over 100mph before you realize it and find yourself in the back seat of the car you just slammed from behind... Or sliding across the pavement because you hit the brakes too hard when you realized your speed and it feels like someone threw you to the ground.
Second, and read this all the way through, I'm also 6'6" and I can tell you the RC51 is really a little too short for us taller guys. Especially if you change out the pegs for something stiffer and higher. I came off a '98 CBR900RR which was a giant beast and very comfortable when I picked up my RC51 SP2 after purchasing it over the internet with my American Express (A whole-nother story). When I first sat on it I thought I had made a mistake. The seat was harder, the clips were lower and the bike was just overall shorter. Then I cranked it up and took it for a test-ride.... It was LOVE at first corner! This thing tracked so well and dropped so nicely into a turn that I was hooked! It accelerated differently than anything I had ever ridden. It was geared considerably taller but never bogged when I whacked the throttle at low RPMs. I've probably owned 20 or more different in-line-4 Bikes over my 30 years of riding and never kept one for more than a year or two. I've had this bike since '06 and it will go to the grave with me... Or me with it!

GET AN RC51!!!... But respect it and be careful... I promise you will NOT regret it!!!

ETA... I ride mine almost every day. To and from work, on weekends, anywhere I need to go that doesn't require storage or passengers.

Oh, and I'm not a kid anymore. I'm 48 and had a little run-in with Stage 3 Colon Cancer last year... Still riding!

Why would a linear power curve be bad for a beginner?

I recently had a friend buy a superhawk as his first bike. When he was asking me wether it would be good, that was one of the exact reasons why I recommended the bike. I would rather have the "deceptive" linear curve of a twin vs a peaky curve like most other bikes (600's) that are recommended for starting out.

Why would a linear power curve be bad for a beginner?

I recently had a friend buy a superhawk as his first bike. When he was asking me wether it would be good, that was one of the exact reasons why I recommended the bike. I would rather have the "deceptive" linear curve of a twin vs a peaky curve like most other bikes (600's) that are recommended for starting out.
That's a good point. I probably should have also mentioned something about the relatively tall gearing with that statement. The RC51 will do over 70mph in first gear with stock sprockets. It's deceptive because you're going very fast very quickly and the bike doesn't sound like its working very hard. inline 4's sound like they're screaming as they reach that peak.
A Superhawk, while its a great bike, doesn't feel the same... More subdued.

As this thread goes back to early December, I guess you have probably by now had a test ride or even bought your gorgeous Rc51 by now!
I am 5'11" and find the size a perfect fit, but at 6'6" I am thinking you may be too tall for comfort. Even a max speed (well, almost) I don't suffer any wind blast but a taller rider might find things in this department quite different.
As long as you're comfortable on the thing, you will hopefully find, like me, it's the greatest machine you can imagine - had mine since new, 2002, and will never part with it. Never owned a bike for so long, NEVER loved a bike so much. Enough said.

"stimulate your pleasure center in your brain with the ownership of an RC51:D"
" you will always wonder what it would have been like to pilot one of these man machines.:cool:"

+100.. WELL SAID.. hearHear..

So-DGI what did you do.. wimp? or go Wild?

i actually havent had the chance/luck to go look at any... whenever im off of work, the sellers either have prior commitments or have sold their bikes...

I found a wonderful machine with all the goodies i've been drooling over right down in VA for a great price (i thought) and it ended up being sold :(

Im thinking about going to look at one of the "lesser" examples with no intention to buy just to get some experience with these fine machines but i guess that'll have to wait until this weekend.

This thread has me pumped to own one... I was going back and fourth between the RC and a Triumph Thruxton (different kind of giggles) but i am pretty sure the RC will win (assuming im comfortable on the bike (size wise).

DGI I think I can sum up whats been put into this thread. First a little background of my experience on 2 wheels - I started riding trail dirt bikes at the age of 13, quickly moved up to "mx" bikes with my first being a cr125r. About 2 years ago I put 2 wheels on the street via 03 gsxr 750. The bike was relatively comfortable and a lot of fun with the right gearing but I wanted more bike. I hung onto it for the following winter and the following spring rode a couple of different bikes to get an idea of where I wanted to go next. I rode my dad's electra glide (dear god never again), a buddy's 03 r1 "streetfightered" out, another friends 98 super chicken (first taste of a sport twin), and another friends 05 gsxr 1000. The 05 gsxr was by far the fastest and most radical of the 4 but I couldn't imagine where I was going to use the whole bike with such a wide power band. My dad sold his electra glide - thank god - and was looking for more of a sport touring tossing around the idea of a bmw k1200 and a ducati st4. I'll never forget it, it was a sunday afternoon on a rather cold ohio day when my dad and I walked into a local dealership to check out an st4. They were a bmw/honda dealer and I was very anxious to find out what their s1000rr stock looked like. I walked in, stormed passed the st4 we came to look at and immediately tracked down an s1000. I sat on it, drooled, then quickly realized "someday" was going to be my best financing option. As I walked back over to the st4 my dad was checking out I spotted my first RC. It was over right then and there. It was an 03, jardine 2-1 exhaust, power commander, tinted windscreen and a couple other goodies. I sat on it and immediately forgot about the s1000! I was gawking over the RC for a good 25 minutes when my dad finally came over to see what I was sitting on. He immediately fell in love with the RC and while the salesman tried spewing out fact after fact and pitch after pitch I didn't hear any of it - I was in my own world. From that day I knew that would be my next bike. I sold the gsxr 750 and quickly started looking for an RC. With a limited budget (a laughable 2500) my results were slim - until I stumbled upon my baby girl :) The craigslist ad was titled "RC51 - Needs new home, tlc, mechanic work". I've always been the guy that buys the roughed up car, or bike, fixes it and flips it. So I called the seller and decided to pull the trigger. I drove from Cle OH to upstate NY (20 hr round trip) and brought my new bike home.

After tearing it down that night I replaced the shifter spring (holds the shifter in neutral) which was provided by the previous owner and rode it the next day. I was stupidly in love. The bike rode amazingly and I couldn't get off of it. That day I put 6 hours stopping for only gas and food and couldn't stop smiling for days.

Here's the best advice I can give you. I use my RC for everything, daily commutes, work/school, I use it for any trip I'm taking (weather permitting), and of course highly spirited riding.
Contrary to many opinions (keep in mind that being the keyword here) the powerband, the tq, and the heat from the radiators isn't as bad as many make it to be. You are hunched over the gas tank - as it is a very 'race oriented' setup, however if you know how to sit on a bike properly the comfortableness is there. I rode the RC from Cle to Pitt (2hr one way) and the only time it was uncomfortable was when I held it at constant speed. I picked up a cramp buster and am contemplating a set of throttle miester for this season (got some good distance trips planned - aka dragons tail :D) so that problem is solved. But how I look at it, all these things makes the bike extremely unique, gives you a feeling only describable as a stand-out type of person. I've been lurking on this forum for quite some time and have noticed an EXTREMELY conservative trend by many members posting on here, so take some of these opinions and posts with a grain of salt. To each their own but this bike isn't as big of a monster as many on here make it to be. The best way I heard someone describe an RC was "It'll make a good rider look better and it'll buck and toss a bad rider off". Exagerated example but relatively true. This bike will improve all aspects of your riding if you're decent at best, or it'll put you in your place and bring your lack of skill to immediate attention. Stock gearing is more than manageable (almost too conservative IMO - 100+mph in 3rd), and even though you may not be as fast as other bikes on the highway or deep straights, they'll be squinting to see your taillights after you come out of a corner.

One of the best perks to an RC is the attention you get from EVERY kind of rider, Harley guys try to be my friend, always commenting on how it sounds like a 'real' bike, ducati guys either love you or hate you (evil grin ;) ), and superbike riders don't know what to do with you when you're biting at their rear tire through every corner.

I really do need to go out and ride one...

i've been looking at VFR800s as well (2007 anniversary edition is hot) but i dont at least ride an RC before i buy, i'll regret it later.

These were the exact two bikes I was looking at right before I settled in on the RC51.

They are both sleek, well built, purposed bikes. I ended up with an '06RC with a few mods on it for about the same price as the VFR would have been in brand new condition. I test rode the RC first at the dealership, then rode the VFR800.

The RC is the one that got my blood going. I'm 6'7", was far more hunched over, far more uncomfortable, and with a FAR bigger grin across my face on the RC. After testing the RC, the VFR just seemed like a couch. It was scary how comfortable the VFR was. And in the end, I went with the one that moved my soul.

It's horrible in stop and go traffic. It's horrible on city streets with it's suspension (granted, it's not set up for me just yet...). And it's disgusting as to how much attention it gets! From harley AND sportbike types. The sound is unmistakeable.

Last summer I had the RC on a Dyno. First pass some chick comes up and asks for a ride. After the 2nd pass to redline her boyfriend comes up and asks if I'd sell it to him. Times like that are times I *really* like my purchase choice. Makes me feel pretty good that my bike is desireable, even 5+ years old on 10+ year old technology.

I'm also not doing this bike justice in the canyons around Denver, but I think I'm having FAR more fun on this bike than I would have on the VFR. And once I pay off the RC... I think a VFR800 is going to be the next bike I buy. Mainly because I want to do longer distance stuff as well. The most I've done on the RC is 250 miles in a day (all mountain miles), and it will take a TON out of you!

In the end the decision is up to you, and there has been a TON of good info in this thread. I say test 'em both if you can, and go with the one that MOOOOOVES your soul!

I'm thinking about getting an RC51 also. When they first came out in 2000, i had it as my screen saver. Couldn't afford one then, but they have came down into my price range. Anyone here near Boone, NC where I could actually see one and talk about the pro/cons ?

I'm thinking about getting an RC51 also. When they first came out in 2000, i had it as my screen saver. Couldn't afford one then, but they have came down into my price range. Anyone here near Boone, NC where I could actually see one and talk about the pro/cons ?

Where is Boone? I'm in Havelock/New Bern area.

James

James, I'm at the other end of the state, close to Tenn and Va.
about 10 min away from Appalachian State University. It would be a long ride up here, but I have been to New Bern to do a tandem jump skydive. Nice place

In a nutshell you are qualified to ride any motorcycle. You are sort of tall and there aren't many sportbikes that are made for talls but I'm about 6'1 and it works fine for me. So if the RC is tugging at your heart strings... get one. You will satisfy yourself.

OK... First, I think the reason it's not considered a good bike for beginners is because the linear power of an RC51 can be deceptive. You roll the throttle and you accelerate pretty much right along with that roll. You can be going well over 100mph before you realize it and find yourself in the back seat of the car you just slammed from behind... Or sliding across the pavement because you hit the brakes too hard when you realized your speed and it feels like someone threw you to the ground.
Second, and read this all the way through, I'm also 6'6" and I can tell you the RC51 is really a little too short for us taller guys. Especially if you change out the pegs for something stiffer and higher. I came off a '98 CBR900RR which was a giant beast and very comfortable when I picked up my RC51 SP2 after purchasing it over the internet with my American Express (A whole-nother story). When I first sat on it I thought I had made a mistake. The seat was harder, the clips were lower and the bike was just overall shorter. Then I cranked it up and took it for a test-ride.... It was LOVE at first corner! This thing tracked so well and dropped so nicely into a turn that I was hooked! It accelerated differently than anything I had ever ridden. It was geared considerably taller but never bogged when I whacked the throttle at low RPMs. I've probably owned 20 or more different in-line-4 Bikes over my 30 years of riding and never kept one for more than a year or two. I've had this bike since '06 and it will go to the grave with me... Or me with it!

GET AN RC51!!!... But respect it and be careful... I promise you will NOT regret it!!!

ETA... I ride mine almost every day. To and from work, on weekends, anywhere I need to go that doesn't require storage or passengers.

Oh, and I'm not a kid anymore. I'm 48 and had a little run-in with Stage 3 Colon Cancer last year... Still riding! You have another tall rider here , iam 6'8 and ride the bike to and from work daily ! I like the stock pegs and a sargent seat and iam ready to ride !!! With 40.000 miles on mine its been a great bike !

Mostly true comments, if not a bit biased towards RC51's, but would you expect anything less from enthusiasts for the marque in their meeting place? :D

Since you mention VFR800's as another bike you've been considering and few have commented....I rode a VFR750 (FL) some 70,000 miles till I put it away in 1998 and some years later with other bikes in between I got my RC51. If you got a post 2006 VFR800 it certainly wouldn't be a mistake.
Their reputation as an excellent all-round bike possibly the very best isn't unfounded. Whilst I'll never sell my RC51, I never sold the VFR either. It's the more sensible bike to do commutes to the city with, although that doesn't mean the VFR isn't a riot to ride fast. Especially with the right suspension (& possibly brakes) it's fantastic and the V4 engines are good too (Some say the earlier gear driven cam versions were better, some say the post 2006 models were, I don't think there's a huge difference). With a decent exhaust they also sound hauntingly beautiful.
Nothing sounds quite like it.... Only now have Italian manufacturers caught up with V4's as an ideal configuration. They're expensive to make, so this is why most sports bikes have cookie cutter designs. Remember the VFR was originally built by Honda to quell the rumours of chocolate camshafts and poor engineering from previous models such as the VF V4's. So Honda heavily over engineered the VFR750's, the pre V-Tec Pro-arm ones being the most over engineered of all (Bucket shims as opposed to adjustable tappets on FJ & FK models) before Honda had to revise to meet emissions standards & introduce catalyser, fuel invection, V-Tec, etc. just to make emissions lower and keep same levels of power).

The 70,000 miles I did on mine were mostly hard ridden. The valve shims never went out of adjustment in the time I owned it and it would think nothing of the 4 hour 140 mph rides on empty highways late at night to visit my girlfriend in college, nor scratching it's foot pegs running rings around so called sports-bikes.
It would equally lend itself to touring in Europe with luggage and carrying a passenger for long trips. I went all the way to the Black Forest from the UK & back and it would still be one of the quickest point to point bikes amongst others.
User friendliness is something the VFR has in bucket loads including riding position. The more versatile & fit for purpose, the better the bike serves us. Most long term VFR owners I've met are fairly experienced bikers who have realised this is better than the latest sports bikes which are really too focused for riding in the real world. The last of the pre V-Tec models are bargains, especially if you can find one that hasn't been in it's side. The VFR800 isn't 3 times the better bike, so not worth 3 times the money in my eyes, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder as they say...if you want an amaazing bike for the money, look at those... ;)

I can't praise the VFR enough, so much so that I recently imported mine to Japan from UK (But shamefully haven't found the time to work on reviving it from it's long hibernation yet, but then again I have only ridden the RC a handful of times this winter...:D)

In warmer months I've used my RC51 for everything from riding 250km high speed commutes (each way) through riding hard all day on country roads with friends on their Fireblades, etc to trackdays on Fuji's F1 circuit.
There it wouldn't keep up with newer 1 litre bikes on long straights nor is it a competitive race bike, but it's got lots of tractability to fire out of apexes and offers very high limits for most mere mortals on the track.

As it's a big V-twin it doesn't much like to slug around at low revs though.
Above 4,500 is better and to keep it at such, it usually needs to be going faster than typical traffic. It's possible to ride at low revs, but the bike's not at it's sweet spot and will shudder when asked to accept a wide open throttle from say 2,500. Ideally it prefers to be somewhere north of around 6,000 where it smooths out & responds well by which time keeping to the speed limit has long since stopped being a consideration...

So a VFR800 isn't ever going to be a bad choice. They're absolutely great bikes. The RC51 although more focussed and less of an all-round bike is the one with the racing heritage built for homologation purposes. It will always be special as the only V-Twin made for such purpose by Honda, but will never be as user friendly as a VFR.

For balance, go onto a VFR forum and ask the same question and although you'll find some admiration for the RC51 you'll find few who would let their VFR go for an RC51.

If I had to choose only one, it would of course be my RC51 but thankfully I don't. :D

DGI, IMHO.. I own two RC51s and truely enjoy the motorcyles, I also own S-hawks (the other honda V-twin) Reading your thread. If your intentions are to ride this bike to work, and traffic.. THERE is NO joy in those trips(back and forth to work, around town) There hot, hard seat,slupped over, jerky clutch, etc....
My RC51 only move on the weekends, motoring the curvy roads, and away from the world of stop and go..
No! these bikes are not for the weak at heart, or the inexperienced.. Except for the linear power delivery, Which is forgiving to those who respect "WHAT your sitting on"
NOW.. The postive.. Finding an open curvy road, or a piece of straight road - To poke the spurs, and you will smile for an hour, or be on your way to the hospital.. Either way the excitement, and thrill was worth the experience...

imho- just won't get the same thrill, riding a TRACTOR(vrod)...

You forgot the part about.... Just buy a SHawk, instead....!