So I’ve been riding for about five years, strictly on a pair of Yamaha R6s. Got hit a month ago, and lady’s insurance check came today, and I immediately cashed it and bought a 02 sp2. 15k on the odometer, very clean, almost new. It’s a very different experience. I didn’t even ride it first, just inspected everything and paid for it and drove off. I can see what the big deal is. I absolutely love this bike, and after reading this forum for years, I’m happy to be bona fide now. Getting fork seals done on Friday. I need an exhaust I think. Mine has the hot bodies under tail, Corbin seat, stock exhaust. What’s the consensus? Ladybirds? What about gpr? Anyway, I’ll post a pic as a reply. I really love this bike so much, and disagree with those who say it’s not an attractive bike.

Pic from CL

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Lady tried to cross a couple lanes of traffic. I almost avoided it, and she just turned right into me

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Glad you are okay, and that you were able to capitalize on her mistake with the purchase of your RC51. Enjoy modifying her to your liking, but beware it can become an expensive, habit forming experience... HaHaHa

That crash could've been much worse. . you've been blessed & upgraded at the same time..

by the way since you asked about exhaust I just offered up a good used Akrapovic exhaust system for sale it will bring your RC to life.. fits all years RC51 just mount & enjoy the ear gasm

So is it high mount? I’m new to this bike. I want that radical high look, with something a little smaller for cans. Is it just the mid pipe or the exhaust that makes it hi mount other than pass peg removal. My first bike had akro and I liked it. Can’t wait to hear it. Hey is power commander really necessary?

To answer a few of your questions. .

Yes a power commander is a must in my opinion if you don't install a PC & an aftermarket exhaust you're missing out on the full performance & riding experience this bike can provide. .

As for my Akra exhaust system it is a low mount setup (Akrapovic did not sell a high-mount or bonzai setup for road bikes) which mounts just as the stock exhaust does with the passenger peg/ can hangers & without any modification to your bike.. it also has shortened cans that do not stick out past the tail as some full length cans do.. it has titanium midpipes & carbon fiber cans

For a high-mount or a bonzai setup it's the midpipes that change the exhaust configuration & you must remove the OEM can hangers with the passenger pegs

Bookmark this site for a comprehensive summary of years of research on the RC51 from @LDH & Dan Kyle racing:

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Man I think it was in the forum that I read this long, like, memo, saying everything about exhausts, and the akra was the best next to Sato which are the holy grail I obviously. I had fork seals done today and ordered new fuel pressure regulator (just being proactive) and sprockets and high end Zvx-m d.i.d. Chain so I’m kinda broke, but I like the idea of shorter pipes, and it seems the low mounts always have higher hp than low mounts. I need to get a power commander. OMG this is kind of a beautiful disease

Another shot

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for clarification

Satos are known to be the best of all the SLIP ON type for the RC51 using the OEM headers.. it's not a full system..

Akrapovic is the gold standard for FULL ON RACE exhaust systems period