[JeffersonRC51]

So I have decided to make the jump from the dirt onto the street. My first bike was a Honda XR100 at the age of 12 which I loved for years. Two years ago after an absense from riding for many years I picked up a Honda CRF450R. I never raced the 450 or anything, just ripped around the local woods ect. This weekend I sold the 450 wanting to move into a street bike. I do still consider myself to be a novice rider, and an obvious street virgin. I have found a gorgeous '05 RC51 with only 2600 miles for about $6500. I've been searching forums and found 1/2 the people think a street novice on an RC51 is just asking to die, and the other 1/2 figure you should be fine if you respect it.

My dilema is in whether I go for the RC or go for a 600rr given my past riding experience? I made the transition to the 450 from the 100 without any issues understanding it's a lot more bike, and am wondering if a similar transition is possible to the RC? The reason I am leaning towards the RC is because of the v-twin. I'm not really into winding an engine up to 16,000rpm and the peaky power delivery apparently associated with the 600's. It also seems VERY tough to find a clean 600rr that some 18 year old hasn't dropped 10 times and held bouncing along the limiter at every red light. I very much understand riding to my ability and not the bikes ability. I'm not some squid that feels the need to go 170mph(or 120mph for that matter) simply because the bike has that ability(perhaps I will have that ability one day). Of course I have plans to take my local motorcycle safety course prior to ever swinging a leg over the RC.

I would appreciate any input you guys may have since I have never ridden an RC or a 600rr , although I realize I may have kinda answered my own question.

Cheers

 

[SubSailor]

You'll probably find the RC51 has a higher likelihood of being better taken care of than the 600.
I also don't care for a bike that doesn't begin to make usable power until 9000 RPM.
And forget about torque. They don't have much, it's all about revs.

I swapped bikes with a friend that has an '07 GSXR-600 and I actually thought his clutch was fried. In all 6 gears it just wasn't picking up much speed.
It was only on a long straight that I allowed the bike to move past 8000 RPM that I finally started to feel a small amount of thrust.
Come to find out, the bike's power band doesn't even start until 9000 RPM, so I was simply "dogging" the bike.

On the other hand, my friend was raving about the torque of the RC51's engine and how easy it was to roll the throttle and motor out of corners.

My take is 16000 RPM is great if you're racing, but mid-range (aka torque) rules on the street, and that's with any kind of engine type.
It's just so much easier to ride with a torquey motor.

 

[finepooch]

it sounds to me like you've alrady decided and you're looking for confirmation. i will give you confirmation that rc51 would suit you better than a 600.

rc51 = mature rider. you sound mature and you're thinking about this decision.
600 = "laddie boy" or squid.
rc51 has wider power band which is better for begginers.
sounds like you found a great deal on the rc51
v twins are awesome
600 are more "crazy power".

 

[Hydroboy35th]

You'll be fine, Just take it easy for a little while allow yourself to get comfortable. Thats a smokin deal on a 05 by the way!

 

[JRT]

Hey Jefferson; welcome to the forum.

I went through the same thought process that you are right now, but I think I can tell you after riding mine that you will be fine.
Just respect the machine and let your skills grow; in the end you will be happy with the torque of the V over top end power of an inline.

I had images of this bike in my head of this scary monster that was going to kill me if I made the smallest mistake, but after riding it I realized that it is not quite the grizzly bear that I imagined.
It is fast and can move like the wind, but it has more useable power throughout the range instead of all of it being in the upper RPM range.
The bike is a blast to ride and if you don’t keep yourself in check you can get hurt; just don’t go bananas and you will be good.

The best part...IT SOUNDS AMAZING!!!

 

[finepooch]

yeah, the v twin sound cannot be rivaled by any four.

 

[PiasanoRacer]

I went from an '07 CBR 600RR to an '03 RC51 in April '08. Haven't looked back since...

 

[The 'Burnian]

yeah, the v twin sound cannot be rivaled by any four.

2nd that!!

 

[crazyfastcracker]

doesany one own both the rc,and a 1000rr,andif so,and you could have only one bike to live with everyday,which wouldit be

 

[TMFD]

i have an '03 rc and just got a great deal on an '08 gixxer 1000 holdover last week. it's my first in-line since i had an old F2 600 8 years ago. it's taking some getting used to, what with all the lugging i'm doing in the gears. it also seems much quieter in tucked under the screen. i feel like i'm "on" the bike, whereas on the rc i feel like i'm "in" the bike, if that makes any sense.

still, after paying $9999 for a new bike, i gotta tell ya i still want to jump on the rc. i'll take it to bike night before i take the gixxer.

 

[SubSailor]

2nd that!!

Except maybe a V-4.
The RC30, RC45, and VFR's sound pretty good with pipes!
Just think of them as 2 V-twins

 

[DRFLGD]

doesany one own both the rc,and a 1000rr,andif so,and you could have only one bike to live with everyday,which wouldit be

If I had to choose between the two bikes, I'd go for the 1000RR. I own a 2007 1000RR and a 2004 RC51. I ride them both the same. Touring, twisties, fast, in town. I ride them to ride them. That being said, if you plan on taking long rides, get the RR. If you can afford two bikes, get them both.

 

[1ofakindRR]

So I have decided to make the jump from the dirt onto the street. My first bike was a Honda XR100 at the age of 12 which I loved for years. Two years ago after an absense from riding for many years I picked up a Honda CRF450R. I never raced the 450 or anything, just ripped around the local woods ect. This weekend I sold the 450 wanting to move into a street bike. I do still consider myself to be a novice rider, and an obvious street virgin. I have found a gorgeous '05 RC51 with only 2600 miles for about $6500. I've been searching forums and found 1/2 the people think a street novice on an RC51 is just asking to die, and the other 1/2 figure you should be fine if you respect it.

My dilema is in whether I go for the RC or go for a 600rr given my past riding experience? I made the transition to the 450 from the 100 without any issues understanding it's a lot more bike, and am wondering if a similar transition is possible to the RC? The reason I am leaning towards the RC is because of the v-twin. I'm not really into winding an engine up to 16,000rpm and the peaky power delivery apparently associated with the 600's. It also seems VERY tough to find a clean 600rr that some 18 year old hasn't dropped 10 times and held bouncing along the limiter at every red light. I very much understand riding to my ability and not the bikes ability. I'm not some squid that feels the need to go 170mph(or 120mph for that matter) simply because the bike has that ability(perhaps I will have that ability one day). Of course I have plans to take my local motorcycle safety course prior to ever swinging a leg over the RC.

I would appreciate any input you guys may have since I have never ridden an RC or a 600rr , although I realize I may have kinda answered my own question.

Cheers

A lot of these guys have good insight but do what you think will be best. As for my opinion, if you're into a lot of twisties and track racing, RR if your into straight line and commuting, the RC is more comfortable and more powerful. Also, as for clean bikes, here's my 600...

What it always comes down to is that it's all the rider's preference.

 

[DRFLGD]

I just reread the post. DO NOT get a 1000RR or an RC51 as a first street bike. It's too much. Even a 600 is a huge bike for someone starting out on the street. But I do understand the alure of sportbike greatness and therefore, if you respect the ride, if you say you have ridden dirt before, a 600 will be fine. But it's still a lot of power for a first street bike.

 

[Luck Runs Out...]

If I may...

"Respect the bike" is BS. It's not respect... it's fear, and fear will get in the way of learning. Once you feel you must "respect" the bike, the experience changes from improving your skills to simply surviving the ride.

Don't get a '51 or any other liter bike as your first street bike. The only thing that directly translates from dirt to street is where the controls are and how to use them. Find yourself an SV650 and spend a season on that, and then spend another season on the track with it... and THEN you might want to consider a liter bike.

999cc of v-twin torque great for beginners? I don't think so. What's going to happen when he accidentally whacks the throttle wide open at 4000 RPM mid- turn on a '51 vs. a 600cc inline at 4000 RPM, or even that SV650? How about failing to compensate for the enormous ammount of compression braking those 100mm slugs will produce?

Make no mistake- the '51 hates you, and will try to kill you at every chance you give it. Get something more friendly and playful.

 

[jgos929]

The 51 is not a "liter" bike like everyone thinks when you say liter bike. Sure its a 1000 but its no more powerful then a 600 and IMO is the perfect first bike because its a huge confidence builder. Its the most stable bike I've ever ridden and feels solid around every turn I've ever taken.

Just about every 600 owner wishes they would have bought a 1000. I'm sure RR will disagree with me but we all know its the truth.

 

[SP1#311]

doesany one own both the rc,and a 1000rr,andif so,and you could have only one bike to live with everyday,which wouldit be

I had a 2008 CBR1000RR a few months ago that I totalled. I was torn between buying another RR or buying an RC.. I found a killer deal on an 08RR ($7,700) and I still chose to buy the 9 year old RC. Exactly like you said, if I could only have one, I wanted the twin. I've been back and fourth several times from liter I4's to twins and even though the I4's are faster, they can't compete with the feel I get on a twin. Grin factor rules! The new 1krr's are crazy fast though so if your hooked on flat out speed, you might want to go the other way..

 

[SP1#311]

The 51 is not a "liter" bike like everyone thinks when you say liter bike. Sure its a 1000 but its no more powerful then a 600 and IMO is the perfect first bike because its a huge confidence builder. Its the most stable bike I've ever ridden and feels solid around every turn I've ever taken.

Just about every 600 owner wishes they would have bought a 1000. I'm sure RR will disagree with me but we all know its the truth.

I'd say it's more like a 750 but I get your point. You definately can't compare the power of the RC with a liter I4..

 

[Ev0lv3d]

I was in the same boat as the OP. (kind of) Rode all my life on dirt, but the RC was my first street bike that I owned. I rode sport bikes before, but just here and there...
After a few months and a thousand or so miles, I LOVE it! Slow, sharp corners are tough at first, but once it gets moving, it's a blast to ride.

 

[jgos929]

I just got my new CBR1000 a couple of weeks ago and I would take it over the 51 any day. I love my 51 its been probably the best bike I've owned so far. As long as you can control yourself and not act stupid the RR is a far superior bike. Its easier to go faster and for me its much easier to turn. I got my first bike when I was young and stupid (R1) and only cared about being seen instead of learning how to ride. Then I bought the 51 several years later and learned how to ride and the 51 was a perfect tool. Now I have progressed and am ready to bump it up a notch in comes the RR.