I paid 10500 for my 05 sp2 with 350miles and if youve ridden other super bikes youll love this. Its not for beginners or the faint of heart, it was the plat form for hondas super bikes on the track, corners fast with no shimmy or push back. If you can and like to ride hard its worth it .john
I understand what you say, but if you've owned a CBR liter bike, even an older one, you would realize apples to apples they pull a lot harder than a 51, feel lighter (because they are by 40lbs) and turn in quicker than a 51.
I agree however, despite the fact I have to muscle the 51 into turns, I LOVE THE INCREMENTAL STABILITY over the CBR, it's awesome! I also wish the engine pushed out the 160 at the crank, of my old CBR. My riding is primarily mountain roads, and for the money the RC51 is my keeper. I do believe, dollar for dollar, the CBR's are a better deal for what you get. My feeling is the RC51 outhandles my old CBR by whisker hairs, and was alot scarier in the power department. My 51 also has a 15 front and 42 rear sprocket. My CBR lofted the wheel a foot in 4th when I cracked on it to pass a van. This bike seems anemic in comparison. But, I love the sure-footedness of the power pulses in corners, the 51 hooks up incredibly hard on the throttle in corners.
Wheras the CBR when over coaxed would spin the tire. I wished Honda had pursued the old VFR engine further in a race chassis, my '98 VFR 800fi was a BEAST of an engine, putting out great corner traction and power delivery. My complaint was the chassis, suspension, and front forks were lame. Any rate, my .02.
John
