My 03 is my first bike, however I did tool around on a 650 V-star a few times prior. I haven’t been on any other “sport” bike; just a Kawi 650R and a Z750R but for only an around the block test runs (trying to work out running issues).
When it can time that I could afford a bike, I started looking into 600s, being a Honda guy, the CBR F4i and RRs. Neither of them really struck me or made me want one. I didn’t know much about the RC at that time other than that they were selling for about the price as a newer used 600 and that I remembered wanting one in high school (for squid reasons). So the research began into the RC; race history, cool (I know it’s not the same bike); street characteristics, linear power curve, stability among other things, sounded like a good thing to have in a street bike. For about the month before getting one I just read threads on here and Zilla, RC51.org (good work Mike, I still reference your “Mods” page) and other sites. The more I read, the more I wanted a RC; no other bike did this. I have had my RC for about 2 ½ years now along with being a member on here and Zilla for about the same amount of time. I have about 20,000 mile under my belt on the RC. I know it’s a special bike and it’s never going anywhere without me.
I’m not really in the market for getting a second bike; but I’m always just looking. So when I read threads and post where other members state, how much fun the RC is to ride over other bikes; how that their friends didn’t want to give it back after riding one; that their RC is/was duly missed for reason “x, y and z”; or something along those lines. Even with talking to guys in my area, that ride, about the RC; I can tell they lust for one over what they ride now; one guy even has a nicely done up cross-plane R1. Hell the only bike I lust over is the NR750, now that is a cool bike. Is it the look, the sound, the feeling of ride or the racing heritage, I don’t know if it can be explained. What it is about the RC that just grabs ahold of us that have them? Call it pride of ownership, if you will, I’m sure others on here feel the same way when it comes to our treasured RC51s.
I know that no one can tell me if I’ll be happy owning another model of bike. I’m sure one day I will. This is just a thought that I felt to share with the forum. Not a question on what I should get for a next bike. I know there are many other bikes worth owning, if I could afford a second one right now I’d probably get a 996 Supper-Chicken. But feel free to post what it is about the RC51 that made you buy and keep yours.
James
When it can time that I could afford a bike, I started looking into 600s, being a Honda guy, the CBR F4i and RRs. Neither of them really struck me or made me want one. I didn’t know much about the RC at that time other than that they were selling for about the price as a newer used 600 and that I remembered wanting one in high school (for squid reasons). So the research began into the RC; race history, cool (I know it’s not the same bike); street characteristics, linear power curve, stability among other things, sounded like a good thing to have in a street bike. For about the month before getting one I just read threads on here and Zilla, RC51.org (good work Mike, I still reference your “Mods” page) and other sites. The more I read, the more I wanted a RC; no other bike did this. I have had my RC for about 2 ½ years now along with being a member on here and Zilla for about the same amount of time. I have about 20,000 mile under my belt on the RC. I know it’s a special bike and it’s never going anywhere without me.
I’m not really in the market for getting a second bike; but I’m always just looking. So when I read threads and post where other members state, how much fun the RC is to ride over other bikes; how that their friends didn’t want to give it back after riding one; that their RC is/was duly missed for reason “x, y and z”; or something along those lines. Even with talking to guys in my area, that ride, about the RC; I can tell they lust for one over what they ride now; one guy even has a nicely done up cross-plane R1. Hell the only bike I lust over is the NR750, now that is a cool bike. Is it the look, the sound, the feeling of ride or the racing heritage, I don’t know if it can be explained. What it is about the RC that just grabs ahold of us that have them? Call it pride of ownership, if you will, I’m sure others on here feel the same way when it comes to our treasured RC51s.
I know that no one can tell me if I’ll be happy owning another model of bike. I’m sure one day I will. This is just a thought that I felt to share with the forum. Not a question on what I should get for a next bike. I know there are many other bikes worth owning, if I could afford a second one right now I’d probably get a 996 Supper-Chicken. But feel free to post what it is about the RC51 that made you buy and keep yours.
James