[Ev0lv3d]

Well, didn't go as smoothly as I thought it would haha. It is a LOT more bike than I expected, and I'm just letting any of those guys out there that want to get one as a first bike... DON'T! haha
I'm 35 yrs old and have been riding all my life. Mostly dirt bikes and quads, but have ridden friends street bikes here and there back in the day.
This RC51 pretty much fell into my lap when I was trying to sell my race quad and took it as a trade.
The back tire badly needs replacing (PO did a bunch of burnouts in his driveway when he knew he wasn't keeping it. Thanks guy! ) So I had already ordered one but was very itchy to try it anyway since we had some nice weather for a change yesterday.
I live on a narrow, windy road that doesn't see much traffic so I decided to take it down the street just to get a little feel for it. I quickly learned it is NOT like ANYTHING I've ever ridden. I don't know if it's because of the flat spot or a trait of the bike, but I found it VERY difficult to turn at slower speeds (ie: 30-ish mph).
It is now parked until the tire gets replaced.
Hopefully that alone cures some of it so I can try again. If not, I guess I'll have to pick up something more tame to get used to. A moped maybe. lol

 

[finepooch]

the dirt is a good place to cut your teeth. it should give you a solid foundation for street bikes. give it time to get used to it. be patient and respect the power.

good luck!

 

[DRFLGD]

the dirt is a good place to cut your teeth. it should give you a solid foundation for street bikes. give it time to get used to it. be patient and respect the power.

good luck!

+1
Give it time, respect the power, and it does take a bit of learning to ride a street bike. The RC51 is no exception.

 

[Ev0lv3d]

Yeah, I would say 99% of my experience has been on dirt... I've owned 2 stroke bikes ranging from 80cc-250cc, the last being a YZ 250 I sold before buying my quad (450R). My only street experience has being takes friends bikes out for test rides, or messing around. Ranged from cruisers to an old GSXR-750.
The hardest thing to get used to I think is not actually "turning" the bars. On my way back to my house I learned that simply putting pressure on the inside bar and leaning made it a little easier. Need to get back to sportbikes 101 I think. It's a whole new world. I can't imagine someone with NO experience at all riding one of these.

 

[Gipper]

The RC in stock form doesn't like to turn. I found that dropping the forks 5 mm and adding a 2mm washer on the rear shock made it turn in beautifully while maintaining stability in the turn.
Of course, if the rear is squared off, then it won't want to turn anyway.
Where in MA are you? I live in Lakeville.

Eric

 

[Ev0lv3d]

That makes sense, throwing my weight up forward and hanging off the bike was how I got it to turn into my driveway.
I'm over in Sturbridge.
Looks like I have some homework to do about the suspension. I figured I was pretty much fine with the stock settings since I'm 5'9"/145lbs and stock settings were supposedly set for a 5'8"/150lb rider.

 

[SubSailor]

Not only replace the squared off rear tire, but replace it with a 190/55-17.
The 190/50's rounder profile make the bike a lazy turner.
The 190/55 has a pointier cross-sectional profile and it raises the rear by a few millimeters as well. Makes a world of difference.

 

[finepooch]

just thought of something i forgot in my earlier post. the dirt will give you a great foundation for handling a bike.

the dirt might not have taught you something very important: defensive riding. when you ride on the street you must ride as if all vehicles are out to get you. be prepared for anything.

how about some pics?

 

[Gipper]

Some nice riding out West of Sturbridge - good location.

The RC suspension was very difficult for me to dial in. Adding a DK link and Penske shock helped a bunch. The front didn't feel very settled until I maxed out the preload. Then again, I'm 5'8" and 225 pounds, so I probably load the front a bunch. Sportrider.com has some settings from when they tested the bike that will get you close - http://www.sportrider.com/suspension_settings/146_suggested_suspension_settings/index.html

I have a slotted 2 mm washer I'll give you for the rear shock, it helps a bunch with helping turn in. I don't need it as the Penske is adjustable. Just PM or email me your address - [email protected]

Eric

 

[Ev0lv3d]

thanks Gipper.
I noticed something funny last night when I was checking air pressure on my cars tires. I happened to look over and saw a sticker on my swingarm that I hadn't noticed before.
It was for Noise Emissions Control Information. The part I found odd, is that it says "2003 HONMCF1000 motorcycle, 21"
Do I have a 2003 swingarm on my 2000 frame?? Aren't the SP2 swingarms a little longer and lighter? I think rear shock is newer too. The spring is red instead of yellow.

 

[tht1crzyguy]

i love my rc. it kick me off at the track because i was not use to the torque on demand, but that made me want to ride the bike even more and learn to handle it just take it respect the bike and it will do the same.

 

[tht1crzyguy]

sorry i sound retarted in that post. just respact the bike and u will be just fine

 

[Gipper]

Tony,
Spacer is in the mail. Lemme know if you need any more help.

Eric

 

[jgos929]

thanks Gipper.
I noticed something funny last night when I was checking air pressure on my cars tires. I happened to look over and saw a sticker on my swingarm that I hadn't noticed before.
It was for Noise Emissions Control Information. The part I found odd, is that it says "2003 HONMCF1000 motorcycle, 21"
Do I have a 2003 swingarm on my 2000 frame?? Aren't the SP2 swingarms a little longer and lighter? I think rear shock is newer too. The spring is red instead of yellow.

Yes you have a newer swinger and newer shock. The shocks on the 00-01's had a yellow spring.

 

[Ev0lv3d]

Cool. That's what I thought.
Took all the plastic off to give it a good cleaning while I'm waiting for the new rear tire to come in. UPS guy dropped off my stands and spools today, so I can get her up in the air and get to wrenching.
Oh, and I found out another reason why it handled "funny". I think the front tire probably needs more than 2lbs of pressure. I know, I know... my own stupidity for not checking it first...

 

[Gaylen]

It's amazing what a new tire will do on street or dirt. Watch out when you put that new tire on it will be slick as snot. Worked at a dealership and saw many brand new bikes go down just outside the shop because of the Slick new tire. Be carefull out there people don't see us.

 

[Twisted Dragon]

[/QUOTE]

what kind of front faring is that?

 

[tht1crzyguy]

i got the fairings on ebay from a company call thurn motorsports. they are in germany.

 

[Ev0lv3d]

Ok, so now that I've gotten new tires, a new front rim, finally finished up the wiring and got 20 or so miles of seat time, I REALLY dislike this bike.
My daily driver is an Evo which outperformed everything I have ever ridden or drove. This friggin bike makes my Evo feel like a pick up truck with bad shocks. lol
Rode it last night back and forth to my night job which is around 7 miles each way. Then got in my car to drive to my day job. Ugh. I'll be taking the bike back after lunch.

 

[DRFLGD]

Give it some more seat time!