[SirReal187]

Hello everyone!

I am not currently a RC51 owner but if all goes well I will be this spring. I just got rid of my 99 Speed Triple a few months ago and before they I had a 02 SV650s.

I am just making sure a RC51 is the way to go. I loved the V-Twin of the SV and the speed of the Triple so hopefully the RC51 will be the mix of both I am looking for.

Is there much of a difference in the SP1 and SP2? Is it worth spending the extra money for the newer model of are they basically the same?

Thanks!

 

[bensexcessbikes]

Welcome aboard!

There is a thread somewhere in the forum about SP1 vs SP2 differences. They are sort of minor, but the SP2 is a better choice if you can find a clean one; little nuances make it better, but to get used to RCs it might be wise to get an SP1. You can always upgrade most of the stuff from SP1 to SP2.

My only advice before spending a ton of $$ on a "new" SP2 is to find a buddy who has one and ride it. IMHO they are the pinnacle of sportbikes, but are VERY uncomfortable to ride on the street at like 40-50 and below. 100+ they are absolutely amazing.


The only other "problem" is that Honda doesn't make them anymore and they are a quasi-rare bike to begin with, so parts can sometimes be a little bit of an issue... moreso than on like GSX-Rs, for example.

 

[SirReal187]

Welcome aboard!

There is a thread somewhere in the forum about SP1 vs SP2 differences. They are sort of minor, but the SP2 is a better choice if you can find a clean one; little nuances make it better, but to get used to RCs it might be wise to get an SP1. You can always upgrade most of the stuff from SP1 to SP2.

My only advice before spending a ton of $$ on a "new" SP2 is to find a buddy who has one and ride it. IMHO they are the pinnacle of sportbikes, but are VERY uncomfortable to ride on the street at like 40-50 and below. 100+ they are absolutely amazing.


The only other "problem" is that Honda doesn't make them anymore and they are a quasi-rare bike to begin with, so parts can sometimes be a little bit of an issue... moreso than on like GSX-Rs, for example.

I found a thread on google explaining the differences...I love the look of them and the fact it's a v-twin.

It's either the RC or a R1 but I want to do my research first my wife is going to kill me if I keep buying and selling bikes so I want to make sure I get one I like. I loved the SV just so slow and the Speed Triple was quick but it lacked handling....

 

[bensexcessbikes]

I found a thread on google explaining the differences...I love the look of them and the fact it's a v-twin.

It's either the RC or a R1 but I want to do my research first my wife is going to kill me if I keep buying and selling bikes so I want to make sure I get one I like. I loved the SV just so slow and the Speed Triple was quick but it lacked handling....

You may have already seen this one...

http://www.rc51forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=252

You are on sort of opposite ends of the spectrum with bikes, thinking of an RC51 or an R1. I'll put it to you this way: I've owned a ton of 4 cyl rockets, they are all fun bikes because of the power to weight, but nothing has come close to the sheer balls and power and sound and handling of the RC-51 (which is why I have three of them now).

I'm planning on concentrating on only RCs from now on... no more 4 cyl rockets.

 

[SirReal187]

You may have already seen this one...

http://www.rc51forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=252

You are on sort of opposite ends of the spectrum with bikes, thinking of an RC51 or an R1. I'll put it to you this way: I've owned a ton of 4 cyl rockets, they are all fun bikes because of the power to weight, but nothing has come close to the sheer balls and power and sound and handling of the RC-51 (which is why I have three of them now).

I'm planning on concentrating on only RCs from now on... no more 4 cyl rockets.

I know I am totally a fan of the V-twin in every aspect! I used to love the torque of my SV pulling out of twisties and the sound when I am coming up from behind.

The RCs are rare I found a few SP1's on CL in my area but other then that not much I guess it's due to them only being produced 6 yrs. I am ideally looking for a 02-03 for around $5,500ish with around 10k miles or lower. I am not looking to purchase until spring I don't have winter storage available.

If I don't find a decent RC in my price range I need a fall back but I don't want anything smaller then a 1000cc.

 

[bensexcessbikes]

I know I am totally a fan of the V-twin in every aspect! I used to love the torque of my SV pulling out of twisties and the sound when I am coming up from behind.

The RCs are rare I found a few SP1's on CL in my area but other then that not much I guess it's due to them only being produced 6 yrs. I am ideally looking for a 02-03 for around $5,500ish with around 10k miles or lower. I am not looking to purchase until spring I don't have winter storage available.

If I don't find a decent RC in my price range I need a fall back but I don't want anything smaller then a 1000cc.

Yeah, they are sort of hard to find in good shape, especially the SP2s, but they are out there. There was a clean one some where West of Worcester (MA) a week ago on CL, but it's gone now. I think the price dropped to $4K and it was WELL worth it. Check out surrounding states if you get a chance, CT & MA seem to have the most RCs... downstate ad NJ also have some. A guy from Long Island (Northport) has been selling one for at least 2 months for $6950.

 

[jgos929]

but to get used to RCs it might be wise to get an SP1.

Not to start anything but this comment is kind of insulting to me being an SP1owner. With this comment, you make it sound like the differences between an sp1 and sp 2 are like the differences between a 600 and 1000.

I can see that you have 3 of them(sp1 and sp2's). So you should know what I'm talking about when I say the differences between the two are very minute. The hp difference between the two is no more than 2hp at best. The swingarms are milimeters different in length and the fuel injection on the sp2 is alittle better(helping make that extra 2hp). There are other things but those are mostly cosmetic. Obviously the sp2 is a better bike just because they took what they learned from the SUPERBIKE CHAMPION SP1 and improved on it and then took the 51 out of superbike contention completely. As history has shown thats what automobile and motorcycle manufacturers do. They improve on their predecessors. IMO these bikes being what they are should eventually be held on to after they get done being passed around from 18yrold to 20yrold and back because when its all said and done the sp1 will be the bike that everyone looks back on as the best one. It will also be worth a hell of alot more money then the sp2 also.

So what i'm trying to say is that the sp1 is not a bike for "getting used to" and then you should move up to an sp2. An sp1 will be more than enough bike for someone coming from an sv or triple speed.

 

[jgos929]

Yeah, they are sort of hard to find in good shape, especially the SP2s,

This is FALSE !!! The sp2's are much easier to find then the sp1's due to the simple fact that there were a ton more of them produced.

Sorry to be such a nag but I don't know where your getting your info from.

 

[bensexcessbikes]

This is FALSE !!! The sp2's are much easier to find then the sp1's due to the simple fact that there were a ton more of them produced.

Sorry to be such a nag but I don't know where your getting your info from.

Whatever dude. Have fun being RC51 forum police.

 

[jgos929]

Well if you see me in your rearview with my lights flashin you best pull over