[DRFLGD]

Lets hear why everyone owns an RC51!
I had an 01 RC back in 01. Sold it. Ex wife said too many bikes. I also had a 2001 CBR929RR Erion edition at the time! Dunno why I sold the RC and not the CBR. Well I recently got the RC bug again. Sold my VTX1800 and bought a 2004 RC. Dunno, the mystique of the V-Twin rumble, the low numbers of them around here. The racing blood thats in the Rc is just exhillerating. It definitely is a bike set apart from others. Yeah some people know about them, some people are dumb founded that Honda made a V-Twin sportbike. I get "Only Ducati makes a V-Twin sportbike!" LOL Well the RC was coined " The 1 liter Duc eater" for the longest time! There are better bikes out there, but nothing is like an RC.

 

[finepooch]

the rc is unique. v-twin sound. couldn't justify spending THAT much more on a duc. honda quality and reliability. solid bike. on and on...

 

[PBMW]

I rode a 50th aniv R1. Lots of mods. 166 rwhp.
Built my tard and teh R1 just became boreing. Wasn't any fun. Frighteningly fast...but just not fun.
Bought the RC and am doing track days. Way more fun.
Mine is a loud raucus motorcycle...
Just what I was looking for.

 

[DRFLGD]

the rc is unique. v-twin sound. couldn't justify spending THAT much more on a duc. honda quality and reliability. solid bike. on and on...

I hear that about justifying the cost of the Ducati. Every time I plan to pull the trigger on a new Ducati, I think about the maintenance interval on them. I hear horror stories about their reliablity also. UGH

I love my Hondas. It's all I've ever ridden on the street.

The Ducati is my "Unicorn" bike though!

 

[DRFLGD]

I rode a 50th aniv R1. Lots of mods. 166 rwhp.
Built my tard and teh R1 just became boreing. Wasn't any fun. Frighteningly fast...but just not fun.
Bought the RC and am doing track days. Way more fun.
Mine is a loud raucus motorcycle...
Just what I was looking for.

Very Cool!

I have fun with my CBR1000RR and my RC51. I'm glad I have the opportunity to be able to afford both.

 

[SubSailor]

My RC51 is the only Honda I've ever owned.
I've never had much for I-4's. I've usually gravitated towards twins.
Until Yamaha introduced the '09 R1, they all sound pretty much the same.
If Honda would introduce a modern litre-size redesign of the RC30 or RC45, I'd thing about it.
Those V-4's sound sweet with a set of pipes (and gear cam drives too).

 

[DRFLGD]

My RC51 is the only Honda I've ever owned.
I've never had much for I-4's. I've usually gravitated towards twins.
Until Yamaha introduced the '09 R1, they all sound pretty much the same.
If Honda would introduce a modern litre-size redesign of the RC30 or RC45, I'd thing about it.
Those V-4's sound sweet with a set of pipes (and gear cam drives too).

So could you be in the market for the new VFR?

 

[SubSailor]

So could you be in the market for the new VFR?

You mean this one?

Probably not.
I'll probably get a used late model FZ1 instead.

 

[Defender]

Probably not.
I'll probably get a used late model FZ1 instead.

I had heard of some frame cracking/metal fatigue issues with the later model alumninum frame FZ1's. My 04 had the steel frame. I LOVED that bike.

 

[TMFD]

sub is that really the new vfr? that is one ugly piece of machinery.

 

[DRFLGD]

Thats a bad picture of it. But, yes. Rumor is thats it!

 

[SubSailor]

sub is that really the new vfr? that is one ugly piece of machinery.

I believe they say yes, it is.
A late 2009 or 2010 model supposedly.
It's got a 1200 V-4 VTEC with multi-cylinder cutout with about 190-200 HP.
It's also is rumored to have a semi-automatic gearbox using paddle shifters with the dual-clutch system.
The dual-clutch system has one large clutch basket with two concentric shafts.
One clutch only handle even gears, the other odd gears.
That way, the system can have two gears engaged at once, and the selection is simply engaging one clutch and disengaging the other.

I remember an F1 team tried this concept a few years ago, and it was quite entertaining to see what happened when the electronics made an "error".
Hopefully this one will be reliable.

A few other lower quality pictures.
Amazing how Euro-3 standards have made butt ugly exhaust systems an art form.

 

[Allen03RC]

Ugly ass bike.... I'll stick with mine.

 

[DRFLGD]

I think it's a decent looking sport-touring bike! But, I should reserve judgement until I see it in person!

 

[Defender]

Getting back to the original question posed: For me the first time I heard an RC51 I fell in love. The unique sound coupled with the heritage, looks, and experience makes the total package for me. I will be going to check one out and will be picking mine up Sunday if it checks out. I finally sold my Cobra!!!

 

[DRFLGD]

Awesome! Let us know how it goes!

 

[jgos929]

I get "Only Ducati makes a V-Twin sportbike!" LOL Well the RC was coined " The 1 liter Duc eater" for the longest time! There are better bikes out there, but nothing is like an RC.

Because technicaly they are the only ones that make V-Twin sportbikes. The only reason it got that name is because it won 2 WSBK championships. As soon as the bike hits the street that name goes right out the door. Lets don't sugar coat it here, any competent rider on a 999R can blow away a good rider on a 51. Here is a quote from motorcyclist mag "How much twin-cylinder love can you get for roughly half the 999R's sticker price? At $11,599--plus about $4500 in bolt-ons--our long-term RC51 is one perfect answer to that question." That in my opinion aint no "duc eater" Don't get me wrong I love my 51 and get many compliments on it but it aint no ducati. I happened to come across a 51 and thought why not. It's not what I was looking for at the time but the deal was right and it ended up working out. I'm a guy thats always walked beside the wagon and not rode on it with everyone else. Thats the main reason I got mine.

the rc is unique. v-twin sound. couldn't justify spending THAT much more on a duc. honda quality and reliability. solid bike. on and on...

I could justify it and I will. The goal for me is a new 1198s by next August. A vtwin thats making what 160-170 horse and can run with every I4 out there..... Count me in. When you say you own a Ducati its the same as saying you own a Ferari. Their worth every penny if you have it to spend that is.

 

[finepooch]

drflgd,
yup, the duc maintenance has killed a couple deals for me. that being said, i will have one at some point.

 

[DRFLGD]

The valve adjustment and the Ducatis are getting better from what I hear. I think the 1198 is up to 7500 mile intervals. If I'd take the time to learn how to do them myself, It would be easier to take in.

 

[gobi42]

Like most people on here i heard an rc51 start up and fell in love and after owning a 2007 suzuki GSX-R1000 which was just stupid fast and handled like a razorblade on two wheels and a 2008 zx6 that was so quick in the corners and light it was kinda crazy but i then traded for my rc51 there is just something to be said about a bike that can throw you back in all 6 gears and handle almost as well as a 600. how ever i hear all this talk about duc's aren't we all forgeting the aprilia rsv 1000 and the new rsv4 that is said to have close to 200 hp at the wheel and desgined for the track that is my dream bike would have gotten it but i ride two up alot so the rsv4 is out for now but one of these days soon