RC51 pros and cons

[Sniper]

A lot off guys seem to regret selling their RC51s. Some guys that still have em, don't ride em much.....

So what were the 3 things you liked best about the RC and what were the 3 things you hated?

[bloaker]

I can some up my 5 years of RC ownership...
I had an 01 & 02 RC owned from 02-06, countless track days, tons of street time, etc...

In 06 I bought a used 03 R1. A better bike in every category with half the headaches.

[tarheelguy]

It's kinda cult like.

Nearly any sportbike made in the past decade is a better platform for racing or street.

But there's "something" about an RC. You either get it, or you dont.

It's a very Individual thing.

Likes - Stable and inspires loads of confidence.
A little different from the rest of the paddock.
grunt of the motor.

Dislikes - Lack of HP
expensive to improve
starting to have trouble finding aftermarket parts.

[ndcent]

This thread is relevant to my interests, please keep it going!

[cmurphy84]

How do the RC-51s compare to say the Suzuki TL1000R?

[LDH]

Originally Posted by cmurphy84

How do the RC-51s compare to say the Suzuki TL1000R?

Well the RC is a fat wallory pig that had excellent aftermarket support

The TLR is a top heavy sow that had no aftermarket support.


I only miss mine when it rains...

[Sniper]

With the RC and the 919, you sure had a couple of fat wallowy bikes several years ago! lol.

I know a lot of guys used them extensively on the track, but how was the power delivery on the street? How much HP did an RC with Satos and a PC put out?

How much the average modded RC weigh?

I thought they were miserably uncomfortable.

[LDH]

Yup & they are miserably uncomfortable and have a very short tank range too. Not a good streetbike by any stretch of the imagination.



2002 RC51 Sato high vs Sato Banzai vs Stock

[zaq123]

I think RC51 is a track whore, she is not good on the street

[Sniper]

That HP gain between 4 and 7 thousand RPM is unreal. That thing really responded well to cans and a PC. Thanks for diggin that graph up, Mike.

128 HP, 70 ft lbs, is pretty respectable for the time.

[LDH]

Originally Posted by Sniper

That HP gain between 4 and 7 thousand RPM is unreal. That thing really responded well to cans and a PC. Thanks for diggin that graph up, Mike.

128 HP, 70 ft lbs, is pretty respectable for the time.

Neh... For the time they were underpowered too and now it's a horrible disparity. The Duc 848 puts out the same horsepower & weighs 72lbs less!

[zaq123]

both sets of cans in that pic aren't oem

[LDH]

Originally Posted by zaq123

both sets of cans in that pic aren't oem

Ya think

[spuds mackenzie]

I think.

[cmurphy84]

Originally Posted by zaq123

both sets of cans in that pic aren't oem

Originally Posted by Lord Duckhunter

Ya think

HAHAHAHA

[wingnutt]

Like Mike said ... The RC-51 absolutely RULES in the rain then he started going off-topic with ducatis and boobs.

A 3rd(red one)MINE and 4th (camo one)Scottys without rain tires@ Brainerd international 30+ on the grid The 1st and 2nd place guys were on new rains

[Hondad]

I guess I am the only one who still likes his RC and I ride it regularly, once or twice a week.

I agree either you get it or you don't.

I like the bike for what it is.
Yes it is a bit heavy but manageable. It has reasonable level of power and power delivery for the street. It is very reliable. It has great feel. Also the mechanical sounds are a nice plus.

Most of the others seem frustrated/disenchanted that they could not make it into what they wanted.

In contrast, I do not have problem with the RC as a street bike, in any way. Maybe it is the age factor.

The only negative is the heat. It runs hot and feels hot especially in the summers in Florida.

The RC is a bike that has come and gone as a premier sport bike as all the one's of the today will one day. That does not mean that it is not a very good bike.
Just my 2 cents.

[bloaker]

Originally Posted by Hondad

It is very reliable.

The RC is the most unreliable bike I have ever owned.
My 02 was horrible and puked fluid in any kind of traffic.
My 01 was more reliable up until it decided to have transmission issues with lest than 10,000 miles on the motor.

That said... One can claim I did not treat them well... But my Bandit, F4i, R1, and tiger (With three times the mileage) were trouble free (recieving the same treatment - some claim I beat the Tiger the most).

And as for making it into what I wanted... I wanted a fun track bike. And it served as such for 4 years. Then I wanted to go faster... Amazing how a virtually stock bike (added a damper to the R1) was more in control than the bike I have dumper more $$$ into than all others combined regarding aftermarket.

There is a plave in my heart for an RC. And if I have a garage with 6 bikes, an RC will be one of them. But if I only have room for five... not gonna happen.

[RC51_CBRXX]

I still like mine ...

[bloaker]

And in the 13 miles you have ridden yours, it has never broken down. Yay reliability!

[mcromo44]

Originally Posted by Sniper

That HP gain between 4 and 7 thousand RPM is unreal. That thing really responded well to cans and a PC. Thanks for diggin that graph up, Mike.

128 HP, 70 ft lbs, is pretty respectable for the time.

Having benefitted from LDH's v4 Moriwaki based 919 map, I must correct you on a major point. The cans and PC only go so far, it's the skilled mapping that really makes it all work. The fixing of that torque curve was surely very reliant on mapping.

[scrat]

I don't have room for 6, but i have more than that, including an RC. it is a bike that inspires a person to be a part of it, the way you fit around it, can feel things moving, hear all sorts of noises, and can regulate it w/o huge amounts of skill. it it makes me feel fast, is stable pretty much all the time, and i've had not a single bit of problems on the street other than a wiring problem for the fuel pump. should one stand it up, it tracks VERY easily in unicycle mode, and you hardly need to worry about covering your rear brake.
Dislikes: it has a cult following, making OEM parts pricey/ hard to find, and aftermarket parts REALLY pricey if you can find them.
I want to do a lot of things to it, but there is nothing i can complain about after a year!

[wingnutt]

Here's a 'beauty... I like what he says about owning 50 bikes

For Sale - 2005 Rc51 - Blk/grey - $6500/bo - MNSBR

[bloaker]

THat one is really pretty!

[soundman]

Loved
1) The anywhere, everywhere useable power
2) The sound!!!
3) The ability to smoke anything/everything on a smooth twisty backroad

Hated
1) The physical pain
2) The inability to ride on anything other than immaculate roads
3) The fact that I had to sell it.

[corndog67]

Originally Posted by mcromo44

Having benefitted from LDH's v4 Moriwaki based 919 map, I must correct you on a major point. The cans and PC only go so far, it's the skilled mapping that really makes it all work. The fixing of that torque curve was surely very reliant on mapping.

That's Dan Kyle's map. And Mr. Sato makes nice pipes. Or are those Moriwakis'?

[Shmoo]

Likes:

1. I can get on the power a lot harder coming out of the corners than my I4's.
2. Stability
3. It's an RC51.

Dislikes:

1. Heat.
2. Weight - I can feel the extra weight in many areas of riding.
3. Cost.

I'm still on the fence whether I should sell mine or not. It took me a long time to find this one ('02, uncrated in '05, 1 owner).

[LDH]

Originally Posted by Shmoo

Likes:

1. I can get on the power a lot harder coming out of the corners than my I4's.

I'm assuming what you mean is that based on your skill level it is easier for you to use the lower horsepower rating of the heavier RC51 versus riding a higher horsepower lighter bike that would spin up the rear tire quicker making it harder for you to ride effectively.

[wingnutt]

Originally Posted by Lord Duckhunter

I'm assuming what you mean is that based on your skill level it is easier for you to use the lower horsepower rating of the heavier RC51 versus riding a higher horsepower lighter bike that would spin up the rear tire quicker making it harder for you to ride effectively.

Mike you are something else

Now why don't you sponsor "CHASE" and team combat he needs an instructor that can keep-up or he will hit a plateu

I will re-send his resume !

http://www.speedzilla.com/forums/hon...race-bike.html



B.T.W. I like slow dancing with my fat girl

[LDH]

Well I am just saying I have not come across a production based RC51 yet that I cannot toy with at will on my 1000RR... With cornerspeed being equal on both bikes the 1000RR simply throttles away from them with just a flick of the wrist period. The inline puts out more horsepower & more torque for a longer spread of rpms than the RC does. It simply has more power & I know it it also puts more of it to the ground through better traction.

[wingnutt]

Originally Posted by Lord Duckhunter

Well I am just saying I have not come across a production based RC51 yet that I cannot toy with at will on my 1000RR... With cornerspeed being equal on both bikes the 1000RR simply throttles away from them with just a flick of the wrist period. The inline puts out more horsepower & more torque for a longer spread of rpms than the RC does. It simply has more power & I know it it also puts more of it to the ground through better traction.

You are correct,but don't you agree the rc is easier to learn on ?

[LDH]

Originally Posted by wingnutt

You are correct,but don't you agree the rc is easier to learn on ?

That's a catch 22 there as there are definite pros & cons to that as well. Less horsepower is never bad thing to the learning curve of a new rider, but the RC in stock form is very unforgiving. It is very heavy which gives it stability, but it also makes for a very exhausting ride experience having to muscle it around. Another downside is that once you commit to a line on an RC then that's it... There is no changing your mind mid-corner and if you got it wrong and are about to run wide then you're gonna run WIDE LOL You can chop the throttle or stab the brakes, but you are still gonna run off the track...

On the other hand if you learn to manhandle an RC51 and become relatively proficient at it then that will definitely benefit you when you do move to another bike whether it is an easier to ride 600 or a point & shoot liter bike.

[wingnutt]

Originally Posted by Lord Duckhunter

That's a catch 22 there as there are definite pros & cons to that as well. Less horsepower is never bad thing to the learning curve of a new rider, but the RC in stock form is very unforgiving. It is very heavy which gives it stability, but it also makes for a very exhausting ride experience having to muscle it around. Another downside is that once you commit to a line on an RC then that's it... There is no changing your mind mid-corner and if you got it wrong and are about to run wide then you're gonna run WIDE LOL You can chop the throttle or stab the brakes, but you are still gonna run off the track...

On the other hand if you learn to manhandle an RC51 and become relatively proficient at it then that will definitely benefit you when you do move to another bike whether it is an easier to ride 600 or a point & shoot liter bike.

Point taken... I have made mine "FEEL" much lighter than stock as far as inputs go and the setting your line for the whole turn is great disciplene because if you get it right every time the 51 will never leave the course.

[Shmoo]

You're right, my skill level is not that high. But I always figured it was the powerband of the RC and the way it put down the power that allowed me to get on the gas faster/more. I haven't tracked a newer I4 1000cc bike, I'm basing my opinion on the RC from I4 600's.

And I also agree, my 600 allows for a larger margin of error out there vs the RC.