Thoughts and feed back on a 2000 Honda RC 51

rich6969

rich6969

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I am going to look at a 2000 Honda 1000RC 51 V-Twin, has all bradded lines Corbin seat Two Brother carbon fiber exhaust on the weekend ....
thoughts and feed back? Good or Bad bike ?
 
I'd rather have the SP-2, but they are nice bikes. In and around the 130hp mark, gobs of torque.

I've been told by some its an uncomfortable ride, but I didn't find it that bad.
 
Fun ride with tons of character. Doesn't keep up to any modern supersport though so if "going faster than your friends" is something you give a **** about, look elsewhere. The suspension leaves something to be desired. The bike is a bit of a pig on turn-in, but the brakes are superb and the motor/transmission are buttery-fresh.

The SP2 ('02+) is a better bike but you could do most of the upgrades yourself after purchase. The newer model has a better swingarm and better cooling system, amongst other things. The cooling system is, for lack of a better word, crap when it comes to street duty. The rads are mounted high up on the side and the SP1 only has 1 fan... the bike runs hot, it hates traffic. There are cooling fins you can add, and you can also add the second fan as well as wire in a switch and reverse polarity so that they do a better job of keeping the beast cool.

ONE warning: check the gas tank thoroughly. The SP1 tank had some problems which manifested in fuel leaking from the rear tank mount. I almost caught myself on fire on my SP1 which leaked gas onto the rear shock and exhaust. The problem is with the welds, where the mounting plate is attached to the tank. Have a good look around and make sure the tank is full when you're checking this thing out. Look for signs of leaks. I can't comment on how widespread this problem is, but when I had it, it was known of. Honda offered to pay for half of a new tank for me (well outside of warranty) but I fixed it myself with JBWeld (held 2 years no problem).
 
is that bike being sold in Grimsby?.....if so I have the lowdown
 
mmmnaked said:
Fun ride with tons of character. Doesn't keep up to any modern supersport though so if "going faster than your friends" is something you give a **** about, look elsewhere. The suspension leaves something to be desired. The bike is a bit of a pig on turn-in, but the brakes are superb and the motor/transmission are buttery-fresh.

The SP2 ('02+) is a better bike but you could do most of the upgrades yourself after purchase. The newer model has a better swingarm and better cooling system, amongst other things. The cooling system is, for lack of a better word, crap when it comes to street duty. The rads are mounted high up on the side and the SP1 only has 1 fan... the bike runs hot, it hates traffic. There are cooling fins you can add, and you can also add the second fan as well as wire in a switch and reverse polarity so that they do a better job of keeping the beast cool.

ONE warning: check the gas tank thoroughly. The SP1 tank had some problems which manifested in fuel leaking from the rear tank mount. I almost caught myself on fire on my SP1 which leaked gas onto the rear shock and exhaust. The problem is with the welds, where the mounting plate is attached to the tank. Have a good look around and make sure the tank is full when you're checking this thing out. Look for signs of leaks. I can't comment on how widespread this problem is, but when I had it, it was known of. Honda offered to pay for half of a new tank for me (well outside of warranty) but I fixed it myself with JBWeld (held 2 years no problem).
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Thanks for the input...
 
I own a 2001 RC51 and love it! Unlike the inline 4's it has power you can use on the street and doesn't demand to be ridden at 12,000+ rpm to feel fast. The are torque monsters and feel fast and torqey at all speeds and RPMs. I wouldn't worry too much about the cooling/over heating issues. My brothers 03 CBR600RR over heats faster. I keep up to my buddy on his brand new GSXR750 in the twisties and i'm at least 50lbs heavier than he is. Oh and when the 3 of us pull up to the pumps (GSXR750, CBR600RR and RC51) the RC51 uses the least amount of fuel by a large margin. For some reason you can get a great deal on an RC51 this year, must be because they are 10+ years old. A couple years ago getting one for under $6K was stealing it. Some are still saying that these will be a collectors bike one day. People are getting big bucks now for their old RC30's and RC45's.

I love mine and everyone always comments on how dope it looks (Collin Edwards Replica), but my opinion is kinda biased. This was my dream bike when I was a kid and now it's parked in my garage. This will be the 4th summer riding it and it has been nothing but stone cold reliable to me.

Find a good clean one that has been taken care of and jump on it!
 
burg226 said:
I own a 2001 RC51 and love it! Unlike the inline 4's it has power you can use on the street and doesn't demand to be ridden at 12,000+ rpm to feel fast. The are torque monsters and feel fast and torqey at all speeds and RPMs. I wouldn't worry too much about the cooling/over heating issues. My brothers 03 CBR600RR over heats faster. I keep up to my buddy on his brand new GSXR750 in the twisties and i'm at least 50lbs heavier than he is. Oh and when the 3 of us pull up to the pumps (GSXR750, CBR600RR and RC51) the RC51 uses the least amount of fuel by a large margin. For some reason you can get a great deal on an RC51 this year, must be because they are 10+ years old. A couple years ago getting one for under $6K was stealing it. Some are still saying that these will be a collectors bike one day. People are getting big bucks now for their old RC30's and RC45's.

I love mine and everyone always comments on how dope it looks (Collin Edwards Replica), but my opinion is kinda biased. This was my dream bike when I was a kid and now it's parked in my garage. This will be the 4th summer riding it and it has been nothing but stone cold reliable to me.

Find a good clean one that has been taken care of and jump on it!
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thank's i really like the look and sound of them myself.... i am not a big guy 5'9 maybe 180lbs is it a heavy bike? well i need high heels?
 
rich6969 said:
thank's i really like the look and sound of them myself....
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Hey Rich - post #6 is FULL of consistantly referred to info on these bikes.
I've never owned one (yet) but they are my fav bike in Honda's long lineup.
Those that own them, have had their brain picked by me, and, like I said, post #6 is spot on - although, I've heard from other owners that the front brakes are the weak point on an RC51, contradicting post 6's review. In any event, the bike will come to a stop regardless.
As for gas leaks, we know you have experience with that :p.

Here's a nice 2003 RC51 for investment purposes, barely broken in, with < 1,900kms:

http://hamilton.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-motorcycles-sport-bikes-2003-Honda-RC51-W0QQAdIdZ366678147

Please buy it, before I go and do something stupid ;)
 
Gary said:
Hey Rich - post #6 is FULL of consistantly referred to info on these bikes.
I've never owned one (yet) but they are my fav bike in Honda's long lineup.
Those that own them, have had their brain picked by me, and, like I said, post #6 is spot on - although, I've heard from other owners that the front brakes are the weak point on an RC51, contradicting post 6's review. In any event, the bike will come to a stop regardless.
As for gas leaks, we know you have experience with that :p.

Here's a nice 2003 RC51 for investment purposes, barely broken in, with < 1,900kms:

http://hamilton.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-motorcycles-sport-bikes-2003-Honda-RC51-W0QQAdIdZ366678147

Please buy it, before I go and do something stupid ;)
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ha ha the old man made a funny ;)
Nice bike not looking to spend that much Gary...
 
rich6969 said:
ha ha the old man made a funny ;)
Nice bike not looking to spend that much Gary...
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It's negotiable Rich, (and it's an SP2) and although it's been about 9yrs since it was in a crate, that bike is 'new'. Besides - it's only money!!
Looks like I might have to throw out some furniture and food to make room for it, if you're not interested :D.
Wonder what it would be worth 10yrs from now, with 2,000kms on it?
 
Gary said:
It's negotiable Rich, (and it's an SP2) and although it's been about 9yrs since it was in a crate, that bike is 'new'. Besides - it's only money!!
Looks like I might have to throw out some furniture and food to make room for it, if you're not interested :D.
Wonder what it would be worth 10yrs from now, with 2,000kms on it?
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You can always buy it and strore it in my Garage Gary..... i am still on the fence on what bike i want...i kick myself in the *** for selling the R6 last year....
 
Gary said:
Hey Rich - post #6 is FULL of consistantly referred to info on these bikes.
I've never owned one (yet) but they are my fav bike in Honda's long lineup.
Those that own them, have had their brain picked by me, and, like I said, post #6 is spot on - although, I've heard from other owners that the front brakes are the weak point on an RC51, contradicting post 6's review. In any event, the bike will come to a stop regardless.
As for gas leaks, we know you have experience with that :p.

Here's a nice 2003 RC51 for investment purposes, barely broken in, with < 1,900kms:

http://hamilton.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-motorcycles-sport-bikes-2003-Honda-RC51-W0QQAdIdZ366678147

Please buy it, before I go and do something stupid ;)
Click to expand...

Im surprised that anyone would complain about the brakes...to me they were quite excellent both in power and feedback. But these ARE old bikes now and perhaps the complainers just need some new parts :)

For what its worth, I had a K4 gix1 for the 2 years I owned the RC and I'd go weeks without touching the Suzuki. The RC was of course far slower, but it just had this badass attitude about it that made it so much fun to ride.

You won't go wrong. If you choose to dump some money into it, the best mods by far are a 520 chain with -1+2 sprockets, and lighter wheels. Really changes the dynamics of the bike.

I found gears 1-2-3 to be quite short, and then 4-5-6 really tall... I'd often be on the highway in 4th completely oblivious to the last 2 gears being available.
 
mmmnaked said:
Im surprised that anyone would complain about the brakes...to me they were quite excellent both in power and feedback. But these ARE old bikes now and perhaps the complainers just need some new parts :)

For what its worth, I had a K4 gix1 for the 2 years I owned the RC and I'd go weeks without touching the Suzuki. The RC was of course far slower, but it just had this badass attitude about it that made it so much fun to ride.

You won't go wrong. If you choose to dump some money into it, the best mods by far are a 520 chain with -1+2 sprockets, and lighter wheels. Really changes the dynamics of the bike.

I found gears 1-2-3 to be quite short, and then 4-5-6 really tall... I'd often be on the highway in 4th completely oblivious to the last 2 gears being available.
Click to expand...


i just moved to Brantford so i plan on spending alot of time on the hwy back and forth to work every day.... cant wait till sat to see it now, is the bike heavy in corners ?
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