RC51-Opinions | GTAMotorcycle.com

RC51-Opinions

Hammie

Hammie

Active member
Site Supporter
Forum Sponsor
Looking at a few RC51s for sale. I realize opinions are split on performance, styling rideability etc. Not looking for personal preferences. Hoping some people have actual knowledge of the general reliabiability and ability to fix. A few mechanics have said don't touch them with a ten foot pole especially if they have higher mileage. Implied that the motors on these cant be maintained due to their design and that they basically have a mileage expiry date.
Anyone have real world knowledge or experience on this aspect of the bike?

Thx
 
Friend of mine had one for years, and another friend has one today.

Not aware of any such thing with the engines. The engine is a whole bunch of bits and pieces held together by nuts and bolts, just like any other engine.

The engine uses an aluminum block with coated cylinder walls ... not old-school cast-iron liners. Lots of late model sport bike engines are like this nowadays. On the one hand, IF something happens, these are more difficult to repair (not impossible - the block can be re-plated and honed). If they wear beyond limits, that's an issue, and it may be where your mechanics are coming from. But those cylinder walls are tough. As long as the engine isn't run without an effective air filter, they should not wear out for a LONG time.

So yes, as with most other late model sportbike engines, the engine lasts as long as the cylinder walls last. Question is whether anyone has ever found out how long that will be. Except in cases of sand going through the air intake, that's likely several hundred thousand kilometers. Planning to test that?
 
I own one now. Used to own another back in the day. Been in the weeds with it for a long time so to speak. The general consensus I've found is that the RC51 is the last high quality Honda sportbike released before the fit/finish/reliability started to slide into what are current offerings. Interestingly I've heard many people say this, even coming from people with much newer Honda ownership, as well as a few associated with or being dealers.

They are an extremely reliable bike according to owners and magazine reviews. These motors are not anything crazy different from most other modern motors wrt maintenance and rebuilding. One should be able to put huge mileage on a well-cared-for machine. Pretty much everything is still available new for parts from the dealer.

Rebuilds are not cheap at all, but that is the same for all modern superbikes. Frankly, like most other bikes again, people just buy an engine for sale rather than rebuild as it is cheaper and there is a consistent supply.

One weird issue that has popped up on a few bikes is the cylinders wearing to an oval pattern with high mileage. The result is that after the bike warms up, it smokes (burning oil). My guess is that these bikes weren't maintained well with proper oil or oil changes.
 
Last edited:
I know a guy that his odometer quite working at 300,000km's on a VFR800 and this was years ago and the bike is still running. He rides a lot.
 
i had a model year 2000 for about 5 or 6 yrs, put about 35000 km on it, never had a problem. build quality was excellent, rear tires would wear quickly.... i believe alot of owners would shim the rear shock and drop the triple clamps to sharpen steering a touch and transfer a bit of weight off the rear tire and onto the front , also it had a tall first gear like the rc30 did...good for the track , a bit of a pain on the street...the throttle was very " choppy"...great for getting on the gas coming out of corners , instantaneous throttle response, but it could get annoying in traffic...all in all a terrific bike with lots of character....last of hondas gear driven cams streetbikes...v twin rumble sounded awesome with slip ons....... i regret selling it....
 
Last edited:
V-Twins are awesome on the road, tons of torque in every gear no matter the rpms.
 
DownUnder said:
V-Twins are awesome on the road, tons of torque in every gear no matter the rpms.
Click to expand...

Never owned one or ridden one, but I love the looks and specs of the RC51. get one :D
 
Can't speak on the 51, but TL1000's never stop, and The RC51 has no bad rumours besides what you wrote you heard.

Buy one (I believe the 2001's fixed a few small issues), you'll love it.
 
on another note; side mounted rads mean minor tip overs can cost a lot more than just scuffed bodywork, but I'm just splitting hairs now. I love the bike, buy one.
 
I owned one with a full yosh system, sound was glorious. A tough bike designed for track use, not optimized for street use.

Heavy clutch pull, great motor but beats you up on the bumps.

Here is a shot of my 51 at the cove in NS. I do miss the twin sometimes...

IMG_0103.JPG


BB
 
FWIW, minor tip-overs do not damage the rads. Even moderate drops imo.


CafeRay said:
MCN is the only magazine that actually comments abut model reliability, based on actual research.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/honda/vtr1000-firestorm/1997/

They give it thumbs up. Minor concern about cam chain tensioners, water pumps.
Click to expand...

Swing and a miss.....
(It's not a firestorm).


Also never heard anyone complain of clutch pull on the RC51 before. It has a hydraulic clutch fwiw. YMMV with Barnett springs, etc.
 
Last edited:
Double miss CaféRay
They have gear driven cams.

I currently have an RC. Bought it last year and love it.
It's a big RZ350 on steroids. Such a fun bike to ride, plenty of character. Loads of laughs.
Just love the hell out of this bike.

Reliability is what you put into it. Most people say the engine is indestructible.

Buy one, ride the hell out of it and enjoy our life.











CafeRay is offline


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Join Date:Jun 2013Posts:3,734




Re: RC51-Opinions



MCN is the only magazine that actually comments abut model reliability, based on actual research.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-r...irestorm/1997/

They give it thumbs up. Minor concern about cam chain tensioners, water pumps.


kwtoxman said:
FWIW, minor tip-overs do not damage the rads.




Swing and a miss.....



Also never heard anyone complain of clutch pull on the RC51 before. It has a hydraulic clutch fwiw. YMMV with Barnett springs, etc.
Click to expand...
 
Kamran (Ghostrider) has had one for years and i don't think he's had any problems.Nickdog owned it before him.I was on a ride with him and Speedway years ago.What a noise!
 
I read a write up in a respected British bike magazine back in the day and they said "Honda won a championship with this thing?" Friend has one, never won a championship and still loves it. Go figure.
PS his tipped over at the Rockton Worlds Fair. Spendy to fix but that could happen to any bike.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom