Well we had a odd spell of near 70 degree temps in Michigan this week. Perfect opportunity for me to get the decade old SP-1 out and see what she is made off.
I do have to admit that my first impression was one of a weak motored bike; despite an exhaust, PC and aggressive gearing. Mind you this is in comparison to my most recent bikes being ZX10R's and still having a pair of R1's.
But lack of power aside; the sound of twin all but makes up for it on the street
Now as for corner speed, jackpot! For a 10 year old bike it rides on rails! In fact it makes my 06 ZX10R feel like a wood plank. The RC51 is easy to ride fast...seems the suspension is fair, chasis great and the lower hp make it more user friendly than the beastly liter bikes.
So to sum it up...i am 100% pleased and regret not buying a RC years ago! I do intend to paint it this week; gloss black with a possible military theme on the logos...but we will see.
Though it does not have the same kind of power of the new I4s the RC51 is a deceivingly fast bike. It will get going faster then you expect or even feel. Thats one reason its an easy bike to ride quickly. It doesnt have that in your face overpowering pull that will cause you to back off the throttle early and get on the brakes sooner.
The RC51 even 10 years ago was not about outright straight line power or lightening quick transitions ...
Hell, even today's 600cc's will gobble it up.
As you discovered, where the RC makes its money is in the turns where its amazingly stable and smooth even for a 10 year old machine (I have video of Coleman taking his hand off the left control and dragging it in the ground in some long sweepers on RT. 33) and has pretty good manageability and linear delivery of the power in the low and mid range - which is where V-Twin's give their power hit.
So while the I-4's have to be revved and kept in 10K + RPM range to kept on the power bubble, but where throttle input tends to be twitchy and the power hit tends to be more like an On/Off switch (slug ... slug .. slug .. BANG! Oh shitttt hang on!)
As I always said, the RC's a different kind of bike for a different kind of rider.
cbr929 and 954's put out what? like 135hp? That's not much of a difference, the RC was built to take on 750 i4's and the ducati twins, not 1000cc inline 4's
Well again i don't think anyone expects the RC to win any pure power battles with the inline 4's....really of 600cc on up. But boy does it shine in the handling deptarments.
Ya, i have tried to race some of track junkies...RC corner & exit very fast but lose on midrange & top end...the new 600cc bikes are slow on exiting out of corner but fast on straight compare to the RC....correct me if im wrong..
I would bet that due to its side mounted radiators and plastic ram air tube for a fairing stay......it is less able to sustain impact than many more modern bikes.
I guess to "me" the RC51 is a "oldie but a goodie" But hey i like the old ZX7R and old SRAD generation GSXR750's too.
In the world of sportbike development........10 years is vintage!
Shoot just a generation prior to the RC51 there was the ole' F4 and CBR900...those bikes with those things some recall as "carbs".
I love the RC but when you look at its construction and technology.....its dated!
Let's not get silly now . There is a distinction between "technology" and "development" . I wouldn't call gear-driven cams , ceramic cylinders , FI , mass centralization , center-intake , magnesium covers , etc. , "vintage" . Yes , the RC isn't the latest/greatest , but it amalgamated/pioneered design cues which were subsequently DEVELOPED further by all the manufacturers . The bike is dated , so what ? I can only imagine if Honda's identity were intrinsically tied to the V-Twin , like Ducati , and as a result they had refined the package in the ensuing years . A 350 pound , 1200cc SS twin from Big Red is a thing of dreams . You mention "carbs" in the "generation prior ; " indeed , in the generation PRIOR , where the RC doesn't belong . If Honda had asked $20K+ for the '51 (with Ti con-rods ) , and had built limited quantities , the bike would be considered a jewel right now considering how successful it has been in racing . It's a fvcking legend , no doubt about it , and I like most bikes .
Still doesn't change that the bike...SP-1 more specific is dated! Its heavy, its computer processing speed is slow with low memory, brakes are outdated, FI system is first generation.
There have been significant improvements in the class the RC was once dominant. Changes in technology and even displacement.
As stated...2011 it will be able to be raced in modern "vintage"
Still doesn't change that the bike...SP-1 more specific is dated! Its heavy, its computer processing speed is slow with low memory, brakes are outdated, FI system is first generation.
There have been significant improvements in the class the RC was once dominant. Changes in technology and even displacement.
As stated...2011 it will be able to be raced in modern "vintage"
Which just adds to the satisfaction I get from passing a 'modern' sportbike through a turn at a trackday on my stock 2000 RC. Damn that's a good feeling! Best ear to ear grin ever !
Still doesn't change that the bike...SP-1 more specific is dated! Its heavy, its computer processing speed is slow with low memory, brakes are outdated, FI system is first generation.
There have been significant improvements in the class the RC was once dominant. Changes in technology and even displacement.
As stated...2011 it will be able to be raced in modern "vintage"
Don't torture yourself . Just sell that POS RC and buy a new Gixxer every couple of years . You're obviously a high-tech guy . Leave the ancient machinery to the old farts who can afford to lose a few seconds per lap .
Anyone who thinks that a ten year old motorcycle
is going to have as much power as a current bike
can't be aware of the intense pace of development
in the motorcycle world.
Definitely sell the RC51 to someone who appreciates
it and buy the latest gixxer!
Maybe you last two posters should read each response to this post i have made.
"I enjoy my RC!" Its a hell of a bike!
Just stating the fact as some have challenged that the RC is not dated when in all reality the recent 2 year model revamp has put bikes of even lesser years "dated". I suppose if Honda were to release a 2010 model RC67 it would make it clear just how much bikes have progressed.
Same argument goes for most all of the bikes. Look at CBR600's, CBR1k's, GSXR1k's, GSXR600-750's, ZX10's, R1's, R6. Go three generations back or into the 2000-2002 era. Are the bikes slow,,,no, are the bikes obsolete,,no.....but what they are is behind in many areas of improvement including power, weight, handling, brakes, current design trends. All still great bikes though.
Maybe some owners would benefit from riding a modern bike and realizing the advancements and stop justifying their purchase. Key here is "some owner."
First impressions of riding my vintage SP-1
Linear Mode
