RC51 Why?

[Doughnut Spaghetti]

So I just got back from the shop and mentioned I was going to get into track soon and told the guy I had a RC51. The first thing he said was to get something that newer that you could buy parts for.

Every time I mention I have a RC51 people look at me like I have the rarest bike in the world which is actually kinda cool because one of the reason I bought a 51 is the fact that it's kinda rare. But, I can honestly say that it's not really hard to find parts for this bike. Aside from this site, there is sh!t loads of parts and info all over the internet about this bike.

So I want some of you track guys to chime in and let me know what I'm getting into because I'd like to take my bike to the track someday. I mentioned at said shop I'd like to start out with a SV650 and he just said it didn't matter, I'd still be running in the same class and should just get a 600. I already have accesss to a race prepped F4. It doesn't really matter much to me if I win, Its more important that I get out and ride. I always thought as SV was very cheap to maintain and would be a great starter track bike. How bout the RC51, I always thought it was a track bike first and a street bike second.

It's just crazy how misunderstood the RC51 is to most people. Especially young people.

Thanks for the advice ahead of time.

[5.4 speedster]

im 26 and I have lusted after the rc ever since i was just out of high school. I learned to ride on a cbr600f2 and then had a bunch of gixxers. I wanted something different so I got a RC. I bought it without ever riding one and I don't regret it a bit. The turn in seems slower than with my gixxers but i have a ohlins and kyle link to help out with that. I get looks everywhere I ride this thing. Some dude on a 1098 asked me how I liked it.

[nomo]

Like a classic red wine , so many nuances , so much heritage .

[vanessa]

if you've got access to a race prepped F4, i'd say go rock that for a couple of track days and see how you like it. extremely capable machine.

[DUX]

Track days or racing?

Track days don't matter at all b/c it's not a race. Ride the RC if you want. I've seen a bunch out there and they are sweet sounding!

I don't want to risk or worry about laying mine down so I ride a track prepped 600rr. My skills are far from exceeding the bike's capabilities. Less motor means I have to carry more corner speed to keep up with the bigger bikes and that's a blast, especially when they try to use throttle to make up for bad cornering technique. Passing a 1000 on a 600 provides it's own satisfactions.

The F4i would be a lot of fun IMO. If you've got time, rent "One Man's Island." It's about a guy who fulfills a lifelong dream to ride the Isle of Man TT and he does it on an F4i.

There will be guys on stronger and weaker bikes who lap you no matter what you ride.

Racing....someone else will have to chime in. SV's are a blast and there are parts galore out there cheap. You might also consider a zook 600.

[bensexcessbikes]

It's a tough call... if you have access to the race prepped F4, rock that for a while and see if you can stand it. Otherwise, the piggy might be a good one to go track with. But building a decent RC to just beat around with on the track can't be that expensive. I know a good source for parts.

The worst part about track RCs is that if they go down, you're in for some damage... exhaust, rearsets, bodywork, handlebars, fairing stay. Some of the inline fours have more plentiful (read: "cheaper") parts if needs to be replaced. Oh yeah, and tanks... oh man, the ephing tank bulges.

I know there are some members on the board that have thrown together cheap-o track RCs and they are great. Goes down, scratched exhaust, dented midpipe? Whatever, just pick 'er up and roll on down the road. On the other hand, if you have a cherry rider you might not want to lay down, maybe tracking it isn't a great idea.

Keep the RC no matter what your track ride is!

[K-town RC]

I won the 2007 Formula 2 National Championship on a SV 650. A great bike to learn on, and just plain fun to ride. I`ll let you know about the RC next month when I get back from Road Atlanta. I`m guessing it`ll be quite awesome!!! Raced on just about every kind of bike, but the V-twins are just too fun. Always have a stupid smile stuck on my face after riding and racing them. The F4 is a fine machine. But V-twins rock!! Also, ain`t no more fun than passing a in-line 4 on a twin!

[Doughnut Spaghetti]

Awesome!

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I'll never get rid of the 51. That dude, at the shop just threw me off because I know a lot of people are still racing with 51's.

I'm hoping to get into racing and track days eventually. I'm gonna probably use that F4 just because it's cheap and ready to go. I used to have an SV and loved it. Just never took it to a track. Actually the little SV is what got me hooked on Vtwins and the RC51.

Thanks

[RAZR51]

I did a few trackdays on a pristine 02 51 and wasn't completely comfortable with the thought of throwing it down the track. So I bought a track ready SV650. I absolutely love the little twin. It's much easier to race with.It weighs in at 345 lbs with all fluids except gas. It handles excellent. It's much easier on tires, fuel, even the spares are more plentiful. I'll never get rid of my RC51, and maybe someday I'll get another to race with...but I do not regret racing the SV. There's an old saying...."learn on the smallest bike your ego will allow"! A rapidly growing segment of racebikes lately is a Kawasaki Ninja 250.

[sqd8r]

Trackdays: any bike will do and the stock RC51 is setup pretty good. Plenty of reasonably priced mods will make it handle better but leave the bhp alone. Getting more bhp out of an RC51 is tough - read: $$$.

Racing: Buy the cheapest and easiest to ride bike you can. First season is a learning one.

Really for trackdays esp. only a few trackdays per season use the bike oyu own or have access to. Far cheaper than buying another. Besides expect to get smoked by the guys on the old/slow supersports.

[TorqueTc]

I have a SP2 RC51, and a 2008 CBR1KRR. Both are awesome bikes, and different from each other.

Why not do what a lot of members do on here and own both? Nothing like having a bad ass vtwin and a inline 4.

[bmfgsxr]

i raced gsxrs (and a cbr) for a number of years and when you crash (which you will) parts are a dime a dozen. even at the track you can find someone with parts to spare. im currently building my rc for the track, and parts are hard to find (comparitively speaking). and at the track i wouldnt expect to find any parts at all so if i wreck i should hope to have the spares i need with me. i bought my rc because i had always wanted a twin, and i always wanted the rc. but the reality is that the more rare your bike is the tougher time you will have when you crash it.

[dstewart]

Originally Posted by Doughnut Spaghetti

Awesome!
...Yeah, I'll never get rid of the 51...

Many people also get married thinking they will never get divorced.

I love mine and hate the idea of not riding it anymore. The reality is, every year and after every crash it gets harder more expensive to put it back together. The good parts are getting very hard to find. Im on a quest now to find some HRC Valve Train parts that last year where available but I cant find them any more. I think I've sent 15 emails off all around the world this morning trying to find them on someone's shelf.

Later this year I will be adding a 600 to the garage to race (I plan to race it up a class in with the 750's to keep out of the 600 mayhem). I will keep the RC51 and run it now and then + track days but I need a new primary race bike.

[g-man]

Don't race mine any more but it does get flogged on the track like a $2 whore.

I still have a pretty comprehensive spares inventory so parts have never been an issue.

I do need a replacement street tail is anyone has one for sale. I would be willing to trade a SharkSkinz race tail in decent shape.

[vanessa]

Damon, you should try the 750 suzuk, think you'd like it. 130 brake or thereabouts and rides like a 600. only rode my mates on the road a couple of times but after the sp, it was like riding a 250.

[DUX]

Track ready RC (not mine):

For Sale: 2001 RC51

[mspeedman]

I would definately track-day the RC, see if you like it, just be careful ride in your 80% limit cause it is expensive to crash. And sucks to crash a street bike. It is completely different to ride than a 600 but all it can do is raise your ability when you ride it on the street.

If your going to race it I would probably get a 600 to learn on cause they are a little more nimble and easier to learn on.

I race my RC competitively now but did 6 years on 4 different 600's and it helped me appreciate running a big heavy twin now racing is just fun as the bike is a hoot to ride fast

[pannetron]

If you ever crash the RC51 the repair bill will likely be what you could have purchased a used CBR600RR race bike for. Those side mounted radiators are expensive! And like others have said, 600cc race bike parts are much more common than RC51 parts.

[TorqueTc]

Just dont crash, and you wont have a problem to worry about.

[oljackboy]

Stay away from trying to be a novice on a 600. There is a very good reason those classes are known as "the meatgrinder."
Get a race-prepped sv650 and go race it. You can also take it to trackdays. Cheap, tough, very rewarding to go fast on. Race it as close to stock as you can, other than suspension. If you try to race an RC51 1)you'll get soundly beaten by more modern stuff and 2) you'll have a built-in excuse.