[mikeodial]

I am a happy KRS rider, but keep hankering after a sport bike partner for the beemer, particularly a twin. This has recently evolved into admiration for the Honda RC51. Does anyone on the forum have one, and if so, is it the torture rack so many have described? It just seems like one of the nicest things Honda has ever made, and it sounds.... well beautiful compared to my box of rocks KRS.

All input welcome..... positive and negative.

 

[budcarrigan]

Rc51

I had the same yearning. I liked everything I read about the RC-51 and it's impossible not to like the way they sound. Especially with aftermarket pipes. What changed my mind was an extended demo ride. It's a little bike. Ergos are tight. My 6'4" frame made it painful. I still like the bike, but can't endure the punishment.

Too tall in Texas.

FYI

Take a look at the Aprilla RSV Factory if you really want to drool.

http://www.aprilia.com/models03/road/eng/modello.phtml?id=54

 

[Lucky88]

Rvt1000r / Rc51

Good to know there are Beemer guys on this forum with Honda interests. In the last year, I made 4 bike purchases and one of them does happen to be the Nicky Hayden replica RC51. That was year 2004. I bought the RC but with too much things going on in life, I couldn't make the time to ride the bike. I knew this at time of purchase, so I told the dealer to deliver it in the crate! I think within the next few weekends, I'm gonna bust it outta the crate. Can't hold that urge much longer

Previously I had a chance to ride one on a so called "extended" road test. The '04 RC51 with Erion pipes. All I can say is that was one incredible ride. Beautiful flawless performance. Having owned many Honda's in the years, the product rocks. This bike sounds as good as it performs. Disadvantage may be a bit tiring on the forearms from such a forward lean. Bike handles very well and so easy to ride. Light, yes much lighter than my K12RS. For those short trips, this bike is one fun ride. Nothing to regret.

 

[Guest]

I am a happy KRS rider, but keep hankering after a sport bike partner for the beemer, ...........

All input welcome..... positive and negative.

Do understand your position. I ended up adding a '03 ZX-6R with my '03 KRS (RIP - crushed by a cage). While I enjoyed the 6R, I found that I didn't ride it nearly as much as I thought I would. Here in Arizona, unfortunately, there's about an hour ride before anything gets interesting for a . I compromised after replacing the KRS with a KGT. I replaced the 6R with a Z750S. While not a true sport bike, it flicks close to one and is a bunch more comfortable getting to favorite riding spots.

 

[Catatafish]

Mike,
The RC51 is not painful so long as you're sport riding. Moving around, gunning it, braking...great for about 3 hours. You'll be mentally anguished before physically anguished. If you're touring around, its a very committed position and bike and you will be ready to get off after 90-120 minutes. At least that's how my body takes it. I'm 37, 6'0" 180 and fairly long limbs.

It's very nice to have a true sport bike in the stable with a sport tourer and the RC51 is a great sport bike to ride. The sound is intoxicating and they always get plenty of looks.

 

[jnmness]

I have both an RC51 and K1200RS in the garage right now. The RC51 now belongs to my son but was mine first. I put Heli-Bars on the bike and it is quite rideable and have spent many days twoup on it. I have even had my wife on the back on the racetrack. My son it deployed in the Army right now and is planing to sell the RC on his return. We have his power of Atty so if you are close to Southern California, come look at it.

Jim

04 K1200RS
05 K1200S
05 GL1800

 

[FastDoc]

Glad to hear there are others who appreciate the RC51. I've got an '01 that I excitedly bought new in January of that year, and have spent the years modifying it and spending money on it. The 51 went through some growing pains in the early years, issues with front forks, snatchy fuel injection, non-linear response of the swingarm, and I attempted to fix all those things. I've had Dan Kyle do my forks, an Ohlins rear, PC3r, and I've stripped anything non-essential off if it. Even went to race bodywork which I painted myself in Krylon to look like a Colin Edwards rep. It's been a lot of fun, but the bike rarely is ridden on the street due to the stiff suspension and LOUD 2 into 1 Jardine exhaust. I've found that after all the years of track days with it, it's just not fun to ride on the street anymore because I just can't flog it like it's meant to be flogged. But every now and then I put on the leathers and take it for a rip; it's always a satisfying rush, albeit a short one. It's certainly not the fastest nor does it have the latest techno bits, but it has something a lot of sportbikes don't have - real character.

 

[rickd]

Even went to race bodywork which I painted myself in Krylon to look like a Colin Edwards rep. It's been a lot of fun, but the bike rarely is ridden on the street due to the stiff suspension and LOUD 2 into 1 Jardine exhaust.

Love the paint, wheels, etc, etc. Those bikes sound awesome with a nice pipe.
Hard to tell the difference in sound between the RC51 and a Duc. You done good.

 

[mikeodial]

agree, drop dead gorgeous paint job.... I want one....

 

[demanl]

Rc51...

A friend has one.....and it has a very cramped riding position....plenty of power.....especially since he modified the sprockets......and added a power commander.....now it has way too much power....he is constantly changing out his front brakes...and his rear tire.....it has no wind protection...no saddle bags....and no heated grips.....

I constantly have too stop when I ride with him just so he can stretch out his cramped body...and he is only 5'10"......

The bike does have plenty of power.......my friend ended up slamming it into some poor fellows car....the bike slid on its left side carving a nice whole in the side cover of the engine...but not too worry...we googled ebay and found a huge supply of parts from other modded and/or wrecked rc51's.....this bike has way too much power for the street.

I rode it once or twice around my block.....my hips immedialty when into a spasm upon placing my feet up on the pegs...ouch....and the first time I tried to stop this machine I almost flat spotted both tires.....nice....

Anyway I'll keep my K12RS....and maybe get the new K12S to keep it company...

 

[jimbobvfr]

Why not go Italian?

I bought the Aprilia RSVR in '01 instead of the RC. It gets better gas mileage, has gobs of torque down low, and after the helibars I've done 500 mile days on it. I didn't want to look like the rest of the group, so the RC wasn't on my list. On the RSVR, I've got the best bits already sorted, just a TBR pipe, double bubble windscreen and go! I added a fastbag which just fits where the rear cowl goes. Its roadtested to 150mph with no problems!! And the sound? great!!

 

[mikeodial]

A friend of mine has the Mille and has had a lot of problems with it. How has yours been. It's a great looking bike.

 

[jimbobvfr]

oh, just the usual things. cramps in my face from smiling so much. tightness in ass from the first time I took it thru a curve at speed. It actually steers based on vision like the apache gunners. frustrated looks from others who hate to get behind me and the TBR pipe. Frustrated looks from others who get in front of me to escape, but can still hear it in the tunnels. giggle fits when I think of riding it again. More frustrated looks, when i do the same on the new GT with the stock pipe.
oh, one sticker came off on the tail piece, but they replaced it.
I've heard of other gremlins, electro, fuel, bits not put together, but none from me, knock on wood.

 

[DYL_Jim]

Aprilia Mille

Mike,

I too love riding my Mille. The only problem I have had was faulty kill switch and that was replaced under warranty. The other problem is that I like to go too fast on the track and have low sided the bike three times in the past year and a half. All were attributed to tired rider and rider error. I am still trying to learn my limits. The Aprilia slides extremely well and now I have a full set of track plastic. It is a great bike and handles like a dream.

 

[mikeodial]

Now you guys have me very interested. Great responses......

 

[ltm8k12]

I am a happy KRS rider, but keep hankering after a sport bike partner for the beemer, particularly a twin. This has recently evolved into admiration for the Honda RC51. Does anyone on the forum have one, and if so, is it the torture rack so many have described? It just seems like one of the nicest things Honda has ever made, and it sounds.... well beautiful compared to my box of rocks KRS.

All input welcome..... positive and negative.

You will not believe this, but here goes..... A few months ago I traded my 2000 K1200RS for a heavily modified 2002 RC51 SP2. The guy wanted my bike as a commuter, I wanted a sport bike. We test rode each other's bikes, and the deal went down that same day. I've been having a blast ever since.

This bike is very quick, and has what might be the best sounding motorcycle exhaust...the Sato Titanium Banzai mounts. Here is my breakdown:

Ergos- Compared to the KRS, it is a very uncomfortable. But for some reason, my muscles have adapted and I can ride it everyday with no problems. The secret is to ride very fast so the wind holds you up and relieves the pressure on your wrists.

Engine- lots of torque from 3500 to 9500 rpm. I have different sprockets on it to increase acceleration, so it is just a torque monster. I've seen 168 on the speedo before the sprockets, so it has more than enough power. The immense engine braking that the V-twin produces takes a bit of getting used to. You have to have a very steady throttle hand to be smooth on this bike. Did I mention it is loud as hell? The best sounding bike bar none. If you have never heard an RC51 with Sato's, you don't know what you are missing. Gas mileage is terrible....I get about 30mpg average.

Handling- What can I say? It handles very well, but it takes alot of effort to do what you want it to. For whatever reason, the bike requires a great deal of steering effort to make it change direction.

Brakes- With the HRC pads, I would say it has some of the best stock brakes around. I constantly use only 1 finger while canyon riding. Alot of that has to do with the engine braking though. I will say you have to be very careful wit the rear brake, because the engine braking plus the rear brake will cause you to lock up the rear if you are too aggressive.

Transmission- simply the best transmission I have ever shifted. Short throws, effortless clutchless upshifts and downshifts are very addicting. I only use my clutch from a standstill, and on aggressive downshifts before very sharp curves.

Styling- its a Honda. So it has Honda all-nonsense styling (ie stickers and different colors). I try to forget its a Honda, but I can't.

Verdict- I love this bike for what it can do. Nevertheless, I will be selling it next month. Why? Because I just don't feel special on it. Even with all the positives the bike has, I just can't get over the fact that I am on a Honda. It didn't bug me that much initially, because I was so impressed with its performance. But now I'm aching for that exlusivity factor. That's why I will be selling or trading it in for a Ducati 999. I like to consider it my training-Duc.

 

[sfarson]

I am a happy KRS rider, but keep hankering after a sport bike partner for the beemer, particularly a twin. This has recently evolved into admiration for the Honda RC51. Does anyone on the forum have one, and if so, is it the torture rack so many have described? It just seems like one of the nicest things Honda has ever made, and it sounds.... well beautiful compared to my box of rocks KRS.

All input welcome..... positive and negative.

Sporting twins are a great complement to the I-4 KRS. I fold myself onto a Duc. No problem. Sometimes I classify bikes as 100 mile bikes, 300 miles bikes, 500+ mile bikes. Of course the KRS can do all the preceding well, but I kinda see it as excelling as a 300 mile sporting ride. The RC51 would be a major blast 100 mile bike but could handle 300 mile duties. Regardless, fun to think about.

 

[BCC]

The RC-51 is the ideal saturday morning go for a blast sportbike. I'm 6'3" and the only times I was uncomfortable on it is when I tried to ride it to work. It is not a stop & go commuter nor is it a great sport touring bike. But for handling, speed and ohhh that sound, it's fantastic.

I sold mine to get a 12GS. Wish I had kept it for those times nothin' but a flat out sportbike will do!

 

[tsienville]

I had the same yearning. I liked everything I read about the RC-51 and it's impossible not to like the way they sound. Especially with aftermarket pipes. What changed my mind was an extended demo ride. It's a little bike. Ergos are tight. My 6'4" frame made it painful. I still like the bike, but can't endure the punishment.

Too tall in Texas.

FYI

Take a look at the Aprilla RSV Factory if you really want to drool.

http://www.aprilia.com/models03/road/eng/modello.phtml?id=54

I second that - the RSVR was my second choice next to the KRS when I was bike shopping. I use the bike for commuting a lot so the KRS won due to practicality and the ABS. However, the Aprilia RSVR is the perfect sportbike for tall people (6"4' here). I was able to fully tuck in on this beast which I could never do on most sportbikes. The sound will make you pee yourself.

 

[mikeodial]

Sounds like that's what I should be looking for in the spring. I guess I am getting twin fever......