I realize this is no big deal for many VFRD regulars, but despite owning a motor-powered two wheeler for 92% of my life since age 11, I have never had more than one at a time. That era is over.
2003 RC51. Only 15K miles, some minor scratches but totally stock, got it last Monday. Raw, sporty, a whole lot of fun, and the perfect complement to my 1200. And when those HD guys slowly pull up on their 925 lb., 85hp land cruisers, we can talk v-twins! This is one fun bike.
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Drool . . . ! Nice find.
Congrats! Nice choice. V engine power FTW! Since I shared my fathers Magna and Shadow motorcycles (1984+), I have not owned an inline or parallel engine motorcycle. Other than riding my friends S1000R from the dealer to his house a few months ago, I don't think I've ridden an inline bike in a couple of decades!
Oh yea, welcome to the MBD club!
One of the coolest sport bikes in recent history. Very nice!
59 minutes ago, Duc2V4Oh yea, welcome to the MBD club!
Thanks D. I was trying to think of something clever like V22Duc, but no.
Never had a inline 4, probably never will...
A very nice find, my friend... :wheel:
Call me jealous.............. I AM!!!
:-)
The RC51's are sweet, had to fight off the urge to pick up a low mileage Nicky Hayden edition a couple of months ago. Nice bike you have there, enjoy!
You now have the garage that I have been dreaming of! I have a recurring search on Craigslist for RC51's. My wife will catch me looking and just shakes her head. But the RC sure would look nice next to my 1200!
Unfortunately, only idiot douchebags like this guy own them around here:
http://dayton.craigslist.org/mcy/5654690585.html
QuoteI'm selling a 2004 Honda rc51 Nicky Hayden edition. The bike has 4,934mi on it they will go up a little as I might ride it. The bike has a custom swing arm stretched 6". It has been lowered. It can still corner like a stock one. It has Two Brothers pipes on it and I have a set of Jardine RT-1 pipes as well as the factory set to go with it. Has a tank protector and a tank bra that is on it. Has a double bubble wind screen from zero gravity. Has the solo seat cover on it and I have the rear seat for it as well. Asking 10,000 obo. No bs offers if you know these bikes you know what they go for stock and with a ton of miles. Will trade for zx14,Harley night train, or a dyna wide glide.
The RC51 is a bike I have lusted for a long time......
Nice bike! Looks well maintained.
One small little point, not sure as MBS ( multi bike syndrome) has been actually classified as a disorder just yet, when it does my wife has threatened to make me seek treatment.Just a small correction...........😎
And its an SP2! Nice!! :wheel:
When you can, the minimal list:
15/41 gearing
Kyle Racing Clip Ons (raises them up an inch and out an inch)
New Seat
Ohlins Rear
Kyle Racing dogbone
Kyle racing modified front forks
Slip-ons and a tune
Remove soft limiter and flapper
13 hours ago, marriedmanUnfortunately, only idiot douchebags like this guy own them around here:
Yup, $10K for an RC someone tried to turn into a 'Busa, weird. Evaluating the seller on CL is often more useful than evaluating the bike.
There were four or five RC51's on CL in June in my area, all in the $4K-6K range. I looked at one, weeping fork seals and questionable mods, then found the one I bought, owned by a really nice guy in his 60's, cutting back to three bikes in the garage. 160 miles away, but worth it!
10 hours ago, UltimatevfrNice bike! Looks well maintained.
One small little point, not sure as MBS ( multi bike syndrome) has been actually classified as a disorder just yet, when it does my wife has threatened to make me seek treatment.Just a small correction...........😎
Very well maintained, most of the scratches were from a tipover. And, I think, him moving it around in the garage all the time.
My spouse (whom I have nicknamed The Saint this week for obvious reasons) is pretty sure MBD is a clinical disorder. You probably need treatment. If someone near her mentions that there is room for bike #3 in the garage it could get ugly very quickly.
I'm so in love with the RC51! This one is really nice, congrats!!!
You will love it.[image: 11037569_10206115511786531_7708215495915]
Nice catch. If Honda wanted to sell more bikes they would........you fill in the blank. It's a no brainer.
2016 at 0:18 PM, luvtoleanit, July 6When you can, the minimal list:
15/41 gearing
Kyle Racing Clip Ons (raises them up an inch and out an inch)
New Seat
Ohlins Rear
Kyle Racing dogbone
Kyle racing modified front forks
Slip-ons and a tune
Remove soft limiter and flapper
Leanit, a belated thanks for the list. But you forgot the most important and effective performance mod: the addition of an HRC sticker!
15/41 gearing is at the top--I finally shifted into 5th and 6th the other day just to make sure they were really there. But for the moment riding in traffic at 50-60mph in 1st gear is kinda cool.
Ordered a Pit Bull rear stand last week, along with the shop manual. Suspension mods are down the road, I'm taking my time getting to know the baseline. But even I can tell the rear shock needs an upgrade.
Hadn't thought about higher clip-ons, or the seat, will look at those, thanks for suggesting. When I was exploring the RC purchase Kyle Racing popped up all the time, will definitely be in touch with them, and they're not that far from where I live.
And lastly, as I have often said about my various VFR's, what a motor!
Very nice! I ride my buddies all the time, and when I get back on the VFR, it feels like a La-Z-Boy chair! He has Ohlins out back, a re-valve up front, and a full racing exhaust header/pipe with the gearing mod. One heck of a bike, but a very committed riding position. After riding the VFR, the RC feels like the TRON bike where your hands are on the axle shaft, but boy is it easy to put it where you want it in a corner!
Enjoy!
Oh, forgot to mention, looks like you have enough room left for a dual sport......just sayin'
St. Stephen, 7/26/2016 at 1:10 PMLeanit, a belated thanks for the list. But you forgot the most important and effective performance mod: the addition of an HRC sticker!
15/41 gearing is at the top--I finally shifted into 5th and 6th the other day just to make sure they were really there. But for the moment riding in traffic at 50-60mph in 1st gear is kinda cool.
Ordered a Pit Bull rear stand last week, along with the shop manual. Suspension mods are down the road, I'm taking my time getting to know the baseline. But even I can tell the rear shock needs an upgrade.
Hadn't thought about higher clip-ons, or the seat, will look at those, thanks for suggesting. When I was exploring the RC purchase Kyle Racing popped up all the time, will definitely be in touch with them, and they're not that far from where I live.
And lastly, as I have often said about my various VFR's, what a motor!
Just remember that the bike you are riding is not how HRC intended. This bike was made to be notified, a true homologation superbike. Stock, it's neutered. The stock gearing is horrible. The front end of the bike is a rock, super stable, but the rear needs to be jacked up to bring the front end to life, hence the new suspension link/dogbone needed. This bike is different than any other I've owned. Each change I listed, makes a big big difference. Once these things I listed are done, it feels like a completely different motorcycle and the one HRC intended. You can call Kyle Racing and talk to Dan. He is the most knowledgeable RC51 mechanic on this continent. You're extremely fortunate to be so close to him. I'd pay double what I pay local for Dan to tune my bike. He isn't cheap, but his work is some of the best there is. He won AMA tuner of the year twice and was chief mechanic at Erion Racing back in the day.
One more update. Have put just over 1100 miles on the RC51 since acquiring it late June. Photo below on the PCH earlier this week (zoom in and see who sponsored the space to determine exact location) :wink: .
Removed the reflectors, they really bothered me, removed the warning stickers on the tank (yes, still after 13 years), new brake and clutch fluid, fresh coolant, oil & filter. Did the gearing change, new 15 front and 41 rear sprockets and a new chain, from Kyle Racing. What a difference.
Next, new rubber, thinking Michelin, and of course, suspension work. What a hoot! Who knew I would ever own a Honda V-twin!
Oh yeah, and the HRC stickers, both sides.
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