Honda RC51 - are there many of these around? [Archive]

Mike.Gayner

8th October 2019, 09:42

I'm considering a Honda RC51 as my next bike just for something a bit different. Are there many of these around? Last time I looked a few years ago there was always two or three listed but can't see anything right now. What kind of money do they fetch for a decent example?

Cheers.

Navy Boy

8th October 2019, 12:38

Ooh yes :2thumbsup - I remember these when they first came out. I always wanted one too. They were called the SP-1 in the UK and that red and black colour scheme was truly lovely IMHO.

As for price now - They seem to vary a fair bit from what I've seen. Carbon Garage in AKL did have one or two in last time I looked. it may be worth giving them a tinkle as he seemed to be able to get his hands on them occasionally too.

jasonu

8th October 2019, 12:55

https://raresportbikesforsale.com/
have a scrounge around here for useful model information.

HenryDorsetCase

8th October 2019, 13:21

I follow them too. I think they have just bottomed out at the value vs time graph. There is a guy with a couple on tardme. from memory a 2001 and 2003. the 01 you could have had for just over $10k and the 03 he wanted $12k for. I don't think it was an SP2 though jsut a late registered SP1.

There was a Performance Bikes from a couple years ago that had a rundown on them in terms of what to do what to look for etc.

Blackbird

8th October 2019, 14:55

HenryDorsetCase

8th October 2019, 15:07

Friend of mine in the central north island has one - had it for years. It's a thirsty bugger but it's been reliable. Not his "regular" bike - mainly for fun outings.

Photo taken at our place a couple of years ago.

Also took a photo of the black one at Hamilton Motorcycles 2 or 3 years ago. It was an import going for about 10 grand.

what I can remember from reading up on them is that they fuelled very badly from stock and the "Back in the day" fix was a PC3, and they also ran pretty hot and were high geared for town. Like an RC30.... I think I am right in saying all the RC51's had Ti rods and valves because they were one of the last homologation specials. Theres a huge fanbase for them in the US.

onearmedbandit

8th October 2019, 16:17

They were called the SP-1 in the UK and that red and black colour scheme was truly lovely IMHO.

Sp-1 and Sp-2 here as well, the American's referred to them mostly as the RC51.

jasonu

8th October 2019, 16:18

Photo taken at our place a couple of years ago.

.

Nice back yard.

Blackbird

8th October 2019, 16:35

Nice back yard.

Thanks Jason, the front is nicer :whistle: We are only 5 minutes from the Northern end of the Coromandel Loop. And my wife thinks we moved there for the fishing (err.... no she doesn't :cool:)

onearmedbandit

8th October 2019, 18:08

Thanks Jason, the front is nicer :whistle: We are only 5 minutes from the Northern end of the Coromandel Loop. And my wife thinks we moved there for the fishing (err.... no she doesn't :cool:)

That looks like a slice of heaven.

Blackbird

8th October 2019, 18:20

That looks like a slice of heaven.

Thanks OAB! Two hours from Auckland, Hamilton or Tauranga but as retirees, it's not a big deal. Happy to be here!

Navy Boy

9th October 2019, 13:21

Thanks OAB! Two hours from Auckland, Hamilton or Tauranga but as retirees, it's not a big deal. Happy to be here!

Having been there myself I can vouch for the area's beauty - Nice roads to get there too. :yes:

Blackbird

9th October 2019, 13:46

Having been there myself I can vouch for the area's beauty - Nice roads to get there too. :yes:

Long time no see Lee! Unfortunately, the Northern Loop is still closed to traffic due to the bridge being replaced at Kuaotunu between Coromandel and Whitianga. Scheduled for completion some time this month.

F5 Dave

9th October 2019, 17:28

Thanks OAB! Two hours from Auckland, Hamilton or Tauranga but as retirees, it's not a big deal. Happy to be here!
That sounded more like a pro than a con. Further away the better.

HenryDorsetCase

9th October 2019, 17:38

sidecar bob

9th October 2019, 17:57

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=2348225558&member_hash=f0e746a5497765b590dfb82d8a6acd95a459a3 f759d98dca00&tm=email&et=46&mt=9C1D36CC-4229-4A71-BC36-5A25A9BF762F

Its back. It is an SP2. Pros: bone stock. Cons: dings and SHIT photos. I've asked him if he sold the other one.

I
Never buy a bike off someone that has two of that model.
Chances are you will be buying the worst of everything.

jasonu

10th October 2019, 02:19

That sounded more like a pro than a con. Further away the better.

Yeah like Wellington is anything to rave about...

But yes Auckland does suck.

Mike.Gayner

10th October 2019, 07:48

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=2348225558&member_hash=f0e746a5497765b590dfb82d8a6acd95a459a3 f759d98dca00&tm=email&et=46&mt=9C1D36CC-4229-4A71-BC36-5A25A9BF762F

Its back. It is an SP2. Pros: bone stock. Cons: dings and SHIT photos. I've asked him if he sold the other one.

I

Spotted that last night, seems a little expensive considering how rough it is, though hard to know considering the terrible photos.

I'd be prepared to pay that much for a great example. Not sure if my expectations are wrong or not, hard to tell with so few examples for sale.

Navy Boy

10th October 2019, 08:21

Spotted that last night, seems a little expensive considering how rough it is, though hard to know considering the terrible photos.

I'd be prepared to pay that much for a great example. Not sure if my expectations are wrong or not, hard to tell with so few examples for sale.

I think you're right about the price being too high. That's the sort of money I'd expect to pay for a really nice example and preferably an SP-2 one at that.

HenryDorsetCase

10th October 2019, 10:56

I think you're right about the price being too high. That's the sort of money I'd expect to pay for a really nice example and preferably an SP-2 one at that.

according to his terrible ad copy it is an SP2 (better fuelling) but less desirable.

Batcerb

12th October 2019, 21:43

The RC51s that end up here seem to usually be insurance write offs from the US.

http://thebikedealer.nz/sold/

I’ve never dealt with the bike dealer, but if you really keen it might be worth seeing if you could get a clean one out of Japan.

Hardly ever see an NZ new SP1 or 2 on Trademe

R650R

13th October 2019, 10:08

i had a thing for these for awhile but never got one... remember seeing new at big boys toys in Auckland when they came out, over $30k new at time! Also remember being marketed locally as sp3-4-5 etc even though no changes later years. Local dealer had is personal Castrol colours one on show for awhile. Few years ago was heaps of them on tm around 10k mark.

onearmedbandit

15th October 2019, 21:16

One of these listed as stolen on Facebook as of today. Apparently the second SP1 stolen in the last month.

https://www.carjam.co.nz/car/?plate=vtrr

mulletman

26th October 2019, 16:26

Heres another

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-2373397012.htm?rsqid=c6eb861522d64101ad6d2b5c77c27 b43-004

onearmedbandit

26th October 2019, 17:18

Heres another

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-2373397012.htm?rsqid=c6eb861522d64101ad6d2b5c77c27 b43-004

That's tasty!

F5 Dave

26th October 2019, 18:32

Now there's someone who knows how to take some appealing pictures and write an add. He should take classes for the slow of thinking.

Batcerb

27th October 2019, 19:45

https://www.trademe.co.nz/trade-me-motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-2375275573.htm

Another one, what are the odds of two in a week?

F5 Dave

27th October 2019, 20:34

I'm going to say 1:1

You know.

jasonu

28th October 2019, 05:41

Heres another

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-2373397012.htm?rsqid=c6eb861522d64101ad6d2b5c77c27 b43-004

https://www.trademe.co.nz/trade-me-motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-2375275573.htm

Another one, what are the odds of two in a week?

Do people think they are made of gold???

Batcerb

28th October 2019, 19:47

Maybe not gold, but they’re still a very cool bike to see out and about

HondaLad

29th October 2019, 09:33

Heres another

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-2373397012.htm?rsqid=c6eb861522d64101ad6d2b5c77c27 b43-004

Have been fortunate enough to have a quick ride on that bike, it's beautiful and meticulously looked after. I envy whoever's garage it ends up in...

Mike.Gayner

29th October 2019, 09:54

Heres another

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-2373397012.htm?rsqid=c6eb861522d64101ad6d2b5c77c27 b43-004

That looks good. A little rich for my blood, but not by much. Super tidy with great upgrades though.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/trade-me-motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-2375275573.htm

Another one, what are the odds of two in a week?

Gone already?