Honda RC51 VTR1000 SP1 SP2 SP etc

[HenryDorsetCase]

Say I was interested in buying one of these fine motorbikes.

Anybody who has owned one care to comment? Try and put me off? Say its the best bike ever since the RC30 or RC45?

Tell me I'm dreaming or whatever?

I'm not really interested in "Oh for that money you should buy a Hyosung GTX1100" or whatever: the only sprotbike I really want is an RC51.

So informed criticism particularly from present or past owners will be gratefully received.

Thanks in advance.

[Drew]

Never owned one, but have ridden them.

I thought it was great fun.

[James Deuce]

PM Deano.

He is in the know.

[Drew]

PM Deano.

He is in the know.

Bit of a mixed bag with Deano, he loved it till he was forced to trade it in while on a trip to Aukland, and the gear box shit itself.

[Babelfish]

I'd give my left testicle for one if I could find a vessel with enough volume to store the contents....there's a chap that parks near me the commutes an SP1...and kept an SP5 in his garage (although think he may have swapped that for a new blade)

[James Deuce]

Bit of a mixed bag with Deano, he loved it till he was forced to trade it in while on a trip to Aukland, and the gear box shit itself.

I was rather hoping that we could leave that to Deano to explain, hence my comment about being "in the know".

[mossy1200]

Say I was interested in buying one of these fine motorbikes.

Anybody who has owned one care to comment? Try and put me off? Say its the best bike ever since the RC30 or RC45?

Tell me I'm dreaming or whatever?

I'm not really interested in "Oh for that money you should buy a Hyosung GTX1100" or whatever: the only sprotbike I really want is an RC51.

So informed criticism particularly from present or past owners will be gratefully received.

Thanks in advance.

Had sp1 few bikes ago.Great power delivery.Very planted firm suspension.
They are reluctant at 100 to role on in top but with pipes and the nose cone restricter removed this is solved.
I prefered mine to the rsv mille that I owned before hand but they are thirsty on gas and a tank only gets 180k at legal speeds

9.5/10 fun factor 9.5/10 handling 9/10 power 6/10 comfort

[Babelfish]

9.5/10 fun factor 9.5/10 handling 9/10 power 6/10 comfort

Holy shit that IS my perfect woman!

[Pussy]

I've done a few km on one.... really liked it.
A power commander and a suspension upgrade and I reckon it would be an EXCELLENT bike

[modalx]

Had one since 2004 and still think its great. Its fine out of the box (confidence inspiring, rock solid at speed, great brakes, great feeling of torque) but you can make it much better with simple stuff. Things I have found:

• It needs pipes and Power Commander to breathe properly.
• You have to lift the ride height to get it to turn well.
• Stick to 180 on the rear.
• An Ohlins shock makes a HUGE difference.

Shes a bit porky and she'll make you work but rewards good riding - the harder you ride the better it goes. You can go faster on other bikes* but you won't have more fun on anything on two wheels.




*In fact of course in the real world you will keep up with anyone on the road and there is performance to scare yourself witless many times over

[modalx]

Had one since 2004 and still think its great. Its fine out of the box (confidence inspiring, rock solid at speed, great brakes, great feeling of torque) but you can make it much better with simple stuff. Things I have found:

• ]It needs pipes and Power Commander to breathe properly.
• You have to lift the ride height to get it to turn well.
• Stick to 180 on the rear.
• An Ohlins shock makes a HUGE difference.

Shes a bit porky and she'll make you work but rewards good riding - the harder you ride the better it goes. You can go faster on other bikes* but you won't have more fun on anything on two wheels.




*In fact of course in the real world you will keep up with anyone on the road and there is performance to scare yourself witless many times over

[Kiwi Graham:Me]

Was given one to race when in the UK while waiting for a replacement Suzuki.
Did only one meeting on it (Cadwell Park).
Found the brakes and handleing to be very good, ride height was raised to aid turn in but it remained stable (gooseneck). Ground clearence was a small issue at (mansfield and the bottom of the mountain) It did have stock rear sets on though but the fairing got a shave too.
Grunt/grip out of slow corners was excellent but you had to work hard in the quicker stuff to stay with the 4cyl boys (charlies).
Its a 'big bike' for a V-twin but carries its mass well.........I liked it.

[Drunken Monkey]

There one for sale on TradeMe now, $10K and it's yours:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-246205581.htm

Got my eye on it myself, but still a bit early for my imminent return. Got some 'work issues' to sort out first, but if something like this is for sale in the new year, it's mine!!!!

[mossy1200]

There one for sale on TradeMe now, $10K and it's yours:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-246205581.htm

Got my eye on it myself, but still a bit early for my imminent return. Got some 'work issues' to sort out first, but if something like this is for sale in the new year, it's mine!!!!

You have to get pipes cause they dont run well at 100-120 in top with stock pipes.Allow 2 grand for pipes.Shame it didnt have some good ones on it.
Arrow carbon fibres sound so good on SP1.

[sennandy]

I bought one this year to go racing and I love it, it is solid, I also ride a 1098 on the road which has better brakes and is faster but is 6yrs newer and a lot more expensive. I love the engine breaking on twins hence why I bought it.

I have attached a pic of me at Puke a few months ago on a damp track, bike makes me look good so must be awsome and I am 110kgs.

Buy one and enjoy!