RC-51s Yeah or Nay?

[scubacat]

Found one at a decent price that is in beautiful shape...Only real downside I have heard is that maintenance is a pain if you do it yourself and expensive if you don't....They seem to have a cult following....

[weasel221]

i have a handfull of friends with RC's, both SP1 and 2's...never heard any grumblings about working on them a lot...
they are HEAVY tho'...

[wrx_02]

I have always like them. With that said for what I have seen them sell for you could get a RSV for the same price which is a lot more bike all the way around.

[Tdawg]

Cool bikes. Didn't care much for the ergos or side (boob) radiators, that have to be moved for maint.

[Steve / AF1 Racing]

Cool bikes. Didn't care much for the ergos or side (boob) radiators, that have to be moved for maint.

Those radiators are probably the biggest turn off for me, but I've always liked the RC51.

I think the seating position was a little more confidence inspiring for a short rider (I'm only 5'8") because you sit more "in" the bike than with the '98-'03 Mille.

[nitro450exp]

Avatar, Nuf said !

[Racer X]

would like 1 in my stable of bikes

here's a good deal on one

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda...item3f1770e5bb

[FALCOnry]

A friend of mine back in NH, regretted selling his...........but the one negative that he complained about was that it ran hot in slow traffic or at stoplights. Other than that, he loved it.

[lanes luck]

Yeah

[will_f3]

The RC is a great bike.... I had a 2003 and loved it..... smooth v-twin power and awesome sound!! Sold it about a month and half ago, and used the money I got for it towards the new Tuono V4R. Only sold it cause I wanted something different than a fully faired sport bike, and something that was more comfortable for two-up riding.

So, if you have the chance to get one, I say go for it!!

[soberman001]

I have always like them. With that said for what I have seen them sell for you could get a RSV for the same price which is a lot more bike all the way around.

I agree

[WAZZU_Mille]

I have a NH replica that I use for track days. I've owned it for one season. I also was a VTR owner. I wouldn't say it is a maintenance pain. It's a bit of a pig though. I don't have any experience with it on the street but all RC owners seem to complain about them running hot on the RC forum. On the track I don't have issues. I had a 2000 Mille, but it was a street bike, as is my 04 Factory. I felt like the 2000 was a more comparable to the RC. The Factory is much better. The have a high resale based on those lunatics that feel the value is worth it. If you can find one cheap (as I did), get it. My was a local bike, low miles and loaded with tons of aftermarket stuff so I couldn't pass. Good luck.

[WAZZU_Mille]

I agree with Steve w/AF1, you do sit a bit lower on it. The tank is very wide and you almost hug it while on the bars.

[norcolmille]

all of the above echoes my experience -Reliable - rugged - v-twin - heavy -hot in traffic

If I had the time and space I would have another SP2 if the price was very good .....
but it is an "old generation " (gen1 like) bike. If I had to spend the same $$ I would just get ANOTHER Gen2 as their is no comparison .

[SF2DieHard]

A friend of mine back in NH, regretted selling his...........but the one negative that he complained about was that it ran hot in slow traffic or at stoplights. Other than that, he loved it.

So did my Zane Laverda 750. That beast had to be running (galloping). I would love a chance to find out if I could be happy with an RC51.