SH vs. RC51
 

I have a buddy needing to get rid of a RC51, i was thinking about picking it up. What do you guys think, is there a big difference in riding position? I know there is a power difference but is it big?? any other comments?

Re: SH vs. RC51
 

I bought a 98 VTR1000 in the first shipment in April, 1997. In late 1999, I sold it and got one of the first RC51's in early 2000 and kept it until 2002. Recently, I bought my 1998 VTR back, so I can share my opinions with you.

The RC51 is faster, smoother, has better brakes and handling. The powerband is up the RPM scale a bit. The addition of TBR cans helped to strengthen the lower end and the midrange was very impressive. It has a larger tank and the fuel injection helps it to get better mileage, so you have a longer touring range. The instant throttle response of the fuel injection, combined with the RC's high gearing, however, made it a bit snatchy in lower gears and you ahve to adapt to that in order to be smooth. The bars are lower, but the reach to the tank is shorter, so it isn't bad. I tried Heli bars and went back to the OEM bars. The suspension on my 2000 model was a bit harsh. A Sargent seat helped in the comfort department.

On real twisty roads or on the race track it was incredible. On a tour that included straight roads, it was a bit of a pain. It was, after all, designed as a race bike.

I grew used to it and didn't recall how much different it was from my VTR until one day at a Pridmore CLASS at Road Atlanta, I swapped bikes with Greg Nemish, who still had his VTR. When I took his VTR on the same track I had just ridden my RC51 on, it was incredible what a difference there was. I immediately felt that the VTR was slow, vibrated a lot and the brakes were not very good. I was glad to get back on the RC and enjoy the rest of the day on that wonderful track.

That being said, I recently bought back my 1998 VTR and I am thrilled to have it home again. While it is not as good on the race track, I do a heckuva lot more miles on the road than on the track. The VTR just has a pleasant personality, is an easy bike to ride with a very friendly power band and even sounds better than the RC51, in my opinion. I guess when I think about it, I can recall that in 2 years of owning the VTR the first time, I put a bit over 20,000 miles on it. In 2 years of owning the RC51 I put a bit over 5,000 miles on it. That tells me a lot.

So, my opinion and experience is that while I loved the RC51 and it was incredible on the track or good twisty back roads. the VTR is more fun for an all around sport bike and I am glad that I have mine back.

Fred Z.

Re: SH vs. RC51
 

YUP, that speaks volumes about bikes. Doesn't really matter how "great" it is if you don't ride it. That's exactly whay happen to me with an F4i; incredible handling, silky smooth motor, everything felt new and tight but it was sort of boring (IL4's suck) and the riding position got old if you weren't in the twisties, and the handling became somewhat unstable (nervous?) in some situations. Bottom line: A great bike but I wasn't riding it much.

I have always loved the looks of the RC, and think it is one of the best bikes out there. But after owning a couple of other bikes with full fairing (for the looks), and getting over the pose factor, I now look at the functionality of the bike more so than the looks of it.

Also, at my level of riding, with possibly a couple of occasional track days (for learning) in future, frankly I don't see myself needing a better performing bike than the SH for a while.

So, even though the RC is better looking and better performing than SH, I don't think I will be willing to sacrifice the comfort and "all-around-ness" that SH is providing me for it.

Re: SH vs. RC51
 

Thats where i am at, i just don't know if i want to lose my comfort, but we will see.

Re: SH vs. RC51
 

I did not had pleasure of owning RC51, but tried it many times as one of my buddies in our town rode RC51 for endurance series and then returned bike back into stock state and kept it in garage next to his Blade.
Interestingly, he mostly rode Blade (I mean daily) while RC51 gathered dust in garage...
After several rides I came to conclusion that I want RC51. But not a replacement for Storm, and not in stock way, because I found it uncomfortable even for twisties (I mean realy go-cart like twisties) where it was very stable but not very "flickable". After I changed (a bit) ride geometry and suspension components on my Storm (Hawk) it is easier to flick than RC51 I tried. Thou I must admit that overall RC51 is a handling diamond with hyper-rigid chassis.
My dream is to find damaged RC51, throw away fairing, install Powercommander, get rid of clipons, get rid of headlight, put on handle bar, twin Triumph ST style headlights, make it a bit lighter with some bits and bobs and start using it daily as street driller and twisties carver. Well, that's Aprillia Tuono route actually.
I think in stock form RC51 is way too track oriented - it is so obviously a "base" for race bike, if Honda even sells HRC kit for it upping ponies to 160 at rear wheel...
All above IMHO.

Re: SH vs. RC51
 

I like both the VTR and the RC-51 and think that they would make a nice complimentary pair for the garage: one for track days and one for an everyday-driver (no big guess which would be which). :)

As far as raw track-day performance goes, thare aren't many stock bikes out there that are a match for the RC-51. (Read the online Euro/Aussie reviews for the VTR1000-SP1 and VTR1000-SP2; it is almost universally loved by those who auditioned it). Even so, in my view, the silver-red-black color scheme that most RC-51's sport looks lame and does not age well in the UV-intense sun of the Southeastern US. That could be fixed, however, with the addition of a nice custom paint job, or by getting a black-over-gold RC-51--a nice change from the earlier color scheme.

Since I'm full-on enthusiastic about V-twin sport bikes and find Ducatis to be an over-priced pain in the neck, I'll likely eventually own an RC-51, just for kicks. Nonetheless, I'll also likely always ride as my primary motorcycle a tricked-out VTR1000F..."The stone that was rejected shall become the head of the corner."

cheers,
--HotStreetVTR

I had a chance to try a friend's RC today, and everything the other guys have said here is absitively posolutely right. His front end felt planted while mine was jittery over similar roads. It was strange to get used to the riding position at first, as you feel like your head is directly over the front wheel. The SuperHawk, in comparison, is like a lounge chair. The brakes are amazing on the RC, even though I had upgraded my brake lines and pads on the SH.

At this moment, I'm very tempted to pick up an RC for track-use, and thus relegate the SH to commute.

Good discussion. I'd like to have both. But I know the day I sell my VTR will be a day I'll regret. I just built an RC51 engine for a friend of mine. It is an awesome motorcycle. He had me build it because I was getting away from him on my VTR at the track. I had my bike working great, got into the groove and disconnected from the act of riding, to concentrate on getting around the track faster. That's how good the VTR is with some modification.

My friend Bob raced one for a couple years and did a lot of development work. He sold his when he started his RC51 race bike. To this day, he regrets selling it. He plans to buy another one for a street bike. In fact he's working on getting his old one back. He would never consider the RC51 as a street bike.

I've been tempted more than once to make the switch... The RC51 sure is cool...

Does your friend want to trade bikes? I have a VTR that I'd be willing to trade for an RC.... :)

Does that mean I won't be able to post-whore here...?

Re: SH vs. RC51
 

I decided against it, but yeah he was going ot trade.

I look at it this way.
its faster, corners better, and less comfortable, most of which will only get me in trouble. So I will just not chance it.

good thinking.