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Wilit: The Man, The Myth, His RC51
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2000 Honda RC51
· 998cc DOHC V-Twin
· Dual 4-piston Calipers (Front)
· 4.8 Gallon Tank w/1.2 Gallon Reserve
· Fuel Injection w/Twin Throttle Bodies
Factory Options
· None Available
Modifications
· PAIR System Removed
· Flapper Valve Removed
· Soft Rev Modification
· Powercommander III USB
· Jim Ahlman Speedo Recalibrator
· Two Brothers High Mount Exhaust
· Ceramic Coated Factory Head Pipes
· 520 Chain Conversion
· 15t Front & 41t Rear Sprockets
· Hotbodies Undertail
· Zero Gravity Smoked Windscreen
· Carbon Fiber Front Fender
· Carbon Fiber Rear Hugger
· LP Flush Mount Front Turn Signals
· Integraded Rear Turn Signals
· CRG Gold Shorty Levers
· EBC HH Brake Pads
· Galfer Wave Rotors
· Galfer Stainless Brake Lines
· Frame Sliders
· Sportec M-1 Tires
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In an effort to compete in World Superbike competetion, Honda decided to compete with Ducati's big twins with a V-Twin superbike of their own. In 2000, Honda created the RC51 (VTR1000 SP-1 in Europe)as a replacement for the RC45. Unlike the RC45's V4 engine, the RC51 sports a 90° V-twin engine. The engine features gear driven DOHC 4-valve heads, electronic fuel injection, twin throttle bodies, and two injectors per cylinder. The RC51 won the WSB championship in it's first year of competetion with Colin Edwards at the controls.
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| After putting close to 20,000 miles in 2.5 years on the Hurricane, I decided it was time for a new bike. The Hurricane served it's purpose well. A cheap, reliable, powerful, fuel efficient middle-weight bike to teach me the basics of riding. Originally I had figured on "stepping-up" to a newer 600cc bike. However, after seeing everybody and their brother on R6's and F4i's, I decided I wanted a V-twin. So the search was on for an SV650s. After reading several reviews, I began to think the SV didn't have the type of power I was looking for, afterall, here's bike built in 2003 with 73hp, and I'm getting rid of my 1987 CBR with 85hp because? Realizing the SV wasn't a step up, I decided to move up to a TL1000R. However, finding one for less than a kings ransom in any kind of shape I wouldn't be embarrassed to been seen in public on, was next to impossible. I checked out several bikes, none of which were worthy of the $5,000+ asking price. Dispaired, I joined a local rider's forum, BARF (Bay Area Riders Forum), and found an ad for an RC51 in decent shape, but more importantly, in my price range.
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| I had originally ruled out an RC51 as a possibility due to their high resale value. I quickly made a call, drove to Alameda to check out the bike, and bought it the next day. The previous owner had lowsided it, and the bike came with a little bit of "character". The first thing I did after getting the bike home, was put it up on stands, and replace the race rubber with proper street tires. A stratigically timed bid won me a new right fairing to replace the rashed one, and flush mount turn signals were purchased to replace the gigatic stockers. A set of Two Brothers high mount cans replaced the stock units, and quickly turned me into my neighborhood's public enemy number 1. I also purchased a used PC II from a fellow rider, and after the installation, not only did the mid-range power increase, the gas mileage became acceptable. I must say, this is the most capable bike I have ever ridden, and it will be a LONG time before I will ever ride this bike to it's full potential.
Update: The PCII began having hard starting issues, so I replaced it with a PCIII USB unit, and the problem has disappeared. Recently the brakes needed replacing, and since one of the OEM rotors was warped, I felt it was a good time to replace the front rotors. Not wanting to spend $400/ea for OEM replacements, I decided to go with EBC rotors. After a huge mix-up with an on-line retailer, I couldn't get the EBC rotors I wanted so I ended up going to Galfer Wave rotors. They're still cheaper than OEM, look cooler, and supposedly work better.
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