We asked what you thought of the new 2000 Honda RC51, and here are your responses:
I'm a big Ducati aficionado who likes like all sorts of different scoots as
well. My thoughts on the RC can probably be summed up by what I recently
posted to the Ducati Mail List...>The new Honda is nice indeed. Don't care for the usual Flash Gordon paint
>scheme, but its trick little details (like the aero steering head so the
>ram air can shoot straight) are over the top cool. That said, IMHO, the
>most significant bike in Honda's new line-up isn't the mega-twin. Gimme
>that new RR please. A TON lighter than the twin (go figure), 150hp at the
>crank, neat little tricks all over.That elicited some nice responses including one (from a fairly new member)
accusing me of being a closet Honda lover. What a hoot! As if that were
somehow a bad thing! Anyway, I followed up with...>Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not a closet anything. I've always been
>know to like all sorts of different scoots for all sorts of different
>reasons. Just never have been possesed by the whole "mine rules, yours
>sucks" mindset. If cost were no object, there'd be a Fat Boy in the stable
>too. How's that for flexible?
>
>As for the "soul" thing, I feel it in my scoots and my friends feel it in
>their scoots ... be it an R1, GS, RR, VTR, whatever. It's OK by me if they
>don't see what I see in the SS, as long as we can all shred together till
>we're old coots...There are lotsa folks out there who think that Ducati has a lock on the
soul market. Yea, my two little Ducatis are the apples of my gearhead eye,
but those same eyes don't wear blinders! IMHO, it's a wonderful time to be
a motorcyclist! :-)Best regards,
Archie Rodriguez***
I think its a trick looking piece(forks,swingarm,dash,etc.),but I was hoping it would be a little lighter.All in all I think Honda did a good job with the RC51,and it should be a good street,and race bike.Ý SteveÝ #194
***
Why do all these Ducati riders have to slam anything that resembles a V-twin
racing motorcycle as soul-less? let's hope it isn't oil-less like so many ofÝ the red
rockets have done this year (ask Ben!)I don't know if this question going to make it to Mr. Adams but I'll ask anyway
- What ever happened to that girl-friend that clung onto John Kosinski when he was at Cagiva
and nearly ruined his life by "managing" him?Thanks for the time and great web-site!!
Mike Snyder
***
If I had known exactly when Honda was coming out with the RC51 a few months
ago, I might not have bought a TL1000s.Ý They make more power, are much cheaper
(both to buy and maintain), and the handling isn't that bad.Ý The Ducati
purists only solace is that theirs are more expensive (is that a reason to be
thankful?).Ý Ultimately, it's hard to argue against either side, they are all
great motorcycles.Ý One question, is anyone going to want a VTR when the RC51
becomes available?Jason Clement
***
I own a TL 1000S; it is a fine bike. It handles well and it has loads of power.So what if Ducati thinks that the new RC51 is just another rice burner well see what Edwards can do to Ducati at WSB. It is a good thing to have another V-twin in the paddock and not just a red V-twin from itlay and Im half italin
Tim Hodges
***
I've been waiting for this bike from Honda ever since rumors of it
started what, 4 or 5 years back? When the VTR came out I was intrigued
but it just didn't do it for me. Aesthetically, the TLS and TLR
machines were total turn offs for me.The only thing about the RC51 that put me off was the dry weight
claim. It's sixty pounds heavier than the CBR929. Huh? Sixty pounds?
Then someone pointed out the Ducati 996 weighs about the same so I
guess it's not such a big deal after all.Bottom line? It appears that I can get the bike I have longed for
far less than I expected to pay! Personally I don't feel a need to
spend $6000 more for the so called "character" that comes with a
certain Italian brand. I've already got two Triumphs, thank you very
much! :)
Eric Astrup
When I saw that killer Rc51 on amasuperbike.com I knew I'd have to have one. I called the dealer near me and told them I wanted to be on the list, and that I'd send down a deposit. They were like ..."How'd you know about the bike? It's just being introduced today at the dealer show." I said amasuperbike.com, baby. They rushed over and tuned in and there it was. The owner called the shop later and said you wouldn't believe this cool bike that Honda intro'd today and the shop guys were like ...the RC51? Yeah, we already saw it and took two orders.
Bill Pflaum
VA.***
Jeff Jennings states "When all is said and done, it's just another smooth running, well engineered Japanese bike, created by a bunch of innovative Japanese engineers that seem to lack the passion for creating something that not only moves the butt, but moves the soul and stirs the emotions." Ý
I find this comment to be nothing but puerile Jap-bashing. ÝIf it's smooth and reliable, it can't move the soul? ÝOh please. ÝIf it rocks, it rocks. ÝAnd so far, it definitely looks like this bike rocks. ÝWe'll see if the points about the side-mounted radiators are correct, but how many of the factory racers actually restart and finish the race after a crash? ÝKudos to Honda is what I say. ÝThe bike looks awesome.
-- Tony Ehret
***
Another Japanese translation.....Japanese copies the best bikes (or
cars) in the world and does it better than any one. They can copy a
machine better than a transvestite the opposite sex.Really..... looks like a real nice bike at a good price. It will be nice
to see Hondas under a couple Million dollars on a race track, but they
have no soul and Honda really does not add excitement to racing.They should have quit building bikes when it was rumored in the early
80'sThat is just my opinion
Albert Geko
***
The RC51 is the bike that I've been waiting for.Ý I used to club race a hawk a few years ago and from that point on, I've been in love with v-twins.Ý
Ý
But until this year, the only viable, big-bore v-twins available have either been too heavy, too expensive [and un-reliable] or too street-oriented.Ý
Ý
Although I can't say for a fact until I ride the bike or the reviews come out, the RC51 seems like it is aptly suited for pulling double duty [street and track], which is exactly what I have been waiting for.Ý The fact that the bike is priced economically is simply icing on the cake.ÝÝÝ
Ý
dkÝ***
Plain and simple, the RC51 just looks like a Honda...
Big whup.
Devon Mcloued
***
After having an RC30 for a short time, I have longed for an RC ever
since.Ý After seeing the pics and reading the specs here at
AMASuperbike.com, I was drooling but thought, "I'll still have to find
some idiot willing to part with a nice old RC30."Ý Then I saw the price
would be between $10,000 and $12,000!Ý Went to the local Honda
dealership the next day to see when and if they might be able to get
one.Ý Their response was, "What's an RC51?"!Ý Unfortunately this
dealership is more interested in selling Jet Ski's, but since it's
Florida I'll cut em some slack.As for ripping the RC51 without even sitting on one, what's the deal
there.Ý I have ridden everything from a 916 to a ZX7R to an SRX-600
thumper.Ý Of them all the SRX was the most "inspiring/sole-stirring".
Why pigeonhole the RC as just another JAP bike without even riding.Can't wait to see Miguel "should have stayed in GP's" DuHamel slappin'
everyone's a.. next year on one!!Great site as always, how about an insider's view of the American
Roadracing deal in the News section.Ý Should we all cancel our
subscriptions now or later?!Tim McKinley
***
A 1000cc V-twin for the street from Honda. Cool. But, for me, I want my power in a four-cylinder tire spinnin' package that'll flatten my faceshield on track days, not some bike "anybody" can ride fast. For me, it's the R-1 Yamaha, hands down. Face it, the R1 looks fast sitting on the curb and doesn't have some weaker brother posing as a flipping touring bike.
Rob Elway
***
Regarding Jennings' ridiculous "When all is said and done, the RC51 is..."
comment, how in the hell can Jennings talk about "all being said and done"
when nobody, including himself, has even ridden the thing yet?
ÝÝ Even Aaron effing Slight was complaining recently about his completely
being in the dark regarding the latest development of the RC51, and this guy
Jennings is already passing Final Judgement on it?
Ý A more accurate statement from Mr Jennings would have been "When all is
said and done, I'm just smug, dismissive and completely out of touch with
reality in that annoying way only the DucatistiÝ and Harleyphiles can be!
Never let the truth get in the way of a boorish opinion, Viva La
Ignorance!!!"
Mike Love
***
just another japanese bike. probably fast and technically good but
designed by committee, kind of boring. i guess im just tired of the same
old fare.Gayle Sayers
***
I like the look and style of the new RC 51and hope that it lives up to all it's expectations. If the bike comes out at a reasonable price I definitely plan on taking a long hard look. Way to go Honda!!
Jim Blackmore
***
I'm stoked about the new higher-power twin. I was converted over a year ago
to the wonders of a big V-twin when I bought a Honda VTR. It's been so much
more fun that my old inline fours I always had. It's easier to ride fast
and it's more tractable power. Face it, twins make better streetbikes. You
can go fast on them a lot easier. Oh yeah, did I mention they do great
wheelies.But I'm torn a bit about the new RC51. The resale on my VTR just fell
through the floor.Matt
***
First, this is a GREAT web site!Ý I'm new to bike riding (3 months) and am a
new fan of bike racing, but have followed auto road racing since I was a kid
and have been on the web since it has been around (I write network software
for a living).Ý I scour the web looking for the sources of accurate, timely
news of anything I'm interested in and this is THE BEST bike racing source
I've ever found!The information is available sooner than anywhere else I've seen and it is
formatted for quick access even over low-speed links.Ý I love your approach
and I absolutely HATE the approach of sites like the ones that Quokka keeps
perpetrating on us (GP bikes and CART auto racing).Ý Keep up the good
work...One minor suggestion, if you actively seek e-mail from readers, would be to
put your contact info somewhere on the main page.Ý I'd have sent this
earlier if only I'd known what your e-mail address was.Ý Now, if you're
making it hard for people to e-mail because you don't want to deal with it,
then I totally understand and forget I even mentioned it.RC51:
Now, I'm about as much a rookie as you can get when it comes to bikes, in
addition to not being mechanically inclined at all.Ý But, I like sport
twins.Ý They sound cool and they have the low and mid range that is great on
the street.Ý I have an SV650 as my first bike.Ý I love it to death.Ý As far
as I'm concerned, the more competition in the sporting twins categories, the
better it is for us twin fans.Ý What I want is the best twin performance I
can get for my buck (when I've got enough experience to move up from my
SV650).The "character" argument from Ducati people is so much like what I heard
from Ferrari fans that it's not even funny.Ý It always comes from a set of
people that, for whatever reason, can ignore the price difference in their
choice of bike or car and I've rarely heard the "character" argument
expressed in a less than high-handed manner.Ý Which pisses me off.The RC51 will benefit *all* sport twin consumers, because the competition
will force Ducati dealers to compete a little bit on price.Ý So maybe a
couple of people that really want a Ducati could afford one now, or maybe
the Ducati dealers will treat their customers with a little more respect.
Not that all Ducati dealers are bad, but I've been in more than one in the
process of shopping for my bike where you could SMELL the attitude.Ý Way
more than most of the various Japanese bike dealers.The only people that lose by the RC51 coming out are the people that chose
more expensive sport twins ONLY for the exclusivity, rather than love of the
bike itself.
The Ducati looks like an easy bike to love.Ý But I hope to hell that Honda
and other manufacturers keep coming out with sport twins that absolutely
THRASH them.Ý Because then those of us that can't afford to pay for Ducati
"character" will be better off.Wicked sorry, but I'll take the performance over the character if the
difference in price and attitude is this big.Ý Phooey on exclusivity for its
own sake.Brian Bailey
***
I am the first one on the list at my dealer.
I was the first on the list for the original VTR, back in 97 I picked up
the first one in the Cincinatti/Dayton area.Ý It was April and I had
such a great time on the bike.
Now it is race only (the radiators crash very well).
I look forward to getting the new RC51.
What a relief that the price is reasonable.
Ý
I am glad to see Honda is trying for the bland champion this upcoming
year.
Ý
Later,
Chris Wallace
GLRRA race # 72***
well, what i think of the bike?Ý the first spy photos made it look really bad-ass with the all black fairing, white number plate with the ram-air hole in the middle, and orange colored repsol wheels!Ý but after seeing your production version spy photos....Ý the silver color has got to go!Ý if it were solid red with the black honda wing on the side like Duhamels RC45, it would look much better.Ý but looks aren't everything.Ý and if what you're reporting is true about it already turning times in testing equal to the RC45, then i'm sure it'll compete in the 1st year.Ý
ÝÝÝ i like it, but i'd like it much more if it looked better.Ý i hope they have alternate color schemes.Greg Nancy
***
I have been out of comission for a couple of years, Riding only my dirt bikes and an occasional XR650L street ride (with guys on 955's etc. )...."They are easy to pass in the Pennsylvania dutch country corners"
Ý
I have a new VTR-1000r on order.... We'll just see where it turns Up.......
Ý
More Later, Maybe!
Ý
Ron McGillÝ
Ý
PS I'm not sure I could keep up with Jeff Jennings though.................***
I obviously have no idea about how the RC51 runs, or whether or not it will become a "trackside sprinkler" if it is crashed, but I certainly know that the bike looks great.Ý Far more importantly than that, the bike is going to be available to the general public.Ý No R7 homologation crap, with no one but Hollywood jerks and royalty having access to the bike; it's there for the public to ride, and race.Ý Furthermore, Ducatistas can take their "soul" and tuck it sideways.Ý Try getting your hands on a spanking new 996 for $10,000!Ý Regardless of how the RVT fares in the Superbike wars, I applaud Honda for daring to leap to a new racing platform, and for their willingness to make it available to "regular" folks.Ý I look forward to watching all of the other factory team riders limp after Miguel and (hopefully!) Nicky spank everyones' asses at Daytona in March...Ý Great site, keep it up!!!Ý
Jerry Michaels
***
Street RC51?
hhhmmm.Ý 434 dry / 130hp stock.
R1?ÝÝ 385 lbs dry / 150 hp stock.
Any questions?
Vinnie Vedley
(just one: is the R1 legal for Superbike?)
***
As soon as I saw the RC51 pics on www.amasuperbike.com, I had the phone in
my hand to phone in my down-payment to the local dealer.Then I glanced through the specs and noticed that the RC51 is stated to
weight 50lbs. MORE than the CBR929RR.Can you say TL1000R?Ý How about ZX-7R?Ý A Superbike is based on a few major
components of a production motorcycle.Ý These components need to be designed
for Superbike racing.Ý When street components are combined with them, the
overall weight is often high.Davis Bergenhoffer
***
Awesome looks, affordable price, I'll take one.Ý If it's at all as much fun
as my 10 other Hondas I'll be smiling my way down the road.
Brad Dhog
***
I have a 99 R1. Several of my friends and riding pals are making RC51 noises for next year.
I'm not worried.Steve Maryand
Blue River, WI.ENDS
