Honda RC51 (RVT1000R) reviews

Bought new in 2003,still ride every season, still want no other. Have luggage system for trips. Sato exhaust matched with Dan Kyle tuned powercommander, Throttle Meister,Corbin seat and tank grips. I'm 6'1" 195lbs. Love it. Show less

This is my first V-twin and I love it. The bike wheelies great with just a snap of the throttle! I love the sound and torque. It's so much difference from a 4 cyl. to a V-twin! I have had 14 bikes from a '91 GSXR to a '93 CBRF2, a '94 CBR 900RR to a twin turbo Busa but I am having the best time with this. The 4 cylinder starts making power in higher rpms but the RC51 hits the power range out of the hole! I love this bike! Show less

Having owned bikes from the 70's through current and loving the sport bike riding stance I have run the gambit of bikes. I loved my 87 VFR and the torque it provided and other than some street legal 2 strokes I would have to say that the 'get up and go' of the V motors far outweighs the top end speed for me. If I wanted that I would add NOS anyway. My previous bike was the venerable ZX-11 which was a nice bike, but my RC51 blows the doors off it for overall uniqueness and desire to keep it until I die (NOT ON THE RC). This bike has made me start to shop for the RC45 and RC30 as well just to make a collection for myself. One thing I absolutely love is with very little money, you can eat Ducatti's alive! :) Show less

I just recently bought a new one. It looks like no other bike, in terms of it's cosmetic make-up and pipes. When I bought the bike, I heard many, too expensive, it's a different animal, it's more for the performing artist rider, etc. statements/comments than I have ever heard in terms of whether or not to buy a vehicle; it was maddening, but in the end I suppose that's what sold me?! What this bike is for, is plain and simple - it's to take corners fast and more stable than any other bike out there. As for speed, it's not that. This is an AMA/ World Superbike winner and a V-Twin need I say more? If you want all the looks in the world with the impressive cornering power of RC-51 this bike is for you. If you want top end speed, look elsewhere. Show less

This is the 4th bike I have owned, and the 2nd new one. Previous were a 88 Radian, 86 GSX-R750 LTD, and an 87 GSX-R1100. I was really attracted by the looks of the bike, and once I understood technically what it was, I had to have one. Certainly opinion but I thought it was the best looking of any of the Japanese sportbikes. You certainly don't see yourself coming and going; I think I have only seen 5 others in all of the time I have owned it. Things I love the most are the power, how solid it feels, the engine sound, and the fact that it works better the faster you go. It has definitely allowed me to improve my riding skills, since there is so much power in any gear I can concentrate more on handling and my line. The stock exhaust is fairly quiet, I really I could hear more of its sound at upper rpms. The bike is extremely reliable and cheap to maintain. Things I don't like are the weight and the seat - the angle and the lack of padding. To some degree, I'm not a fan of the paint job. I decided not to put all of the stickers on. I wish it had a more understated paint job, like the black on the 05-06 model. I am used to the riding position and can do 6-9 hour rides stopping only for gas and coffee. About 5 hours into what my friend joked as 'touring' do I finally realize that I'm still heading the wrong direction, and I'm sore. It's definitely not much fun to commute on or ride in traffic, but being near Pittsburgh, in every direction not very far away there are sweet roads, especially Laurel Highlands, and the West Virginia and western Maryland pandhandles. I have ridden in 14 counties in Western PA and probably about 15 other counties in WVA, Maryland and Ohio, putting about 4700 miles/year of 100% pleasure riding. Show less

Great track bike. Super stable with gobs of easy to use power. V-twin puts power down so much better than a spiky 4. Suspension is easy to set up. Many cool parts available. They are a little on the piggy side but still steer very well. Brakes have good feel and power. Smoothest of the big twin superbikes. Uncomfortable if ridden over 25 min with the stock seat. Show less

I have had my RC51 since new (bought as a left over in 2005 with 1 mile). I have about 2800 miles on the bike now and 3rd set of tires (Dunlop 208GP soft compound). I take the bike to the mountains about 2 times a year (Deals Gap, Cherohala Skyway) and this bike is VERY quick and nimble for its weight. The torque for coming out of the corners is phenomenal. The engine delivers a smooth steady torque/hp rate all through the gears. Some people claim of a dip in the mid range - which is easily fixed with a very simple 30-minute modification. Rear sets/shifter and brake already high enough for the advanced rider, yet still comfortable. No feeling of flexing into the corners unless you are braking really, really, hard like a racer, then it's very minimal. The sturdy, rigid, frame keeps both wheels planted firmly and keeps you feeling in control. Not to mention, Honda is a reputation for being reliable. This is my 8th Honda I have ever owned and I have owned everything from Kawasaki's, to Suzuki's, to Yamaha's. No other company compares. Great bike. Show less

A long time admirer of Honda engineering and the LeMans winning RC-51, I decided to purchase one of the last ones left in Canada. I am not accustomed to sportbike ergonomics , let alone those of a race replica, so the ride home from the dealer wasn't the most comfortable. But boy was I having fun! The sound of that race-proven V-twin with its gear-driven cams which sound like a supercharger was intoxicating. If you understand that the RC is a detuned version of a full-on race machine, and are willing to live with its comfort deficits, then you will not be disappointed. The quality is there, the design is there, the price for all this exotic hardware is right. People don't know what to make of it because the RC doesn't sound like a typical sportbike; and you won't see one on every block like a GSXR/R1/Ninja. In sum, the RC-51 isn't the fastest and lightest, but it is fast enough for most (124 rear wheel HP afterall) and has an endearing nature which will keep it in my possession till death. Show less

While this V-twin gives away a little on the horsepower and weight side of the coin, it gets a whole lot on the torque and handling side. Contradictory statement? No. While this bike is (and has always been) heavier than the average sport bike, it corners like it is on rails. Sure footed, smooth power delivery give the rider more confidence to go deeper and harder into a corner than most. I have ridden twins, tripples and fours and this is the bike I ended up with. I originally owned a 2001 bike which I loved for a few years (and 1000's of miles) but due to some unfortunate events I had to sell her to my closest friend. When I was ready to come back to biking, I thought I would shoot for more power. While the extra power was fun, nothing gives you the feeling of knee-dragging at "uber-speed". So after hopping from this bike to that, that engine configuration to the next, I realized that the RC is where my heart is and where my behind belongs! My Honda will be in my family as long as I am. Show less

While not the smoothest in traffic or most comfortable, who buys an rc51 to ride in traffic? Get it on the open road and it hugs the corners as if it is on rails. Likes to cruise at 80+! Downsides are that it eats tires and I have to constantly tighten every nut and bolt because they vibrate loose. Upsides far outweigh the down. Had it 10 months, put 13000 miles on it, and love it. Show less