Ok so I know there are a few guys out there who own an rc51 so I have a few questions. (I know this i one of those "I'd have to see the bike things" but i'm just trying to get some general answers.) There's an 2001 rc51 for sale at my local dealership...it has 31000 miles, a few paint chips nothing serious, zg windscreen, micron exhaust, the chain and sprockets looks good, it looks like a solid bike. the dealer is asking $4500 but after talking to the guy he said he would let it go for $3700 + ttl. My main issue is 31000 miles... if this were a vfr I would have no problems so my question is is 31000 mile a lot on an rc 51?
I sold mine a few years ago but can tell you I was at my local dealership this past summer where they were selling, not one, but two RC's, both 05 Hayden additions. One had like 5000 miles and change, the other had low 7000's. Both modified to similiar degrees. Both where $4800 sticker. Prob less with some negotiating. Sorry to say but, 31,000 miles on an RC-51 is fairly advanced and something I wouldn't pay for, considering what an RC is. I certainly wouldn't pay $3700. I think you could find a much better fit with some shopping around.
I know that this is going to sound like I'm just saying this to be a smartass... but I'm not. It is a Honda. It will last forever. As long as it has been taken care of and you continue to take care of it, you will just have normal maintenance and the chance that a part will break here and there. Honda does motorcycles and vehicles very well. They run well, take lots of abuse, and keep on tickin. Each model tends to have its downfalls. The VFR has thermostat and cam chain tensioner problems... CBR's have their own issues, and I'm sure the RC's have theirs too. What you don't see out of Honda is a catastrophic failure except in the rarest of occassions. It is built with quality.
doesnt matter what it is, it matters how it was ridden and taken care of. if its 31k of track miles then yeah i would stay away from it. if it wasnt abused then there should be no problem. ive seen more low mileage bikes with problems than high mileage ones.
considering what an RC51 is?? What exactly is an RC51? Unless it's been raced or abused it won't be a problem. My 2000 has 26K on it and all i've done aside from the 16k valve adjustment is change the oil and spark plugs. A 31k 2001 is due for vavle adjustment in another 1000 miles that would be a deal breaker for me unless they include it. Last but not least although identical to a 2000 the 01 seem to be the least desireable, perhaps due to the increase in production or because of the improvements to the 02-06 models. You can find nice clean 02-03s for $3500 Get on Speedzilla forums RC51 owners classifieds. PS the Hayden editions were 2004s. If I could only keep one of the bikes that I currently own it'd be my RC.
Slow down dude, I am not bashing RC-51's. They are great bikes. When I say considering what kind of bike it is, I mean considering the fact that it's a bike built for racing. If you choose to ride yours in a manner that is contradictory to that, than fine. But don't call me out for thinking that most RC-51's have in deed experienced track time and/or aggessive riding. They were built specifically for that purpose. I maintained mine too, but I also rode it the way it was intended to be riden, which is to say, on the track and hard, abusively hard. I didn't know another RC-51 owner who didn't ride it that way. Doesn't mean everyone does, but if a person is going to purchase one, they would have to be foolish to assume the bike has been coddled for 31,000 miles. Even if in reality it has been. I was simply trying to point out that I've seen RC's for sale with 1/5 the mileage for virtually the same amount of money, thinking why should he spend his money on a 31,000 mile bike when there are lower mileage examples available. You'll have to forgive the '05 typo, my bad.
that response seems a little more appropriate than your first and I agree. There are much nicer lower mile bikes out there for the same or less money. which is what i said.
I completely agree...31000 miles on a bike I know nothing about is iffy. I'm going to go back to the dealership and test ride the bike to make sure a rc51 is for me...then find a good one on craigslist. I was mainly hoping to find out what kind of mileage people are getting out of rc51's.
Plenty of clean one owner RCs out there. a good time to buy as well. They're not the most comfortable bike out there but there are plenty of mods to help with both that and driveability. I've installed adjustable clip-ons and just about everyone has changed the gearing due to the tall first gear. As far as the kind of mileage one can expect overall, it's a modern watercooled motorcycle. It's no different than a car. If you maintain it properly it will last forever. However RC51s get very poor gas mileage. Expect 30-35mpg depending on how you ride it. I hope that helps. Feel free to contact me if you need more info.
Its called a VTR 1000 in Canada..I think...I drove one and the position was murder on my back and I didnt think it was as nice as a VFR....There are quite cheap used...There was one here with 18000 kms for less than 3k.. a VFR same year in similar shape is about 40% more... Did I mention Vtwin compared to v4? Fast bike but its your call..
Thanks for the input...I went ahead and did it back in January. I found a 2003 sp2 with 6400 miles. The guy I bought it from was a honda service manager so it had all new tires, brakes, fork seals, fluids, and lights. I paid $4800...I feel I got a good deal. You are correct, the riding position is murder on the back but I have had to most fun on this bike. It handles great, all kinds of torque, and that V twin sounds amazing with the FMF Titanium exhaust. The RC51 is an icon but If I could keep only one bike the VFR is the one I would keep! Here's a picture of my ladies!:cheersaf:
Thanks! When I bought her she had all kinds of "racing" stickers...those were the first thing to go. I like the paint scheme but as always Europe gets the best schemes! And Yes 6400 miles...she now has 7600 miles!
