Honda RC51

Infobox Motorcycle
name = Honda RC51


aka = RVT1000R
VTR1000SP1
VTR1000SP2
manufacturer = Honda
production = 2000 - 2006
predecessor = RVF750 RC45
successor = CBR1000RR
parent_company =
class = super bike
platform =
engine = 999 cm³ liquid-cooled 90° V-twin
transmission = close-ratio six-speed
rake = 23.3 degrees
trail = 94.6 mm (3.7 inches)
wheelbase = 55.9 inches
length =
width =
seat_height = 32.5 inches
dry_weight = 439 pounds
wet_weight =
fuel_economy =
fuel_capacity = 4.8 gallons, including 1.2 gallon reserve
related = VTR1000F "Super Hawk"
similar =

The Honda RC51 also known as the RVT1000R (United States) or VTR1000 (Europe) is a V-twin motorcycle produced by Honda from 2000 to 2006.

Characteristics

The RC51 was described as "packed with race-age technology" by one author. The engine is a 999cc dual overhead cam V-twin engine with two fuel injectors and four valves per cylinder. Power is delivered to the wheels by a close-ratio six-speed transmission. The chassis is constructed from aluminum and based on a twin-spar design. [Mitchel 1985: 204]

History

The RC51 was designed as the motorcycle to be used by Honda's racing teams in the Superbike World Championshipcite web|url=http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=1128&Page=1|title=Rise and Fall of Twins|date=2004-07-14|author=Brian Korfhage|publisher=Motorcycle USA|accessdate=2007-08-27] . The 2000-2001 models are designated SP1 while the 2002-2006 models are designated SP2 (the latter having updated fuel injection and suspension).

In 1988, new rules in superbike racing allowed V-twin engines up to 999 cc's to compete. Prior to the rules change, 750 cc four cylinder motorcycles were the dominant force in World Superbike racing. The first two years, Honda continued to win the World Superbike Championship with their RC30, powered by a 750 cm³ V-4. In 1990, however, Raymond Roche secured Ducati's first world title aboard the Ducati 851. Throughout the next 11 years, Ducati would go on to win 8 World Superbike Championships with their V-twins (Honda won two and Kawasaki just one).

Despite having an excellent engineering team and a significant amount of money, Honda was unable to win consistently, particularly because of rival V-twins' displacement advantage over Honda's V-4. In 2000 Honda released the RC51, powered by a 998 cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine. That year, it won the World Superbike Championship with Colin Edwards riding for the Castrol team. In 2001, Ducati regained the title, but the RC51 was still a contender boasting reliability, speed, and power. The RC51 won again in its final year of factory-supported racing in World Superbike in 2002 and that same year also captured the AMA superbike title with Nicky Hayden Honda therefore took the lessons learned in the SP-1's first season, producing the SP-2 for 2002. A stronger, more rigid frame and swingarm are identical to the WSB race bike parts, and a host of engine modifications boosted peak power by 3kW (4bhp), and cut weight by 5kg (11lb). Factory Spec's for SP2's (sourced from Honda) were 133bhp, with a top speed of 190mph. The factory racing edition RC51 was said to put out 185bhp.

Honda stopped official support for Superbike racing in 2003 (though various teams have had some factory support) and as Superbike rules changed to allow 1000 cc 4 cylinder bikes the RC51 was replaced by the CBR1000RR Fireblade as the Honda superbike racer. In that year (2003) Honda released six limited edition RC51's to celebrate Honda's AMA and World Superbike Championships. These 6 special additions were such a desired motorcycle that Honda released the Nicky Haden special edition in 2004, again a huge hit with customers. The 2004 special edition RC51's were not a limited edition run (like the 6 released in 2003) as the RC special edition was a standard unlimted run in 2004. The 2003 special editions vary in cosmetic appearance from the 2004's. Where-as the 2004 model, Honda opted for a decal package with standard black rims and white on red/black trim. The 6 limited edition RC51's in 2003 had yellow and chrome Enkei Rims with aftermarket two brothers racing exhaust (dual cans). The 2003 paint scheme had the standard Red/Black/Silver trim with yellow/chrome rims and the 2003 trim lines were updated from 00-01 & 02 trim lines.

The RC51 was a true to bred racing superbike, which called for sprocket re-gearing for street use by customers as factory RC51's were geared very high to gain higher top speed performance. It is said that this is one bike that will gain value in years to come given the limited 6 years of production and the ever increasing "rareness" of the RC51's

Notes

References