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Honda RC51

Manufacturer	Honda
Also called	RVT1000R VTR1000SP1 VTR1000SP2
Production	2000 - 2006
Predecessor	RVF750 RC45
Successor	CBR1000RR
Types of motorcycle	super bike
Engine	999 cm3 liquid-cooled 90° V-twin
Transmission (mechanics)	close-ratio six-speed
Wheelbase	55.9 inches
Seat height	32.5 inches
Weight	439 pounds
Fuel capacity	4.8 gallons, including 1.2 gallon reserve
Related	VTR1000F "Super Hawk"

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.

Contents 1 Characteristics 2 History 3 Notes 4 References

Characteristics

The RC51 was described as "packed with race-age technology" by one motorcycling journalist. The engine is a 999cc Dual overhead cam V-twin unit with two Fuel injection and four Valves per cylinder. Power is delivered to the rear wheel by a close-ratio, six-speed transmission. The chassis is constructed from aluminum alloy, being a twin-spar design. ^[1]

History

The RC51 was designed as the motorcycle to be used by Honda's racing teams in the Superbike World Championship^[2]. 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 to compete. Prior to the rules change, 750 cc four cylinder motorcycles were the dominant force in production based racing. During the first two years of the World Superbike championship, Honda won the series 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 Heavy Industries just one).^[2]

Despite having an excellent engineering team and a significant amount of funding, 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 superior reliability with comparable 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 had taken 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 specifications for road going SP2s (sourced from Honda) were 133bhp with a top speed of 170mph. 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 2003, HRC released 6 limited edition RC's that sported chrome & yellow Enkei wheels as opposed to the standard black items. The 6 limited edition '03 runs were a commemorative to the end of factory support and to celebrate the '02 AMA championship. The 6 limited RC's were such a hit 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, as apposed to the six '03 RC. The 2003 special editions vary in cosmetic appearance from the 2004's with standard chrome on yellow wheels being the most observable characteristic of the '03's. Where-as on the 2004 model, Honda opted for a decal package with standard black rims and white on red/black trim. 2003 was the first year that Honda again made further improvements with the SP-2, bringing in a stouter and much lighter swing arm.

The RC51 was a true racing superbike which benefitted from gearbox sprocket changes for street use (factory RC51's were highly geared for top speed performance). It is expected examples of this model will gain value in years to come given the relatively short time in production and its ever increasing scarcity.

Notes

References

Mitchel, Doug; Earnest, Brian (2005). Honda motorcycles: techs & specs. Iola, WI: KP Books, A Division of F+W Publications. ISBN 0873499662. 

2003 Limited Ed. HRC RC51's - a look back in history Barret Jackson Auctions

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v • Honda motorcycles • e Honda motorcycle timeline, 1990s–present
Type	1990s										2000s										2010s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0
Types of motorcycle							CMX250C/Rebel			CMX250C/Rebel
				CB500											CBF500
															CBF600
		CB750/Nighthawk
																	CBF1000
									CB600F/Hornet/599
											CB900F/Hornet/919								CB1000R
Sport	NSR125														CBR125R
	CBR600F	CBR600F2				CBR600F3				CBR600F4		CBR600F4i
														CBR600RR
				CBR900RR			CBR918RR				CBR929RR		CBR954RR		CBR1000RR
											RC51
									VTR1000F
	CBR1000F							CBR1100XX (North American sales ended 2003)
Types of motorcycle	VFR750F								VFR800/Interceptor
	ST1100/Pan-European												ST1300/Pan-European
	Gold Wing
Types of motorcycle	NX250
	NX650 Dominator
												XL125V/Varadero 125
	XL600V/XL650V/XL700V/Transalp
										XL1000V/Varadero