RC51 Vs Cbr 1000rr

[Funnyguy]

To all the experienced ones out there, If you have a choice between those two which one will be better for daily ride and sometimes track days. I know my question is kinda general but I'm a big fan of RC51 with that deep sound of the V-twin. Meanwhile, the 1000rr has a really good reputation too, it has more power and with the electronic steering stabilizer which really helps when ripping around twisties.. so all inputs are welcomed and thanks in advance..

[JohnnyV]

You lookin' to upgrade from the F4i? I've always loved the RC51's, but the Respol 1000RR

[smf]

own an RC51 and _love_ it, but that repsol rr is just nasty

i'd highly recommend riding both bikes before you buy if possible. and you will need to put a damper on the RC if you intend to use it for trackdays at loudon (i shouldn't say more since i'm heavily biased towards twins ).

[skiierx]

RC's have no comfort what so ever. I would think the rr would be more confortable but I have only sat on one. The RC is an awesome bike and has a great following.

[a13x]

Go with the bike that you are going to be excited about riding everyday. For what you are doing the #'s really don't mean much.

[stevecbr900rr]

Talk to Union-James he can give you a comparison from the RC-51 at least.

[13]

Hohoho! I traded my beloved twin(superhawk) for a nice new(ish) 1000rr! I couldn't be happier with my decision! Though a 1000 is probably a handful for trackdays, at loudon at least.

[Funnyguy]

thanks for the inputs guys.... you guys are great. I'll definitely try to take a ride on both of them when i have a chance ....

You lookin' to upgrade from the F4i? I've always loved the RC51's, but the Respol 1000RR

yeah john.. my bro's gonna have his license soon so the F4i's gonna be his and i'm gonna get a new bike ..

[union]

Give me a couple of days to get a good reply in. Ive been working from 10am-2am and its not going to stop any time soon. Think about how you want to ride. I love my RC. I think knowing and I know now I would still have bought it. The bike has been a pleasure to ride and a lot of fun modding up. Mine pretty much has everything done to it.

Scott (SMF) has been on my bike around the track. He seems to think it needs a steering damper but I dont completely agree. It would benefit from it like any bike but its also set up pretty loose. Its just something you have to get used to. Heres one of my gimp laps around Loudon on it. MySpace Videos: Clean lap around NHIS by James

Anyway off to sleep. ANy questions let me know. Ill try and get a better reply in this weekend.

[mycirus]

Get the RC. You know you want to. I got different clip ons and rear sets on mine and I dont think its that uncomfortable at all. I am taking it on a 1500+ mile trip this summer to Canada. But the 2 bikes are totally different. I love the thumping of the V twin.

Bruce

[Doc]

Why do you want a literbike?

[ZX-12R]

Why do you want a literbike?

Because horsepower is fun!

[smf]

Scott (SMF) has been on my bike around the track. He seems to think it needs a steering damper but I dont completely agree. It would benefit from it like any bike but its also set up pretty loose. Its just something you have to get used to. Heres one of my gimp laps around Loudon on it. MySpace Videos: Clean lap around NHIS by James.

umm..... nope. it needs one, or needs pete to work a fair amount of magic otherwise the front end is very sketchy down the hill into the bowl and between the bowl and T9... of course that's only if you're on the gas kinda hard (i was twice then was like "yeh, i'm not wadding up someone else's bike")

[skiierx]

James,

You will notice the difference when you install a damper. It is a must have for the RC. I rode my for the first couple of months without one and I was amazed at the difference after the install. Like Bruce said I also have the rearsets, clip-ons, front and rear suspension from GMD, Sato's and PCIIIr for mine (I think James is about the same other then he has a little more work on suspension...yes I am jealous), all that work has made the bike much more comfortable. A must have for this bike is the corbin seat! If you buy the RC you will love its low end power, sound and great handling. Heck someone on this site who owns a 999 loves the RC more! You should try to ride both bikes for a 100 or so miles to see what you think beofre making a decision. Make sure the roads are fun and exciting that way you can compare how the bikes handle. Also on the track the RC is a blast but it is a lot of bike to toss around all day. I have taken a couple of 600's after riding the RC for a few sessions and it was like throwing a little toy around but moving back to the RC made me realize how much more low end grunt it had!

Let me finish by saying I have no intention of getting rid of the RC except when I decide to make the move to more of a sport touring bike for a future cross country trip (dream trip). That is when I might sell the RC!

Give me a couple of days to get a good reply in. Ive been working from 10am-2am and its not going to stop any time soon. Think about how you want to ride. I love my RC. I think knowing and I know now I would still have bought it. The bike has been a pleasure to ride and a lot of fun modding up. Mine pretty much has everything done to it.

Scott (SMF) has been on my bike around the track. He seems to think it needs a steering damper but I dont completely agree. It would benefit from it like any bike but its also set up pretty loose. Its just something you have to get used to. Heres one of my gimp laps around Loudon on it. MySpace Videos: Clean lap around NHIS by James

Anyway off to sleep. ANy questions let me know. Ill try and get a better reply in this weekend.

[akira700]

Note too that there is a pretty big difference in
the 06 1000RR (maybe 05?) and previous years RRs.

They did alot to drop weight and spiff up the
handling. I read that the difference was dramatic.
Look at some back issues of Sport Rider.

[selltekk]

Just curoius about this... What is the facination with the V-twins (Like the RC) Is it just the low end power? Or is there some other benefit that I am unaware of?

To me, a literbike is a bit much. For regular sport and track riding, I expect that a 600 is plenty. For 2 up riding, however, I wish I had an 800 or larger.

[union]

Just curoius about this... What is the facination with the V-twins (Like the RC) Is it just the low end power? Or is there some other benefit that I am unaware of?

To me, a literbike is a bit much. For regular sport and track riding, I expect that a 600 is plenty. For 2 up riding, however, I wish I had an 800 or larger.

My RC makes power all the way through the curve. You dont have to wind them up like you do on a lot of the inline 4s. Its kind of hard to explain unless you have ridden one. Vtwins feel a bit clunky and dont seem to run as smooth as the I4s do. After all its a vtwin

As for the corbin seat. They arent for everyone. I tried one and the seat itself was just too wide for me. I didnt like it. The stock seat isnt that great but to me its better then the corbin. I can get around the bike easier.

My bike is parked in bellingham at the GMD shop. Anytime you want to come see what youre in for if you get one of these stop by.

[old timer]

Get the RC51 , plain and simple...it has something you cant describe in words . You WILL know when you ride it .

Where abouts in Wustah you from..?

[Wishbone]

are you sure you want to go to the 1k? i love my bike but i really can't hold it to the stop for more than a second or two, maybe i'm getting old, maybe its just alot faster now after the mods, or maybe i just don't have enough seat time in this year. but i bet that i would be happier on a 600 that is lighter (ok waaaaaay lighter than my fizzy) but i think the litter bike is just to much for the street.

buy a newer 600, like the 06 r6

but you could always take my fz for a spin any time, its no 1krr or rc51 but its quick and handles well

[Funnyguy]

Once again, I really appreciate this and I'm overwhelmed by the knowledge you guys have.

Why do you want a literbike?

I agree with ZX-12R because it has more power. My F4i is fast but it's somewhat lacking low end torque. Besides, i'm totally down for the Black RC51 at International Motor sport's show room. I like the mean looks along with the dual exhaust when i first saw it. To me, it's one of the best looking bikes out there (Of course, it's only in my opinions)

Get the RC51 , plain and simple...it has something you cant describe in words . You WILL know when you ride it .
Where abouts in Wustah you from..?

I'm so tempted Oldtimer, I was gonna just fly down to International Motor Sport and pick it up..
BTW, I live close to Clark University area where all the new houses are being built...

are you sure you want to go to the 1k? i love my bike but i really can't hold it to the stop for more than a second or two, maybe i'm getting old, maybe its just alot faster now after the mods, or maybe i just don't have enough seat time in this year. but i bet that i would be happier on a 600 that is lighter (ok waaaaaay lighter than my fizzy) but i think the litter bike is just to much for the street.
buy a newer 600, like the 06 r6
but you could always take my fz for a spin any time, its no 1krr or rc51 but its quick and handles well

I'm quite sure yet that's y i want to try them out John.If they have way more powers than I can handle, the Gsx-r750 will be my next choice.
I was at IMS last week and I saw one of the 50th aniversary R6 left over and they're asking for whether $6999 or $7999 or something like that. I like the look of that Raven too but compare to the RC51 .... I'm so into the Vtwin...
Oh do you still have my # John? drop me a call whenever you want to go for a ride. I'm always up for it..

[smf]

1 last bit of input...

R6's are a great trackbike. given what I've heard I would never buy one for the street (can you say no midrange?)... and I'm not mentioning the nasty little problem they have when lowsided (we all saw it at loudon last weekend... they like to burn)

i bought my RC last august, before i bought it i was completely sold on an 05 zx-10 w/ pipe & powercommander. i took the zx out for a test ride, it was awe-inspiring. then the salesman (a friend), knowing that the RC was one of my all-time favorites let me take it out just so i could say i'd ridden one. i had no intentions of buying it. i literally got 100ft from the shop and thought "oh fuck, now i have to buy this thing". i rode it around the rt2/128 interchange for fun, but it was sold long before i got there... there's just something intangible about a big twin, you either like it or you dont. i got back and told the salesman to have it ready that i was picking it up the next night (and that he needed to include a corbin, i like them ).

you're welcome to take mine for a quick rip, gentleman's agreement applies (you break/scratch/damage it you replace it). also i still haven't tuned the suspension so it doesn't handle like it will when i stop being lazy and the shifter is upside-down...

[Kham]

get a lighter bike. you don't want heavy bike and hard to turn. i bet 1000rr is smoother.

[skiierx]

As for the corbin seat. They arent for everyone. I tried one and the seat itself was just too wide for me. I didnt like it. The stock seat isnt that great but to me its better then the corbin. I can get around the bike easier.

My stock seat goes on when the bike hits the track as the corbin is not the optimal seat. On the long trips though for me it is a must have

[skiierx]

get a lighter bike. you don't want heavy bike and hard to turn. i bet 1000rr is smoother.

Get some knowledge Kham! Do a little research before you post. Some others he might be able to help you understand what I am talking about.

[Doc]

I don't have an RC51 nor do I have a 1000rr so take this for what it is worth.

My Ducati is my Twin and I love it, lots of torque, plenty of top end (for me 150 is fast enough) and drop dead looks, I won't trade it for anything...

The closest thing I have had to a 1000 inline 4 was my ZX7, it was a pig and it was scary fast. I can not imagine getting EVERYTHING out of it. Hell I can't get everything out of my Hawk GT!

A GSXR 750 is even overkill to me! Read some of the road tests in the magazines. Guys MUCH smarter than I are even saying you don't need more than a 600 on the street. If I was to buy a NEW bike it would be a toss up between a 600rr and a Sport tourer ( I would still have the Ducati)

On another note... I think V-twins are more forgiving and make a good rider a great rider.