ajaxguy
Well-known member
i sense some sarcasm there, but I am telling you man, I have ridden many years of litre bikes and when i rode that VTR I was like uuugggh.. thats why i am so worried about grabbing an RC.
inline or v twin?
- Thread starter ajaxguy
- Start date
I rode a friend's Buell Lightning City for a day. It's got Harley 900-something cc engine. The torque was a lot of fun, and you could almost get in more trouble with it than and i4. It was deceptive how fast you were going, probably because the torque gets you there quickly. However, it was too loud and too vibrationy for my taste, but a lot of fun. Great around the city.
I did some twisties, and missed the HP trying to power out of corners.
I did some twisties, and missed the HP trying to power out of corners.
RedDogDarren
Well-known member
I'm a twin guy like you. I've had two TLS, 1 TLR, 1 DL1000, and now an SV.
You're not quite right about the SV. It isn't a de-tuned TL, it's a hot rodded DL1000. With a few tweaks it's a great powerhouse machine but still lacks the top end scream of the TL.
I went the other way with the VTR1000. When I test rode one I nearly crashed it because it put me to sleep.
I HATED the VTR (not that it's a bad bike, just not any character at all in the engine that I needed at the time).
RedDogDarren
Well-known member
The Buell might as well have a Briggs and Stratton motor compared to the other twins mentioned in this thread.
RedDogDarren
Well-known member
Don't be, it's not even close to the same engine.
Andreas
Well-known member
I rode a Ducati 1199 Panigale S, a KTM RC8 and a KTM Superduke all in one day and the Superduke was sorta my favourite... My friend has an RC51 and I've rode it but it seemed down on power and heavy, despite amazing stability. The Panigale is outta most people's price range and is a bike I'd lose my license on if I rode it the way it wants to be ridden. That said, the RC8 was similar to the RC51, with perhaps a bit more power and less weight... but the Superduke was just so much fun; it's geared like a 600 but has lotsa grunt and is plenty comfortable. It made the best noise of the 3, although I love the whine of the RC's gear-driven cams.
I suspect the Superduke will come down in price next year when the replacement model comes out... I secretly want one of those if it's anything like the prototype pre-production one that was introduced the past year. It's a bike that does everything reasonably well with very little compromising.
I suspect the Superduke will come down in price next year when the replacement model comes out... I secretly want one of those if it's anything like the prototype pre-production one that was introduced the past year. It's a bike that does everything reasonably well with very little compromising.
This being Monday. I think you're trying pretty hard for a quote of this week.
Keep it up.
By the way. An RC is one hell of a fun bike.
Almost as much fun as an RZ
Keep it up.
By the way. An RC is one hell of a fun bike.
Almost as much fun as an RZ
The Superduke isn't available in North America... hasn't been for years. Your only chance of getting one is to go used. As for the new version; my wife is scared of when that thing comes out as she's watched me drooling over the prototype pics and movies.
ajaxguy
Well-known member
Depends who you talk to! i dont think im alone in this... some guys just love the hooligan factor of an I4 litre, and how you can just whip around like a b***h, actually after defending the I4 I guess I have made my decision now havent i? lol
I love hearing opinions like this change after being left in the rear view mirrors of my Buell. Hate on HD all you want but, most Buells' have excellent performance and a grin factor second to none.
RedDogDarren
Well-known member
LOL, who's hating when facts are mentioned? Never ridden a TL or Ducati have you? The only grin factor I've had is when I got off a Buell and back onto my own bike.
How many Suzuki Savage riders opinions have you changed since you left them in your mirrors?
This is how it works; I have actually ridden quite a few Buell motorcycles and they are light with slightly boosted Sportster engines (except for the Rotax found in the last 2 models which shows awesome potential). Sportster engines I say again. Give me a break.
No hate involved. I have just actually ridden these motorcycles for my opinion.
RC8BOY
Well-known member
I rode inline four's for almost 15 years. Zx's, GSXR's,...then I bought a 998 and never looked back. Since then, I've also owned a KTM RC8. I've ridden a couple of inline four's that belong to friends but would never go back. 2 years ago a bought an Aprilia RSV4. I'm in love!!
I currently own 3 bikes with 3 different engine types. A vtwin, a i4 and a v4. The latter seems to be the perfect compromise; the powe of the vtwin at the low end and close to the performance of an i4-1000 at the top end. Take one for a demo ride, you will be impressed, I was.
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kwtoxman
Well-known member
There is no wrong choice here. Even though it sounds like the OP has made a decision, I'll add some RC51 specific info for thread readers.
I've owned twins and 600s and litres. I owned an 00 RC51 (first year) back in the day from brand new. I recently bought an 04 RC51 SP2. Anyone who thinks the RC doesn't handle well can't ride imo. The bike is no light weight and thus ponderous at low speed, but it handles great beyond single digit speeds on the street and on the track. Stable yet still quick steering and confidence inspiring. The first bike I put my knee down on, at both the street and the track.
I recommend going for the SP2 as there were a lot of improvements. Especially if you are going to push the bike at the track. The SP1 overall chassis was too stiff and at the limit the feel becomes a little vague and traction suffered as well. The AMA and WSB RC51's had these changes, and the chassis changes showed up on the SP2. Here is a little discussion of frame design challenges. http://motodna.com.au/flex-or-not-flex/
All RC51's were geared quite high, much more for a large track than the street. With a gearing fix it becomes much livelier on the street. The RC51 will do a 10.55 second 1/4 mile with better gearing (ref'd from article discussed below). So while not litre bike quick, it isn't that far off. There are also some other minor mods that people do.
This article sums up the bike well. Honda RC51 - Great sport bikes of the past. http://www.sportrider.com/features/146_0908_honda_rc51_rvt1000r_sportbike/viewall.html
I like litre bikes a lot. Litre bikes were my traditional favourite, but now with the unforgiving and draconian ON legislation it is hard to really enjoy what advantages they bring to the table. Heck, even twisting the wrist on an RC51 for a few seconds can get one into a lot of trouble.
On the streets of ON, a v-twin sportbike is plenty fast, it won't egg you on like a I4 to rev it out and potentially get arrested, and for booting around the powerband and character make it more enjoyable. A well set up RC51 has lots of torque, great handling, and a lot of character. With decent exhaust, the v-twin sound will get a lot of attention. And the gear driven cams add a whine to the mix for additional mystique.
I've owned twins and 600s and litres. I owned an 00 RC51 (first year) back in the day from brand new. I recently bought an 04 RC51 SP2. Anyone who thinks the RC doesn't handle well can't ride imo. The bike is no light weight and thus ponderous at low speed, but it handles great beyond single digit speeds on the street and on the track. Stable yet still quick steering and confidence inspiring. The first bike I put my knee down on, at both the street and the track.
I recommend going for the SP2 as there were a lot of improvements. Especially if you are going to push the bike at the track. The SP1 overall chassis was too stiff and at the limit the feel becomes a little vague and traction suffered as well. The AMA and WSB RC51's had these changes, and the chassis changes showed up on the SP2. Here is a little discussion of frame design challenges. http://motodna.com.au/flex-or-not-flex/
All RC51's were geared quite high, much more for a large track than the street. With a gearing fix it becomes much livelier on the street. The RC51 will do a 10.55 second 1/4 mile with better gearing (ref'd from article discussed below). So while not litre bike quick, it isn't that far off. There are also some other minor mods that people do.
This article sums up the bike well. Honda RC51 - Great sport bikes of the past. http://www.sportrider.com/features/146_0908_honda_rc51_rvt1000r_sportbike/viewall.html
I like litre bikes a lot. Litre bikes were my traditional favourite, but now with the unforgiving and draconian ON legislation it is hard to really enjoy what advantages they bring to the table. Heck, even twisting the wrist on an RC51 for a few seconds can get one into a lot of trouble.
On the streets of ON, a v-twin sportbike is plenty fast, it won't egg you on like a I4 to rev it out and potentially get arrested, and for booting around the powerband and character make it more enjoyable. A well set up RC51 has lots of torque, great handling, and a lot of character. With decent exhaust, the v-twin sound will get a lot of attention. And the gear driven cams add a whine to the mix for additional mystique.
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ajaxguy
Well-known member
great post and thats what I was looking for and kind of read alot about. I know the Rc is an awesome bike, but if i was going to get one I would want the sp2. The sp1 needs some extra cash into to make it how i would want it and i dont wanna spend extra money into and already highly priced used bike. So for this season if i cant find an r1 or zx10 in my range i may just go to a 600ss for the season and wait to see what next season brings.
There is no wrong choice here. Even though it sounds like the OP has made a decision, I'll add some RC51 specific info for thread readers.
I've owned twins and 600s and litres. I owned an 00 RC51 (first year) back in the day from brand new. I recently bought an 04 RC51 SP2. Anyone who thinks the RC doesn't handle well can't ride imo. The bike is no light weight and thus ponderous at low speed, but it handles great beyond single digit speeds on the street and on the track. Stable yet still quick steering and confidence inspiring. The first bike I put my knee down on, at both the street and the track.
I recommend going for the SP2 as there were a lot of improvements. Especially if you are going to push the bike at the track. The SP1 overall chassis was too stiff and at the limit the feel becomes a little vague and traction suffered as well. The AMA and WSB RC51's had these changes, and the chassis changes showed up on the SP2. Here is a little discussion of frame design challenges. http://motodna.com.au/flex-or-not-flex/
All RC51's were geared quite high, much more for a large track than the street. With a gearing fix it becomes much livelier on the street. The RC51 will do a 10.55 second 1/4 mile with better gearing (ref'd from article discussed below). So while not litre bike quick, it isn't that far off. There are also some other minor mods that people do.
This article sums up the bike well. Honda RC51 - Great sport bikes of the past. http://www.sportrider.com/features/146_0908_honda_rc51_rvt1000r_sportbike/viewall.html
I like litre bikes a lot. Litre bikes were my traditional favourite, but now with the unforgiving and draconian ON legislation it is hard to really enjoy what advantages they bring to the table. Heck, even twisting the wrist on an RC51 for a few seconds can get one into a lot of trouble.
On the streets of ON, a v-twin sportbike is plenty fast, it won't egg you on like a I4 to rev it out and potentially get arrested, and for booting around the powerband and character make it more enjoyable. A well set up RC51 has lots of torque, great handling, and a lot of character. With decent exhaust, the v-twin sound will get a lot of attention. And the gear driven cams add a whine to the mix for additional mystique.
ajaxguy
Well-known member
RedDogDarren
Well-known member
I found the Mille R even better. Try one if you haven't already.
How did you identify the frame as being stiff?
