2005 Honda RC51
RVT1000R
Miles: 15,983
Clean Title
Located outside of Seattle
$10,800
UPDATE: Looks like this one is already sold!
That was fast!!!
SELLER
Up for sale is a 2005 Honda RC51 (RVT1000R) in sleek black. Own a fine example of this legendary V-twin superbike. If you know, you know—this bike is a true collector’s item and a blast to ride.
Year: 2005
Make: Honda
Model: RC51
Transmission: Manual
VIN: JH2SC450X5M500111
Title Status: Clean
Mileage: 15,983
Key Features & Highlights:
• Excellent mechanical condition, regularly maintained
• Fresh oil and filter
• Tires and brakes in great shape
• Always garage-kept and adult-owned
• Never tracked or downed
• Last year of the RC51 – becoming increasingly rare
• Legendary V-twin power with HRC racing pedigree
• Comfortable enough to ride, aggressive enough to thrill
• Sounds amazing!
This is a true enthusiast’s bike and not your average sportbike. Whether you’re looking to add a modern classic to your collection or just want a powerful, head-turning ride, this RC51 delivers.
RSBFS
Back in 2016 when the world was a different place, RSBFS was still writing about the RC51, “Like other forms of racing, World Superbike is designed around a set of rules intended to create a relatively level playing field and encourage a variety of manufacturers to participate. Knowing that simple displacement limits would result in a field full of Japanese four-cylinder machines, the WSBK rules allowed for v-twin motorcycles of up to 1,000cc and triples of up to 900cc, whereas fours could only be 750cc, meaning the bikes made approximately equal power. But in an era before electronic traction control, twins had a big advantage in torque and traction, meaning they could come out of corners harder, and Ducati’s 916 was dominant in the early years. Enter Honda’s RC51.
Many felt the rules for v-twins allowed Ducati an unfair advantage, and that this was done entirely to ensure their participation in the series. Whether or not that was true, Honda had gotten tired of struggling to make their RC45 competitive and switched to a v-twin engine for the VTR1000 SP-1, their follow up to the RC45. The bike was successful, although not as dominant as Honda might have hoped. But it really proved their point: given a level playing field, their bikes could go toe-to-toe with Ducati.
As a roadbike, the original SP-1 had a few minor issues with handling. According to Dave Hancock, Honda’s factory test rider, the bike’s notorious understeer was a result of the bike being rushed into production. Introduced in 2002, the RVT1000 SP-2 featured simple changes that were made to banish the understeer, including tapered spacers to replace the flat ones used on the front wheel. These new spacers allowed some flex at lean and, along with other minor changes, made the bike handle the way fans had always expected it to handle”
It looks like this owner is an enthusiast and has kept the bike in great shape.
Good luck to the buyer and seller!
