Should i be worried?

[Zeroflat24]

One of my really good friends just bought an 01 RC51. Its in rough shape, needs plastics, exhaust, headlights ect. He got a pretty good deal on it. Should i be worried hes going to own me when he finally gets it running? I have never ridden an RC51, nor have ever known anyone who had one. Im gonna be pissed if his 2001 smokes my 2005

 

[mowgoli84]

what are you riding? If its an xb9 or 12 a good rider on a well running rc51 will eat up an xb.. atleast in the straights..though, theyre not bad in the corners either.

 

[Zeroflat24]

what are you riding? If its an xb9 or 12 a good rider on a well running rc51 will eat up an xb.. atleast in the straights..though, theyre not bad in the corners either.

a 2005 xb12r

 

[Theycallmecrash]

Youre done, the RC51 will eat your XB. My main ridibg buddy has one, straights, turns, wheelies, he is untouchable.

 

[Zeroflat24]

Well that is pure shennanigans [down] Oh well at least i have the satisfaction knowing my **** is louder than his.

 

[thrstrmech]

how is it off the line? maybe you will take him there

 

[J20tD]

^^^ I tend to take everyone off the line until about second gear... lol

 

[sprk_sprd]

I guess no one in this thread has heard that "it's the rider, not the bike"?

 

[J20tD]

Sprk Sprd definatley has a point there, but in a straight line that bike will eat you up.

 

[Theycallmecrash]

Well when comparing bikes, its assumed riders are equally skilled. It always comes down to whos a better rider. The RC is a better machine all around.

 

[kelley386racer]

I traded my RC51 for my 05 XB12s. Yes the RC is faster, yes it corners great, and yes it has killer brakes. However the guys I ride with say they have more trouble keeping up with me on the Buell than on the RC. If your friends last name is Hayden then yes he is going to eat you alive on a track. On the street its a different story, you cant hit the apex of every corner at full lean while trail braking on the edge of traction. Its the person who is more comfortable with their machine and can feel and ride the limit of that piece of road on that day. Look at the bright side, riding behind and listening to that thing while its screaming up to 10000 rpm... that sound is about the only thing i miss.

 

[dannenvance]

Aw, we didn't buy our Buells for the stats (alone anyway), we bought them cuz they're Buells. Cool as an RC51 is, it doesn't have the soul of a Buell.

 

[Zeroflat24]

Aw, we didn't buy our Buells for the stats (alone anyway), we bought them cuz they're Buells. Cool as an RC51 is, it doesn't have the soul of a Buell.

That is a very valid point. It just amazes me that my bike will out run all of my other buddies who ride 07+ jap bikes but not an 01 honda lol. My buddy has been riding longer than me (hes in his 30s im 27) but not by much. I would say we are equally skilled.

 

[Semperfi]

And then there's the whole 1125 thing...which will tear that RC51 up

 

[konarider94]

the rc51 isnt soulless though, its a pretty awesome sounding v-twin. Its not your typical jap bike

 

[stamen]

RC51 is pretty badass. But i love my buell.wouldn't mine having both though[cool]

 

[deathandtexas]

The Buell looks better too... in my opinion. All the late 1990's/early 2000's sports bikes look like enlarged bugs to me. ;o) 2007-8 CBR 600 RR on the other hand...