March 2007: My eminently practical ST1300 has been moved out of my motorcycle shed and my positively impractical RC51 has come back home. Hallelujah! And just in time for the first NESBA track days of the season in mid-April. I've named it "The Firebolt" after Harry Potter's latest broomstick because I feel as exhilarated as he does when I ride this bike.

I've used my heat gun to take off the decals that proclaim the RC as an "AMA superbike". Duh! I'm also eyeing the decals on the swing arm and wonder how long they'll hold up to dirt, water and chain lube. I wave the heat gun over one of them as a test but it doesn't budge. Honda must have put better glue on these. Meanwhile, I've installed a Powerlet BMW-style power socket for easy battery charging and an electric vest for chilly mornings. I've ordered frame sliders and a Zero Gravity double bubble windscreen in order to get a little more coverage when I zoom down the highway or the straightaway at the track. Oh yeah!

I've removed the bicycle reflectors. Riding buddy Vince says they belong on a Schwinn, not a motorcycle. I agree plus they are one less thing I'll have to tape up for track days. The peg feelers are gone, too. They're about a foot long on this bike. Looks like the next thing to touch down will be the pipes. Maybe Santa will bring me some high mount Sato pipes for Christmas?

Meanwhile, I'm trying my hand at some fairing repair. Most of the purely cosmetic damage caused by a low speed, lowside in a parking garage has been addressed by Ralph, the prior owner. What's left is some minor fairing damage. The plastic tab that the right front turn signal bolts to is snapped off. It looks like it's designed to do so and since it can be put back into place and held there by a clamp, I go get some serious epoxy from the auto parts store next door. 24 hours later, it looks solid. Time will tell. The multiple cracks in the seat cowl look a lot trickier. I can't use a clamp but my brother, Eric, just told me about using small pieces of plastic to brace the repair, something he learned from repairing dirt bike plastics. So I use pieces of a tie-wrap on the backside of the fairing. While it won't pass inspection, it will keep the cracks from growing.

As I'm riding along on the RC, some cager decides to crowd me. I hit the horn and I'm lucky he hears the feeble squeak that comes out of the lame ass stock horn. Now that I have dual Fiamms on my 1977 CB750F2, I'm spoiled. I hit that button and they act like an early 70s Chevy is about to mow them down. I don't see room for two horns under the fairing so I replace the stocker with one low tone, Fiamm-style horn which turns out be to a plug and play deal. No modifications are necessary. It's not as good as the duals on the CB but it certainly is an improvement.

By the way, 2006 was the last year for RC51 production in the US. Honda no longer needs it for AMA & World Superbike competition and their CBR sportbikes are far more popular in this country. (The RC is still being sold in the UK where sportbikes are the norm and cruisers are the exception.) When I bought this bike brand new in 2005, Honda had dramatically discounted it to clear out the warehouse but now, people are looking for RCs all over the place. Go figure.

Oct 2005: As my new boating hobby seems to suck up all my disposable income and spare time, I figure I can't do both track days and boating so I start thinking about selling the RC. I mention this during casual dinner conversation with Ralph one evening and he immediately perks up. To make a long story short, Ralph really wants this bike and I feel much better knowing that it will go to him and not to some stranger. I have Ralph come over for a test ride and I decide to not spare him. I want to make sure he really wants this bike. With Ralph being an athlete and a real �no pain, no gain� kind of guy, I instruct him to how to properly ride a sport bike. Engage those thigh muscles and abs! Ride on the balls of your feet and keep a light touch on the grips! Don't bother with that concrete slab of a seat! Ride her like a jockey! (Yes, I know I'm an SOB.) So off we go into the countryside with me riding my ultra comfy ST1300. I stop about every 20 minutes to give him a break and after a couple of hours, we return to my place. I figure that by now Ralph has come to his senses and can't wait to get off the torture rack. Nope. He's absolutely hooked. He speaks of the RC in reverent tones and yes, his muscles are screaming! I'm impressed and we do the deal. He promises me visitation rights and track time if need be.

29-May-05: Break-in has been accomplished. Street riding is possible in small doses before serious discomfort kicks in. The occasional on-ramp or brief twisty piece of road allows just a glimmer of this bike's brilliance to peek through. A ride to the LaGrande curves offers up a few 20 mph turns before the tourists get in the way. With the tires warmed up and the tranny in 1st, the RC takes them like a cat on carpet. A trip to Windy Ridge is probably in order but only the protected environment of the track will truly suffice. On the street, the RC is utterly out of place but it sure is an amazing piece of machinery and a real hoot to ride.

Joe takes a spin on the RC while I ride his ST1300 and the contrast is shocking. The ST feels like a Gold Wing in comparison after riding the RC. The comfort, the effortless power and the nimble handling are impressive.

21-May-05: Stew and I rode the RC yesterday out in the countryside to work on the break-in and we added 147 miles. Here's my report:

1. The fuel injection is brilliant. It's as good as well synched carbs - silky smooth and very controllable.
    
2. The big twin provides very usable power and perfect engine braking. I can't wait to open this baby up after break-in. The combo of gear driven cams and that v-twin exhaust note are sheer aural pleasure even with the stock cans.
    
3. The front brake is astounding. I've never felt such efficiency and controllability.
    
4. The handling is spot on - very precise and confidence inspiring. I thought the Super Hawk was amazing. The RC suspension is true race quality - very stout and incredibly adjustable. Even with my weight and some aggressive riding, I don't think I'll be able to overwhelm it the way Vince and I did on my old VFR, time and time again, even with the stiffest fork springs available. I'll need expert assistance with getting it adjusted. There are just too many settings.
    
5. This is no street bike due to the ergonomics and the fact that the whole package is utterly wasted on the street. It's not uncomfortable like Vince's R1 was where I was suffering immediately. The RC is actually fairly comfy. We took frequent breaks BUT after a couple of hours, the butt, back, legs and wrists all start complaining. No surprise there and no problem. This bike was bought for track use.
    
6. Stew always thought he'd like the RC51. Well, that hunch was completely validated after yesterday's ride. I'm not sure I've ever seen such a bad case of MBS in the making. I predict that it's not a case of if but when. He's not going to get any rest until he takes action. I look forward to seeing him on one at the track.
    
7. I've got 211 on the odometer. One more ride will break it in.

2004 Nicky Hayden edition

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• Sport Rider - 2002 SP2 Review
• Motorcycle Daily - 2002 SP2 Review
• Motorcycle.com - 2004 Open Class Shootout
• Motorcyclist - 2002 SP2 Review
• Honda V4 Motorcycle Pages (A history of the RC51)
• RC51 Owners Group of United Enthusiasts (ROGUE)
• Nicky Hayden on Wikipedia

• Multiple Bike Syndrome (MBS) An humorous analysis of how we justify the bikes we buy and ride.
   
• Honda RC-51 or remodel the bathroom? Let's see. Remodel our ancient bathroom, something we'll get to use and enjoy every day or buy a highly impractical sport bike that will sit in the shed most of the time.
   
• Seeking The Sport In Sport Touring Redlining and peg grinding my ST1300 at the local race track.

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2000 - 03 paint scheme

2005-06 paint scheme
 

The naked RC51
 
 
Fixing the fairing with epoxy & a clamp
 

Modifications

• Powerlet power socket for battery charging & cold riding days
• Zero Gravity Double Bubble windscreen
• Removal of bicycle reflectors
• Removal of peg feelers
• Low tone, Fiamm-style horn for startling latte drinking, cell phone talking, SUV drivers