What motorcycle to buy?

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

Mazdaspeedgirl, that may be a good deal for you. You can always take some foam out of the seat. Check into it.

yah! who needs cusion for their ass anyways?!

I've been told the most you can lower an R6 is an inch. The gixxer would be closer to getting my short ass to fit on it, but I luv the R6's looks. meh...what am I to do...

 

[kevducridr]

Going to go look at a 2000 Honda RC51 on saturday. Only 1700 miles asking $6,900

Now that is a great deal. I paid $9200.00 otd for my 2001 two years ago. If it is in good shape, that is a steal.

Mazdaspeedgirl, I would never recommend adjusting ride height to satisfy seat height for the vertically challenged. No offense. It changes the handling characteristics and ground clearance when cornering adversely. Find a bike that is comfortable with one foot on the ground at a rest and let the bike rest on that foot with your other on the peg. This way you can get a couple of extra inches at a dead stop instead of trying to put both feet down straddling the bike. Also taking a little padding out won't change the seat feel all the much, plus its a sportbike for god's sake. Good luck.

Wait till KTM releases the DukeII AMA Superbike>>>>here we come

Yeah, I have seen pics. Pretty cool looking, I hope it is reliable. I am a big fan of new manufacturer and variety in Superbike racing.

 

[Gbourdon]

Going to go look at a 2000 Honda RC51 on saturday. Only 1700 miles asking $6,900

Do you suppose there is any room for bargaining on this bike? It is 4 years old but the price seems good with low miles. He said it actually has like 1,680 on it. He told me the only scratch is where he had the radar detector mounted on the support for the fairing. Sounds like a hell of a deal. I am securing financing right now. I called another place that had a 2000 RC51 with 6,000 miles on it and they were asking $8,900 for it.

 

[kevducridr]

Like I said that is a smoking deal. I wouldn't hesitate. Oh, on second thought..........he did say he had a radar detector on it. SQUID!!!

Seriously that is a great price. He must be being forced to sell it by his wife or something. I love mine, it is very reliable and fun to ride. I use mine as a track bike/daily street rider, saving my 888 Ducati as a "special event" bike only anymore.

/members/kevducridr/My Bikes /888pic3.jpg/members/kevducridr/My Bikes /888pic4.jpg

This is my pride and joy my friend. 1993 Ducati 888 S.P.O., only 500 made each model year in 1992, 93 and 94.

 

[Gbourdon]

Any big changes in the RC51 over the 2000?

 

[kevducridr]

Absolutely none. They are the exact same in 2000 and 2001. The 2002 bikes got some small updates like swing arm, different injectors and other stuff plus some different paint on the tail section.

Heres me at the track last summer on my RC.

/members/kevducridr/My Bikes/rcgratton03.jpg

 

[Gbourdon]

So I posted over on RC51.com and asked those guys what they think. Some of them are saying to hold out for the newer Sp-2 (02/03/04). Others say that it is a good price but could do better (wtf) now I'm just confused. I'll probably buy. I think I am going to offer him 6K and see if he takes it.

 

[kevducridr]

So I posted over on RC51.com and asked those guys what they think. Some of them are saying to hold out for the newer Sp-2 (02/03/04). Others say that it is a good price but could do better (wtf) now I'm just confused. I'll probably buy. I think I am going to offer him 6K and see if he takes it.

Well it is a good deal, but in situations like that I let my own mind and heart figure out things, not people on forums. You know the proverbial, " Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one." Well I say that is true and some have diaherria. I can assure you that there are few if any non-professional riders/racers that can actually feel the difference between an SP1 and SP2. 2004 is the last year for the bike. All they did is give it Nicky Hayden graphics. No changes mechanically. Do what you feel is best. But IMHO, this 2000 RC will serve you well for your purposes.

 

[Gbourdon]

Yeah youre right. If I was listening to half th people on here and looking for a used MSP I'd probably think it was only worth $6.24 and pack of cigarrettes

 

[kevducridr]

Yeah youre right. If I was listening to half th people on here and looking for a used MSP I'd probably think it was only worth $6.24 and pack of cigarrettes

Exactly.

 

[Dlovtsur]

This is what I would get if I could ever afford it, that is.

(omg)

 

[kevducridr]

This is what I would get if I could ever afford it, that is.

(omg)

I am not into cruisers myself, but these types of customs are artwork to say the least. The amount of time and effort to produce a beautiful bike is amazing.

 

[Gbourdon]

Yeah those bikes are nice. I would like to have one just can't cough up that much cake. I like those bikes with the open primary and just bare bones.

 

[michaelnchelle]

I read through all the posts and no one mentioned my personal favorite used bike... the Honda Superhawk 996... so I thought I would put in my 2 cents!

I feel like you do about wanting that low end torque but still wanting the sport bike look... plus, I dont want to drop $6-7000 on a bike right now like the SV650S will cost me. The Superhawk has the same semi-naked bike look, a 996cc 2 cylinder engine, tons of torque, awesome handling and light weight. Best part for me is that I can get a 1998 model for around $4000 and it looks identical to the brand new 2004... they havent changed the styling. Plus, since it is not very popular with the biker boyz crowd, the owners tend to be more mature, older guys who take good care of the bikes, dont abuse them, dont do wheelies, garage kept. And, finally, there are tons of aftermarket parts for it, including lower fairings to give it the full sportbike look.

 

[kevducridr]

Yep, the superhawk is a great bike. But, if Gbourdon can swing the $ 6900.0 or whatever he can get the guy down to, the RC is more bang for the buck. If not then the Superhawk would be an excellent alternative. Several of my riding buddies have Superchickens. Very balanced bike. Does everything well. (thumb)

 

[Hypnotized]

How much? This is my dream bike, but I am too short to ride it!

5800 0.b.o.

You can either lower it or cut the foam out of the seat. My girlfriend is 5ft tall and was able to hold it up with one leg though. Try an old cbr, they sit lower and dont have you laying on the gas tank.

 

[Gbourdon]

I just talked a friend of the Guy who owns this RC51. He is the manager of the COncord Motorcycle shop. He said that it is a true 1,700 miles. He told me that Rich, the owner, "is a lot older than he thinks he is" and he can't ride it for very long becuase it is just too uncomfortable for him. I got my loan for it so if I go for it then I will be all set.

 

[xelderx]

I just talked a friend of the Guy who owns this RC51. He is the manager of the COncord Motorcycle shop. He said that it is a true 1,700 miles. He told me that Rich, the owner, "is a lot older than he thinks he is" and he can't ride it for very long becuase it is just too uncomfortable for him. I got my loan for it so if I go for it then I will be all set.

Hey let me know if you get it. I have a friend that is Parts Manager of a dealer in Durham and we might be able to get you some deals on parts and stuff. Hopefully we will have some track days at VIR this year. In the least get up with me and we can go riding.

 

[Gbourdon]

Sounds good to me. It looks like there are a couple guys off the RC51 forum in the area too. Now I'm going to have another forum to spend more of my time posing on and (bang)

 

[kevducridr]

Good deal!!! (headbang) Welcome to the family. If you need any help with it, let me know. I have a PC3r, Erion Racing Slip-ons, 520 sprocket and chain conversion kit and some other stuff done to mine. I can recommend some things, plus there is a load of great info on the RC51.org site.