Description
Click here for an CycleVIN Motorcycle History Report on this 2005 Honda RC51. Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
Introduced in the latter-half of 1999 as a 2000 model, the Honda RC51 was a big-bore V-Twin superbike created to put an end to Ducati’s reign of supremacy in production-based racing. The RC51 featured a powerful liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, 999cc, 90-degree, DOHC V-Twin paired with a six-speed transmission and an aluminum alloy twin-spar frame. Honda achieved some impressive results with its “Ducati killer” in the form of World Superbike Championship titles in 2000 and then again in 2002 — the same year the RC51 was ridden to an AMA Championship.
2002 was also the year that Honda made some updates to the original model (known as the SP1). The second generation RC51 (or SP2) benefited from a host of changes requested by Honda’s factory racers, including a taller windscreen, longer swingarm, reduced steering head angle, stronger yet lighter frame, and a power plant that got a few extra ponies. With around 130 hp on tap and a dry weight of 440 lbs, the 999cc V-Twin was good for a top-speed of over 165 mph. The RC51 was also markedly more reliable than its Italian twin counterpart, making it much more attractive to riders on the street. It’s not uncommon to come across RC51 specimens with more than 100,000 miles on the clock that are still going strong.
A true racebike with headlights, the RC51 was brimming with competition-grade hardware and componentry. Even the instrumentation is configured with a race-style rev-counter, and the rest of the running gear is equally track-focused. Sold from 2000 through 2006, the RC51 was produced during an era in which American riders were at the top of the game and will forever be associated with legendary US-born racers like Nicky Hayden and Colin Edwards.
In 2005, Honda mixed things up by offering the RC51 in a silver-accented black livery.
This example is VIN: JH2SC45135M500069. The seller is the original owner, he purchased it new from LA Cyclesports in Inglewood, California on October 6th, 2005.
The odometer shows 36,628 miles.
Documented Maintenance:
Oil and filter changes were performed at:
10/25/05, 600 miles
5/31/06, 2,619 miles
7/17/07, 7,532 miles
7/15/08, 9,646 miles
9/12/09, 13,431 miles
1/27/11, 18,648 miles
3/23/12, 19,717 miles
3/30/13, 20,835 miles
8/12/14, 23,628 miles
11/9/15, 29,823 miles
1/12/17, 31,869 miles
3/2/18, 33,864 miles
5/26/19, 35,167 miles
Notable Services:
July 2018: replace shift shaft seal, ChrisMoto
June 2018: replace leaking left crankcase cover
April 2018: new Shorai lithium-ion battery
January 2018: new turn signal and inner cowl
March 2012: valve inspection, new spark plugs
Modifications:
This bike is highly original with the OEM turn signals and fenders.
Corbin seat.
Aftermarket grips.
Aftermarket tank protector.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
The seller explains one of the blemishes by noting, “I was leaving an uphill parking space, enricher still on, engine started missing; reaching towards my left knee to push enricher in, I pulled on right bar, bike flopped onto right side. Besides the dent, the right turn signal broke, that was replaced along with inner cowling it attaches to.”
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Bridgestone Battlax S21 Hypersport tires with date codes of 0814 and 2217.
The sale includes one key plus a backup key and the original passenger pegs, passenger seat, service manual, and owner’s manual. The sale also includes an Ian Smith Information Motorcycle Report, several magazine clippings of RC51 articles, and maintenance records.
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Honda is offered on a clean California title with registration current through October 2022.
Have any RC51 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
