Description
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 when 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.
Manufactured in March of 2002, this example is VIN: JH2SC45302M201488. It came to Iconic as an import from Japan though it appears that it may have originally been sold in Canada.
The odometer shows 4,156 miles.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had rebuild the clutch master cylinder, flush the brakes, replace the spark plugs, change the air filters, replace the fuel pressure regulator, and give the bike a detailing. Yonni did the work, he notes the following in his condition report:
Gas Tank Internal: Ok
Tire Year Front: 2221 / Rear: 1521
Tire Life Front: 90% / Rear: 90%
Tire Press Front: 32PSI / Rear: 36PSI
Brake Life Front: 90% / Rear: 80%
Hydraulic Brake Fluid Front: New Rear: New
Clutch fluid: New
Suspension Leaks: None
Oil Quality: Ok Level: Ok
Coolant Quality: Ok Level: Ok
Low Beam: Ok
High Beam: Ok
Turn: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light: Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Kill: Ok
Horn: Fail
Battery: 12.6V
Notes:
• Missing front lower chin fairing – COWL,INNER L*NH1*64560MCFD30ZA
Modifications:
Akrapovič mufflers.
Hyperpro steering stabilizer.
Carbon fiber front fender.
Tank pad.
Rear rim strip.
Swingarm spools.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Dunlop Sportmax Roadsport 2 tires with date codes of 1521 and 2221.
The sale includes one key.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
As noted in the condition report, the front lower inner cowl is missing. The rear turn signals touch the exhausts.
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Honda is offered on a clean Oregon title. Please note that as an import, this bike lacks certain compliance and emissions stickers that the state of California would require to transfer a title. Have any RC51 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
