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.
This example is VIN: JH2SC45195M500254. The seller purchased this motorcycle three years ago from a private party in California.
During his ownership, the seller has covered less than 1,000 miles. The odometer shows 15,649 miles.
Maintenance:
The seller reports that he has replaced the clutch plate and springs and performed a complete fluid change.
Modifications:
Yoshimura carbon fiber mufflers.
Power Commander III.
GPR Steering Dampener.
Sato Racing rearsets.
Corbin seat.
Carbon front fender.
Carbon rear fender.
Carbon frame cover.
Carbon engine cover.
Carbon radiator cover.
Carbon side vents.
Carbon swingarm cover.
Magical Racing carbon dash cover.
TWM Racing aluminum twist gas cap.
Pazzo Racing levers, aftermarket bar-ends.
Hotbodies undertail, integrated turn signals.
Led front signals.
X-ring chain and sprocket, swingarm spools.
Aftermarket windscreen, mirrors.
T-Rex Racing axle sliders.
Pro-Tek reservoir caps.
ProGrip tank pad.
Techspec tank grips.
Radar detector plug-in and mount.
Not pictured: Samco Racing hoses, lithium battery.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Michelin Pilot Power 2CT tires with date codes of 0317 and 2017.
The sale includes two keys.
The sale also includes a spare engine, a NOS passenger seat, as well as a set of passenger pegs and a spare gasket.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Garden Grove, California, this Honda is offered on a clean California title with registration that expired in May 2023.
Per the CA DMV website, it would cost $206 to make registration current through May 2024.
Have any RC51 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
