Which bike? Thoughts....

[garysol1]

So as many of you know I have been looking for an RC51. I thought I had my mind made up and that was the bike I wanted. I know that the RC's comfort is not the best between the aggressive seating position and the side mount radiators cooking your legs but I was ok with that. I have ridden GSXR's for years and am used to ass high and hands low.

Now I find myself looking at a 05 CBR1000 and think maybe that bike is a better choice for me due to the "plusher" ergo's and smoother ride. I am 44 years old after all and it would be nice to have an all day bike. So......

Pros.....

RC51.....Awesome sound and punchy V twin. You don't see them on every street corner....

CBR1000.....Plush and bigger top end rush. A bike I could see myself riding to Boston for some Lobster and back.

Cons...

RC51.....Harsh ride and uncomfortable. Passenger comfort is non existent and the wife and I may want to 2-up but very infrequently.

CBR....dime a dozen..... Thats the only negative I can come up with...

I am really just thinking out loud here but if anyone has any thoughts......I am all ears.

[Dubguy85]

I'll sell you my 2008 1000rr with mods and only 1300 miles

[NeverEnough]

Get both... you only live once.

[garysol1]

I'll sell you my 2008 1000rr with mods and only 1300 miles

for $5,000?

[Dubguy85]

for $5,000?

6300 mods off

[RSVDon]

RC51 if you like riding.

CBR1K if you like soul-less reliability, ridiculous speed and being that "me too" guy.

My opinion. RC. Of course I'm biased, but they are very unique bikes, they are fun to ride, people in the know will sit there and ogle at it when you pull in. They are not that slow. The V-twin power makes the bike lots of fun to power out of the corners. You said two-up would be very infrequent?

Where are you getting your opinions on the harsh ride and lack of comfort on the RC? I've ridden my roommate's bike a bit now and I find it's not bad at all. It's no couch, but the ergos are very close to all of the other supersports. The one weak link is the rock hard seat, but that can be changed easily.

Edited January 24, 2010 by RSVDon

[RFM]

Aprilia and get it all. And chicks dig Italian bikes.

[RSVDon]

Aprilia and get it all. And chicks dig Italian bikes.

Truth. And the Milles have a couch for a passenger seat in case you do need to take the wifey somewhere.

[garysol1]

Aprilia and get it all. And chicks dig Italian bikes.

I have had MANY Ducatis.....They never did get me laid. Must have been me

[RSVDon]

I have had MANY Ducatis.....They never did get me laid. Must have been me

Must've been the fact that you had to push the Ducati everywhere. I don't blame the girls.

[Disclaimer]

Bottom line you gotta get what's right for you.

My opinion:

I like unique bikes.

The SP1 and SP2 fit that. They're one of the rare few Japanese bikes with personality. No, they're not the best performing beasts on the planet, but their cool factor more than makes up for that in my book. Besides, it's a lot more fun to ride a slower bike fast, than a faster bike slow. Which is why it's cool to see guys sling around those heavy piggish RC's with guys on I4 literbikes.

To me, the liter bikes will outperform the RC's, but they're so robotic. If you're a strict 'numbers only' guy - then get an I4 liter bike, they handle better, they have more hp, they're also a dime a dozen.

If I had to choose between the two, I'd choose the RC, but like NeverEnough said, get both, you only live once.

[NeverEnough]

Bottom line you gotta get what's right for you.

My opinion:

I like unique bikes.

The SP1 and SP2 fit that. They're one of the rare few Japanese bikes with personality. No, they're not the best performing beasts on the planet, but their cool factor more than makes up for that in my book. Besides, it's a lot more fun to ride a slower bike fast, than a faster bike slow. Which is why it's cool to see guys sling around those heavy piggish RC's with guys on I4 literbikes.

To me, the liter bikes will outperform the RC's, but they're so robotic. If you're a strict 'numbers only' guy - then get an I4 liter bike, they handle better, they have more hp, they're also a dime a dozen.

If I had to choose between the two, I'd choose the RC, but like NeverEnough said, get both, you only live once.

YEZZIR! Or get a really unique bike like aprilla or something... It is just money, you will only make more....

[oldschoolsdime92]

geta triumph! ital be the most fun you ever had with your pants on!

[garysol1]

geta triumph! ital be the most fun you ever had with your pants on!

I also had a 955i Daytona. Didn't do much for me. Loved the engine but the chassis was a real let down. Felt like I was coaxing a truck through the turns. I do dig the 675 Daytona though.

[Goldie]

Someone on here recently picked up a black RC51 and I fell in love with the pictures, the 1000rr is dime a dozen.

[hue jass]

You mean...like this?

[RSVDon]

Damnit!!! Quit posting those pics before I go out and buy one!!

[Dubguy85]

IMHO black is the best rc color hands down...Very rare too

[garysol1]

The black RC's are so damn sexy. All the ones I have come across have been over my measly budget....

[RSVDon]

He's asking $5200 for this. Located in Dayton, OH.

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177530

[Bad324]

He's asking $5200 for this. Located in Dayton, OH.

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177530

holy crap I want that!

[RSVDon]

holy crap I want that!

Yeah, me too. Sad fact is, I won't be able to sell the Mille for nearly enough to trade up to that. Guess I'll just keep savin' my pennies.

[garysol1]

That RSV is a beautiful bike. I think I am a little to paranoid about parts and service availability to actually own one though. Is that silly?

[magley64]

I'd go with the RVT. Like jrm, I prefer a more unique bike. Half the reason I got the XX was because I had seen so few of them anywhere. (on a forum with over 3500 members I think there are 4 of us)

[jagr]

You're 44. Time for a VStrom.

/thread