Honda RC51 Test Ride

[@StrayAwayDave]

Something about the early-mid 2000’s sportbikes is just charming

[@Str8Jacket_5150]

that’s where everything started lol

[@Skipshift]

I almost bought one about 8 years ago, but the owner had an accident and neither bike or rider made it through the crash unfortunately. Ride safe out there guys ✌️

[@adamnichol4526]

I guess in the US, Nicky made it famous. For World Superbike obsessed England (just after the Carl Foggarty era) the SP2 was the bike that Texas Tornado Colin Edwards broke the Ducati stranglehold on the series. His epic battles with 998 riding Aussie Troy Bayliss was the best racing I've ever seen and saw both of them off to motogp the following season

[@NiNWAVE]

I got an 03 with about 12k miles on it this jan for 7k with absolutely no issues and almost all stock besides a few comfrots and exhaust and I love the thing. Already put on 3000 miles during Oregon winter, I've been riding it whenver I can, and enjoyed it.

[@redrider0151]

So my youtube name is literally based on my RC51 that I owned for years....2001 RC51...Ride Red baby!! That was Honda's tag line for YEARS!! LOVED that bike!! Only drawback was they ran a bit hot...the side mounted radiators couldnt really keep up....you always had to run water wetter....other than that it was a KILLER bike!!! Wish I never sold it... Favorite bike I ever owned..You put it in 4th gear in teh mountains and could just KILL IT!! It could lug through the slow stuff and could truly pull through any turn...wasnt so dependant to be in the right gear...you didnt have to worry about looping it, but you could throw a wheelie FOREVER...that torque was where it was at...it wasnt stupid fast in acceleration, but its powerband was 2000 rpm all the way to redline...

[@randyhicks7954]

the faster you go the cooler they run. Just remember their built for racing.

[@randyhicks7954]

( It could lug through the slow stuff ) that is the reason for the heat

[@sdcanyoncarver2203]

IV put 157k miles on RC 51 in my life time. Great bikes , put straight bars on it to make it more comfortable for long rides

[@2wheelfamily493]

That's Amazing that you put that many miles on your bike I heard they were reliable just didn't know they were that reliable

[@SupraRyu]

157k miles?!?

[@racerx26]

I have an 02 that has been sitting in my garage for 4 years. Was thinking about selling it but this video makes me want to get it running again. Can't wait to see what updates you do with yours!

[@kyles5364]

Just saw a 2002 Honda RC51 with a little over 22k miles. Stock going for 6k in my town on FB marketplace. Appears to be a clean bike in the photos.

[@TrenbologneSandwich]

Last time I watched a Blockhead video you were under 100k subs. I remember when you were pushing for 50k. Good job bro you're absolutely killing it

[@keepittwisted51]

RVT IS THE STATE SIDE NOMENCLATURE VTR IS THE EUROPE AND AUSTRALIA NOMENCLATURE SP-1=2000/2001 SP-2=2002-2006 2005-2006 were the grey/black/silver years Even and odd years had different color frames All Nicky Hayden editions were 2004 Not all 2004 were nicky hayden editions Cheers!

[@ASSASSINlutent]

funny thing is at my dealer we got 2-3 in at the SAME time they sat in the shop for a while and we did a lot of work on it but was cool to see 2 in the same spot. but we got one 2006 black 9,995 and a 2000 red/silver 7,995. for those SUPER interested our dealer ships across the country. both located at Eurocycle Las Vegas

[@michaelcorbeil81]

After searching a couple minutes on FB marketplace in the Lansing, Michigan area, I found a handful of RC51s ranging from $6,200 to $11,500. These bikes sure sound awesome, can’t wait to see what you do with this one.

[@descendantofphineas7785]

I have fallen in love with mine. Just enough power, handles perfect. I road race but this is just my toy for the street. Power/corners perfect match.

[@edm163]

RIP # 69 Nicky Hayden - The Kentucky Kid.

[@2wheelfamily493]

Great video just bought my RC51 for $1000 the bike sat for over 10 years so excited to get the bike up and running 😁

[@lizotte50]

This is my dream bike. What a glorious motorcycle.

[@coache1nine]

I worked at a dealership that sold both Ducati and Honda. Had to test ride an SP2 with a power commander and Carbon Fiber Ackropovics. That thing was awesome. The sound of the pipes over that cam gear whine was absolute music.

[@thecoreelementsmoto]

Almost forgot yall had this one. Love the way they sound

[@KaminerRacing]

Found 2 within 100 miles. An '04 for $7700 and an '03 for $9k. Should have bought one 5 years ago when I had the chance. It was an '05 all factory original with 15k miles and was listed for $5k

[@davidsheffield1825]

Some of the tones comming out of that engine sound so similar to my Night Rod that this video has got me ready to go out and ride.

[@ameliafishack5549]

just bought a 2001 for $2000. has a little oil leak on stator side of motor ordered gaskets yesterday. steal of a lifetime! definitely a different ride than the i4's

[@EastBayToyz]

Here in Nor-Cal (Bay Area) I checked on Facebook market for RC51’s and they are ranging from $3,000 project build/ few scuffs and salvage title all over 45k miles with your average tlc Mid range $5,000 good condition daily bike /clean title and salvage , minor things wrong, like burnt lights or ripped seat, ranging around 20-40K miles. Top dollar is $13,500 FIRM , clean title with 12K miles 1 owner immaculate condition. Like was too clean 🔥 Deciding myself on getting one soon 👍🏽 always hear good stories about this bike from my 40+ year old coworkers Great content 💯🔥🔥🦾🦾👏🏽👏🏽

[@powamoto]

Bro awesome bike thanks for bringing the motorcycle community together 2 wheels one motor let's Roll...great review so I brought all these thumbs ups for ya algorithms fam 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🔥

[@BlockheadMoto]

Haha thanks Powa! 🤘

[@BrianWood74]

This and the RC-45 are the only 2 Hondas I would own... Had an instructor at MMI in Phoenix that had one, was FAR from stock, and sounded damn mean.

[@randywilloughby4360]

I have a 2001 RC51 w/26k miles. I paid $4,300 for it last year (2021). It has a few scratches and small dents, but runs and rides great. OEM parts are fairly hard to find, and very expensive.

[@Tonycsatx]

I’m in San Antonio and I found a 2006 out of Flower mound, TX, north of Dallas. It only has 13k miles on it. They’re asking $12,750. Looks in great shape.

[@PresidentDwayneEMDHComacho]

i owned a 996 superhawk for a bit, i can only imagine the difference

[@journeyofjerry3831]

Please be careful on that bike. Excited to see what you do to it.

[@Horazzify]

$4600 in Louisville which is like an hour away from me is the closest 29k miles and modified a bit

[@goserg]

I still have mine. I got it in feb 2006. Brnad new. I now have over 120k miles on it. Works great still. I can still do 170miles without any problems. Ohh and i still have it completely stocked, minus the ugly turn signals.

[@onlyhereonce7290]

The SP-2. It's a legend.

[@axelotl86]

Good friend of mine has a SP1 and this bike still is super performing and awesome.

[@BlockheadMoto]

Right on!

[@DrTabarnak]

Closest one I found near me was a 2004 in North Carolina and it is going for 6k with 22k miles on it.

[@travisgoodwin3228]

Found two within 300 miles. a 2001 for $9k, and a 2004 for $14k. That bike sounds amazing!!

[@DE-gb3wq]

That is a solid bike! Good luck with it. The sound is really nice especially when you’re top speed with your head near the gas tank.

[@BackAlleyBiker]

I just picked up a 2000 in stock trim with 9700km it’s an absolute time capsule and 98% perfect

[@Panhead49EL]

You could sell your spot on a waiting list for $1000 leading up to their release. I drove to the next state to find one at list.

[@ShutterUp]

I have an RC-46, love that thing and it sounds so mean. I'd certainly buy an RC-51. None in my area but I seem them going for between $7500-$15,500.

[@MrDLove97]

I had a TL1000S which was way more comfortable, especially for longer trips. Clocked 190+ mph. Rode a RC51 once and only once, because the guy had a $14k paint job on it. We chopped the mufflers down to 9-1/2"s. Sound was incredible.

[@TheAsheybabe89]

Clocked 190 where? In your dreams? There's no way in hell a stock TL1000 did 190, even down hill with a strong tailwind lol.

[@239seth]

@@TheAsheybabe89yea I had a 848 Rex tuned and it was amazing but tbh I don’t think the bike had 180 in it but my lord from a kx85 dirt bike to a 85lb torque and 133hp I loved it.

[@wannafly34]

You're gutsy riding that thing through that first parking lot. That gravel is super sketch lol - I'll be happy if they ever pave it.

[@BlockheadMoto]

Very sketch! lol

[@RC-Hotdog]

Been driving my 04 rc for a year now. 6’6 lol, to me I’m more than comfortable lol

[@chrisblack7226]

Come on Juan! Take a pic with ur new bike from the giveaway! Blockster on the Pig, huh?

[@life_behind_bars]

Found a few in my area, and the lowest price was $4700, and the highest was $6200.

[@Torch114]

Another great video that didn't disappoint. I found an '06 for $12,750 lol Maybe do a video with the Pig versus the Sportster S, I mean since you're planning to turn it into a naked style street fighter.

[@danbailey1229]

They sound awesome. How about Thumper for the name.

[@don-tj7su]

2 rc 51 on the market place,32 thousand miles,4600 bucks and the other 27 thousand miles for 6500 hundred bucks..one in Knoxville tn and other in s.c.

[@Ridin2Fast]

Yeah i definitely like to barter! I got a really nice motorcycle trailer for my Harley in trade of some welding work worked out good.

[@BlockheadMoto]

That's awesome!

[@markmcgrath5642]

Like you said...they are becoming extremely hard to find in good condition. I think you just answered your own question when it comes to what direction you should go in. Showroom cherry is the only way to go for this piece of motorcycle history

[@Josh-ew1le]

Call it the "Honda Davidson"

[@Dewbs]

Had to laugh at the references to Mexico, seems we have a Mexico day trip here in Australia too 🤣

[@davidfluckinger326]

I just picked up a 2002 a week ago with 24k miles on it I payed 4,800.00. I'm in WA state. Has D&D pipes on it, sounds and rides amazing

[@TheOriginalCoda]

I owned a new SP-1 from March 2000, it was stock apart from a pair of Blue Flame exhausts, a speedo corrector, and a Gold Valve in the forks. At 5'8" I had no issue commuting 100-150 miles per day on it. I am currently looking for another but here in the UK (where they are not rare at all) they are way too expensive - about £6K British money units for a beat up trashcan with 35k miles to approx £15K for a clean un-modded example with about 10k miles on it.

[@stanza77]

15K!!?? That’s outrageous

[@TheOriginalCoda]

@@stanza77 Yes. I think it is. And it's not got better since I wrote that last comment but I see a lot of overpriced bikes that haven't sold in that time, so I'm hopeful the coming recession will make them more obtainable.

[@kimmarshall6047]

Back when i was a boy we called Honda’s Henry which was slang for Henry Fonda so maybe Block can call it ole Henry.

[@aaroncox3340]

Love those bikes, my friend owned a SP1, what a machine, I'm to tall to own one 6"4 😒

[@jeffarmentrout2863]

Nice ride! I've been to that park in Debary.

[@Sam_ZX10R_]

Blockhead you should see if you can test ride a z900 and compare it to your MT09

[@Godlobber]

A quick check up in the Seattle area, they are going for between 8 and 12k.

[@neilhamill318]

2005 Honda RC51 SP2. Imaculant condition with 3,264 miles. Sold at auction in California $6,500.

[@streetrider1977]

Looking at a 05 garage queen, beautiful condition. Really low miles for $8500

[@matttaylor8832]

The one liter Ducati beater

[@ChaseJasperDown]

That’s such a cool bike! The racing heritage is amazing.

[@BlockheadMoto]

Couldn't agree more!

[@mikec6323]

The whine is from the gear driven cams stock has silencers which you can remove but it gets annoying, also check out lady bird performance (not a joke 😅) banzai mounts for exhaust best sounding now that Sato racing is gone.

[@b52at100]

Block. You guys always talk about Mexico. But when y’all going to Canada? 😉

[@BlockheadMoto]

Are the Royal Canadian Mounted Police friendly? lol

[@altooker1560]

Found 1 on FB marketplace asking 12,750$.

[@BlockheadMoto]

Dayum! lol

[@stephanelutz6243]

Get ‘em while you can! Love the rc51 and I would rather not have computers and riding aids recalculating my engine and suspension every millisecond personally.

[@michaelkuxhausen5042]

What ever happened with the other giveaway bike? I don’t remember seeing a video about that like you did with Juan when you called him. How’d the rest of the build go on it?

[@BlockheadMoto]

Nathan was the other winner, we called him in the same video. We're actually almost done with the bagger, and we've recorded on and off throughout the build. Should be seeing episodes soon!

[@KSwapTheWorld69]

As Of May 3rd 2024 On Facebook Marketplace: Low: $8,000 Mid: $10,000 High: $12,000 Thats Awesome, I Got My 2001 For 4 Grand... Even Though I'm Never Going To Sell It. I Want This To Hit RC45 Pricing, That Would Be Killer!

[@derrickskibo5811]

I live in south east Texas and just bought an 01 with 30k for $6500 in damn near mint condition In south west Louisiana earlier this summer

[@toine0002]

Great video. Owned the rival bike: aprilia rsv Mille. Great bike!

[@carlosv1650]

here in phoenix az found 2, first one is a 03 with akrapovic exhaust and some extra stuff selling at 7000 OBO and the second one a 01 looking really rough selling at 4000

[@jarvismiller2981]

03 RC51 Flemmington NJ - $8000 with 6.8k on it. 03 RC51 Hampton NJ - 4,700 with 34k on it.

[@AlittleBitOfFun]

4 sp1's I could find in Australia, range from $22k Aud to $40k Aud For context new softail standard price to new road king special price

[@BlockheadMoto]

Dayum, that's pricey! Suppose they're more rare there as well.

[@AlittleBitOfFun]

@@BlockheadMoto would say so , not looking to buy one personality just happy to see what you do with it

[@joshtruesdale9515]

Wanna do a comparison to my 08 buell 1125r? I work at the local Honda shop

[@kevinfeagins2660]

CycleTrader shows one bike within 250 miles of Houston, you have to call for price.

[@brdllc]

That whine is the gear driven cam, not an issue with the engine. They are bullet proof. And please for the love of god do not swap the front end that is the most sacrilegious thing one could do

[@Euphorica]

Bikes of this vintage are perfection. Typically the most amt of power you want in a big boy bike without alll the nannies doing it for you. Very emotional and manageable experience compared to modern day rockets

[@iainpearce6379]

Dude those bars look horribly uncomfortable 😳 id love to see you do a streetfighter build especially as your doing one on the new sporty

[@jasonsejd]

There's one for sale here in the DFW area for $12,750.

[@BLAKEx617]

Just found one on FB market, only an hour from me, $6,900 first year model 2000, 25k miles looks like its in very good condition from the pictures

[@zkap21]

2003 in Beardstown, Illinois. Full Yosh exhaust. $6500

[@Rick1984FL]

Hey Mr. Block outta curiousity there’s that jet at? If it’s around the central Florida area I’d like to go check it out as a plane nerd.

[@BlockheadMoto]

It's in Debary, in Memorial Park, right beside Gemini Springs Park

[@Rick1984FL]

@@BlockheadMoto cool thanks I grew up here but have never been to DeBary before

[@chilliwilly4497]

Found 4 of them, 2 provinces from me. $5000, $6000, $8000 and $11750. SP1 and SP2's

[@franklinwilkerson2061]

forget about selling it for big $$$ in the future if you're gonna customize it all weird. the expensive ones are mostly stock with original fairings or tastefully modified with period correct hop up parts.

[@TheAsheybabe89]

Dude at 14:50 is cappin. Real top speed stock is mid-high 160s. It could perhaps touch 170 if the stars align. But there's no way it's running 170 and still having plenty left to go, whether 5th gear is tall enough for the speed or not, it would be tapped out giving it everything it has. Compare it's HP/weight against modern bikes that can't even easily do that speed and have way better power to weight than this.

[@TheOriginalCoda]

Agreed. Fastest I got on my SP-1 was 161 indicated and it didn't have much left. The SP-2 had a tiny bit more power, and a few pounds less weight but not enough to make it a 180 mph bike.

[@beesadventures2]

Found one in NC... 2004 RC51 for $6k

[@chazzyoung9128]

It’s not an f1 lights that’s the fi light ( fault indicator)

[@kvb_4117]

i would love to see if it would be possible for it to look like a 94 cbr 900rr. i doubt it but that is my favorite super sport bike ever made. especially the black and purple look

[@rocknexus5749]

Seems like they came down in price. In vancouver right now listed 2 hours ago theres a 2001 going for 3200 cad which is 2400 usd. Either that or im looking at a unicorn

[@amandachops8712]

4,500 to 11,000 depending on stock vs mods in nw Indiana.

[@FDVToad]

Found an '03 in DFW, TX area for $5600

[@dustdevil9614]

Wasn't it the V-TR when it was an 800. Was in Canada

[@trollingpatroll7196]

nice vid, bike looks cool

[@86AW11]

Where was the intro filmed?

[@chrisblack7226]

Is Blockhead a fan of Tony Jeselnik the standup comedian?

[@BlockheadMoto]

Never heard of em, I'll have to look em up 😅

[@jeremy9071]

Gonna grab 1 from Cali. Sp2

[@ChristopherBrusa]

I need this bike.

[@shawnphillips4473]

I found a few price range from 5k to 7k

[@BalmungTaishou]

@Blockhead The Dark Raven?

[@ariellepascale]

Here in Alberta Canada the cheapest one is 6000 and expensive one go for 12 000

[@mrdavidurquhart]

Its not the analogness, its the torque delivery