View source for Honda RC51

{{Infobox Motorcycle
| name = Honda RC51
| image = [[File:2001 Honda RC51 SP1.jpg|frameless|upright=1.35]]
| aka = RVT1000R<br>VTR1000SP1<br>VTR1000SP2
| manufacturer = Honda
| production = 2000 - 2006
| predecessor = [[Honda RVF750 RC45|RVF750 RC45]]
| successor = [[Honda CBR1000RR|CBR1000RR]]
| parent_company =
| class = [[Super bike]]
| platform =
| engine = 999&nbsp;cc [[Radiator (engine cooling)|liquid-cooled]] 90° [[L-twin engine|L-twin]]
|bore_stroke      = {{Convert|100|×|63.6|mm|abbr=on}}
|compression      = 10.8:1
| transmission = Close-ratio six-speed
|top_speed        = {{Convert|174|mph|abbr=on}}<ref name=PerfIndexMCN>{{citation |url=http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/articles/2010JanIndex.pdf |title=Performance Index '10 |year=2010 |magazine=[[Motorcycle Consumer News]] |publisher=Bowtie Magazines |access-date=May 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215104319/http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/articles/2010JanIndex.pdf |archive-date=February 15, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| power={{Convert|133|hp|abbr=on}} (claimed)<ref name=bestused>{{cite web |url=http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/04/19/honda-rc51-best-used-bikes// |title=Honda RC51 - Best Used Bikes| publisher=[[Cycle World]]|access-date=May 13, 2016|date=April 19, 2013 }}</ref> <br/>{{Convert|118|hp|abbr=on}} (rear wheel)<ref name=hondarc51>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportrider.com/sportbikes/honda-rc51-rvt1000r-great-sportbikes-past/|last=Smith   |first=Don |title=Honda RC51 (RVT1000R) - Great Sportbikes of the Past|publisher=Sport Rider|access-date=May 13, 2016|date=August 27, 2009 }}</ref>
|torque = {{Convert|71.4|lbft|abbr=on}} (rear wheel)<ref name=PerfIndexMCN/>
| rake_trail = 24.5 degrees / {{convert|100.5|mm|in||abbr=on}} SP1<br/> 23.5 degrees / {{convert|94.6|mm|in||abbr=on}} SP2
| wheelbase = {{Convert|1409.7|mm|abbr=on}} SP1<br/>{{Convert|1425.7|mm|abbr=on}}SP2
| length =
| width =
| seat_height ={{Convert|825.5|mm|abbr=on}}
| dry_weight ={{convert|440|lb|abbr=on|0}} 
| wet_weight ={{Convert|489|lb|abbr=on}}
| fuel_consumption  ={{Convert|28|mpgus|abbr=on|order=flip}}
| fuel_capacity = 4.8&nbsp;gallons, including 1.2&nbsp;gallon reserve
| related = [[Honda VTR1000F|VTR1000F ''"Super Hawk"'']]
}}

The Honda RC51, also known as the RVT1000R (in the [[United States of America|United States]]) or VTR1000SP1 ([[Europe]] and [[Australia]]), is a 90° [[L-twin]] [[motorcycle]] produced by [[Honda]] from 2000 to 2006.<ref name=hondarc51/>

== Mechanicals and chassis ==
The engine is a 999cc [[dual overhead cam]] [[V-twin engine|L-twin]] unit with two [[fuel injection|fuel injectors]] and four [[valves]] per cylinder. Power is delivered to the rear wheel by a close-ratio, six-speed transmission. The chassis is constructed from aluminium [[metal alloy|alloy]], being a twin-spar design.<ref>[[#Mitchel05|Mitchel 1985]]: 204</ref>

The RC51 is a racing superbike that benefits from gearbox sprocket changes for street use. Factory RC51s were highly geared for top-speed performance.

== History ==

The RC51 was designed as the motorcycle to be used by [[Honda]]'s racing teams in the [[Superbike World Championship]].<ref name=riseandfall>{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/1/13578/Motorcycle-Article/The-Rise-and-Fall-of-Twins--Prelude-to-a-Test.aspx|title=Rise and Fall of Twins|date=2004-07-14|author=Brian Korfhage|publisher=Motorcycle-USA.com|access-date=2012-06-28|archive-date=2013-08-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809155659/http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/1/13578/Motorcycle-Article/The-Rise-and-Fall-of-Twins--Prelude-to-a-Test.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> The 2000–2001 models are designated SP1, while the 2002–2006 models are designated SP2 (the latter having updated [[fuel injection]] and suspension systems).

'''1988–2002'''
In 1988, new rules in superbike racing allowed V-twin engines up to 999&nbsp;cc to compete. Prior to the rules change, 750&nbsp;cc four-cylinder motorcycles were the dominant force in production-based competition. During the first two years of the World Superbike championship, Honda won the series  with their [[Honda VFR750R|RC30]], powered by a 750&nbsp;cc V-4. In 1990, however, [[Raymond Roche]] secured [[Ducati]]'s first world title aboard the [[Ducati 851]]. Throughout the next 11 years, Ducati would go on to win 8 World Superbike Championships with their V-twins (Honda won two and [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries Motorcycle & Engine|Kawasaki]] one).<ref name=riseandfall/>

Honda could not win consistently, particularly because of rival V-twins' displacement advantage over Honda's V-4. In 2000 Honda released the RC51, powered by a 999&nbsp;cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine. [[2000 Superbike World Championship season|That year]], it won the World Superbike Championship with [[Colin Edwards]] riding for the [[Castrol]] team. In 2001, Ducati regained the title but the RC51 was still a contender boasting superior reliability with comparable speed and power. The RC51 won again in its final year of factory-supported racing in World Superbike in [[2002 Superbike World Championship season|2002]] after Edwards' tremendous title fight with [[Troy Bayliss]]. That same year also captured the AMA Superbike title with [[Nicky Hayden]]. Honda had taken the lessons learned in the SP1's first season, producing the SP2 in 2002. A stronger, more rigid frame and swingarm were identical to the WSB race bike parts and engine modifications boosted peak power by 3&nbsp;kW (4&nbsp;bhp) and cut weight by 5&nbsp;kg (11&nbsp;lb).<ref name=hondarc51/>  Factory specifications for road going SP2s (sourced from Honda) were 133&nbsp;bhp with a top speed of 174&nbsp;mph (280 km/h).<ref name=PerfIndexMCN/>

Wim Motors won the 2001 [[Endurance FIM World Championship]].

'''2003–present'''
Honda stopped official support for World Superbike racing in 2003 (though some teams have had factory support) and as superbike rules changed to allow 1000&nbsp;cc 4-cylinder bikes the RC51 was replaced by the [[Honda CBR1000RR|CBR1000RR Fireblade]] as the Honda superbike racer.  In 2004, Honda released the Nicky Hayden special edition, which differed from previous models in that it had a brushed aluminum frame and swingarm, a sticker kit, and white number plates on the front upper fairing and tail fairing.

==Notes==
{{Reflist|2}}

==References==

{{Cite book | author=Mitchel, Doug |author2=Earnest, Brian | title=Honda motorcycles: techs & specs | year=2005 | publisher=KP Books, A Division of F+W Publications | location=Iola, WI  | isbn=0-87349-966-2  | ref=Mitchel05}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.simonevans.co.uk/v-four/vtr1000.htm Honda RC51 model information].

{{Honda motorcycles (2000s)}}

{{-}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Honda Rc51}}

[[Category:Honda motorcycles|RC51 (RVT1000R)]]
[[Category:Sport bikes]]
[[Category:Motorcycles introduced in 2000]]