Honda RC51
Encyclopedia
The Honda RC51, also known as the RVT1000R (in the United States) or VTR1000 (in Europe
), is a V-twin
motorcycle
produced by Honda
from 2000 to 2006.
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 alloy, being a twin-spar design.
's racing teams in the Superbike World Championship
. 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 cc to compete. Prior to the rules change, 750 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 RC30
, powered by a 750 cm3 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
just one).
Despite having an excellent engineering team and a significant amount of funding, Honda was unable to win consistently, particularly because of rival V-twins' displacement advantage over Honda's V-4. In 2000 Honda released the RC51, powered by a 998 cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine. 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 and that same year also captured the AMA superbike title with Nicky Hayden
. Honda had taken the lessons learned in the SP-1's first season, producing the SP-2 for 2002. A stronger, more rigid frame and swingarm were identical to the WSB race bike parts and a host of engine modifications boosted peak power by 3 kW (4 bhp) and cut weight by 5 kg (11 lb). Factory specifications for road going SP-2s (sourced from Honda) were 133 bhp with a top speed of 170 mph. The factory racing edition RC51 was said to put out 185 bhp or more.
2003–present
Honda stopped official support for Superbike racing in 2003 (though various teams have had some factory support) and as Superbike rules changed to allow 1000 cc 4 cylinder bikes the RC51 was replaced by the 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 polished aluminum frame and swing arm, a sticker kit, and white number plates on the front upper fairing and tail fairing. 2003 was the first year that Honda made improvements to the SP-2, bringing in a stronger and much lighter swing arm. In 2003, six limited edition models were released to celebrate 2002 WSBK Championship. The six limited editions were markedly similar with the only exception being the yellow on chrome
Enkei rims. These are verifable by VIN numbers.
The RC51 was a racing superbike which incidentally benefitted from gearbox sprocket changes for street use (factory RC51s were highly geared for top speed performance).
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
), is a V-twin
V-twin
A V-twin engine is a two-cylinder internal combustion engine where the cylinders are arranged in a V configuration.- Crankshaft configuration :Most V-twin engines have a single crankpin, which is shared by both connecting rods...
motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
produced by Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
from 2000 to 2006.
Mechanicals and chassis
The RC51 was described as "packed with race-age technology" by one motorcycling journalist . The engine is a 999cc dual overhead cam V-twin unit with two fuel injectorsFuel injection
Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....
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 alloy, being a twin-spar design.
History
The RC51 was designed as the motorcycle to be used by HondaHonda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
's racing teams in the Superbike World Championship
Superbike World Championship
Superbike World Championship is the worldwide Superbike racing Championship. The championship was founded in . The Superbike World Championship season consists of a series of rounds held on permanent racing facilities...
. The 2000-2001 models are designated SP1 while the 2002-2006 models are designated SP2 (the latter having updated fuel injection
Fuel injection
Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....
and suspension systems).
1988–2002
In 1988, new rules in superbike racing allowed V-twin engines up to 999 cc to compete. Prior to the rules change, 750 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 RC30
Honda VFR750R
The Honda VFR750R, frame designation RC30, was a fully faired racing motorcycle created for homologation purposes for the World Superbike championship by Honda Racing Corporation . It was first released to the Japanese market in 1987. American enthusiasts had to wait until 1990 to get their hands...
, powered by a 750 cm3 V-4. In 1990, however, Raymond Roche
Raymond Roche
Raymond Roche is a French former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. In 1981, he teamed up with Jean Lafond to win the Endurance World Championship. His best year in Grand Prix racing was in 1984 when he finished third in the 500cc world championship behind Eddie Lawson and Randy Mamola...
secured Ducati's first world title aboard the Ducati 851
Ducati 851
The Ducati 851 was a Ducati motorcycle, with liquid cooling and four valve heads, released to the public in 1987. Development had lagged with the continued use of two valve engines, but new funds enabled a technological move forward Ducati needed at the time....
. Throughout the next 11 years, Ducati would go on to win 8 World Superbike Championships with their V-twins (Honda won two and Kawasaki
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa....
just one).
Despite having an excellent engineering team and a significant amount of funding, Honda was unable to win consistently, particularly because of rival V-twins' displacement advantage over Honda's V-4. In 2000 Honda released the RC51, powered by a 998 cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine. That year, it won the World Superbike Championship with Colin Edwards
Colin Edwards
Colin Edwards II nicknamed the Texas Tornado is an American professional motorcycle racer. He is a two time World Superbike champion and has competed in MotoGP since 2003, now riding for the Yamaha Tech 3 team in the 2011 season.-Early years:At the age of three, his Australian father, Colin...
riding for the Castrol
Castrol
Castrol is a brand of industrial and automotive lubricants which is applied to a large range of oils, greases and similar products for most lubrication applications...
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 and that same year also captured the AMA superbike title with Nicky Hayden
Nicky Hayden
Nicholas "Nicky" Patrick Hayden , nicknamed the The Kentucky Kid, is an American professional motorcycle racer, who won the MotoGP World Championship in 2006.-Beginnings and AMA Championship:...
. Honda had taken the lessons learned in the SP-1's first season, producing the SP-2 for 2002. A stronger, more rigid frame and swingarm were identical to the WSB race bike parts and a host of engine modifications boosted peak power by 3 kW (4 bhp) and cut weight by 5 kg (11 lb). Factory specifications for road going SP-2s (sourced from Honda) were 133 bhp with a top speed of 170 mph. The factory racing edition RC51 was said to put out 185 bhp or more.
2003–present
Honda stopped official support for Superbike racing in 2003 (though various teams have had some factory support) and as Superbike rules changed to allow 1000 cc 4 cylinder bikes the RC51 was replaced by the CBR1000RR Fireblade
Honda CBR1000RR
The CBR1000RR, also known as the Fireblade, is a liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder sport bike that was introduced by Honda in 2004 to replace the CBR954RR.-Racing roots:...
as the Honda superbike racer. In 2004, Honda released the Nicky Hayden special edition, which differed from previous models in that it had a polished aluminum frame and swing arm, a sticker kit, and white number plates on the front upper fairing and tail fairing. 2003 was the first year that Honda made improvements to the SP-2, bringing in a stronger and much lighter swing arm. In 2003, six limited edition models were released to celebrate 2002 WSBK Championship. The six limited editions were markedly similar with the only exception being the yellow on chrome
Chrome plating
Chrome plating, often referred to simply as chrome, is a technique of electroplating a thin layer of chromium onto a metal object. The chromed layer can be decorative, provide corrosion resistance, ease cleaning procedures, or increase surface hardness.-Process:A component to be chrome plated will...
Enkei rims. These are verifable by VIN numbers.
The RC51 was a racing superbike which incidentally benefitted from gearbox sprocket changes for street use (factory RC51s were highly geared for top speed performance).