thinking about trading my 02 954 in on an RC-51 (2003) what do you guys think?

I honestly did miss the grunt I got from my superhawk and was disappointed on the power output of the 954 but enjoyed the fact of being able to crank over 169mph that the hawk did. not only the higherspeed was nice but the broader rpm range for twisties was nice with all the hills around here for some smoothe engine braking.

yet the v-twin was more useable for a wider range of conditions and if I could do it all again I would be on the 51 from the beginning instead of the hawk.
The ergos on the 51 are more agressive than the RR so if you go for lang jaunts those might pose a prob for you unless you are over 6' tall then I hear the ergos are nice.

I did end up tapp rev lim more often with the twin then I did the I-4

if you are into raw power go for it :wink:

I wish 51 would stop by... he would be able to give you a Superb write-up on the diffences... I'll try and e-mail him for you

I say go for it. It's a different ride but you will definately enjoy the RC51. Whatever you do make sure you:

1) Revalve the Forks $500
2) Throw on a Penske $750 (double adjustable)
3) Change that heavy ass exhast to a 4 into 2 into 1 $1000
4) Save up for lighter wheels $1600
5) Get a steering Damper $300

It will handle like it's on rails with these mods. Straight out of the crate, it's kind of a pig, but fast.

Erion Racing has a bunch of engine mods that you can do to it.

I never really cared for them much until last season. The sound of the RC-51 just simply kicks ass. I've taken a huge liking to these and have considered the switch myself. Ever drive a twin? the power delivery is completely different from an I-4. Maybe you should try one before you commit to the switch :)

thats a stupid idea i think, how bout put some money into a custom mapped full titanium system from that japanese company and smoke the fuck outta all the 51s you see

i already have a full titanium exhaust on it and a pcIII. i'm just thinking about more harsh power.

if you dont care about losing some HP and top speed..get it!!!
if I can down size to a 600,why not you to a 51 :wink:

if you dont care about losing some HP and top speed..get it!!!
if I can down size to a 600,why not you to a 51 :wink:

The RC51 is faster than the 954 on top speed.

RC51 171mph radar
954RR 167mph radar

if you dont care about losing some HP and top speed..get it!!!
if I can down size to a 600,why not you to a 51 :wink:

The RC51 is faster than the 954 on top speed.

RC51 171mph radar
954RR 167mph radar
Blah blah blah, blah blah.
Are people still seriously believing all of those comparisons? you know how many things come into play with the actual tests on that? I bet you i can find comparisons done that show the 954 faster top speed too... Who cares anyhow? If you drive at redline every time you ride you are an idiot and need to find some nice twisties anyhow. :roll:

if you dont care about losing some HP and top speed..get it!!!
if I can down size to a 600,why not you to a 51 :wink:

The RC51 is faster than the 954 on top speed.

RC51 171mph radar
954RR 167mph radar
Blah blah blah, blah blah.
Are people still seriously believing all of those comparisons? you know how many things come into play with the actual tests on that? I bet you i can find comparisons done that show the 954 faster top speed too... Who cares anyhow? If you drive at redline every time you ride you are an idiot and need to find some nice twisties anyhow. :roll:

Find one comparo where the 954 is faster. I'd like to see it. Really. My point of posting those figures was to show that you won't lose on the top end if you switch to an RC51. Not to brag about which bike is faster.

I'm the last person you need to school about variables. I do top speed runs all the time. Cheers! :D

lol cripes! you arent really gonna make me go research are you lol?

My point is merely this:
#1 he will never use either bike to full potential
#2 both bikes will do 170, regardless of what your radar results show. (we all know this)
#3 if HE is riding 170 all the time, HE really should consider finding some nice twisties. :P

I still stick to my first post and recommend he find someone who has one, make friends, and ride one if he hasn't. The power delivery of a twin is completely back asswards from an inline. that is all :)

point . set , and Match!!!


Turbo.

Back the fuck OFFF.


I KNOW :!: K. may benifit from either or, depending upon his Normal riding.


Yes the v-twin offers Much in all Areas BUT the I-4 will SCREEEAAAMMM!!!!! past what is considered a reasonable feat of exploitation.

I choose the v-twin for it's versatility yet the rc 51 has some ergonomics that need to be determined bysomeome of the experienced sort . not the Literate sort.

I Have known and ridden with one of that sort but not qualified as you, Many of Us or I to determine that to K. as of yet. I do believe if 51 would show up he would put more than me and you, yet anyone i check on all that differs.


edit: fyi...hahah just so you know as I am the 11th reply to this post I am the messenger of the light as the arcanum would suggest. hahahah more food for the thought. HA HA :D

hahaha if its faster then I would have one and why do I blow by them like there standing still? and the 51 rider doesnt understand why..ill tell you why,more HP!!!
and if it does have a faster top end by time it gets up there the 954 is to far ahead to catch..
dont even go there with me on this one!!! :wink:

I do top speed runs all the time. Cheers!
hahaha and now a joke :roll:

save your money and buy one of these in 05, cause it will own the fuck out of everything else

http://www.bsmotoring.com/walpprs/ktmrc8/18.jpg

after careful consideration pip- HELL NO. but thanks for the opinion...
I guess i just got to where i'm not afriad of the 54's power anymore. it's not like i'm some hardcare track-day/uncatchable flash type rider... it's just feeling mundane sometimes.

After riding 2 of my friends RCs with slip-ons and PCIIIs, I find them to be lil' piggies. They do track well through the turns but seem to be dogs everyplace else. I don't know if I'd call their exhaust note better sounding, but it is "different". Who knows, maybe I'm the only one here who doesn't care for them.

Although my opinion doesnt mean much, I would have a 51 if I lived where there was a lot of city driving or tight twisties where you would never get over 90-100 mph. It is amazing where these twins will spin up a tire where the inline wont. There is always a compromise with one or the other.

Hey pip, that ktm rc8 is gonna be some serious competition for ducati, if they run it in wsbk. I'll bet that it will cost just as much or more than the ducati too. I personally like the ergos of my 954, & it is plenty fast enough for me, so i'm keeping it. I'm not a hardcore track rider, but I sometimes do some aggressive street riding & the 954 is so sweet in the twisties.

We'll Kein. If what IU read is correct and you are looking for a bike with "EXPLOSIVE POWER", DONT get an RC. REASON? The power delivery of the Twin is linear and that of an inline increases as RPM's increase. Although you will get more power in low/mid range, power delivery is smooth so you won't feel that giant lunge when the power comes on. Like Gnt said, you will find yourelf up against the redline often. The quick feeling of an inline comes from a steep power curve. So even though you may have a higher speed, you wont get that rip roaring acceleration I think you are looking for.

Suggestion? Established: 90's ZX-9 Ultra quick
2003 GSXR-1000
Turbo??
Hayabusa, 12R

Possibles: 2004 zx-10
2004 GSXR 1000R


If you MUST get an RC, Find one fully modded,(PC, pipe, damper, revlim-off, smog-off,valved, shocked, no-wheels) and ride. Only take it if it is mostly done already(not stock). You will spend $4000 is mods not including wheels.

BTW Turbo, that $1600 figure is a little off. From my research, races get the best results from adding BST and Dymag carbon wheels. $3695 on sale.

BTW Turbo, that $1600 figure is a little off. From my research, races get the best results from adding BST and Dymag carbon wheels. $3695 on sale.

I was thinking maybe he could get "forged aluminum" wheels instead of mags or carbons. The F. aluminum would still be a couple of pounds lighter per wheel than the stock RC's "cast aluminum".

The wheels on the 02's and up are already lighter. You might lose 2lbs per wheel with forged. More with magnesium, about 10lbs a wheel with carbon. and if you lose 20 lbs of rotating mass, it feels like 40 lbs of stationary mass.

why spend all that $ on wheeles and mods to make it faster,he aint racing AMA!!
just ride the bike ,its plenty!!
full exhaust and if you have the extra cash get a shock and fork job..
or just get a 600RR :lol:

I rode a 51 yesterday and let him ride my 954. Point blank, Ill smoke em. However in the twistys its real close. I think the 51 handles better than the 954. Even he said he was amazed at the tork the 954 put out. He said I was faster too. :yoda: :peace:

yeah, i got a chance to ride one this morning. i must say... i like the ergos better as i'm like 6'2, but i'm still not sure. with the right mods... who knows. think i'll stick to the 54 today, but if the future finds me a real good deal... thanks for all the info guys (also the RC is stylish as ALL HELL)

Fuck that

I dont think that KTM has the experiance to produce a sportbike that will stay at the front of the pack I duno though what do tou guys think?

exactly. To run with the best you will need more than a first year entry bike. The amount of time and money that goes into he top racing teams can't just be outdone like that. Look at Team Moriwaki in MotoGP. These guys put an rc211v in a custom chassis and the motor ripped the chassis to shit. They have been developing and testing and will enter 5 races this year for testing purposes to hopefully be a contender/regular team in GP within a few years. Not gonna happen overnite. Hot bike nonetheless.

I had an rc and liked it alot before I wrecked it :( :(

Look at the Nicky Hayden replica Rc-51 it looks bad ass
Suzuki had a Mat Mlidian replica Gsxr 1000 bike too

well, this quandary ended itself. i had to buy a little hooptie truck to get to work and back...