i know if any advice can help, i will find it here. I am planning on buying either a 2006 1000rr or rc51 this weekend. Having trouble deciding. i know the motors are different and rc is a few pounds heavier. I plan to use it for street riding. probably never on track. being this is a cbr forum, i know what most will say---but any reasons would be appreciated!

 

i'd go with the 1krr. rc51's are sweet (got one in our group) though. in the end it's your $$ so get what you like best.

btw, welcome to the forum

 

Thanks- its a tough choice! without riding either, based on looks....dont know. do they both handle relatvely the same? service/maintenance the same? I can get the 1000 for $10,300- about 1k less than rc. Maybe will do that and buy a nice exhaust. Then of course, is the color choice of the 1000! like them all.

 

Well if you ask me, the differnece is that the CBR 1000R is much faster than the rc51 becuase of the rc51 V-twin engine. the engine used on the rc51 is more for track riding and taking turns so the bike is more stable on tunrns. So if you put an 06 RC51 and a 06 CBR 1000RR next to each other to race the cbr would win by alot. Why i say this becuase i asked this one guy who had a Ducatti 749s that he raced a GXS-R 600 and the GXS-R won by alot. So if i was you i would buy a CBR. and btw how do you change your login name

 

I've got one of each, so here ya go: the RC51 was "state of the art" in 2002, but not anymore. It won the World Superbike and AMA Superbike titles in 2002, so that's cool in itself. You're right, it is a little heavier, but it's not noticible when you get rolling. It handles like it's on rails in turns and is very confidence-inspiring. The CBR is much more powerful, and feels lighter than it is. It also handles great and it more flickable than the RC. The suspension is better on the CBR than the RC. Comfort, for me is about equal. The RC has lower clip-ons, but IMO that doesn't matter. I feel like I'm "in" the RC as opposed to "on" the CBR. Sound? Well, the 1KR sounds like most other inline 4 sportbikes. With overhead gear-driven cams whining and those two 500cc cylinders firing...well, the RC51 sounds like nothing else on the road. If I had to sell one, I'd sell the RC, but thankfully, I don't have to make that choice!

 

Mininsx got a question for you. How do your VW boys feel about you owning not one but two HONDAs.

 

They don't really care. They own Harleys!

 

Strange that someone else was pondering the same question I did. My dealer had a great deal on an 05 rc and a great deal on an 06 1krr; i went back and forth. It was driving me nuts. Which one would be a better bike for my intended use....What it boiled down to for me was 2 final considerations: 1) Size, the RC is a much bigger bike, its heavier, widers and feels much bigger; I liked the compact feel of the 1krr better; and 2) the RC has 2 side radiators as opposed to a single front radiator on the 1krr; might not seem important, but in Arizona, its definitely a concern. I talked to a buddy of mine in colorado who has an rc, he had to admit that even there in traffic his bike ran very hot, in fact bothersomely hot; I could just imagine me on my new rc stuck in traffic on the 101 when its already 110 degrees out. That sealed the deal for me, that and have engine ice put in my radiator on the 1krr; still hot, but i'm sure it and I am cooler than if i'd have gone with the rc; plus the 1krr is serious adrenaline rush....feels like a 600 on steriods....just my opinion; hope it helps

 

i too was perplexed by the rc to an rr. i sold my ducati and loved the twin feel. however research showed me the the RC is 40lbs heavy and 40hp down to the rr. the decision was not very hard after that. rr wins, and i am loving every mile onb it.