Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128145
stiffer-sidewalled supersport tires on the track. In our case, once up to temperature, the 208GPs further transformed the RC51 into the serious road-racing weapon that it is. The stiffer, stickier tires forced me to actually go back closer to the settings that the Honda engineers had suggested at the outset. Back on the track, you soon real· ize that while you have to give the RC51 plenty of respect at speed, you do not feel like you are working all that hard as you make lap after lap. The chassis is extremely composed even when negotiating bumps such as those found in turn one and turn four at Willow. The RC51 rewards aggression, but it is still fairly forgiving all at the same time The RC51's front brakes are in keeping with the rest of the package. The twin 320mm Nissins offer excellent feel, though it would be nice to have a bit more "whoa" power at the lever. At 430 pounds, the RC is kind of like a charging rhino on Rollerblades • it'll carve circles around most bikes, but it is rather on the meaty side despite its II-pound weight loss as compared to the 2001 model. That girthy, top-heavy feel is probably most noticed at the fuel tank, which is quite wide from side to side. While I'm not surprised at its size (hey, those twin 62mm throttle bod· ies gotta eat!), the tank does seem to make contact with the forearms while turning the bike. It's probably the biggest gripe that you're likely to find. Of course, the tank isn't even noticeable when you wind the RC51 back down from speed. Once in that zone where probably 90 percent of all RC 51 s a re going to be ridden, the bike goes from cheetah to pussycat without missing a beat. The clutch and shifting are seamless. The bike feels Cadillac-comfortable (well, at least like the Cadillac Le Mans racer). The controls are all easy to work with. And did I mention that this superbike has a trunk? The lid, which is locked onto the seat cowling, is easily popped open by inserting tbe ignition key into a latch next to the taillight. It's a rather capacious little area - just the thing for keys, wallets, gloves and the like. Maybe that compartment is the biggest clue that what we have in the RC51 is a motorcycle with a split personality. Sporting its host of revisions, this is the one bike that Honda is hoping will kick some Testastretta butt overseas, end Mat MJadin's dominance in AMA Superbike racing, and still be civil enough for John Q. Public to ride back and forth to work. With an MSRP of $10,199, it is certainly at a viable price point when compared to many of the other Open-class sportbikes out there. Only time - and perhaps our forthcoming Superbike shootout - will tell just how viable the RC51 is, but just like the original proved to be, Mark II is definitely in the hunt. eN @TOYOTA @VAMAHA _ I ~ ~ ~ ClubMETRO COIIET1C Ot:her Qualifying Races for t:he AMA California St:at:e Mot:ocross Championship ~.'€J ~ May 18, 2002 ~ MId IICIIII PeeWee (. . . . . . eaw] Everyone who races the qualifiers will be eligible for the 125/250 100% Trophies Nationals 7t:h Annual AMA California St:at:e Mot:ocross Championship Awards III ,..~ ~-..a"ti-"76? ,·se"., • Last Chance Qualifier Glen Helen Raceway San Bernardino, CA Winner receives 2 tickets to the 2002AMA MillenniUM Dirt Diggers South, Bakersfield, Ca • Sept 22, 2002 Glen Helen Raceway, 909 880·3090 Hangtewn Amateur Doy, Sacramento, CA June 1·2, 2002 For inFormation call: Pro Purse 100% Payback 25% Trophies October 12th & 13th, 2002 at Glen Helen Raceway Prizes include Championship jackets, trophies & All Classes 250cc, 125cc, 80cc, 60cc, Vets, Seniors, Women, PeeWee, A Stroke, Quads, School boy, Supermini PRIZES OVER $10,0001!! AMA Membership required.Riders must race both doy> to be eligible for prizes. All ride.. mu.t race a qualifier to be eligible to race the California State Metocre.. Championship. Skill Level Pro Class 250/125 classes only Expert, Inter, Novice & Beginners, Age groups in 50cc, 60cc & 80cc Best of Amoto format. Gaw Fees $ 10 per person, per day $5 children 6-12 years. Gat:es Open Saturday, Open Practice, 8am-l pm Sunday, October lAth, 6am Overnight camping available until lOpm Racers Ent:ry Fees (on-line at www.glenhelen.com) Entry: $35 per day $20 per day PeeWee.: Sign-Up open.: .. 6om Practice: 8am Race .tart.: 9am eye I • n _ _ os • MARCH 13.2002 27