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RC-51 -- Get yourself a bonafide V-Twin Superbike while you still can! (apologies to Ducati owners)

The RC is real kick in the pants for this long-time inline-4 sportbike rider! After 10+ years on various I-4 superbikes, including a GSXR750 which I still currently own and ride, it took longer than I thought to get used to the RC and I, quite frankly, had to 'learn' how to ride it at pace. Peak p...ower between my Gixxer and the RC is actually pretty similar, but the Gixxer only unleashes it all between 9,500 to 14,000 whereas the RC gives you a torque rush almost instantly. I've had to change the way ride significantly because, being used to the GSXR, I keep revving the thing to the moon and shifting too often (the same mistake I made while riding off-road on a Husaberg thumper a few months ago).
The power curve is very flat but strong on the RC relative to the Suzook, and when jumping from one to the other, the GSXR’s midrange started feeling totally flaccid.
After I had some work done (including a Power Commander and a set of Jardine titanium pipe), the rear-wheel dyno results are pretty impressive -- rear wheel power peaked at 121.5hp and 76.8ft/lbs -- and because I do 50% of my riding in the mountains (at altitude) it's actually tuned on the lean side. I also tooled with the stock suspension and found some nice settings which work beautifully with the full superbike-spec frame. Other mods include an after-market seat (which it desperately needed as the stocker was a board!), a 'bump pad', undertail with LEDs and front LED flushmounts. I'll save up some more pennies and get a steering damper/stabilizer next.
Beautiful bike which is sort of ‘timeless’ in a way because although discontinued, it still looks contemporary, and there will never again be a re-designed or ‘new and improved’ RC-51. Not too dissimilar from the old RC-30, which is still a beautiful machine in my eyes. And the sound out of those titanium Jardine's is AWESOME!
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