Editing Honda RC51

[[Image:2006_Honda_RC51.jpg|thumb|300px|Honda RC51 (RVT1000R)]]
[[Image:Honda VTR1000 SP2.gif|thumb|300px|Honda VTR1000 SP2]]

The '''Honda RC51''' [[motorcycle]] is a racing motorcycle powered by a one liter (999cc) liquid-cooled 90-degree [[V-twin]] engine. The RC51 is also known in the United States as the '''RVT1000R''', and in Europe it is called the '''VTR1000'''. It was designed as the motorcycle to be used by [[Honda]]'s racing teams in World [[Superbike racing]]. The 2000-2001 models are designated SP1 while the 2002-2006 models are designated SP2 (the latter having updated fuel injection and suspension).

In 1988, new rules in superbike racing allowed V-twin engines up to 999cc's to compete. Prior to the rules change, 750cc four cylinder motorcycles were the dominant force in World Superbike racing. The first two years, Honda continued to win the World Superbike Championship with their [[RC30]], powered by a 750cc 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 money, Honda was unable to 
win consistently, particulary because of the V-twins' displacement advantage. In 2000 Honda released the RC51, powered by a 998cc 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 reliability, speed, and power. The RC51 won again in its final year of factory-supported racing in World Superbike in 2002. 

Honda stopped manufacturing the RC51 in 2005, 2006 being the last model year. Honda stopped official support for Superbike racing in 2003 (though various teams have had some factory support) and the RC51 was replaced by the [[Honda_CBR1000RR|CBR1000RR Fireblade]] as the Honda superbike racer (Superbike rules changed to allow 1000cc 4 cyclinder bikes in 2003). It has a 2 cylinders, liquid cooled, fuel injected, 1000cc engine, 136 HP, 6 speed transmission.

==2001==
[[Image:2001-Honda-RC51-Silver-0.jpg|left|thumb|2001 Honda RC51 in Silver/Red/Black]][[Image:2001-Honda-RC51-Silver-1.jpg|left|thumb|2001 Honda RC51 in Silver/Red/Black]]
<br style="clear: left"/>
==2002==
[[Image:2002-Honda-RVT1000-Red-0.jpg|left|thumb|2002 Honda RC51 in Red/Silver]][[Image:2002-Honda-RVT1000-Red-1.jpg|left|thumb|2002 Honda RC51 in Red/Silver]]
<br style="clear: left"/>
==2003==
[[Image:2003_honda_Rvt1000r.jpg|left|thumb|2003 Honda RC51]][[Image:2003-Honda-RVT1000R-Red-0.jpg|left|thumb|2003 Honda RC51 in Red/Silver/Black]]
<br style="clear: left"/>


*The 2003 RC51 designated as RVT1000R'03 was sold in one colors: Red/Metallic Silver Engine: 999cc [[DOHC]] liquid-cooled 90° V-twin
*Bore and stroke: 100.0 x 63.6 mm
*Compression ratio: 10.8:1
*Transmission: Close-ratio six-speed
*Final drive: O-ring chain
*Front suspension: 43mm inverted HMAS™ cartridge fork with spring-preload, rebound- and compression-damping adjustability
*Rear suspension: Pro-Link HMAS™ single-shock with spring-preload, compression- and rebound-damping adjustability
*Front brake: Dual full-floating discs with four-piston [[caliper]]s
*Rear brake: Single-disc with single-piston [[caliper]]
*Front tire 120/70ZR-17 radial
*Rear tire: 190/50ZR-17 radial
*Wheelbase: 1420mm (55.9 in.)
*Seat height: 820mm (32.3 in.)
*Dry weight: 168 kg (370 lb)
*Fuel capacity: 18 liters

==2004==
[[Image:2004_honda_Rvt1000r.jpg|left|thumb|2004 Honda RC51]][[Image:2004-Honda-RVT1000R-Red-0.jpg|left|thumb|2004 Honda RC51 in Red/Silver/Black]][[Image:2004-Honda-RVT1000R-Red-1.jpg|left|thumb|2004 Honda RC51 in Red/Silver/Black]][[Image:2004-Honda-RVT1000R-Red-2.jpg|left|thumb|2004 Honda RC51 in Red/Silver/Black]][[Image:2004-Honda-RVT1000R-Red-3.jpg|left|thumb|2004 Honda RC51 in Red/Silver/Black]][[Image:2004-Honda-RVT1000R-Red-4.jpg|left|thumb|2004 Honda RC51 in Red/Silver/Black]][[Image:2004-Honda-RVT1000R-Red-5.jpg|left|thumb|2004 Honda RC51 in Red/Silver/Black]]
<br style="clear: left"/>


2004 RC51 1000cc

* Engine Type: 999cc liquid-cooled 90-degree V-twin
* Bore and Stroke: 100.0mm x 63.6mm
* Compression Ratio: 10.8:1
* Valve Train: [[DOHC]]; four valves per cylinder
* Carburetion: Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) with two injectors per cylinder
* Ignition: Computer-controlled digital with three-dimensional mapping
* Transmission: Close-ratio six-speed
* Final Drive: #530 O-ring-sealed chain
* Front Suspension: 43.0mm inverted HMAS cartridge fork with spring-preload, rebound- and compression-damping adjustability; 5.1-inch travel
* Rear Suspension: Pro-Link HMAS single shock with spring-preload, rebound- and compression-damping adjustability; 4.7-inch travel
* Front Brakes: Dual full-floating 320.0mm discs with four-piston [[caliper]]s
* Rear Brake: Single 220.0mm disc with single-piston [[caliper]]
* Front Tire: 120/70ZR-17 radial
* Rear Tire: 190/50ZR-17 radial
* Rake: 23.5 degrees
* Trail: 94.6mm (3.7 inches)
* Wheelbase: 55.9 inches
* Seat Height: 32.3 inches
* Dry Weight: 430.0 pounds
* Fuel Capacity: 4.8 gallons, including 1.2-gallon reserve
* Emissions: California version differs slightly due to emissions equipment.
* Available Colors: Red/Metallic Silver
* Model ID: RVT1000R
* Waranty: 1 year

==2005==
[[Image:2005_honda_Rvt1000r.jpg|left|thumb|2005 Honda RC51]][[Image:2005-Honda-RVT1000-Black-0.jpg|left|thumb|2005 Honda RC51 in Black]][[Image:2005-Honda-RVT1000-Black-1.jpg|left|thumb|2005 Honda RC51 in Black]][[Image:2005-Honda-RVT1000-Black-2.jpg|left|thumb|2005 Honda RC51 in Black]][[Image:2005-Honda-RVT1000-Black-3.jpg|left|thumb|2005 Honda RC51 in Black]]
<br style="clear: left"/>


2005 RC51 1000cc

* Engine Type: 999cc liquid-cooled 90-degree V-twin
* Bore and Stroke: 100.0mm x 63.6mm
* Compression Ratio: 10.8:1
* Valve Train: [[DOHC]]; four valves per cylinder
* Carburetion: Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) with two injectors per cylinder
* Ignition: Computer-controlled digital with three-dimensional mapping
* Transmission: Close-ratio six-speed
* Final Drive: #530 O-ring-sealed chain
* Front Suspension: 43.0mm inverted HMAS cartridge fork with spring-preload, rebound and compression-damping adjustability; 5.1-inch travel
* Rear Suspension: Pro-Link HMAS single shock with spring-preload, rebound and compression-damping adjustability; 4.7-inch travel
* Front Brakes: Dual full-floating 320.0mm discs with four-piston [[caliper]]s
* Rear Brake: Single 220.0mm disc with single-piston [[caliper]]
* Front Tire: 120/70ZR-17 radial
* Rear Tire: 190/50ZR-17 radial
* Rake: 23.5 degrees
* Trail: 94.6mm (3.7 inches)
* Wheelbase: 55.9 inches
* Seat Height: 32.3 inches
* Dry Weight: 430 pounds
* Fuel Capacity: 4.8 gallons, including 1.2-gallon reserve
* Emissions: California version differs slightly due to emissions equipment.
* Available Colors: Black/Metallic Gray
* Model ID: RVT1000R
* Warranty: 1 year

==External links==
* Official site : [http://powersports.honda.com/motorcycles/sport/model.asp?ModelName=RC51&ModelYear=2006&ModelId=RVT1000R6 2006 Honda RC51]
*[http://www.rc51.org/ RC51 Owners Group of United Enthusiasts]
*[http://www.amasuperbike.com/ AMA Superbike Racing]
*[http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=1128&Page=1 Rise and Fall of Twins]

{{motorcycle-stub}}
{{Honda}}

[[Category:Honda motorcycles|RC51]]
[[Category:Honda RC series|RC51]]