The new ones do indeed have a revised suspension that has less travel, front and rear, however, the spring rates have been revised and are more progressive. The engine and transmission are pretty much the same. The brakes are better. The spokes are fatter and the forks are thicker. They now have push-to-cancel turn signals. And the bodywork is way better.

Other than that, not a whole lot changed, really. I don't like the high-mounted front fender, as it acts like a sail at freeway speeds and makes the front end light. I'm thinking of fitting a hard fender close to the wheel, as there's not much of a mud problem in AZ where I ride. The stock tires suck, too. Sand is scary with them, and the thought of picking up a heavy, water-cooled, big-tanked bike is no fun, not to mention the expensive scratches it causes.

Really, though, you actually heard these versions weren't as good? I hadn't heard that at all. It's still like a Montero; doesn't go fast, doesn't look real flashy, doesn't do any one thing really well, it just does it all, within reasonable limits.

John B.

I wore out the stock rear Dunlop in 5k kms. Got the gripsters now, and they're so far so good.

New K is slightly heavier - but that's the only downside AFAIC. With tank guards, a drop won't damage the body work. Trust me, I've had to pick it up a LOT. I put a Laminar Lip (windshield extension) on, and it is an excellent commuter bike, backroads or superslab.

Yeah, I liken the big K to the Monty as well, except its a LOT more popular, and its actually easy to get aftermarket stuff for it! What a novel idea!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Anway, back to the original thread - my neighbour got a new Suzuki M90 Bandit today (think that's what its called), so tomorrow, along with my other neighbour who has a gixxer650, we're going for a ride. Quite a weird threesome, but ridin is ridin!

Hey guys, wear your helmets. Had a guy pile it up into a guard rail right in front of me (road goes along the disc golf course). He was life fligted, but he could move everything, but he took a pretty hard shot to the head. I was going to take a pic of the helmet while I was on the phone with 911, but I was afraid it would seem callous. I had ridden my bike to the park, and I know I rode slower than normal on the way home.

Some of you may remember a couple years ago a guy was hit, knocked into my lane, and the car in front of me went over him with both axles. No helmet, dead by the time I got to him.

Wear 'em! I've ridden mine to the park twice already without my helmet...like a dumbass. Tonite will hopefully keep me motivated to keep it on.

I don't leave the garage without helmet, gloves, long boots, and a jacket with spine protector/elbow/arm/shoulder guards. Never ever. Usually pants too, with knee guards, and abrasion resistance. My gixxer ridin neighbour gave me some looks last summer when I was in full gear, and he was crotch-rocketing along in a t-shirt. It was hot, but the new gear has lots of venting, and I'd rather be warm than road-rash/bashing... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

Must do something to a person to witness a thing like that right in front of you, eh? Sorry buddy... I know, not nearly as sorry as the person who went over him though. Man... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

About time I posted here.

My ride:

2000 Honda RC51


This pic is before the Yosh exhaust, rearsets, Power Commander, DoubleBubble screen, CRG levers, Watson LED signals, etc., etc. It's a 1000cc V-twin, about 130hp or so.

I hate to say it, but I like my Bike more than my truck! Took the battery off the tender and it fired right up after a looooooong winter storage.

I have a friend that would be drooling right now, he's a Honda head (has a '86 VF500, '00 VFR, and a '72 CB750) and loves RC51s. Nice bikes in this thread! I've been riding mine to work just about every day this week except today due to t-storms...

Every winter I think about selling the RC-51, then I ride it again and can't imagine what I was thinking. hehe I have a few friends that whip out their checkbooks when I talk about selling it. Vultures.

Mine are like that too, we're bad influences on each other. I think at least 4 bikes have been bought because of another's influence...

I'm sold on the vtwin, power is so much more useable than an I-4. I had to wind my yamaha out to get any power, the Hyo is ready to go in any gear. Has me wanting more though, there's a TL1000 that keeps popping up on craigslist in need of some work that's continually tempting me <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />

NIIIICE bike Red. Man, there's NO WAY I could "behave" on a bike like that. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Before I found the great deal on my CB650, I was looking for an 81 or 82 CB750 Custom...but dang, they were all going for way over 2k around here, and I had to buy something CHEAP.

There's a reason why me and Redbull haven't hooked up for a ride yet... can you imagine an RC51 and a big old Thumper convoying down the road? It'll happen eventually, but it will be laughable. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> (At least my Paj is quicker than yours, by a little tiny bit <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> )