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Honda VTR 1000 RC51 SP2
Race-shop
revisions make the RC51 a much-improved streetbike for 2002
For '02, Honda chose to tweak the engine a bit, put the entire bike on a
part-by-part diet and significantly revise the suspension, chassis and swingarm.
Down in the engine room, the throttle bodies have been supersized from 54mm to
62mm, and the two injectors feeding each combustion chamber now sport 12
laser-drilled jets, rather than the four little garden hoses of the previous
bike, for a finer spray. The injection and ignition mapping were tweaked, also,
resulting in throttle response that's as smooth and creamy as a nougat filling.
(Don't tell Nicky; he's got a sweet tooth.) The new motor feels same-same in
terms of power output; Honda claims a two-horsepower increase for 128 hp at the
crank--but the low-rev snatchiness is nowhere to be found.
Even though the steering-head angle has been reduced one degree to 23.5
degrees--the steepest of any Honda--the RC51 feels planted at all speeds, even
at 130 mph through Willow Springs' infamous Turn Eight. There you sit, tucked
behind the splendid new windscreen that's 1.2 inches taller than last year's,
sensing no instability from either end of the bike. Of course, the new swingarm
(890 grams lighter) is 16mm longer and aids the stabilization effort.
Steering effort is drastically reduced on the new bike. The RC51 is no 954 in
terms of flickability, but the new bike turns in with an ease and precision
that's head and shoulders above the old bike. Pick your line, shove the bar and
you're there. The previous unit's brakes were fine, but the new four-piston
jobbies are even better. The old brakes were extremely progressive--once
activated you only had to move your finger a smidge to stop the bike. The new
brakes are totally linear and require more lever travel, providing better feel,
easier modulation and more feedback.
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Any corrections or more information on these motorcycles will be kindly appreciated. |