Honda SP1/2 (2000-current)

I've had my SP1 for nearly 5 years now and, inevitably, I've occasionally thought about getting something else. But then I think, what would I replace it with? As many other people here have mentioned, it's a bike Honda built to prove a point, so that alone makes it special. The noise, ye gods, the noise! Gear driven cams, handles like it's on rails, bulletproof reliability. It's not perfect, but that's what gives it personality, right? :) To get the best out of it you certainly need to spend a bit of money (nice cans at the minimum, plus the suspension needs sorting), but for something with this much character, quality and style (how many other 10 year old bikes look this good?) it really is worth it. To DARMHA900SS below: A PC will sort out most of your issues, it's a decade-old big twin so it's always going to be a bit lumpy. 20k miles is barely run in, enjoy!

This is not a review, it's a plea for advice. I am about to do the best thing I have ever done in my life, or the most stupid thing. I am English but I live in Brasil. I have just found a Honda RC51 RVT1000 (2000 Model)with 20,000 Miles on the clock. It's the same bike as a European SP1. I would like advice about how to cure the "on-off" throttle responce at town speeds. Is it an easy fix with a power commander? If so, which one do I need? Any help would be greatly apreciated. Bikes generally cost a fortune over here but this one is going for a good price.

Best bike i have ever had. I always wanted this bike when it was released and waited ten years before i could finally afford one. What can i say? It is perfection. Ignore all the negative comments. Most people who write stuff, have never ridden one. I fitted a Power Coomander and low and behold i get 150 miles before the light comes when travelling. My blade or cbr6 only managed 110 miles average. I now get from brighton to manchester on one fuel stop. She handles like a dream, got to be firm yes. I could waffle on for ages. Ride one and make your own conclusion. Yes she is like Usain Bolt out of the Blocks. Ride one, and realise as Honda says, What dreams are made of.

Ive owned many bikes over the years from suzuki to ducatis and have been riding for 14 years now. Every bike i have had i have found fault with so have changed them in less than a year. I have now owned my sp1 for 3 years now and its never let me down. When i bought it i had test rode a 2006 rsv and was set on getting one, then i rode the sp1 and then just had to buy it. Had the money to buy an sp2 but loved the red of the sp1. This bike feels like it was made for me. Its not the fastest bike in the world but with the right rider as fast enough to keep up with most bikes on the road. I have test rode all the latest 1000cc superbikes and none feel and special as my sp1. Yes the new crop of bikes are faster but i didnt jump back on my bike and think it was slow because its not. Best bike i have owned!

"It's ok"... That's the best I can do to sum up my 3 weeks of ownership. I bought this with the expressed intention of selling my RSV, but I ended up selling the SP2. I couldn't help but feel a tad let down. All the reviews and hype about this bike said it was brilliant. I have no doubt it's very reliable, and that it'll be a future classic, but after you fork out your £3k - £6k you have to ask yourself "what have I really got for my money?" From the point of view of riding... you have fat pig that gets dragged wide by it's titanic weight in fast or long corners, an excessively snatchy throttle to irritate you in slow corners or round town, & a petrol black hole to financially f*ck you off (It's worse than my RSV... an impressive feat!). It's a very pretty bike, but you can't help but want it to be better than it is... & the sad fact is that it just isn't.

I thought long and hard before settling for the SP2. I looked at the Aprilia RSV factory and the Ducati 999/916 SPS. Why the Honda ? Reliability and build quality. This bike is one of the motorcycle greats, and in my short time with it, I've come to realise this is one of the best investments I've ever made. It has everything you need on a bike , and what is does have is pure class. Comfort and fuel range in my opinion arn't an issue considering the way it is mean't to be ridden , being > hard. And in that it shines. It's a very intergrated bike with it all coming together so sweetly. Over the course of history there are certain motorcyces that truly step up as one of the greats ; The Vincent , Ducati 916 SPS ,MV 750 RC 45 and so on . You'd be hard pressed not to inclue the RC51 in that list. HRC do not press their name into the motor sidecases unless they know it will deliver, and it did. A bike that was purposely built to be the best in it's game. By now you know what it does, and you know by these other reports it excels in what it is meant to do. Be a fantastic ride Did it succeed ? Now tell me your not going to get one.

The most perfect, beautiful and exciting bike I've ever ridden. The noise the vibration, the torque, oh the torque...

traded my mv f4 1000 ( high priced junk! )for new 08 plate SP2,never looked back. miles better handling than the mv + more reliable.have rode the wheels of it since. snatchey at first but followed advice from usa forum and set up the throttle bodies,much better + micron cans ( remember them!! ).now goes and sounds like it should.if you are thinking about it just do it!!.the sound alone is worth it,no multi ever sounds this good.

I bought my SP2 last spring after riding a FZR400RR for a year. This is my first "big" bike and it's sooo easy to go fast on, instant pull out of the corners plus you get to feel like colin edwards everytime you go down the gears on the brakes! Only two suspension settings, hard or really hard, and can't really go much further then 95 miles on a tank. don't expect a rear to last too long either!

Managed to get my paws on a 2001 SP1 just after Christmas 09. After a string of different bikes from 2 strokes to big twins. These included a TLS, VTR1000F and a Buell XB. The SP is ace, completely fallen in love with this bike and I've only managed to cover about 350 miles so far. Popped over 160 on it this past weekend. Compared to my previous bikes it's very different-the only thing similar is the V-twin engine configuration. The Buell was a hoot but was likely to cost me a lot at some point or eat itself. The VTR1000F was well made but felt more like a tourer-it lacked any poise. The TL was, well, a TL. Good engine-pants handling and build. I'll leave it at that :) The SP is quality-it's well made, excellently finished and the engine is the best V-Twin I've ridden. Plus the chassis can handle the power which makes corner exit drive breath taking. It also has kudos which I feel a lot of modern bikes lack. I'm just in the process of sticking a pair of cans on it-apart from that it's staying standard. Only thing I think it’d benefit from is some suspension tweaks. Tank range varies depending on how you use your right hand and the gearbox. I've never owned a V-Twin that offered brilliant fuel economy tbh. Prices are at the best they’ll get to atm imo so if you see one in the right condition grab it! I can only see the value of these bikes going up in coming years. I'm pretty sure any recent IL4 would hammer this bike on paper. Most will leave it in a straight line drag on the road. It is a riders bike so therefore requires a little more input to get the best from it. I find this style more satisfying :)it does hold a line lovely too. So, 1000 IL4 or SP? After running a 929 Blade for a lengthly period some years back I can give an opinion... Surfice to say I know which I'd rather be opening my garage upto for a ride out :) and I know which I'd rather be on :) Keep your Blades, GSXR's and big bang R1's-park em next to the rest :)…yawn… Sell this? I'd rather lose a kidney. If you want a bike that’s not ten a penny, goes like stink, sounds awesome, keeps with anything modern, handles beautifully and has a sprinkling of HRC magic walk this way. SP’s rock!!! :) And that’s why I bought one :)