This 2003 Honda RC51 SP2 recently for sale on eBay is the street version of a racing legend.
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Japanese Homologation Exotica
The World Superbike racing scene at the end of the last century was dominated by Ducati’s V-twin-powered 851 - opens in new window or tab.. With nothing in its arsenal to compete, Honda decided to take on the storied Italians at their own game and build its own 1,000-cc V-twin motorcycle.
The result was the Honda RC51 SP1 and a World Championship in 2001 with the great Colin Edwards onboard. In 2002, the SP2 superseded the SP1. The Texas Tornado - opens in new window or tab. (as Edwards was known) again showed the rest of the world how it’s done with another title.
The bike before you is one of the road-going homologation models of the SP2. The seller's assertion that this machine is “something of a unicorn” is fair because they were built in limited numbers. Finding one isn’t always easy.
Not Quite Show Ready
Despite the mere 15,000 miles on the odometer, the RC51 won’t be troubling the awards committee at any shows just yet. It’s not far off, though. eBay can help with a number of new and used OEM RC51 parts - opens in new window or tab..
The seller replaced the fairings and fuel tank with correct items and added protective frame sliders. A Power Commander III is likely tucked under the seat somewhere. If enhanced by exhaust systems, it helps high-performance motors run smoothly.
The upswept, titanium—and sadly dented—Moriwaki exhaust system - opens in new window or tab. is a tasteful exotic aftermarket addition to a machine awash with exotic factory racing parts. Hopefully, it can be massaged back to health with the other minor cosmetic issues.
Ducati Conquered and More
Honda’s factory racing team responded to Ducati’s prestigious record of eight Superbike World Championships in 11 years by beating them with the SP1 and SP2. Then, they calmly packed up and retired, mission accomplished.
The SP2 further proved its might in competition by winning the gruelling Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race and the FIM Endurance World Championship in 2001. Despite the withdrawal of factory support, racers continued to use a SP2 at World Superbike level until 2006.
Of all the race-bred motorcycles you can ride on the street, the Honda SP2 is surely one of the most accomplished and usable. Fittingly, Colin Edwards gets the last word on the SP2:
When I joined Honda, they decided they were going to do it, so obviously we were excited about it, knowing what Honda does with motors. They had the ability to extract a lot of power out of it. It had such easy, deliverable power. There was no ‘hit’ —you could do it in your sleep. It was such an easy bike to ride compared to the four-cylinders.
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