Whereas the latter’s MSRP stood at an eye-watering $27k, the RC51 in its first model-year could be yours for a mere ten grand. They were something of a bargain, too, at least compared to the ultra-limited RC45s that came before. As for the RVT1000R, it made way for the inline-four CBR1000RR Fireblade on the track in Honda’s absence, but road-going models continued to be produced until 2006. The Japanese manufacturer also wished to focus solely on MotoGP, so the fate of their superbike racing efforts was sealed and it would stay that way for nearly two decades.
In part, this decision came as a result of rule changes welcoming 1,000cc four-cylinder engines on the grid, thus removing the 250cc displacement advantage V-twins had up until then. Unfortunately, Honda withdrew factory support for WorldSBK teams after that season. Ducati still took the Manufacturers’ Championship in WorldSBK for the 2000 season, but Honda’s titan made it abundantly clear that it was a force to be reckoned with.Ĭolin Edwards took home another Riders’ title battling Troy Bayliss in 2002, the same year Hayden reigned supreme as AMA Superbike champion. It enabled Colin Edwards to win the WSBK Riders’ Championship the same year it was introduced, while Nicky Hayden lost the AMA Superbike title to Suzuki rider Mat Mladin by a mere five points. The RC51 was developed with heavy input from HRC engineers, gaining a 999cc V-twin powerplant that would prove to be way more competitive than its predecessor’s 749cc V4. Oh, and the fact that the RC45’s homologation period was coming to an end in 1999 only gave them another reason to get creative, and get creative they did! In case you’re familiar with WSBK history, then you certainly know what happened next. Obviously, Honda needed to go back to the drawing board if they were to stand a chance against Bologna’s fierce L-twins. The motorcycle debuted in the year 2000 following a decade of Italian supremacy, which saw Ducati snatching as many as eight championship victories.
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