History of Honda

In 1997 Honda began producing a street-oriented GT motorcycle using in olden times important name: Superhawk. The previous (60's) Superhawk was a similar twin motorcycle that Robert M. Pirsig rode in "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance".

The original Superhawk was a profitable success, hence the name being recycled. The new Superhawk was introduced later than the Ducati 916 made V-twin sportbikes popular again. The new Superhawk uses an every part of new 90 degree V-twin.

The bike introduced more than a few new design concepts such as the "pivotless frame", side radiators, single casting engine case, connecting rods with cap screws instead of nuts, and the largest carburetors Honda ever put on a motorcycle. "Pivotless frame" predestined that engine was a stressed member with the swingarm bolted directly to the enigne. The bike was released in 1997 as an before time of release 1998 model year.

One motorcycle magazine recommended (circa 2000) that this bike was the fastest 0-60 mph production bike at the time.

A racing version of the bike was estimated from Honda. Honda produced in 2000 the RVT1000R (RC51) identified outside the United States as the VTR1000SP, though the bike had only four engine parts in common with the modern Superhawk.

The RC51 was an completely new V-twin racing platform that won the World Superbike championship its first year racing with Colin Edwards and the Castrol team.