The RC51 is one of the most race inspired street bike to hit production. It was created in response to a race winning, over weight and under powered Ducati sculpture. Honda set out with the "can't beat 'em, join 'em" philosophy and esentially made a better Ducati. Thus was born the RVT1000R. Honda reliability? Hope so. Honda refinement? Definitely. It is as smooth as the Duc should have been. To tolerate the scorching plywood saddle is miserable below 60mph and only quenched when your attention is drawn to the pain radiating from your wrists. Once you find that first apex, the pain fades, the heat dissapates, and the distance between you and God can be found in a contact patch.