so in comparison, the VTR that I own and rode in NY/NJ over the past 4 yrs compared to the RC51 that I own and got back to riding now (Alberta Canada), felt like it had a ton more grunt down low and lofted the front wheel so much easier with a tiny blip of the throttle/clutch just off idle in 1st gear. Not to sound squidly, always played around responsibly out of sight, but the RC51 now feels neutered in comparison to what I had been accustomed to at sea level.... kind of sucks. Both bikes are pretty much stock except for some bolton mods not really worth mentioning.

perhaps it's the weight distribution diff/geometry and the slight weight diff btw the 2 bikes compounded with the altitude that has me jaded.... time for a panigale.... or a move to the coast...

I really miss the VTR ( out in Cali now) though, but I'm sure that if I brought it here it would suffer just as much as the RC, perhaps even more....

 

The RC has a much longer swingarm, and more weight over the front wheel, so that will be noticable... Also, it has less bottom end grunt, but keeps going quite a bit longer than the VTR-F, also noticable...

But yeah, the carbed bike would suffer just as badly, or worse with altitude... Stick a PCIII on there and tune it, and you will probabaly see noticable improvement, but nothing stellar...

 

Gearing stock too? What's the riding position difference? When I shimmed my rear and dropped my clip-ons my VTR didn't just "wheelie" any more. I have to practically jump on the back of the seat.

 

the gearing on both is lowered a bit, the RC has a PC3 and both have Yosh slip ons. THe Emissions crap is gone from both. I really miss the low end torque of the hawk. if makes me a bit sad, but i will find some way to cope.