I had an 03 rc51.
I didnt really love it.
Its a little heavy, and slower-steering than most of the new 4 cyl bikes.
The trade-off is the high speed stability.
Its got good power, but it really doesnt feel like a big vtwin...its power is higher in the rev range than you would expect.
The digital guages are cool at first, but bad in sunlight.
The brakes are awesome though...probably the most responsive stock brake setup of any bike Ive had.
Its an old design also, compared to most newer ones.
Oh, and it does run hot as hell, esp in traffic. Def a nut cooker.
Id be hesitant to recommend one. Id buy a new gsxr750 over about any japanese bike right now personally.