1994 Honda RC45

Description

Click here for an VINData Motorcycle History Report on this 1994 Honda RC45. Additional photos are available here for your perusal.

The successor to the legendary RC30, Honda’s RC45 (or RVF750R) was a limited run homologation special created to help Honda re-establish supremacy in World Superbike. Though it was ridden to back-to-back titles in ’88 and ’89, by 1993 the RC30 had grown noticeably long in the tooth and it was clear that a new race weapon was needed to dethrone Ducati and its mighty twin. Honda’s answer came in 1994 in the form of the RC45.

Like the RC30, the RC45 was powered by a liquid-cooled, 749cc, DOHC, 16V, four-stroke, 90-degree V4, though unlike its carbureted predecessor, the RC45 was bestowed with tunable electronic fuel-injection borrowed from the development of the NR750. The bike also benefited from knowledge and experience gained in Honda’s RVF factory endurance race program. The RVF’s V4 boasted low-friction pistons, ceramic and graphite impregnated cylinder liners, titanium conrods, and close-ratio six-speed gearboxes with undercut shift dogs.

Until the RC45, all of Honda’s V4 machines used a consistent bore and stroke of 70mm x 48.6mm, but the RC45 ended that tradition instead using a 72mm x 46mm setup. The RC45 also used gear-driven cams like the RC30, however, the drive was relocated to the side of the engine to allow for a narrower package. Wrapped around the V4 was a twin-spar aluminum chassis that had been slightly reworked with tweaked dimensions and slightly thinner walls. Suspension on the RC45 consisted of upside-down 41mm forks and a gas-charged shock absorber out back paired with ELF’s single-sided swing-arm which was slightly longer than the unit on the RC30. Both ends were adjustable for rebound, preload, and compression. The RVF’s riding position was still sporty but not nearly as hunched over as its predecessor’s, with a 50mm lower seat height.

Honda saw some races success with the RVF750R: Miguel Duhamel won the 1995 AMA Superbike Championship and the 1996 Daytona 200, while Ben Bostrom nabbed the 1998 AMA Superbike title, and Aaron Slight, John Kocinski, Carl Fogarty, and Colin Edwards all secured WSBK wins plus a trio of Suzuka 8 Hour wins in ’97, ’98, and ’99. While Honda’s current flagship supersport is powered by an inline-four, the firm still uses V4 engines in its current crop of MotoGP missiles that can trace than development back to bikes like the RC30 and RC45.

This example is VIN: RC451000127. He acquired it from an Iconic auction in September of 2023.

During his ownership, the seller has covered 403 miles. The odometer shows 54,570 kilometres (33,908 miles).

Maintenance:
The seller has not performed any maintenance during his ownership.

In preparation for the listing last year, the previous owner had us change the engine oil/filter, flush the coolant, flush the brake and clutch fluids, install new brake pads, and install Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S21 tires with date codes of 1421 and 2421.

Modifications:
HRC Endurance tank with dry break coupling, HRC Kit air intakes, aftermarket tank protector.

Aftermarket shotgun exhaust, aftermarket seat.

Aftermarket endurance-sytle front fairing, HID Headlight conversion, MRacing windshield, and carbon fiber mirrors.

Antlion levers.

Nitron shock.

K&T rear sets

Not pictured is a stock ECU which has been converted via wire-splice to be a full-power bike.

Inside of the tank:

It is riding on Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S21 tires with date codes of 1421 and 2421.

The sale includes one key.

Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:

Currently located in Bristol, Rhode Island, this Honda is offered on a clean New York title (it is titled as a 1995). Have any RC45 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!