Please Note: Per customer feedback, Iconic is testing out variable minimum bid increments for this auction:
Between $1-$9,999, the minimum bid increment will be $100
Between $10,000-$29,999, the minimum bid increment will be $250
Between $30,000-$99,999, the minimum bid increment will be $500
Above $100,000, the minimum bid increment will be $1000
Click here for an VINData Motorcycle History Report on this 1990 Honda RC30.
When the new World Superbike Championship was introduced in 1988, Honda had an issue as its highly successful custom-built RVF750 factory endurance racer (not the RC45) wouldn’t be eligible to compete. So they set out to create a new top-shelf, street-legal, limited edition race bike, producing the minimum number of units required to satisfy homologation rules. Knowing it would only have to turn out a relatively small batch of machines, Soichiro Honda wanted to use the new model to demonstrate what its factory race department was capable of. The result was a no-expense-spared race-grade legend brimming with features previously reserved for track-only machinery. Japan called it the VFR750R, but the bike we fell in love with in America was named the RC30.
At the heart of the RC30 was a liquid-cooled, 748cc, 90-degree V4 engine with four valves per cylinder, gear-driven double-overhead cams, titanium connecting rods, forged two-ring pistons, an 11.0:1 compression ratio, and a “big bang” firing order. Paired with a six-speed transmission with a trick slipper clutch, the sophisticated V4 made 118 hp at 11,000 rpm and 55 ft-lbs of torque at 9,800rpm (unrestricted). The VFR750R had a best-in-class dry weight of 396 lbs and a wet weight of 488 lbs, which was almost 10 lbs less than the game-changing Suzuki GSX-R750. The VFR had a top speed of over 150mph, and thanks to an incredibly high gear ratio, could break 80 mph in first gear.
The RC30 got fully-adjustable Showa suspension fore and aft — 43mm telescopic forks up front and a mono-shock out back. Braking duties went to a pair of fully floating 310mm discs bit by four-piston Nissin calipers in the front and a single 220m unit pinched by a dual-pot caliper in the rear. The bike’s fork sliders also allowed the front calipers to remain in place during wheel changes, a feature that, like the ELF-designed single-sided swing-arm, was born out of competition for ultra-quick pit stops.
In total, only 316 RC30s were sold in the US – and only in the 1990 model year.
Manufactured January 1990, this example is VIN: JH2RC3009LM200153. The seller purchased the bike through an Iconic auction in January 2021.
The odometer shows 13,731 miles.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us clean and sync the carbs, replace the oil, coolant, and brake fluid, replace the brake switch, install new tires, and replace the front valve cover gasket.
Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: OK
Engine Oil Level: Ok
Engine Oil Quality: New
2T Oil Level: N/A
Coolant Level: Ok
Coolant Quality: New, < 150mV
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New, <1.5% Moisture
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New, <1.5% Moisture
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: OK
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New, <1.5% Moisture
Final Drive Condition: OK
Headlight High Beam: Ok
Headlight Low Beam: Ok
Passing Light: N/A
Parking Light: N/A
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light (Front Switch): Ok
Brake Light (Rear Switch): OK
Plate Light: NO
Horn: Ok
Kill Switch: Ok
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 90%
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 60%
Forks: Ok
Shock/s: Ok
Tire Date Code Front: 09/25
Tire Date Code Rear: 18/24
Tire % Remaining Front: 100%
Tire % Remaining Rear: 100%
Tire Press. Front: 36 PSI
Tire Press. Rear: 38 PSI
Battery Standing Voltage: 12.79V
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: 13.82V
Running Condition: Ok
Test Ride Completed: Yes
Test Ride Distance: 3 Miles, unit operates as designed
Notes:
-LH Heel guard is broken
-Cosmetic imperfection: Fuel stain on RH fairing
Modifications:
Tank pad.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Shinko Podium 005 tires with date codes of 1824 and 0925.
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 Panorama City, California, this Honda is offered on a clean Wisconsin title. Have any RC30 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
