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. The VFR750R (the name given to this bike in other markets) was first released in 1987, though only in Honda’s native Japanese market. The model wouldn’t be offered in America until 1990 — the only year it was officially sold on US shores — despite it being released to Europe and most of the other global markets in ’88. Different markets received different spec RC30s, with some versions getting a little less power. One way in which the American model differed was a red Honda wing in the tank, as opposed to the yellow found in other markets.
Manufactured in January 1990, this example is VIN: JH2RC3016LM200068. The seller acquired it from a private party in 2019 through an Iconic Motorbikes auction, the previous owner had it for 13 years.
The odometer shows 15,915 miles.
Maintenance:
In December 2018, Iconic performed a $3,909 service on this bike for the previous owner, highlights included replacement steering bearings, carb rebuild, new tires, coolant flush, media blasting and matching the grain of the triple tree, and a clutch/brake fluid flush.
In May 2022, the current owner had Iconic perform a $5,308 service, highlights included new tires, fork rebuild, new horn, hydraulic fluid flush, engine oil/filter change, spark plugs, coolant flush, refinish the forks, buff the mirrors, new grips, powdercoat the wheels, and install a used HRC full exhaust system.
The seller states: “It’s been stored in a climate-controlled garage, always with a battery tender and VP race fuel.”
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection. Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: Ok
Engine Oil Level: Ok
Engine Oil Quality: Ok
2T Oil Level: N/A
Coolant Level: Ok
Coolant Quality: Ok, 3% Moisture
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: Fail, >3% Moisture
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: Fail, >3% Moisture
Final Drive Condition: Ok, Surface Rust
Headlight High Beam: Ok
Headlight Low Beam: Ok
Passing Light: Ok
Parking Light: Ok
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light (Front Switch): Ok
Brake Light (Rear Switch): Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Horn: Ok
Kill Switch: Ok
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 90%
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 90%
Forks: Ok
Shock/s: Ok
Tire Date Code Front: 38/21
Tire Date Code Rear: 05/22
Tire % Remaining Front: 90%
Tire % Remaining Rear: 90%
Tire Press. Front: 36 PSI
Tire Press. Rear: 38 PSI
Battery Standing Voltage: 12.59V
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: 13.62V
Running Condition: Ok, runs on bench
Test Ride Completed: None taken
Test Ride Distance: N/A
Notes:
-Oil residue on oil filter housing
-Few cosmetic imperfections:
-Scratch on shifter
-Small scratch on RH fairing upper, fairing
-Abrasion spots on silencer
-Surface rust on chain
REPAIRS RECOMMENDED
-Hydro 3 (All three hydraulic fluids)
Modifications:
HRC full exhaust.
Battery tender lead.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Avon tires with date codes of 3821 and 0522.
The sale includes one key, the tool kit, owner’s manual, service invoices, and OEM stand.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Panorama City, California, (please make an appointment for an inspection) this Honda is offered on a clean New York title. Have any RC30 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
