Description
Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
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.
Manufactured December 1988, this example is VIN: RC302002053. The seller purchased the bike from a private party in Australia June 2002 and states, “Seven bikes came into Australia to race the Rothmans Series but with the cigarette advertising was banned on racing. The seven bikes were then sold to private collectors. I have the original receipt plus roadworthy with Kl on the bike. Also have a letter from Honda stating the authenticity of my bike.”
During his ownership the seller has covered approximately 1,073 kilometers (666 miles). The odometer shows 14,785 kilometers (9,187 miles).
Maintenance:
The seller states, “Bike has always been serviced by myself with a service record hand written by myself.”
Modifications:
Tank pad.
Not shown: “Extra switch to turn the engine fan on manually, thermostat fan still works as normal.”
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Metzeler Roadtec Z6 and Pirelli Gran Turismo Angel GT tires with date codes of 5009 and 2416.
The sale includes one key, tool kit, Rothmans decals, service manual, and extra bodywork.
It also includes an extra OEM seat and butt pad, RC30 book, and parts fiche.
Shown in this photo is the log book and an extra lock with key for the seat. The key matches the original ignition.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Palmswood, Australia, this Honda is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Have any RC30 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
