Description
Click here for an CycleVIN Motorcycle History Report on this 1990 Honda RC30. There is a title shown in Colorado from 2003, however we believe that to be an error with CycleVIN. 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 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 in December of 1989, this example (VIN: JH2RC3000LM200073) is #73 of 316.
The seller acquired it in 1996 from a private party in Colorado (it is a 49-state model). At the time it had approximately 1,000 miles on the clock. The odometer now shows 8,536 miles.
The only modifications are a Muzzy exhaust (the pipes have been heat wrapped) with HRC jet kit. The seller does not have the original parts.
Cosmetic Blemishes:
Per the seller, this bike has never been down and always been garaged. It “sustained cracks to the fiberglass and dings on top of the tank during shipment.”
“This bike suffers from air bubbles under the paint, common to models of this era.” Our White Glove service would be able to get the bodywork repainted.
We also note some corrosion on the front forks.
The seller states that there are no mechanical issues. He says “I’ve done all maintenance, I raced 600 Supersport for many years where I learned how to work on all my bikes under the tutelage of Lee Shierts, expert mechanic and builder.” The sale includes the original stand, tool kit, owner’s manual, and a HRC parts list race set up manual.
Currently located in Ridgefield, Connecticut, this Honda is offered on a clean California title on non-op registration.
Have any RC30 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the comments!
