Description
3/31/23 Update: Thanks to commenter shabbabear, who pointed out that the wheels looked different on this bike when we sold it to the current owner. After he purchased this RC30, he had us powdercoat the wheels to the OEM white color.
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 and Europe 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 monoshock 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 in December of 1989, this example is VIN: JH2RC3018LM200010. The seller acquired the bike through an Iconic pre-sale.
The odometer shows 4,475 miles.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us replace the battery and repair the turn signal switch. Olly did the work, he notes the following in his condition report:
Tire Year Front/ Rear: 4220/ Pre-2000
Tire % Front/ Rear: 100/100
Tire Press Front/ Rear: 36/38
Brake % Front/ Rear: 70/70
Hydraulic: OK
Oil: OK
Coolant: OK
Low Beam: OK
High Beam: OK
Turn: OK
Tail Light: OK
Modifications:
Stainless steel brake and clutch lines.
Two Brothers foot pegs.
HRC reservoir sweatband covers.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on a Michelin Pilot Power front tire with a date code of 4220 and a Michelin Hi-Sport rear tire that is aged out.
The sale includes one key.
The sale also includes a rear wheel stand, a tool kit, as well as a selection of spare and take-off parts.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Honda is offered on a clean California title with expired registration. Per the DMV website, it would cost $455 to make registration current through May 2024.
Have any RC30 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
