Description
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. 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 December 1989, this example is VIN: JH2RC3004LM200058. The seller purchased the bike approximately five years ago from a collector and states, “This is the first RC30 I bought. The original owner’s wife rode it across the country then parked it in their living room. The collector I bought it from recommissioned it and rode it for a few hundred miles and then parked it in his living room. I was invited to enter it and one of my OW01s at the 2022 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance where it won the blue ribbon. I was invited to enter it in the 2023 Eyes On Design event where it won a blue ribbon. These are the only two events it has been entered in and it won both.”
During his ownership, the seller has covered less than 100 miles. The odometer shows 4,563 miles.
Maintenance:
Per the seller, “Carb clean and oil change a few years ago, removed F3 front wheel and reinstalled original 3″ wide wheel with original tire. Should have a carb clean if it’s going to be ridden”
Modifications:
The bike appears to be stock.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Dunlop Sportmax K755F tires which are aged out.
The sale includes one key, owner’s manual, and original sale/warranty documents.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
“Some minor marks on the fork tubes and left caliper and a hard to see fiberglass crack in right side of tail section.”
Currently located in Bloomington, Indiana, this Honda is offered on a clean California title. Have any RC30 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
