Description
Additional photos of this 1990 Honda RC30 are available here for your perusal.
We’ve had the pleasure of selling over two dozen RC30s in the last couple of years, but here’s one that stands out even for us and it’s the first time we’re offering up a “zero mile” example on our auction site!
By now you all know what makes the RC30 special (known in other markets as the VFR750R), starting with the 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 that made 118 hp at 11,000 rpm and 55 ft-lbs of torque at 9,800rpm (unrestricted). It featured 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.
In total, only 316 RC30s were sold in the US – and only in the 1990 model year.
Manufactured in November 1989, this RC30 is VIN: JH2RC3002LM200009.
The odometer shows 1.8 miles.
Fun fact – the original tires were a mix of bias-ply and radial. This machine is equipped as such, with the original Dunlop K755F front (bias-ply) and Dunlop K855 rear (radial).
This RC30 was bought new on October 17th, 1990 by a private party in Massachusetts. The seller acquired it on eBay in 2010 and it has been on display in his private collection in Sun City, Arizona ever since. This RC30 is offered on a clean Massachusetts title. Have any RC30 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the comments!
