Honda VFR750 (RC30) Gallery
VFR400
| VFR700
"Out of the box" the machine
was claimed to generate 112bhp with full road equipment,
however this could be increased to 135bhp when prepared
for competition use with the aid of the HRC race kit.
The investment made in the models development was
vindicated in its first season when Fred Merkel secured
the Superbike World Championship in 1988, repeating
the success in 1989. The new model instantly became
one of the most sought after road bikes, receiving
praise from all those who tested it, although its
high price and limited availability ensured that those
lucky enough to acquire one joined an exclusive club
envied by others, today the RC30 remains as desirable
as it was twenty years ago.
Honda RC30 Specification
- Engine - 748cc, liquid cooled, DOHC, transverse
vee-four
- Top Speed - 157mph (251kph)
- Dry Weight - 185kg (408 lb)
- Standing Quarter Mile Time - 12.1sec
- Launched - 1988
- Fuel Consumption - 45mpg
Ikuzawa
Honda VFR750 Road Test
| Bike |
Image |
Description |
Honda VFR750R (RC30) |
 |
Engine - 748cc, liquid cooled, DOHC, transverse
vee-four
Top Speed - 157mph (251kph)
Dry Weight - 185kg (408 lb)
Standing Quarter Mile Time - 12.1sec
Launched - 1988
Fuel Consumption - 45mpg |
| 1986 Honda VFR 750F-G |
 |
This model dropped 49 pounds off the (VF700/750F)
weight at 215.9 kg (476 lbs). Honda claimed 105
Hp. The weakest part of the package were the 37mm
forks with wimpy springs. The forks still had
TRAC mechanical anti-dive mechanisms. This bike
needed a fork brace and progressive springs before
it left the showroom. |
| 1987 honda RC30 |
 |
The RC30 - also called the VFR750R, but everyone
referred to it by its factory code name -was
based on the all-conquering full-factory RVF750
Endurance and F1 bike. When F1 gave way to World
Superbikes, one-off bikes like the RVF were
no longer eligible, so the RC was designed from
the start as a limited edition road bike, intended
to sell just enough to qualify for World Superbikes.
Crucial parts - such as chassis, engine casings
and carbs can't be changed under WSB rules,
so they needed to be ready to race. In other
areas, Honda were free to concentrate on making
the RC30 reliable and user-friendly for the
road, knowing that those parts could be changed
for racing if necessary. The RC's V-four is
a superb road engine. It's smooth, extremely
powerful and very reliable. It's also instantly
recognisable - you can't mistake the sound or
feel of a Honda V-four, whether you're sitting
on a standard RC30 blipping the throttle, or
sitting by the side of the TT course listening
to a tuned example on full throttle. On the
road, even first gear on the RC's close-ratio
box is enough to take you to 80mph, so full
load in top gear isn't something the RC has
to put up with very often.
More info.. |
| 1987 Honda VFR 750FII-H |
 |
|
| 1987 Honda VFR 750R RC30 |
 |
- Liquid cooled, four stroke, 90°V-four
cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder.
- 103bhp @ 8250rpm
- 6 speed
- 185kg
- Pro-link single sided swingarm, preload
and rebound damping adjustable, 130mm wheel
travel.
- Disc brakes
|
| Honda RC30 |
 |
Honda RC30 marked a huge leap forward in
Japanese motorcycle design. It was the first
Japanese bike to rival the beauty and build
quality previously the domain of exotic specialists
like Bimota. When it hit the market in 1988
the press were in danger of running out of superlatives.
Dealers soon ran out of bikes to sell to the
well-heeled enthusiasts who queued up to spend
twice the price of a Suzuki GSX-R on the most
talked-about bike for years. And the talk was
certainly no exaggeration. The RC30 combined
the light weight, quick steering and fantastic
rider feedback of a race bike with excellent
ride quality, reliability and perfectly stable
behaviour on even the most indifferent road
surface.
|
| 1988 Honda VFR 750R RC30 Rothmans Replica |
 |
|
| 1988 Honda VFR 750F-J |
 |
|
| 1989 Honda VFR 750F-J |
 |
Changes in '88-89 European models were mostly
bodywork. Plastic from an '86-87 (two-part fairing)
will not fit on an '88-89 (three-part fairing).
The intsrument panel is different and so are the
controls on the handlebars. Windshield was changes
as well (the '88-89 has an adjustable windshield;
two fixed positions - not motorized). The turnsignals
are different. Mufflers are polished instead of
black. 17" wheels front and rear. No major
change in the engine or chassis. |
| 1990 Honda RC30 |
 |
ex-Carl Fogarty F1 TT & Senior TT winner.
Image kindly provided by www.classic-auctions.co.uk.
|
| 1990 Honda RC30 |
 |
ex-Joey Dunlop.
Image kindly provided by www.classic-auctions.co.uk.
|
| 1990 Honda VFR 750R RC30 |
 |
|
| 1990 Honda VFR 750F RC36 |
 |
- Liquid cooled, four stroke, 90°V-four
cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder.
- 102bhp @ 9800rpm
- 6 speed
- 216kg
- Disc brakes
|
| 1991 Honda VFR 750F RC36 |
 |
|
| 1992 Honda VFR 750F RC36 |
 |
|
| 1993 Honda VFR 750F RC36 |
 |
|
| 1994 Honda VFR 750F |
 |
|
| 1995 Honda VFR 750F |
 |
Honda claims to have made some "300"
changes to our beloved VFR. The new bodywork is
"Styled" after the NR750 (Honda's Oval
Piston Wonder bike) U.S. D.O.T. has "Seen
the light" and mounted the rear turn signals
are where God (or at least Honda) intended them
to be (in the bodywork). |
| 1996 Honda VFR 750F |
 |
|
| 1997 Honda VFR 750F |
 |
|
Please e-mail the webmaster if you have
a picture worth adding to our database, e-mail: webmaster@motorbike-search-engine.co.uk
|
