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Honda VFR750R

Manufacturer	Honda
Also called	Honda RC30
Model year	1987–1990
Class	Sport bike
Engine	748.00 cc (45.646 cu in) water cooled V4
Bore / Stroke	70.0 × 48.6 mm (2.76 × 1.91 in)
Compression ratio	11.0:1
Power	77 PS (57 kW) @ 9,500 rpm[1]
Torque	7.1 kg·m (70 N·m; 51 lb·ft) @ 7,000 rpm[1]
Transmission	5 speed, chain drive
Suspension	Front: telescopic fork Rear: swingarm
Brakes	Front: dual disc Rear: single disc
Tires	Front: 120/70-17 Rear:170/60-18
Wheelbase	1,410 mm (56 in)
Dimensions	L 2,045 mm (80.5 in) W 700 mm (28 in) H 1,100 mm (43 in)
Weight	180 kg (400 lb)[citation needed] (dry)
Fuel capacity	18 l (4.0 imp gal; 4.8 US gal)
Related	Honda VFR400

The Honda VFR750R, frame designation 'RC30', was a fully faired racing motorcycle created for homologation purposes for the World Superbike championship by Honda Racing Corporation (HRC). It was first released to the Japanese market in 1987. American enthusiasts had to wait until 1990 to get their hands on an RC30. The final one hundred RC30 machines were made for England in 1990. Even then, a lofty price approximately twice that of a production 750 of the time and limited availability made them a rare sight on public roads. The original intent of being a race bike didn't help the RC30 survival rate, where many were lost to the rigors of the gravel trap.

Engine

Though the 748cc 16-valve gear driven double overhead camshaft liquid-cooled RC24 derived 90° V4 produced just 86 horsepower^{[citation needed]} (in its US release form, Most European bikes made 112 hp^{[citation needed]}) — not a class-leading figure by 1990 standards — they contained race-inspired components. These included such items as titanium connecting rods that reduced reciprocating weight (50g lighter and 8 times the cost) and, gear driven camshafts. The engine firing configuration was very different from the road-going VFR750F from which it was derived with a 360 degree 'big bang' crank arrangement instead of the smoother 180 degree. This feature produced a very broad spread of power and, when coupled to the close ratio gearbox which had an extremely high first gear ratio (0 - 82 mph), made the RC30 untouchable in terms of driveability when on the move. Slowing down was made easier with a slipper clutch, and impressive braking capability for the era.

While being inspired by the Honda RVF endurance racer (not to be confused with the Honda RVF750 RC45) the VFR750R instead had its engine based on the 1986-7 VFR750F (RC24), the engine changes being tried first in the VFR750 '6X'. The engines are almost identical externally, the only visible differences being in the cylinder heads and the engine side covers. Inside the engine no major parts were identical to the RC24. The clutch, gearbox, crankshaft, oil pump, connecting rods, water pump, pistons, starter clutch, and the entire valvetrain and cylinder heads are specific to the RC30.

It redlined at 12,500 rpm (in comparison to the VFR750F which redlines at 11,000 rpm) and weighed approximately 192 kg (420 pounds) ready to ride.^{[citation needed]} Power outputs varied by country of sale with the most powerful advertised at 112 horsepower. Japanese domestic market, Australian, Swiss, and the US, specification machines were restricted in power output to varying degrees.

Suspension and Brakes

The RC30 front suspension was made by Showa and had wheel and brake pads that had quick-release mountings. The rear wheel carried a brake disc to the inside and a chain sprocket to the outside of a single-sided swingarm (originally patented by ELF of France), and attached with a single castellated nut and cotter pin. It was also equipped with fully adjustable Showa suspension which, as it only had a single seat thus focusing suspension performance, gave superior ride and handling characteristics. The engine and low storage position of the fuel in the fuel tank combined to give a low centre of gravity which aided its handling prowess. Further statements of its hand-built quality were shown in a full stainless steel 4-2-1 exhaust system, alloy fuel tank and hand laid fibreglass bodywork.

The bike was fitted with an 'anti-squat' rear brake linkage that linked the rear caliper to the frame via a rose-jointed linkage through the swingarm (reducing rear suspension displacement under braking).

Relatives

The VFR400R (NC30) closely resembles the VFR750R (RC30).

The RC30 was superseded some 4 years after the last one was built by the Honda RVF750 RC45 in 1994 but is often considered the predominantly collectible model as it gave the privateer a tool with which to race competitively, specifically in the Isle of Man TT races. Helmut Dähne in 1993 set the "eternal" record on the Nordschleife with a RC30.^{[clarification needed]}

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Honda VFR750R

• Official Honda Website VFR750R (RC30)