Honda VFR750R

The Honda VFR750R, model code 'RC30', was a fully faired solo seat only 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, 1988 released in Europe then the United States in 1990. There were only 3,000 ever made and sold for $15,000 US - a very large amount for a production bike at the time.[3][4][1]

Honda VFR750R
ManufacturerHonda
Also calledHonda RC30
Production1987-1990
ClassSport bike
Engine748.00 cc (45.646 cu in) liquid-cooled V4
Bore / stroke70.0 mm × 48.6 mm (2.76 in × 1.91 in)
Compression ratio11.0:1
Top speed153 mph (246 km/h)[1]
Power75.94 hp (56.63 kW) @ 9,500 rpm (restricted in japan)[2]
118 hp (88 kW) @ 11,000 rpm (claimed)[1]
Torque7.1 kg⋅m (70 N⋅m; 51 lbf⋅ft) @ 7,000 rpm[2]
Transmission6 speed, chain final drive
SuspensionFront: telescopic fork
Rear: swingarm
BrakesFront: dual disc
Rear: single disc
TiresFront: 120/70-17
Rear:170/60-18
Rake, trail24 degrees / 91 mm (3.6 in)
Wheelbase1,410 mm (55.5 in)
DimensionsL: 2,045 mm (80.5 in)
W: 700 mm (28 in)
H: 1,100 mm (43 in)
Weight180 kg (400 lb)[2] (dry)
221 kg (488 lb)[1] (wet)
Fuel capacity18 l (4.0 imp gal; 4.8 US gal)
RelatedHonda VFR400

Engine
Honda RC30

The 748 cc 16-valve gear driven double overhead camshaft liquid-cooled RC24-derived 90° V4 produced 75.94 hp (56.63 kW) at 9,500 rpm for the restricted Japanese model and 118 hp (88 kW) @ 11,000 rpm elsewhere.[2][1] It contained race-inspired components. These included such items as titanium connecting rods a first[3] on a production bike that reduced reciprocating weight (50 g or 1.8 oz lighter and eight 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° 'big bang' crank arrangement instead of the smoother 180°. 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.

Joey Dunlop coming down Bray Hill, Isle of Man in the 1992 Senior TT race, on his Honda RC30.

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 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. There were race kits available from HRC Honda.

It redlined at 12,500 rpm[4] (in comparison to the VFR750F which redlines at 11,000 rpm) and had a tested 1/4 mile time of 11.8 seconds.[1]

Suspension and brakes
A Honda VFR750R (RC30) racing on the Isle of Man in 1992

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 a 'Pro Squat Rear Brake Linkage' that linked the rear caliper to the frame via a rose-jointed linkage through the swingarm (reducing rear wheel hop under braking).

Motorsport

Fred Merkel won the inaugural Superbike World Championship riders and manufacturers titles in 1988, and repeated this feat in 1989.

Robert Dunlop won the 1989 Macau Grand Prix, and Steve Hislop did the same in 1990.

Relatives

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

The RC30 was superseded some four years after the last one was built by the Honda RVF750 RC45 in 1994.

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References
  1. "Smart Money: 1990 Honda RC30". Motorcyclist. February 24, 2009. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  2. "VFR750R". Motor Roots (in Japanese). Honda. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  3. "Honda RC30 Road Test". Classic Motorbikes.net. January 28, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  4. "Battle of the V4s: Honda VFR750R RC30 vs Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC". Faster & Faster. March 18, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2017.


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