Honda VFR750R

{{Infobox Motorcycle |name = Honda VFR750R |image = HondaVFR750R.jpg |aka = Honda RC30 |manufacturer = Honda |parent_company = |production = 1987-1990 |predecessor = |successor = Honda RVF750 |class = Sport bike |engine = {{Convert|748.00|cc|abbr=on}} liquid-cooled 90° V4 |bore_stroke = {{Convert|70.0|x|48.6|mm|abbr=on}} |compression = 11.0:1 |top_speed ={{Convert|153|mph|abbr=on}}<ref name=smart/> |power = {{convert|75.94|hp|kW|abbr=on}} @ 9,500 rpm (restricted in Japan)<ref name=HondaJP>{{cite web | url= http://www.honda.co.jp/motor-roots/picbook/vfr750r.html | work= Motor Roots | title= VFR750R | publisher= Honda | accessdate= 30 September 2012 |language = Japanese}}</ref><br/>{{convert|118|hp|kW|abbr=on}} @ 11,000 rpm (claimed)<ref name=smart/> |torque = {{Convert|7.1|kgm|abbr=on}} @ 7,000 rpm<ref name=HondaJP/> |ignition = |transmission = 6 speed, chain final drive |frame = |suspension = Front: telescopic fork<br>Rear: swingarm |brakes = Front: dual disc<br>Rear: single disc |tires = Front: 120/70-17<br>Rear: 170/60-18 |rake_trail =24 degrees / {{convert|91|mm|in||abbr=on}} |wheelbase = {{convert|55.5|in|abbr=on|order=flip}} |length = {{Convert|2045|mm|abbr=on}} |width = {{Convert|700|mm|abbr=on}} |height = {{Convert|1100|mm|abbr=on}} |seat_height = |dry_weight = {{convert|180|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name=HondaJP/> |wet_weight ={{convert|488|lb|abbr=on|order=flip}}<ref name=smart>{{cite web |url=http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/smart-money-1990-honda-rc30//|title=Smart Money: 1990 Honda RC30| publisher=Motorcyclist|accessdate=March 2, 2017|date=February 24, 2009 }}</ref> |fuel_capacity = {{Convert|18|l|abbr=on}} |oil_capacity = |fuel_consumption = |turning_radius = |related = Honda VFR400 }}

The '''Honda VFR750R''', model code ''''RC30'''', is 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, released in Europe in 1988 then the United States in 1990. There were only 3,000 made and they sold for {{USD|15000|1990|round=-2}} - a very large amount for a production bike at the time.<ref name=fater/><ref name=smart/>

== Engine == thumb|left|Honda RC30 The 748 cc 16-valve gear driven double overhead camshaft liquid-cooled RC24-derived 90° V4 produced {{convert|75.94|hp|kW|abbr=on}} at 9,500 rpm for the restricted Japanese model and {{convert|118|hp|kW|abbr=on}} @ 11,000 rpm elsewhere.<ref name=HondaJP/><ref name=smart/> It contained race-inspired components. These included such items as titanium connecting rods that reduced reciprocating weight ({{convert|50|g|abbr=on|disp=or}} 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 was coupled to the close ratio gearbox which had an extremely high first gear ratio (0 - 82 mph). Slowing down was made easier with a slipper clutch, and impressive braking capability for the era.

[[File:JoeyDunlopTT1992BrayHill.jpg|thumb|right|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<ref name=fater>{{cite web |url=http://www.fasterandfaster.net/2012/03/battle-of-v4s-honda-vfr750r-rc30-vs.html|title=Battle of the V4s: Honda VFR750R RC30 vs Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC | publisher=Faster & Faster|accessdate=March 2, 2017|date=March 18, 2012 }}</ref> (in comparison to the VFR750F which redlines at 11,000 rpm) and had a tested 1/4 mile time of 11.8 seconds.<ref name=smart/>

== Suspension and brakes ==

thumb|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.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}} 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. It also featured 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.

Helmut Dähne set the fastest Nordschleife lap time on a motorcycle (7:49:710) in 1993. He used an RC30 with Metzeler ME Z1 tyres.

==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.

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} * [http://www.honda.co.jp/motor-roots/contents7/index.html Official Honda Website VFR750R (RC30)] [Japanese]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Honda VFR750R}} VFR750R Category:Sport bikes Category:Motorcycles introduced in 1987