Dream or nightmare?
The stunning hand-built Honda VFR750R RC30
What’s so special about it?
When Honda built the RC30 it didn’t cut corners and it’s rumoured it lost money on every one sold. Each was handassembled by a member of HRC, the 360° ‘big bang’ V4 motor has gear-driven cams, titanium rods and a close-ratio gearbox while the chassis has cast and extruded sections with a single-sided swingarm, quick-release front-wheel spindle, aluminium tank and more.
Is it still special?
Yes, everyone turns weak at the knees when they see an RC30. The V4 motor may only make about 110bhp but it sounds, feels and drives with the precision you would expect from HRC.
How much???
In the 1980s an RC30 would have cost you £8500; nowadays you can’t get a tidy one for less than £28,000. While this is partly down to nostalgia, it is also the fact that RC30S are ‘turn-key’ classics that won’t let you down. As long as you buy the right one...
Has it been run?
RC30S can suffer if not run. The pistons only have one ring so they burn oil but the biggest issues are the rods and head. The rods have a coating which flakes off and damages them and the crank while the head and valve-train is notorious for wear. A high-mileage bike is often a better buy as they tend not to suffer as badly as ones that are left standing. The solution is to fit steel rods and get the head rebuilt, which makes them totally reliable, but either way you need to keep £6-8000 aside just in case as there is no way of telling if the motor is damaged...
Wheel changes
The RC30 runs an 18in rear wheel, which limits tyre choice. Owners swap it for a 17in item, which means you can fit modern rubber. It’s a good mod but keep the OE wheel as replacements are dear.
Is it a UK bike?
Around 500 RC30S made it to the UK from almost 5000 built so imports are common. A genuine Uk-spec bike is always worth a premium; Japanesespec bikes have different lights and are limited in speed and ignition and some American bikes have emissions control gubbins which sap power.
Unlike so many nostalgia bikes, a good RC30 will start on the button and run beautifully. Its handling feels dated but the V4 motor is beautiful, the build quality superb and its race pedigree unquestionable.