Honda V4s: Racers for the road

The Honda RC30, with its single-sided swingarm and hugely competent chassis, is one of the most lust-worthy Hondas ever made

The 1989 Honda VFR750R (the fabled RC30) was the very pinnacle of racing technology made available for the road. Based on Honda’s RVF750 endurance racer, the RC30 was powered by Honda’s smooth and powerful V-four engine, which was unique in its class – all other Japanese 750s had inline-fours. The bike was laden with exotica – aluminum frame and fuel tank, single-sided swingarm, titanium rods, magnesium engine covers, and hand-laid bodywork made it extremely desirable. The V4 made only 100PS in street trim, but that number went up to 150PS in race trim. The RC30 was expensive, costing the equivalent of about Rs six lakh, back in 1989. But then it delivered the goods, what with Carl Fogarty winning the Motorcycle F1 championship aboard an RC30 in 1989.

Honda upped the ante in 1995, launching the RVF750R, also called the RC45. Also a homologation special like its predecessor, the RC45 utilised ram-air and fuel injection, developed more than 175PS in full race trim and was capable of more than 280km/h on the track. The RC45 did enjoy success in WSB, but really excelled in AMA Superbike, with Miguel Du Hamel taking dozens of memorable victories in that series.

The RC45 was a worthy successor to the RC30, though it didn't acquire the same kind of cult status among enthusiasts

Also see:
V4 revival: 2008 Honda VFR1000!