Honda VFR750R
 | |
| Manufacturer | Honda |
|---|---|
| Also called | Honda RC30 |
| Production | 1987-1990 |
| Successor | Honda RVF750 |
| Class | Sport bike |
| Engine | 748.00 cc (45.646 cu in)liquid-cooled90°V4 |
| Bore/stroke | 70.0 mm × 48.6 mm (2.76 in × 1.91 in) |
| Compression ratio | 11.0:1 |
| Top speed | 153 mph (246 km/h)[1] |
| Power | 75.94 hp (56.63 kW) @ 9,500 rpm (restricted in japan)[2] 118 hp (88 kW) @ 11,000 rpm (claimed)[1] |
| Torque | 7.1 kg⋅m (70 N⋅m; 51 lbf⋅ft) @ 7,000 rpm[2] |
| Transmission | 6speed,chainfinal drive |
| Suspension | Front: telescopic fork Rear: swingarm |
| Brakes | Front: dualdisc Rear: single disc |
| Tires | Front: 120/70-17 Rear: 170/60-18 |
| Rake,trail | 24 degrees / 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Wheelbase | 1,410 mm (55.5 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)[2](dry) 221 kg (488 lb)[1](wet) |
| Fuel capacity | 18 L (4.0 imp gal; 4.8 US gal) |
| Related | Honda VFR400 |
TheHonda VFR750R,model code 'RC30',is afully faired,solo-seat-only racing motorcycle created forhomologationpurposes for theWorld Superbike Championshipby 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 forUS$15,000(equivalent to $36,100 in 2024) - a very large amount for a production bike at the time.[3][1]
Engine
[edit]
The 748 cc16-valvegear drivendouble overhead camshaftliquid-cooledRC24-derived 90°V4produced 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 astitaniumconnecting rodsthat 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-goingVFR750Ffrom 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 aslipper clutch,and impressive braking capability for the era.
While being inspired by the Honda RVF endurance racer (not to be confused with theHonda 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. Theclutch,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.
Itredlinedat 12,500 rpm[3](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
[edit]
The RC30 front suspension was made by Showa and had wheel andbrake padsthat had quick-release mountings. The rear wheel carried a brake disc to the inside and a chain sprocket to the outside of a single-sidedswingarm(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
[edit]Fred Merkelwon theinaugural Superbike World Championshipriders and manufacturers titles in 1988, and repeated this feat in1989.
Robert Dunlop won the 1989Macau Grand Prix,and Steve Hislop did the same in 1990.
Helmut Dähneset the fastestNordschleifelap time on a motorcycle (7:49:710) in 1993. He used an RC30 with Metzeler ME Z1 tyres.
Relatives
[edit]TheVFR400R (NC30)closely resembles the VFR750R (RC30).
The RC30 was superseded some four years after the last one was built by theHonda RVF750 RC45in 1994.
References
[edit]External links
[edit]
- Official Honda Website VFR750R (RC30)[Japanese]