Bike World Dream Rides | Honda VFR750R RC30 Ridden
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- We've been waiting for this one, it's back to the @thebikespecialistsofficial for one of the most iconic Dream Rides ever, the Honda VFR750R RC30.
#bikeworld #rc30 #Hondarc30
Check out our insurance partners, @Bemoto www.bemoto.uk/...
I was 18 in 1988 when this came out on the UK. Me and my mate walked to the bike shop (Pendle Motorcycles) every night to stare at it through the window. It was like something from a different planet. 😁👊
😃
I remember looking at an original Z1 brand new in 1973.
I think I was 18.
For a 750 it looks a nice manageable bike.
My dad got one way before I was born. He should've known I was coming, and kept it.
mmmm Gear driven camshafts.
That's many men's dream bike, myself incl. While i can't afford such a gem, i bought myself a VFR800 5th gen as it might be the closest bike to the rc30. Oh man, what a bike it is. And everytime i ride my GTR1400 , use to take an extra ride with the VFR afterwards. Never get bored of that v4 sound.
I had a 2003 VFR and in retrospect wish I had changed out the stock exhaust to get more of the great sound that engine made. And after the VTEC kicked in (yo) it became deeper and throatier.
@@mikejohnson5900 had a VTEC 2005, still prefer the 5th gen. The VTEC was a bit scary when being harsh on throttle in sharp curves 😂
Most stunning road bike ever made. You're very lucky to have been able to ring it's neck! My first bike was also an NC30 and nothing still has come close ever since. Can only imagine how good an RC30 would be.
I had one of the last RC30 models with the red wing on the tank, it was totally stock, I eventually put Metz Comp K tyres on it which improved the handling and feel. It was a superb B road machine. It was eventually sold and was displayed in Legends shop at Brands Hatch for a while. Thanks for the trip down memory lane 👍
I smiled all the way through that one. What a bike, appreciated by two people who clearly love motorcycles!
Correction on price you quoted when new as I bought one in 1988. Around £8500 as I took out a second mortgage on my house as I had to have one after seeing it at the 1987 Bike Show
Hello I am from Japan.
When I used to go to the Suzuka Circuit with my 2-stroke 250cc, I saw many times Honda test riders riding this bike at the Suzuka Circuit and the surrounding city streets, back in 1987.
It looked just like a works machine.
The rc30 feels unlike Honda's other V4s, small, compact, very special and I almost bought one in 1994...but I didn't..damn,damn,damn and now they cost silly money 😮 Good to see Chris using one the way it was intended 👍
Had a few baby 400 Vfr's in the past.. they were amazing. I can only imagine how good this bike is to ride.
I bought mine off the Bike Specialist a few years ago and finally realised my dream of giving an RC30 the beans over the Mountain. That alone was worth the 30 year wait to save up and get one 😊.
Great choice of music, was brilliant when it kicked in with the 1980’s synth type sounds and the bike leant over! The Honda paint scheme looks class.
Something about that bike, makes my pant length become shorter.
Makes you want to take a long one in the throat too?
Just helping a mate finish building one, alongside a pair of 1000R's... Super excited for a ride when they're up and running.
I wanted one of those bikes when they came out, but I was young and poor. Now I'm old and poor so next best thing is watching Chris having a ride.
buy a cheap rc36. i spank mine and cant blow it up
I got a silver vfr got it for £550 retirement project..ha back on road 3 months later 3 years ago immaculate put less than grand into it... carb clean, tyres exhaust hi level,service all new fluids new caliper seals and pads.Starts on the button rides great im 59 not as mental as i was back in the day but a long straight 120 no problems 😁
I want to see chris rides the honda NR750
I owned one in the mid 90's. I have ridden many bikes in my 52 years including modern litre bikes and this overall is the best bike I have ever ridden by quite a way. The looks, the feel, the sound, everything about it. It still looks gorgeous today. I had a large insurance injury payout back then which was the only reason I could afford one. Sold it a year later to buy a house. I could never afford one now as they are crazy money. If I had the money though, I would buy an immaculate original.
Awesome video, Awesome bike. I recently bought a hero of mine, a little MC22 and met the same disappointment you mentioned at the start. But after an hour you realise all the little tweaks just add up to an unexplainable package. Keep up the awesome videos!
Love this series. So, you have done the V-twin 888, the V-Four RC30, how about an inline four OW01? All of the same era, all different power trains..... all equally awesome!
Had the 750f and regret selling it to this day, the sound with a micron pipe was so awesome.
Not jealous at all... 🤩
Oh man… THIS is my ‘Eleanor’ I came so so close last year to buying one! I called the dealer (up for 29,995) but it had been sold…. In hindsight, maybe not a bad thing as £30k is a lot of money on one bike.
I have various bikes, but my 1990 ZXR750 H2 is my working class man’s RC30 equivalent. Another brilliant review mate. 👍🏼
I had the h1 ..bought it on the dole!! never used it sold it...what a mistake...
Awesome .... really enjoyed that one, very clearly Chris did too!! What a stunning machine. Loved the pit stop!! 😂
we never really do grow up....now do we? 😁
The pit stop was most amusing.
A good friend of mine had one of these brand new. I believe MSRP was close to $15K USD at the time! Rode with him down to Laguna Seca for MotoGP. Bike was stolen from the hotel’s underground parking😢. He had the pleasure of owning a truly iconic bike for about 1 week.
This is literally peak Honda.
Simply the best race bike for the road ever. Honda RC30 (& RC45) are like the Porsche 911 of the bike world. On figures alone they don’t look that impressive. But in terms of the total package, handling, etc. it is THE bike that all other sports bikes need to be compared to. In any group test it will always, even now, come out on top in terms of riding pleasure.
You are soooo wrong. I have ridden an RC30 many times (brother had one for many years) The first gear a so tall it is like taking off in 2nd or 3rd on most other bikes. So you are bogging on tight corners.. 2nd, the gears are so close depending on the roads its annoying as you shifting much more frequently. 3rd compared to twins I.E. Ducati's etc.. If you do a group ride as a typical pace you can't keep pace unless you jump into high rev's with almost any Ducati/twin you have much much more torque with no having to hit 7K RPM to keep up. Even a 900SS has much better torque for a group ride. 4th-One piece fairing ver sketchy to remove without cracking it + nighmire to clean carbs etc... Is it a sexy fun to ride bike, yes on the perfect roads at the pace you pick it is absolutely euphoric, but on 90% of the street rides you might go on its not really designed for.
@@markr5132 I have not had the same experience as you, and perhaps the few rides I had were on better roads and circuits, better suited to the strengths of the RC30. But on long flowing mountain passes (where there are few really tight corners), which are typical of the sorts of rides we have in South Africa, it was simply stunning, and more than capable of not just keeping up with, but leaving the much more modern superbikes in its wake. Yes, 1st is very high, but once rolling on flowing roads that becomes a strength. I realise too, that as I have been in a wheelchair for 23 years now, (although my memories of those rides seem like yesterday, as they were such fun), I am comparing it to superbikes of that era (end of the 90’s), and I now realise some present riders will not have even been born, let alone riding at that time! So please take my comment with that in mind. I used to race vintage and historic bikes, but the few rides on the RC30 stand head and shoulders above anthing else built (in the last century!). I have absolutely no knowledge of bikes since 2000! So you are right; I am wrong now. But I was once right!!
Omg i think i gone heaven if got chance ride rc 30 .my vfr 750 rc 36 great.❤ i put in in my lounge just look at it.
The RC30 have 118hp at 11000 rpm
What a legendary machine.
such a good looking bike
You may say the numbers aren't exciting but 90bhp is road trim... thats similar to GSXR of the time. Put the race kit on. 👌
Am not a great rider but the RC30 made me look good I could leave 1000cc bikes standing in the twisty and catch them up. That engine sounds is to die for. The mods on this bike is a must especially the front brakes. I've gone into a bend too quick and they were no good I had to let them off and it went round round like nothing it was like the bike was saying is that all you got lol. I wish I kept my one.
Massive v4 fan having owned a plethora of vfr's so loved this episode. Any chance for a review of the Kawasaki ZXR750L I see behind you
I owned an ‘89 version of this & everything said is absolutely spot on apart from, I’d rather have the RC than the Duke. Wish I’d never sold it 🤦🏻♂️
Not a patch on the Vincent Black Shadow. Young people don’t think beyond their lifespan.
Two completely different bikes really. Although Ive been lucky enough to see Cam Donald riding an Irving Vincent blow a couple of RC 30s into the weeds at Phillip Island a number of years ago.
I have a RC 31 it's 1989 I got it last may with only 15000 miles. I put put another 3000 miles on last summer. Most fun bike I have ever owned. Another name for the RC31 is a bros 650 .😁 It's a little flyer and handles like it's on rails rough bumpy roads are no bother to it great brakes too with braded brake lines and EBC HH brake pads.
The closest I got was the Tamiya one,I had the brochure too,both gone sadly.Still my No 1 bike😍
Haha me too, have the Tamiya RC30 and NR750 kits still boxed, might get to make them one day 😮
To really make you sick, I keep the RC30 brochure I got from the NEC show in 1987 in the box with my unmade Tamiya RC30 kit!
Absolutely my favorite all time bike. The absolutely best sounding bike of all time for me was the 86 vfr 750 Interceptor with twin supertrapps. A buddy of mine had it and that sound would make me want to sit down and cry it was so beautiful.
I own an 86 with supertrapps that I just bought from a buddy a couple months ago… Couldn’t be the same bike?? 🤪
One other thing worth mentioning is the hilarious spares prices and availability for RC30s now. NOS stuff is daft, but for a real laugh, Honda's 'RC Forever Legacy' programme takes the biscuit. Did I read nearly 13 grand for a crankshaft...?!
Loved the rc 30 I never had one but a friend of mine had and it was brilliant, then throw in a owo1 and a zxr 750 k with flatside carbs and take them out for a run 😊
Very nice, needs an iridium screen and anodised bolts though ...now...what about an NR750?
If you think thats special, blag a ride on a proper race one with 115hp and decent suspension. Best thing on the track.
shoutout to bemoto, thank you for sponsoring this show. I don't live in the UK but still nice :)
one of the most beautiful bikes ever made
This machine is an absolute dream bike for me along with the 998r and a host of others sp1 and sp2 to name a couple, if only money wasn't an issue . Great review Chris loving the channel .
The rc30 and rc35s are awesome bikes. 👌 🏍 The original wheels were a 16.5" on those so finding tires is extremely expensive and difficult.
You mean 45 surely.
The RC30 had 17"front and 18" rear. The RC45 had 16" front and 17" rear.
Having owned a number of Honda V-4's, amongst many I-4's and V-2's from all of the major motorcycle manufacturers, I can honestly say that the inherent engine note, instant low-end torque and smooth harmonic balance cannot be matched. It's a shame Honda turned their V-4 street line in to bloated, under-powered and over-priced grand touring platforms because their V-4 Sports-bikes were truly best in class, even in the years when they were not the most powerful in class. Honda, bring back the VFR-750R, make it in Japan and sell the same around the world just as you did during the glory days of the Honda V-4 sports racing in the 1980's!
Non stock front brakes and wheels. 5 spoke rear wheel. It also won the 2nd WSB championship. I own a kitted RC30. 90 bhp is bollocks. The swiss models made that but other markets made a lot more. Slip the clutch hard to set off? What are you talking about? Even kitted they are extremely tractable. Still it does sound like a classic RC30.
While your comments are appreciated and fantastic, I would also love to see the video without all the cuts and narration, just riding and pure V4 audio, beautiful machine, thank you for sharing this. 👍
I hate Ducati like the one at the beginning. I never understood why they were allowed to race a 900 twin in the 750 Superbike category. Obviously the v twin has less performance than a 4 cylinder. The only one that is worth it is that v4 that they manufacture now... They had no option to enter motoGP.
Remember my brother bought one brand new back in 1988 when he was 20....it was over £9000 and we all thought he was mad!..how little we knew...he always said it was the best handling bike straight out of the crate he'd ever ridden...sadly he or the bike no longer with us but good memories...
I have owned both an RC30 and RC45, and I found the RC45 to be so much easier to ride fast. I'm not a racer BTW, I have done quite a few trackdays on both bikes.
The enthusiasm for the bike is as impressive as the bike itself. Keep up the good work!
Not a fan of the sound. I prefer the grumbly V4 sounds, the uneven firing interval that sounds like half a crossplane V8.
My dream, too. Nice film.
Funny i only now saw you went pretty much knee down over some "slow" markings xD
My first bike was and still is a 2006 cbr1000rr. My first explanation as to why I chose it as opposed to the other manufacturers was exactly what you said. “Rock solid”, like everything was made from one rock. Not a weak spot in it. Honda quality second to none.
These always busllhit it you it's about swinging arms. 😅
It's not it's about torque, baby. 😅
The good mail is that the bloke who designed the original 916 Ducati , based it on the RC30
Man, if you can get a video of an NSR750 that'll be great!
So next up are the NR750 and RC213V-S. 🤩
I owned the vfr rc24 parked it in a car but thinking of selling my srad to buy one back or buy one next to my srad
There´s one in pristine condition on the store i buy bike gear....Its a beauty.
“When engineers were allowed to do what they wanted to do ….”
New bikes look hideous compared to these retro models
It was worth the money then. I don't know about now. Great video review!
"HRC unobtainium allow". Such beautiful and eloquent words to describe this masterpiece.
Reminds me of morning practice in the TT.
how would you compare this to the 7rr you rode ? please compare
I feel your pain Chris. Great video.
VFR - Vee Four Racing… not Vee Four Sport Touring.
I absolutely lusted after this bike in my local bike shop window. Years later test rode the NC30 baby brother, wish I’d bought it. Great review Chris!
Can we please get a video of what is on Chris’ garage???
I remember when the RC30 came out, Mat Oxley rode it while working for Performance Bikes.
In fact, he became the first person in the world to crash one, while he was trying to give it Billy Big Bollocks.
What a prat 🙄
Would it be weird to talk about a higher selling Bandit or 90-2000's Katana? (yes I understand bikes you use are bikes people don't have access to)
Not sure where you got the 90 horsepower figure from. My 86 model Vfr 750f had 105 HP
I think you'll find it's more like 112 or 118 HP . Anyway thanks for the review I love Honda 360 degree V4s.
Remember that actual and claimed BHP rarely coincided in those days. 95 real BHP for a standard RC30 was about right. Things are a lot more accurate now.
I bought what came before (VF1000R) because it was actually affordable, knowing it was not like the RC30 at all. Still a V4. Super heavy but also much more powerful.
RC30 values are nuts in the US. $40k-$50k. Really cool but not that kind of money cool.
I'm Finland the RC30 had 112 hp
I have a 1989 RC24 because the RC30 has always been my favourite bike. Perfectly formed😎👍
So funny because the nc30 had 61bhp stock my first bike was an nc30 ❤
What an amazing machine. If only Honda superbikes retained ANY resemblance to these incredible bikes. Thank you for sharing this ride.
Honda should use their moto gp V4 engine in an africa twin to compete with the ducati's and ktm's. How epic would that be?!
I'm greatful that I own a 2012 cbr600rr with no power modes traction control tft screen ridiculousness...when I bought it I'm second owner it only had 4997miles on it....I'm a happy man.
Knowing your quite a rider and a good journalist,, the view you have on this,, would make me happy with owning one 😮 apart from the lack of funds ,,☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️ from northern Ireland,, get me a lottery ticket 🎟️
I always prefered the RVF, looked much cooler 😁
They're miles apart, but I had a 2003 VFR 800 (RC46) and spent many happy miles on that bike. The engine sound was similar, but I'm sure the RC30 was much more sharp isn it ride. Wish I didn't sell that bike.
Stunning Machine,only rode the NC30 though sadly.TYGA are working on a RC30 Body Kit for the 94-97 VFR,closest cheapest way to get close to owning one.
Wow, what a privilege to be able to ride that!! Please, please, please do a side by side ride and comparison between RC30 and the RC45!!! PLEEEAASSSEEE!
Great review. I have hankered after the RC30 ever since Joey's glory days back in the late '80s. I know I'll never get the chance to ride one, never mind own one, so thanks for uploading this wonderful piece of biking history.
I've been waiting for this test, so thanks very much. I remember the engine note in a road test at the time being described as 'orgasmic' and I think it was correct.
Aren't they beautiful bikes?
Just one minor point. Although I'm very old and muddled now, I'm pretty sure they were either £8499 or £8799 new, rather than over nine grand, back in 1987-8. I know it was a year's wages for this recently qualified fitter and turner. The last ones got up to £11499 or so. A GSX-R 750 was something like £4799 at the time the RC was introduced.
Now why didn't I buy one when they were about six grand in the late 1990s....
My dream bikes in the 80s was this and the OW01. I couldn't afford them then. I probably could afford one now but the Wife would leave me .Mmm!!
I have a baby 400 one of these.
Have always loved those NC30’s
Z900rs cafe 2018(Greeny).
I remember , back in the 90s, a friend of mine bought 1 of these second hand from a honda dealer, and we all thought it was amazing, a few weeks later, it blew the engine, luckily he had bought it from a dealer and they rebuilt it for him under warranty, i remember thinking at the time, he was lucky he hadnt bought it privately, the cost to rebuild would have been astronomical.....
When it came out in italy i was disconcerned by the price. 35 years later, im' STILL disconcerned, by its beauty.
They have a lot more than 90hp.
I think it's 112hp,or thereabouts.
On paper, yes, but in reality it was about 95bhp as standard. All the manufacturers exaggerated their power figures in those days.
I'd give you 750 likes if I could, with an extra R after. Glad you got to enjoy your (and my) dream bike :)
Mannnn......what a noise, just reminds me of Joey's TT lap with the mahoosive camera on it! cool as fuk
Had one of those back in the day. Definitely lived up to its reputation. Don't think I ever returned home from a ride without hitting 150mph somewhere . On dry days one could lock up the front break going into fast bends just for the hell of it. It didn't get any better.!
It's something about v4 motorcycle engine I can't explain. So much different in a good way.
Great review. I’d love to try one of these, but guess I’ll have to live with my CBR600F3.
Excellent review as always Chris 👍
When you gonna test the biggest n best Honda icon the cbx1000z 💪