Thursday 9 February 2017

Honda RC30 (1988) Colors, Specification, Vintage collection

Posted By: ygshhd 09:47 Leave a Reply

Honda RC30

Behind the RC30's compact twin-headlamp fairing, which was closely based on that of the RVF race bike, were the two elaborately constructed curved radiators necessary to cool the powerful V4 engine. The Honda’s front brake and multi-adjustable front forks were the best yet seen on a street bike.

The concept of the race replica was firmly established when Honda launched its RC30 in 1988. but there had never been a superbike remotely like this. With its exotic specification, its race-bred V4 engine and its high price, the bike officially known as the VFR750R was a direct descendant of Honda's mighty RVF750 works machines, which had dominated world championship Formula One and endurance racing in the mid-1980s.

Like Honda's CB1100R and VF1000R before it, the RC30 was a homologation special; created as a limited-edition, money-no-object basis for competition success. But the gorgeous V4 was more purposeful even than its predecessors. Its style and format followed the RVF to an unprecedented degree, from its compact twin-headlamp fairing and single seat unit to a lightweight twin-spar aluminium frame that was rumoured to be cast from the same dies as the racer's. It had a single-sided swingarm. as employed on Honda's endurance racers to speed wheel changes.

The RC30's liquid-cooled, dohc 90-degree V4 was a tuned and lightened version of the unit from Honda's VFR750F roadster. It used a 360-degree crankshaft, like the RVF racers but unlike the 180- degree 750F, as this gave better drive out of corners. Conrods were forged from lightweight titanium. The 16 valves were operated by buckets and shims instead of tappets.

Larger carburettors, tw in curved radiators and a complex single-muffler exhaust system were further RFV style features. Maximum output was 112bhp at 11 .OOOrpm. an increase of 7bhp over the 750F. Equally importantly, the RC30 churned out generous helpings of smooth, free-revving power from low' revs, which combined with the close-ratio gearbox to make the bike wonderfully easy to ride very fast indeed.

Droning exhaust note

The Honda's top speed of 155mph (249km/h) was impressive; equally so was the rapid but deceptively lazy feeling way in which it accelerated, w ith a trademark flat drone from the 360-degree V4's exhaust. Inevitably the engine was far less happy in town, where its ultra-tall first gear, good for more than 80mph (129km/h), strained the clutch and was as impractical as the stretched-out riding position (not to mention other features including the small fuel tank, inaccessible tap and narrow mirrors).

Chassis layout and ergonomics were designed solely for the track. The screen and handlebars were low, the footrests high. The all-important tachometer and temperature gauge were foam- mounted, while unnecessary parts including the speedometer were separate for easy removal. The compact wheelbase and steering geometry matched the RVF's, and at 4071b (185kg) the RC30 was light even with all its roadgoing parts fitted.

Cycle parts were of very high quality, w ith 43mm forks and 310mm diameter front brake discs, just like the RVF. Front and rear suspension were adjustable for compression and rebound damping. Although the single-sided swingarm was slightly heavier than a twin-sider of equal strength (despite Honda’s claims to the contrary), it looked sensational and emphasized the RVF heritage.

The RC30 had been built to win races, and it duly delivered. America’s Fred Merkel (Superbike) and Britain's Carl Fogarty (Formula One) rode race-kitted RC30s to consecutive world titles in 1988 and '89. against works opposition. Less desirably, in National level production-based racing, there was little chance of winning unless you rode a Honda, which cost almost twice as much as rival 750s.

That soured the RC30's impact for some riders, but those lucky enough to ride one were soon won over. On the right road, just as on a racetrack, the RC30 was supremely rapid and rewarding. Its power and throttle response w ere magnificent; its agility, suspension control and braking power without equal. The RC30 remained a fine roadster and an outstanding example of Honda's engineering ability, long after its impact on the world’s racetracks had faded.