From the Classifieds: 1989 Honda VFR750R (RC30)

When it comes to late '80s Japanese two-wheeled sports exotica, it's tough to top Honda's VFR750R, more commonly known simply by its model code, the RC30.

First produced in 1987 for homologation purposes so Honda could enter – and win – the inaugural Superbike World Championship the following year, just 3000 examples of this V4 rocket were made. Honda Racing Corporation utilised all of its formidable engineering expertise to create the RC30 and it's because of this – and because so many were raced – that clean examples are now few and far between.

That also makes this particular example, currently available for sale on Bikesales, all the more special…

The Adelaide-based seller says the bike in question has only been ridden a few times in the 10 years he's owned it; for the most part it's served as a showpiece in his lounge. With just under 12,700km on the clock, it's said to be in stock-standard condition apart from its aftermarket exhaust – but the entire original system, which has been stored, will be supplied with the bike.

It's an Australian-delivered model, not an import, and the seller is asking for a cool $100,000.

"She is pretty flawless so that is why I would like top dollar and no time wasters!" the owners states.

Made between 1987 and 1990, the Honda VFR750R shouldn't be confused with the straight production bike, the VFR750F (1986 to 1997), nor the similarly styled VFR400R (known as the NC30, produced from 1989 to 1992) or the oval-pistoned NR of 1992.

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Honda claimed the World Endurance Championship with its RVF750 in 1984, 1985 and 1986 and, with the racing scene of the day flooded with sponsorship from the alcohol and tobacco industries, the time was right for Honda to flex its engineering muscle – hang the expense!

Released with a price tag of around $US15,000, the RC30 cost roughly double that of other 750cc supersports models of the time.

The RC30's 748cc, liquid-cooled, four-valves-per-cylinder, DOHC V4 may externally have resembled the engine found in the road-going VFR750F, but inside it was an entirely different machine, with titanium con-rods (a first for a production bike), a 360-degree 'big bang' crank, and a host of other components that were specific to the model, including the pistons, the entire valve train, the slipper clutch and the close-ratio gearbox, among others.

Outside of some restricted-power models produced for the Japanese domestic market, the RC30 was good for 112hp (85kW) at 11,000rpm and 70Nm at 10,500rpm, in a package weighing just 180kg dry. It was famed for its broad spread of urge and sharp handling, thanks to its WEC-inspired twin-spar aluminium diamond chassis, Showa suspension and Elf-designed single-sided rear swingarm (an exotic addition for the day).

It was an ultra-light, ultra-compact machine and that diminutive size, when combined with its performance, paid dividends on the track.

And the Honda RC30 found its mark, taking America's Fred Merkel to victory in the 1988 and 1989 Superbike World Championships. Honda also claimed the manufacturer's title in both those years and in 1990, before Ducati rose to dominance with its litre-class V-twins.

England's Carl Fogarty won the World F1 Championship on a Honda RC30 in 1988 while Scotland's Steve Hislop broke the first 120mph lap at the Isle of Man TT on one that same year.

Soichiro Honda had a vision for the RC30 and HRC delivered – it was a masterpiece when it first rolled off the line, and it's the quintessential 'dream machine' for collectors now.

Produced: 1987 to 1990
Engine: 748cc, liquid-cooled, 16-valve, DOHC V-four
Bore x stroke: 70.0mm x 48.6mm
Fueling: Keihin 38mm CV downdraft carburetors
Compression: 11.0:1
Power: 112hp (82kW) at 11,000rpm (76hp/57kW for restricted models)
Torque: 70Nm at 7000rpm
Top speed: 246km/h
Transmission: Six-speed
Front suspension: 43mm telescopic Showa fork
Rear suspension: Showa monoshock
Chassis: Twin-spar aluminium diamond
Rake: 24 degrees
Trail: 91mm
Wheelbase: 1410mm
Seat height: 785mm
Dry weight: 180kg
Fuel capacity: 18lt
Price when released: $US15,000

bikesales has not physically inspected the motorcycle featured in this article; while bikesales and the wider carsales group of websites go to significant lengths to ensure the safety of both buyers and sellers of products listed in our classifieds, all the usual precautions apply. For hints on what to look for when buying used, see our guide, Advice: How to buy second-hand.