RC30 or RC45?

[Potter]

Which do you think is the better road bike?

[KungFooBob]

I've not ridden either, but I know which I'd prefer to own.... and that's more to do with my age than anything.

Most of the reviews I've read say they're both pretty slow without the HRC race kits.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

The high first gear on either of them make them a pain on the road, the 45 is probably easier to ride because it's newer, the 400 versions make better road bikes.

If you want the look, but don't want the outlay and race gearbox, RC bodywork can be fitted to VFR750s with a bit of effort.

When I had the option of OW01 or YZF750 as a road bike I chose the YZF after test riding both, the OW01 wasn't nice in traffic, and the YZF was nearly as good on A roads, the OW01 was harder to ride everywhere, though this was mostly due to the flat slide carbs.

[hilldweller]

When I had the option of OW01 or YZF750 as a road bike I chose the YZF after test riding both,

My first thought was VFR750 with "road bike" in the sentence.

[Potter]

Just wondered if it would spark a debate.

My personal preference would be a 45, but I have a sneaking suspicion that I'd be disappointed with either.
Might be nice to own one though, they're not going down in price and I wouldn't get tired of looking at it.

[KungFooBob]

If I won over a million on the lotto, the first thing I'd buy would be an RC45.

...and an SB8R.

...maybe an R7 or an R71 too.

[Druid]

I haven't ridden either of them so my opinions are based on a couple of half remembered magazine road tests and some unfounded prejudice.

RC30 looks better by far. If I had one in my garage I could sit and look at it for ages. The RC45 would live under a cover.

Neither of them are particularly good road bikes because of the high first gear and state of tune. Depreciation and concerns about repair costs would also limit their suitability for road use. RC30 has a 16" front wheel which limits tyre choice, and I believe that some service parts are becoming increasingly difficult to find eg front discs.

The best V4 road bike is the RC36

[Potter]

If I won over a million on the lotto, the first thing I'd buy would be an RC45.

...and an SB8R.

...maybe an R7 or an R71 too.

I used to drool over them if I saw them in dealers and I always said I'd buy one as soon as I could afford it.
But although I'd love to own one (and a bunch of other bikes) I'm not sure it really makes sense - other than the old "you'll never lose money on it" but you actually might.

The price variance is big as well, there are two one ebay, one for £27k and one for £40k - the £40k one is mental and from that place where everything is massively overpriced, but there still seems to be a £27k-£34k variance on them.
If Craigs Honda are selling theirs for £27k you can bet they bought it in at £20k or less.

And as with Landrover Defenders, you would need £30k to buy a nice one, but then try and sell it and you'll be offered <£20k.

[cheb]

Buy a doer upper for £10K, spend £30k and countless hours restoring it, sell it for £25K and convince yourself you made a profit.

That applies to the bikes and the Landrover.

[Yorick]

One of my best pals has a mint YPVS350F2 in one room. And a mint RC30 in another room. He takes them out once a year. Got big Mutistrada thingy for normal riding.

[Potter]

One of my best pals has a mint YPVS350F2 in one room. And a mint RC30 in another room. He takes them out once a year. Got big Mutistrada thingy for normal riding.

If it was in front of me I'd probably want to ride it all the time, but because I'm rarely where I'd be keeping the bike it would only get used once or twice a year as well.

[Supermofo]

I suspect a 30, but to be honest I'd love to have either.

I remember years ago my Dad got to ride one at his local bike shop (Rex Judd, gone now) that had placed well at the TT and I think had something like a few grand spent on the carbs alone. He said it was the best bike handling bike he's ever ridden to this day. I should imagine there are some rose tinted'ness going on though. But I guess it's a special bike so would probably make you feel special.

30 has more cache too as it won loads of stuff whereas the 45 didn't. I'd covert both over a 916 though as they are 10 a penny in comparison.

As said above the 35 would probably make a better road bike but they are silly money now or track hacks, or tarted up track hacks at silly money.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

If I was buying one it'd be the RC45 as it's more from the era of Superbikes I like, I think it looks better than the RC30.
I did seriously consider buying an R7 in 2018, but it seemed a bit ridiculous spending enough money to put one of my children through college on a toy, I keep looking at OW01s but in honesty I don't think I'm good enough to get anywhere near the limits of one on track (I've no desire to ride one on the road) and my FZR400 is actually a better track bike for me in that I can thrash the tits out of it and feel like I'm using it.

[G.P]

RC30 for looks and RVF for go.
People bang on about the hi first gear but it can be ridden in town more easily than a Ducati of the same Era.
A friend had an RC30 - IanB got to ride it but I missed my chance - he sold it and turned around £6-7k on it having got it with a cheeky post auction offer on ebay.
I'd have a Ducati 888 SP5 beofre either though

[Yorick]

Is this the original pipe ?



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-RVF750 ... SwI~5e5LJd

[KungFooBob]

Is this the original pipe ?



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-RVF750 ... SwI~5e5LJd

Yup.

[IOU0]

RC30 has a 16" front wheel which limits tyre choice

Errr, it has a 3.5 x 17 front wheel. It does come with a 18" rear, which everybody will have changed to a 17.
I've ridden an Rc30 with kit slides and airbox fitted.
It was horrible below 7k. Above that it was one of the nicest experiences ive ever had, except of course the constant fear of being nicked for speeding.
Don't think the old bill would accept 'it wont run right below 60 officer' as a valid excuse down Esher high st.

[Druid]

You're right about the wheel sizes, knew on of them was a less common size

I would edit the original post to hide my ignorance, but it's too late

[weeksy]

You're right about the wheel sizes, knew on of them was a less common size

I would edit the original post to hide my ignorance, but it's too late

You need someone nice to help.

Sadly, you're out of luck in here

[Yorick]

You're right about the wheel sizes, knew on of them was a less common size

I would edit the original post to hide my ignorance, but it's too late

You need someone nice to help.

Sadly, you're out of luck in here

I knew you'd be funny, if we waited long enough