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Reprinted: Honda VFR 750 R put to the test

The temptation

Content of

"Only racing drivers have known this elation so far. Now the Honda VFR 750 R is ready for the road.", This is the introduction to the first VFR test in MOTORRAD, issue 7/1988.

The Honda VFR 750 R from today’s perspective

The complete test of the Honda VFR 750 R from 1988, see our picture gallery. You can also get the reprint in its original size as an 8-page PDF for download (see above) from our e-kiosk.

Reprinted: Honda VFR 750 R put to the test

The temptation

The Honda VFR 750 R from today’s perspective

From year to year it becomes more apparent how far ahead of its time the Honda RC 30 was. Owners are enthusiastic about the perfect overall package and are happy about the increasing value.

In the spring of 1987 there were rumors that Honda was working on a model for the planned Superbike World Championship. The VFR 750 R was presented to the public for the first time in October of the same year at the Tokyo Motorshow and was named after the abbreviation of its development code RC 30 from the beginning. Then a flood of orders broke in from Honda: V4 engine, titanium valves, fully adjustable spring elements front and rear, single-sided swing arm, aluminum tank, hand-laminated fairing and, last but not least, anti-hopping clutch. The world had never seen it like this before.

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"Mr. Kazuo Honda: We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this masterpiece."

All examples were built by Honda’s HRC racing department and were of an extremely high quality. Equipped with this, she was the undisputed leader in the Superbike World Championship and the World Endurance Championship for several years. Joey Dunlop was unbeatable with the RC 30 on the Isle of Man for several years. It was ultimately the efficiency of the overall package that made them so successful.

When I first held the brochure of the RC 30 in my hands in January 1988, I was aware – one or none. I was not only enthusiastic about the technical features, but also the visual appearance. Unfortunately my dealer at the time couldn’t promise me the bike before September. This waiting time was unacceptable to me. So I imported the RC 30 through a gray dealer from France and was able to register it in June 1988. Your driving skills are highly addictive and I will not sell them again during my lifetime. Now, after 28 years, it can be stated undisputedly that it rightly occupies a podium place in the classic sky and was years ahead of the competition. Even today it still inspires me when driving with its incomparable balance and the beguiling exhaust sound – despite the SC 59 and MV 750 F4 in my fleet. Mr. Kazuo Honda: We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this masterpiece.

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