Superbike in Miniature: 1994 Honda RVF400R NC35 for Sale

1994 Honda RVF400 NC35
Miles: 15,341 [24,690km]
Clean Nevada Title
Current Bid: $1,525
Auction ends: November 9th, 2024
Reserve Not Met

Today’s Honda VFR400R NC35 represents something we haven’t really seen here in the US for the most part: a cutting-edge sportbike with less than 600cc. While smaller-displacement motorcycles are experiencing a bit of a renaissance at the moment, with some very tasty entry-level machines available from a variety of manufacturers, they’re still basically budget bikes powered by frugal, reliable, and easy-to-manufacture parallel twins and singles. But back in the 80s and 80s, the Japanese manufacturers were making miniature versions of their bigger four cylinder sportbikes for domestic racing classes and, naturally, for the road. Arguably the coolest of these was the Honda NC30/NC35, a World Superbike contender in miniature, powered by a 399cc V4 engine with a set of gear-driven cams to match the technology of the bigger RC30/RC45. A claimed 59hp meant you had to work the 6-speed gearbox hard to make good progress, but these are far from slow, especially on a suitably twisty road. Despite being physically small, the NC30 at least will allow riders over 6′ to comfortably ride them, although I understand that the NC35 riding position is more cramped.

Rare opportunity to buy a beautiful JDM Honda RVF400 NC30.

Located in Santa Ana California and sale on behalf of the owner. The bike has a clear Nevada title in the owners name.

The mini RC45 has some fabulous upgrades including

Tiga Performance Exhaust system

Tiga Billet footrests

Carbon heel guards on foot rests

Carbon swing-arm protector

Dunlop Sportmax Q3’s

Span adjustable / folding clutch and brake lever

Pit Bull axle stand included

New screen

Chrome Fr brake fluid reservoir cap

The bike runs beautifully and the Tiga pipe lets the 400cc V4 breath and sound like its bigger brother the RC45, Not often seen in the USA and never officially imported into the US the bike has covered 24690km (15341 Miles) and is in overall excellent running condition.

The bike was part of a local Honda 80’s-90’s collection. Started regularly and brought up to temperature, the RVF was purchased by the current owner in November of 2021 but has only covered less than 100miles in the last 3 years.

We will disclose there is a hairline crack visible on the LH fairing stay by the mirror, some scuffing to the graphic on the LH centre faring section. The damage happened when being wheeled into a truck on the way to our shop. (please see last 3 pictures)  All can easily be repaired and in no way affect the running of the bike.

It’s never a good sign when the seller doesn’t know the actual model designation of the bike they’re selling, or the correct spelling of a well-known aftermarket exhaust brand installed on the bike: they repeatedly refer to the bike as “an NC30,” and “TYGA” is written right there on the exhaust in big capital letters... The seller appears to be a restoration shop, not the original owner, but that’s no excuse. Note that, while the bike is titled in Nevada, it is currently located in California, likely to circumvent the notoriously difficult California DMV, although it has enough miles on the odometer that it should be possible to title it here. Experts on the subject, please feel free to comment below. Nit-picking the listing aside, the bike looks terrific, a few indicated cosmetic imperfections aside, with low miles, and some nice aftermarket bits. The less said about that brake fluid reservoir cap, the better… These smaller V4 Hondas are rising in price, but are nowhere near what the 750s are going for these days, and their performance is surprising: they make less power, but are a bit lighter than their bigger siblings. I’m an Italian bike guy to the core, but I’d seriously love a nice NC30 or NC35 in my garage.

-tad