Rare & Rarely Used: 2003 Honda RC51

We often like to claim milestone motorcycles were designed to “break all the rules” but in the case of the RC51, the bike was designed to the extent of the rules – quite literally. Known formally as the Honda RVT1000R, the RC51 was a significant departure from the earlier (and successful) RC30 and RC45 formats.…

Another Era: 1982 Honda CBX Supersport

History will show that Benelli – not Honda – produced the first factory six-cylinder motorcycle, the 750cc Sei. However the riding public will likely not care who was first, and will always look at the Honda CBX as an engineering marvel, which it really is. And while the original 1978 CBX was a bare-knuckle brawler…

Southern Belle – 1982 Honda CX500 Turbo

Hot on the heels of this 1985 Honda VFR1000R (eBay shows that it sold for $7,652), the same seller has just listed a 1982 Honda CX500 Turbo in a similar, no reserve auction. And this is the way that we like to see bikes represented – decent pictures showing a neat, clean, indoor storage facility.…

Going the Distance: 1985 Honda VF1000R

The Honda VF1000R is one of those interesting bikes that always evokes emotion and usually is well received here on the pages of Rare. Originally conceived as a homologation bike for racing, the VF1000R did inspire homologation race bikes and contribute to race efforts, even though the plans to homologate it fell through. Best known…

Featured Listing – 1992 Honda VFR750F

Update 11.2.2021: This bike has SOLD! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc When you look back at the bikes you could have owned – or maybe did own, but let slip away – many will dream of the unobtainable collector machines built in small numbers and high prices. But when you look back on the…

Three Legged Race: 1985 Honda NS400R

The Wonderful World of Honda in the 1980s pretty much consisted of every possible engine arrangement, frame type, suspension system, across multiple models in the same segment. It was like Honda decided to shotgun the sporting world with as many options as possible. In truth, Honda was looking for an edge – both at the…

Featured Listing – 2004 Honda RC51 Nicky Hayden

AMA Superbike champion. AMA Superstock winner – in both 600cc and 750cc classes. Formula Extreme winner. MotoGP rookie of the year. MotoGP world champion. Dethroned Valentino Rossi by interrupting his 5-in-a-row championship streak. Three time MotoGP winner and 28 time podium visitor. Scored at least one point in each of his 14 seasons in the…