Posts by tag: RC45

Honda March 14, 2015 posted by Mike M.

V4 Perfection: 1997 Honda RC45

Beautiful 1997 Honda RC45 on eBay UK

Honda’s stunning RC45 was never intended for the masses. It was built to win on the racetrack and it did just that. Maybe not to the level of Ducati’s domination, but it still had plenty of success. The RC45 was able to win one World Superbike Championship with John Kocinski and a pair of AMA Superbike Championships with Miguel Duhamel and Ben Bostrom in the saddle. While it wasn’t a horsepower monster, it was laden with high tech goodies like titanium rods, ceramic lined cylinder walls and lots of cast magnesium parts.

Total production numbers remain a bit of a mystery but we do know that only 50 of them came over to the US and 20 of those went to privateer race teams. So it definitely fits the “Rare” definition of this website. They were also extremely pricey with an MSRP of approximately $32,000. A few years ago, you might have found a used one close to $20,000 however those days are long gone and prices are now surpassing the original MSRP for clean examples. As everybody knows, I’m a fan of riding my bikes, but with the hefty price tag, the appreciating value and the cost and scarcity of replacement parts… this is one that I might just be too nervous to actually enjoy.

The seller doesn’t go into a lot of detail about the actual motorcycle, but includes the overview quoted below. If you want more details or you just want to watch the auction, you can check it out here: 1997 Honda RC45 on eBay UK

THE HONDA RC45 IS ARGUABLY ONE OF THE BEST MADE MOTORCYCLES OF ALL TIME AND IS A TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF THE FLAGSHIP MOTORCYCLES MADE WHEN ENGINEERS WERE STILL IN CHARGE AT HONDA. ITS MOTOR IS A BEAUTIFUL HAND-CRAFTED STATEMENT OF EXCELLENCE AND THIS BIKE IS UNDOUBTEDLY A CLASSIC BUILT TO LAST A LIFETIME AND OUR BIKE IS NO EXCEPTION AND IS IN SIMPLY STUNNING CONDITION THROUGHOUT COMING WITH A PRIVATE “RVF” NUMBER PLATE

Mike M.

Honda August 12, 2014 posted by Tad Diemer

Featured Listing: Titled 1994 Honda RC45 For Sale

Update: This bike was sold within two days of listing on RSBFS exclusively using our Featured Listing service. Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc

Homologation specials sometimes might seem like pretty poor deals from a “performance-for-the-dollar” perspective: they’re intended to make sure manufacturers can use certain parts or even whole machines for production-based racing, so the road bike is going to be priced like the very low-volume exotic it is, but may be somewhat restricted for street use and lack some of the elements that will make the racing machine competitive on track. So you get exotic technology and exotic price in a package that isn’t necessarily any faster than lesser machines.

But for folks who want something truly special, a bike with such direct links to racing is worth any price, and Honda’s RC bikes are very, very special indeed.

Honda’s RVF750R RC45 was their follow up to the iconic RC30, a bike that won the World Super Bike Championship in both 1988 and 1989.

The RC45 was powered by 749cc, 90° V4 with gear-driven cams and while displacement was almost the same as the earlier RC30, the cam gears were moved to the side of the engine to improve packaging and the bore/stroke were changed significantly, making the engine more oversquare to reduce piston speed and increase revs.

A sophisticated fuel injection system fed the almost impossibly smooth engine, a slipper clutch helped with downshifts, and a single-sided swingarm made tire changes fast and easy during endurance racing.

The RC45 is perhaps the ideal package: it’s one of the best-looking sportbikes of all time, with a nearly perfect balance of purposeful, understated aggression and a wealth of exotic details to capture the eye of cognoscenti, all wrapped up with Honda reliability and attention to detail.

But with only 105hp at the rear wheel, the RC45 was just a bit faster than a 600 of the time, making the nearly $27,000 this cost new a very tough sell. Or it would have been a tough sell, if they had attempted to sell very many…

With only 200 made worldwide and approximately 50 sent to the US, these are extremely rare, with as few as 20 circulating among US collectors. And the seller offers a choice to the buyer: keep this in its current, museum-ready condition, or have him prep it for road-use.

Contact the Seller via Email

From the seller: 1994 Honda RC45 for Sale

US-spec 1994 Honda RC45 for sale. Number 47 of only 50 produced for the US market in 1994, of which 20+ were delivered to private race teams… very, very rare bike with valid title. The bike was manufactured February 1994 and originally titled in California. It currently has a valid Florida title. The motorcycle is located in central Florida.

This RC45 is in exceptional condition with only 6,001 miles. The bike has been in a museum since 2008 and was professionally prepped for display. Please look at the pictures to see that there are almost no nicks anywhere on the bike. It is 100% OEM. The buyer has a choice; available in its current pristine museum form, or I will prepare it for the road. I guarantee there are no flaws with this bike. I have sold off most of my 21 bike Honda collection over the past 3 years and have received zero complaints. I only have this RC45 and a pristine RC30 left from the collection.

Contact the Seller via Email

Out of the box, the RC45 was not as immediately successful as its predecessor: it won races, but it took a while to fine-tune the bike’s handling and get it right, and Honda scored only a single WSB title with the bike. While the RC45’s history wasn’t quite as illustrious as the RC30, it was a hugely versatile machine that won regularly at the Isle of Man TT and in endurance racing in the years following its WSB career.

Then and now, these are expensive machines. Expensive, but very polished, with smooth power and stable, but nimble handling. And whatever the price of the road bike, Honda fans can’t put a price on being able to get this close to what is literally a race-bike for the road. With an asking price of $28,000 and a seller who clearly loves the marque, this looks like a great opportunity for the right buyer!

-tad

Featured Listing: Titled 1994 Honda RC45 For Sale

Honda July 28, 2014 posted by Dan

1994 Honda RVF750R RC45 #257

Let’s start Monday with a bang: a 1,400 mile Honda RC45 should do the trick! Described as stunning with minor wear from 20 years of light use. Noted as owned previously by a Japanese collector, it is presumably still in Japan though offered for worldwide consideration from sellers in New Zealand. The buy-it-now price is a $40k USD, which would place it at the upper end of the price range for an RC45 but it’s Monday, we can dream!

1994 Honda RC45 for sale on eBay

from the seller:

*** COLLECTABLE HONDA RVF750R RC45 – FRAME 257 ***

Following the terrific success of the RC30 in the World Superbike Series, HRC was under pressure to produce a viable successor and the RC45 was born. After the iconic NR750, the RC45 is often noted as the most collectable Honda due to its relative rarity. John Kocinski won the 1997 World Superbike Championship on an RC45, followed closely by Kiwi Aaron Slight (trailing by just 3 points).

Just 200 of these bikes were produced in year 1, with many being delivered directly to race teams. A further 500 bikes were produced for the Japanese domestic market with most of these going to collectors. This example is a very rare find, having travelled just 1400 miles in the past 20 years. Frame 257 has spent all of its life in the hands of a private collector in Japan and has been well cared for evidenced by the deep sheen in its paint work. There are a few very minor cosmetic defects in keeping with a 20 years old bike which has been lightly used and never restored, but overall this is a stunning stunning bike.

Carbon Garage is a licensed motorcycle dealer with a showroom, workshop & cafe located in Auckland, New Zealand. We have a partner warehouse in Tokyo, Japan and specialise in sales, service and restoration of classic Japanese superbikes from the 80s, 90s and later. We are motorcycle collectors ourselves and have an extensive collection of homologated superbikes on display in our cafe.

We ship worldwide and can provide a quotation for packaging and freight to the destination of your choice.

Honda December 29, 2013 posted by Dan

A Honda RC45 To Be Ridden

I haven’t seen an RVF750 available in a while and as usual when looking for exotics, eBay.uk delivers. This one looks very tidy and has actually seen road use with 20k miles on the clock. The description is thin but the pictures show a bike that has been kept pretty original except for the frame sliders. While most prefer the near-racebike-for-the-street RC30, when I was getting turned on to sportbikes it was the RC45 that got me excited. At £18k ($29,600) this one is priced a bit on the high side from what we’ve seen recently but not by much.

Honda RC45 for sale on eBay UK

Honda September 18, 2013 posted by Mike

Homologation Week continues: 1994 Honda RC45 in Florida

If you were eyeing the clean Yamaha OW01 in Holland we posted earlier this week but want something closer to home, how about this awesome looking RC45? Sure there will be brand loyalists amongst the RSBFS fan base – but at this stage does anyone care if the OW01 &OW02 series machines were than the RC30 & RC45 variety? Today they are all very rare and very hard to come by – and matched (or bettered) by most non-homologation sportbikes of recent vintage. Given that my collection is devoid of homologation machinery, I’m pretty sure I would take any of the above if the keys fell into my hands. Yamaha purists might want to look away, but the rest should read on.

1994 Honda VFR750R RC45 for sale on eBay

Known as the Honda RVF750R RC45 in full name parlance, the RC45 was a step forward from the RC30; essentially the same motor configuration and transmission were used, with the engine recieving fuel injection, a shortened stroke for more RPM and head tweaks for breathing. Many of the RC45 advancements were shared with the oval piston NR750, showing Honda’s goal of supreme engineering along with a Henry Ford approach to platform use.

From the seller:
US spec 1994 HRC RC45 for sale. One of only 50 produced for the US market in 1994 with 20 or so delivered to private race teams… very rare bike.

This bike is in excellent condition with only 7611 miles. It has aftermarket indicator lights and Marchesini wheels but I have all the originals to make the bike look just as it did out of the factory.

I don’t have any time to ride it… It could be yours.

A US specification RC45 is down approximately 18 horsepower from the European variant – but that power is relatively easily “found” again with a wiring change to the fuel injection unit. Many believe that the RC45 is one of the rarest of the Honda models to be found these days: from a total of 200 produced only 50 were imported into the US, and of those at least 20 went directly into the hands of race teams. That doesn’t leave many street bikes left, which is why these do not come up for auction very often.

The priviledge of owning a piece of HRC history does not come cheap. This particular bike is listed with a starting bid of $25,000 USD, with a reserve in place. No takers thus far, but this is early days for this one. Check out all of the details here, and then give us your thoughts on owning a homologation Superbike – would this be it in a “money is no object” sort of world? It just might be in mine (minus the funky turn signals). Good Luck!

Homologation Week continues: 1994 Honda RC45 in Florida

Honda August 19, 2013 posted by Dan

Instant Honda Sportbike Collection: RC30, RC45, RC51 SP1 & SP2, CBR400RR, VFR400R, CBR900RR, CB1100R and More!

Sean forwards us this spot on eBay UK for an instant Honda sportbike collection. The collection includes an RC30, RC45, RC51, CB1100R, and other signification Honda specials. If you just hit the lotto or feel like making your investment portfolio a whole lot more interesting, bid accordingly!

Honda Sportbike Collection For Sale on eBay

from the seller:

To include

RC45
RC30
NC30 RR-K
NC30 RR-L
VF500F2
SP1
SP1
SP2
NC29
CB1100RD
CBR900 (893cc)

Most mint or near mint. Many with handbooks, toolkits, some with spares, etc. Viewing is welcome if I can please have notice to retrieve them from the secure storage facility. There will be a few revisions as I add more pictures and better descriptions over the next few days. Please contact me for further information on content before bidding.

RC30 – Excellent condition. European import – 1 previous UK owner. 30K miles. With spare new mudguard, mirror and rear brake disc. New complete toolkit and accessory toolkit, and very clean owners manual. Also has brand new OEM rear brake cylinder and cap which will give it that finished touch with the fairing off.

RC45 – Only 9000 miles. Netherlands import. I previous UK keeper. Full Akrapovic system and double bubble screen. Comes with genuine owners manual, original screen and brand new boxed OEM rear shock.

SP1 – Red. 20K miles.

SP1 – Red. 40K miles with a most incredible sevice history

SP2 – 2003 Black. 20K miles. Mint. With rear pillion cover and seat. Original sales documentation, spare key, owners manual, etc

CBR900 893 – twin headlamp Fireblade. 1993 white and purple. Excellent condition. Runs and starts perfectly. New battery. Stainless steel exhaust system with Micron can. Comes with original black silencer. Original screen, etc. still present

VF500F2 – 1985. You will struggle to find a better one anywhere. Strip and rebuild a few years ago, radiator rebuild, bearings, chain/sprockets, calliper rebuild, braded lines (original ones still present). Collector box and pipes in amazing condition. Original paintwork in beautiful condition. I MOT’d it and rode it for a short while after the rebuild and she has been in storage ever since. Comes with spare collectors, downpipes, carbs, screen, gaskets and other bits.

NC29 – Near mint. Late model, 1 previous owner, low mileage. White with flame pattern. Complete with one of the last, boxed OEM exhaust cans anywhere (about £500 when you could get them).

NC30 RR-K RC30 colours. Low mileage. Absolutely gorgeous and clean under the skin, but there is a small dent in the tank, and most of the fairings are spot on, but a couple need a little work. Fairings are included, but not shown in the photos.

NC30 RR-L Black and red. Near mint, but the wheels could do with a repaint.

CB1100RD – What a beast! Needs restoration, but is complete. Also, with a spare set of rear shocks in good condition, plus a basically new complete rear shock set and front forks, triple tree (all original, genuine RD spares) and £1000 worth of new OEM fastenings, etc. Lower fairings and spare seat cowls are available, but not shown in the photos.

Instant Honda Sportbike Collection: RC30, RC45, RC51 SP1 & SP2, CBR400RR, VFR400R, CBR900RR, CB1100R and More!

Honda June 9, 2013 posted by claudio

Long Time No See: Honda RC 45 (UK)

We haven’t seen a RC45 for a while here. The evolution of the RC30 received a few changes. Apart from the styling, most notably it featured fuel injection, upside down forks and a different geometry: with a 17 inch rear wheel (as opposed to 18 on the RC30) and a 16 inch at the front (17 on the RC30). The same wheel choice was also used on the first generation of Fireblades.

Honda RC45 For Sale on eBay UK

This sample available in UK was originally imported from France as the sellers describes here:

We Are Selling This Used HONDA VFR750 RC45 On Behalf Of One Customer .
This Machine Was 1st Registered In France And imported it to The UK Where The Speedo and Headlight Was Changed To UK Specification .
This RC45 Is Totally Standard Apart From The Devil Exhaust And Tinted Screen
Payment By Debit Card, Bacs Transfer Unfortunately We Cannot Accept PAYPAL.

Who knows what might be the real mileage of this bike. On the eBay post it is indicated as being 14.500 miles. If so, the asking price of 16500 pounds is fairly inline with the market but for a non completely stock model it is a bit on the high side.

The RVF is fitted with a loud looking aftermarket silencer and there is no mention of the original one being included in the package. Finding a stock RC45 silencer will require serious commitment on the web and quite a few bucks (read 3 zeros here).

Replacing the black screen on the other hand, should be be straight forward. If you are looking for collectible sample, this might not be for you, but if you want an RC45 to ride it, then why not…

Yes it is expensive, but exclusivity, HRC technology and amazing V4 exhaust note are what you pay for here. If interested click on the link below. This is a classified ad, so first come, first served.

Honda RC45 For Sale on eBay UK

Claudio

Bimota January 2, 2013 posted by Dan

Top 10 Sport Bikes For Sale in 2012!

This post would probably be more aptly be titled, “top 10 most viewed bikes we posted in 2012”, but in honesty this sampling mostly represents the most popular bikes on the site anyway.

Thanks to both buyers and sellers for helping make 2012 our best year ever and we can’t wait to see what the market will reveal in 2013!

#10

The Opposite Of Stock: Ducati 1036CS Built By Alex Ortner (1999 Ducati 996)

First Year FireBlade in the Most Desirable Colors: 1993 Honda CBR900RR

Collector Alert! Yamaha RZ350 with Only 561 Miles up for Grabs!

Titled and Beautiful ’92 TZR 250 RS

What Smokes And Has Six Cylinders? Two 1986 Honda NS400R’s Of Course

1994 Honda RVF750R (RC45) with 9 Miles For Sale!

Featured Listing: 2001 Bimota DB4 for sale!

Easy On The Eye: CA Titled 1992 Honda VFR400R NC30

Thirtysomething: 1990 Honda RC30

Foggy Superbike – 1999 Ducati 996

Honda October 26, 2012 posted by Dan

Castrol Livery Honda RC45 in the UK

Mr. Doug Durham sent this one on to us, and what a cracker! While pictures are scarce, the seller notes that this has largely been a display bike having covered only 2500 miles. He also notes an impressive list of upgrades including Ohlins, Dymag, Spondon, HRC, and Promotive to name a few. I don’t believe the Castrol paint scheme was sold by Honda on RC45’s but from the two pictures it looks well done. The buy-it-now is £17,995.00 or $28964.75 as of today’s writing. Thanks Doug!

Check it on eBay UK