Two Aussie Imports: 1994 Honda RC45 (RVF750R) And 1989 Yamaha OWO1 (FZR750R)
I always enjoy reading my email when it starts with, “G’day”. I hadn’t heard from my Aussie connection Chris in a while but he has checked in with a RC45 and an OWO1 down under. They are both imported bikes from Japan and not registered to hit the roads at this time. We haven’t had much exotica for the Aussies lately so enjoy.
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The RC is definitely the sharper bike of the two. It has 7,142 miles on the clocks and is stock except for the big Yoshimura muffler.
RC45’s always look so chunky to me from the side. Not so much from the top. I’ve never had the pleasure. Do they feel like a big bike when riding?
The paint work looks to be in pretty good shape. I did notice the speedo is a MPH unit. Not sure how that jives with being an import from Japan.
From the auction:
We bought this bike into Australia from Japan under competition import approval,
however we know of another imported RC45 owner that intends to get his bike
registered through the low volume registration rules at a cost of about $2,500.00
I’d love to know more about this process from any of our Australian readers. What sort of hoops are you guys jumping through to get your imports registered? $2,500? I thought our bone head politician’s were bad.
If you want to be the one to plate it place a bid here.
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I think the old FZR has seen a much harder life than the RC. It isn’t a basket case by any means but it isn’t collector quality either. It has been repainted ( I always wonder why) and is missing some street equipment. Apparently it does have a set of nice aftermarket Keihin carbs though.
Looks like an aftermarket exhaust there. Might be a keeper if it is a full system.
For the right price is would make a sweet daily rider or a winter project to restore to original condition. I guess a summer project in Australia. Is it just me or is it squatting a bit too much in the rear?
You can inquire here on the OWO1.
Ian
I love your website, but in connection with what you wrote about the speedometer on the RC45, the word you were thinking of is “jibes,” rather than “jives.”
“Do they feel like a big bike when riding?”
No, you sit in not on an RC45 – if you are tall you feel like you are cramped into a 250 2-stroke. The bike is a lot smaller in the flesh than the pictures make you believe.
The tank is a little wider and offers some positive grippage between your thighs though.
Hopefully that jives with your expectations 😉
It is almost impossible to register these imports in Australia.Any vehicle manufactured after 12/88 that does not have an official Australian compliance plate fitted,cannot be registered unless the importer applies for a private import compliance plate for each particular model.This costs in excess of $12,000 for any particular model,and the process is the same that any vehicle manufacturer goes through to comply their new vehicles.This was done to protect the local car manufacturering industry and official importers from a loss of sale against grey importers,and to ensure vehicles were meeting local design rules and standards.I would advise anyone in Australia interested in these bikes to do their homework on this,contact their local department of motor vehicle registration,and be very wary of any promises of easy registration.It ain’t gunna happen.
Yup, the RC45 does feel like a smaller bike to ride. It is a bit wide though.
Someday I hope to come across the one that I used to own…. it had a one off titanium exhaust that I got from HRC which I believe was made by Yoshimura. Also had magnesium wheels. Last seen in SE PA, probably rotting in someones collection now. 🙁
Steve A. from out west? ex RC45 #20 from Houston here.
Sorry, Steve M. from east coast here. Wish I could remember the number of my ’45.. the dealer I bought it from made me promise to sell it back to him if I ever got rid of it. Once he got it back it went to a collector somewhere. I still remember splicing wires from the ecu to get it above 89hp, haha!
Yep – the HRC splice. I ended up getting the CBR900 lpug to make it look neater. Funny thing I put 6600 miles on my 45 in 4 years before I sold it to the west coast.
Then then the next 3 owners only put on 700 miles between them over a 7 year period – they really missed out on enjoying a great bike.
A weekend doesnt go by where I dont regret selling the 45. I have picked up a YZR replica RZ500 now and will try not sell it anytime hehe.
my rc45 is a nice street bike…much smaller in person. come ride it Doug….
Awesome bikes!!!
Hi Pete-I write for ridexperience.com and would love to write up your RC45 if your located in the north east or interview you about it if you aren’t.
Let me know, nick2ny aaaatt g m a IL doot combe.