1991 Honda VFR750R Type RC30 748cc *

One of the modern era's few immediately collectible classics, the Honda VFR750R, better known as the 'RC30', was created for just one reason, to win the World Superbike Championship. This feat was achieved in the emerging series' first two seasons of 1988 and 1989 and whilst American Fred Merkel was bringing Honda its first two WSB titles, Lancashire’s Carl Fogarty used an RC30 to win the TT F1 World Championship in 1988 and 1989, and the equivalent FIM Cup in 1990. No mere short-circuit scratcher, the RC30 and its derivatives proved durable enough to win a hat-full of Endurance Classics too. That this latter requirement was also part of the design brief may be determined from the fact that a quick-release front fork and single-sided swinging arm, essential for wheel changes in race conditions, were part of an unrivalled specification that included a twin-spar alloy beam frame, 16-valve V4 engine with gear-driven cams, close-ratio 6-speed gearbox and 4-pot front brake calipers.

With this level of technology, the RC30 was never going to be cheap and, at the time of its launch in 1988, an RC30 cost £8,499, nearly double the cost of other ‘super-sports’ 750s. Although the passage of time and progress of motorcycle technology means that the RC30 is no longer a match for the latest generation of sports bikes, it has developed an almost mythical exclusivity that none of them can approach.

The example on offer here today was originally registered new in Italy, subsequently being imported to the UK in 2014. In need of a light refresh, the decision was taken to fully restore the bike and Anson Classic Restorations in Leicestershire were tasked with this exercise which was duly completed to their normal high standards at a cost of over £14,000. It has been enjoyed by the same owner since then covering only 271km in that time. UK-registered on a current V5C, the bike is accompanied by its history file containing import paperwork, old MOTs and the restoration invoice and will have a fresh MOT by the time of the sale.

'No other bike from the late 1980s is lusted after like the RC30' declared Bike Magazine recently and looking at this fabulous example, few would disagree.