1994 HONDA RVF750 (RC45)
FEATURE
P100
than the RC30, supposedly to
engineer more flex into the unit,
although the external dimensions
were larger. The frame itself was
built around a large-diameter,
cast-alloy steering head. Al-
though the new machine looked
larger, the wheelbase was only
5mm longer, courtesy of a longer
swingarm. The swingarm itself
was once again the Elf-patent
single-sided unit, controlled by
a fully-adjustable gas-charged
shock absorber that owed much
to the Honda's successful moto-
cross range.
At the steering end, the forks
provided 24.5° trail and 3.62
inches of rake. While the RC30
used hand-laid fiberglass for
the fairing, the RC45's body-
work was in plastic. Again, more
weight savings.
With 120 hp at 12,000 rpm on
tap, the standard RC45 was hardly
a slouch, but an extra 30 hp was
available to those who wanted to
go serious racing, and could afford
it. And make no mistake, some
serious coin was required to make
the RC45 competitive.
For this reason, few privateer
teams opted for the Honda, when
there were several choices avail-
able from rival manufacturers at
a substantially lower cost. The
genuine HRC kit parts included
bodywork, wheels, forks, rear
shock and linkage, clutch, com-
plete swingarm, engine covers in
magnesium and sundry smaller
items. Price? Best not to ask...
Early tests of the RC45 gave
journalists plenty to think about,
with the inevitable comparison to
the RC30. Most agreed that the
most endearing characteristic was
the glorious sound—Formula One
on two wheels. The snarl ema-
nates from beneath the tank with
vast amounts of air rushing in,
although the tunnels running from
the front of the fairing to the fuel-
tank top are largely cosmetic.
The close-ratio gearbox made it
Rennie's legs were about three
sizes too long for the RC45, but hell
would freeze over before we could
stop him riding it.
