Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1271411
been laid up for some time tend to develop fuel leaks which are caused by the hardening of the many tiny rubber O-rings in the carburetors and fuel system. This means fuel dribbles over the engine and settles in the belly of the fairing–a rather unsatisfactory situation. Australia/Europe models are distinguished by the VFR750R designation on both sides of the seat cowling. British models have larger diameter headlights and mirrors are finished in white. In 1990, the U.S. market received models with about 86 horse- power on tap for the 49-state model (which features a "0" in the eighth position of the VIN). The California-only model (which is identified by a "1" in the eighth position of the VIN) was even more restricted and had a low-lift cam and softer valve springs and a 12,000-rpm red line, while the rest of the U.S. models ran to 12,500 rpm. The U.S. version is also distinguished by the "RC30" decal on the tail. There was also a handful of RC30s produced for the UK market in 1990, the model enjoying phenomenal popularity in the light of the continuing suc- cesses at the Isle of Man TT. Of course, many (perhaps the majority) of RC30s were raced, and some converted back to road spec once their track days were over. Warped front discs are fairly com- mon where bikes have been sub- jected to competition. The fairing appears to contain two slightly different shades of red, and many collectors make the mistake of having this repainted to match the color in the lower section. How- ever, the truth of the matter is that the top section is actually a decal and was used by Honda to guard against having paint chipped by the three Dzus fasteners. Just Like Joey's To ride a Honda RC30 is about as rare as meeting Michael Jordan, to spend a few weeks as the custodian of such a machine, even more so. That's what happened to us last month when American Honda arranged for Cycle News to have a few weeks on this stun- ning 1990 edition, resplendent in a Joey Dunlop color scheme that is so close to the colors he raced you'd be very hard-pressed to find a flaw. This RC30 is owned by a gentleman in Southern Califor- nia, a Honda enthusiast who is clearly more trusting than I am, but I wasn't about to say no to a few rides on perhaps Honda's greatest production street bike ever created. This one was stock aside from the race exhaust and different jetting to suit, although details are rather sketchy. It sure feels like it has more than the 85-ish horsepower the California mod- els came out with and is jetted so beautifully it feels like the throttle is almost an extension of my muscle memory. 1990 HONDA RC30 R I D E R E V I E W P84 (Right) Dzus fasteners on a production fairing. That's class.