Originally Posted by sameerrao
RC, What makes the RC45 a collector item? I don't know much about bikes. What are keys stats on it?
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Hand assembled by HRC race engine/bike builders at their facility (not on a Honda production line) World Superbike homologation special. In fact each engine builder signed the engine case with a hand etched number.
It replaced the then 6 year old (but still winning) RC30. Only 50 produced for the US market, 10 for Canada. Total accurate production numbers under dispute, but appear to be only 1200 total world wide productioj in 1994 and 1995.
Honda has been very sketchy about the real numbers produced
Vital Statistics:
Honda RC45 (RVF750R(R~S)
749cc 90 degree Fuel Injected V4
475lb wet weight.
The above by todays standards does not sound very impressive - but the bike represents many, many firsts for open-class street bikes.
First production use of titanium internals, first production 190 series rear tyre, first upside-down forks, aluminum fuel tank and one of the beefiest chassis ever to turn a wheel on the street in anger - even by todays standard.
The bike server Honda very well, winning WSB races (and the RC45 is the winningest WSB contender -ever - even though Ducati won more titles) all the way to 1999.
Which is not bad for a unit that was only homolagted in 1994 and 1995 - unlike Suzuki and Ducati that kept re-homolgating new components (complete bikes) every year.
It's $27,000 price tag also set it apart in 1994 - as did it's 100mph 1st gear - which kept 1/4 mile times in the high 11s at about 120-odd mph.
The bike is a fantastic street bike but was not the favourite ride for privateer teams, as the full HRC race kit (which changed a lot less than the other guys) would set you back about $50,000 once all was said and done.
The privateers found better bang-for-the-buck in the Gixxer 750's. (I think of the Z06 as the Gixxer of the super car world - really common and cheap to make real fast -
)
All in all, the RC45 is a very narrow interest bike. I had to sell it before the riding season started - otherwise I would have NEVER been able to let it go...