At Bonhams’ Autumn Stafford Sale, one of the most iconic superbikes ever will go under the hammer on Sunday October 12: a 1990 Honda VFR750R RC30, with only 121 miles on the clock.
The VFR750R RC30 was built in the late 1980s with one goal: to win world titles in the fledgling Superbike World Championship. With Fred Merkel, Honda immediately took the titles of 1988 and ’89, while Carl Fogarty triumphed in the TT F1 and Endurance races. The model was distinguished by its high-end technology: a twin-spar aluminum frame, 16-valve V4 engine with gear-driven camshafts, close-ratio six-speed gearbox and single-sided swingarm – racing technology on the street, but at the time almost twice as expensive as other 750s.
This particular example was delivered new in the US. In 1995 the Honda was imported to the UK by Carbon-Tek and purchased by the current owner, who had seen the advertisement in MCN. After a minor fall in 1996, the RC30 was put in the garage and not used since, making it probably the lowest mileage RC30 in the world.
The restoration of this RC30 is truly remarkable and took five years from 2020 to 2025. The work was carried out by GT Performance Engineering led by Stephen A’Lee, with most of the challenge being sourcing genuine US-spec parts, such as the exhaust. It wasn’t until late 2024 that a new-old-stock (NOS) US exhaust was found.
In addition, the engine has been completely checked and numerous new original parts from Japan have been installed, including new front fork inner tubes and other critical components. The restoration costs amount to over £8,000.
What makes this RC30 example even rarer is that it has remained completely original; the tires are still the original factory types and the frame and engine are unmodified. However, the tank is slightly corroded on the inside, which will have to be replaced if you want to drive it.
Just like the tires, because after 35 years they no longer offer the grip they originally had. The downside is that the paint drops that are applied to the bolts during production as a safeguard will damage them.
All restoration documents, invoices and correspondence are present, including the US Certificate of Origin and V5C registration certificate.
On October 12, this exceptional RC30 will be auctioned at Bonhams during the Autumn Sale in Stafford, with the bike expected to fetch £35,000 to £40,000. For collectors, this is a unique opportunity to acquire one of the very last virtually new RC30s in the world, fully restored to factory level.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.