Introduction
Designed to regain Honda's leading position in World Superbike, World Endurance and other competition, design of the RVF750R – RC45 commenced in late 1989 in conjunction with HRC (Honda Racing Corporation).
1993 Suzuka 8hr Marshals were the first to showcase the all new RC45.
The first RC45’s were seen at the 1993 Suzuka 8 hours endurance race in Japan in the form of pre-production HRC kitted bikes. These bikes were used as marshal bikes around the circuit.
Throughout its evolution HRC had been involved in its design and development. Its chassis is almost identical to HRC’s Works RVF’s when fitted with the Superbike/Endurance package, and was only the second road going Honda Superbike to be fitted with inverted forks.
In a departure from Hondas previous V4 750cc layout, the RC45 received a shorter stroke and larger bore as well as new aluminium-silica bores. Moving away from the VFR750, RC30 and Works RVF’s configurations, the RC45’s gear train now ran up the right hand side of the motor rather than up the centre. This allowed the motor to be narrower and have a shorter, stiffer crankshaft.
The RC45 also received fuel injection. The system is almost identical to that first used on the NR750. It comprises of a PGM-FI electronic control unit and separate ignition unit. Seven individual sensors feed data back to the PGM-FI unit to control the fuel injection and ignition timing.
The first model to go on sale was in 1994 and designated the RR, this was followed in 1995 by the RS. The differences between the bikes were quite limited and more updates than technical changes.