I checked times at Phillip Island and the RC30s best was 1.37.xx (Corser) back in the day. The Panigale R (Melandri) did 1.30.xx in 2018... 7 seconds is a gap but so is 30 odd years.... I'd say the rc30 has held up well
@@darrenparkinson4576 Well, by HRC, not only Honda, and both with gear camshaft, altogether with the RC45 the only three sport bikes with this system made by HRC. I think yes, they have a lot in common.
The RC is the only bike I would have if I was offered any bike to choose. They truly were beautifully built and are iconic museum pieces. No other machines come close IMHO.
@Sir Tristan Your opinion fella, in my opinion the Honda is a better bike in looks and isn't depreciating like the Ducati 😬 I work hard for my cash so would rather buy something that makes me money and not loose it in a year....
230 hp and weights like 180kg. God dam that would be intense. I cant imagine what it would feel like to give half throttle down the straight on the v4r. must be an insane feeling.
I have had the pleasure to have had the chance to ride two different RC30s, a RC45, a NSR250 and a R7. All didn't disappoint. I own a RC51,a RVF NC35,and a 1098S. Love to ride all types of bike. Haven't gotten the chance to ride a V4R yet, but there's hope.
As one of the most notable icons of motorcycle design the RC 30 takes some beating. It was a huge advance in many areas of design when it first appeared. The RC is still one of the best sounding exhaust notes of all time. I well remember Hizzy and Foggy on the Silkolene RVF's at the TT.
The ONLY time I ever rooted for a Hondog was 1990 Mosport Canada with the Fred Merkel aboard. Approachable fella and an epic race weekend for WSB. Davide Tardozzi, Giancarlo Falappa and his stand up wheelies were amazing. The purple paint scheme was cool.
Both great bikes. One is just nostalgic and the other is top quality fast. But I like the older bikes they have a personality especially the old two strokes. Put a NSR500 up against the DUC or a Suter MX500. 👍
@Drakey Drake I'm not saying technology isnt great and Yea it makes riding easy to be faster,but personally i prefer to know im in control,especially on the road,on track all this new tech Defo improves those lap times 👍
Oh my goodness! Who came up with this idea? That man, or woman deserves a whiskey and a steak! Please keep that creative mastery, locked and loaded. Maybe the next one should start a continuation series on the first championship racing motorcycles and how their manufacturer's and engineers, implemented their winning technologies? I so mean the first? The first racing Harleys, Triumphs and Guzzi's? Thank you.
Agree. I fall asleep listening to how a trio of 200hp Supersports differ in ways that can only be measured with considerable talent and a micrometer. More of the similar, please!
Oh wow I forgot that Honda once made cool superbikes which ended after the RC51 series was ended. Now they just make good landscaping equipment, generators, and snow blowers.
I rode one once, just once, in 1995 and it was the 1st bike I ever felt like I was riding on top of, not just on or in. Some will know what I mean. Very memorable experience for sure!
There was something very special about motorcycle development in the early-to-late 1980's. It was also a time when Honda build quality was beyond measure. But, you also had the other of the Big 4 pumping out amazing rides like the OG GSX-R 750, ZX-10, and that wonderful Yamaha FZR400. Let's not forget that Ducati came back on the world stage with the 888 then either. RC30's are still with every penny.
MCN is such a big publisher. We love all their videos. They are rich definitely with over 200k subscribers on RUclips alone and other sources like a magazine. And they can't get a good enough microphone for onboard shots.
"An SV650 would probably kick it's arse around here" ha! love it. I really like this guys understated delivery. No hype required, the bikes speak for themselves.
I use my RC30 for track day, being overtaken by modern bike but I am still enjoying the ride, and I actually can stick to them in corners, I love my RC30
Please for the love of God, do an audio specific video with the Honda. This is a request from a fan who will never will be able to see or hear that beautiful honda in real life.
RC30. Proper bike. Lovely to look at. V4r... Yes but I don't want to die just yet. Great idea for video and your analysis was spot on on in my opinion.... Only track days now the roads are far to dangerous for me. Thank you
In 30years from now, yes there will be progress but the jump won't be the same as comparing these two. The 1000s today are already too much for most people if we're talking about the riders matching what the bikes are capable of. They should try an experiment running the V4r on track with tyres from 30years ago (if they're accessible) to see how well the older rubber would have coped with the power.
Peter Fleming They will have to pay for the bike and get their own insurance for it! Biplas rubber and 230 HP? Recipe for a high/low/moon shot tank slapping good time that will end with the bike in the trash bin and the rider in traction 😂😂😂😂
RC30 is on the top of my dreambike list, not many bike could beat it at the time, and also RC30 is the first motorcycle that adopt single sided swingarm made by Elf.
@@paultanton4307 Not as deep as I'd like them to be sadly.. I do look now and again, the Yam being usually the best value. Reasonable OW01s are are possible around £15k
You can’t compare these bikes fairly,they’re from totally different eras. The RC-30 was unobtanium in its day. My local Honda shop had one for 2 years and couldn’t give it away because he wouldn’t discount it. I don’t know if he sold it because I moved. The Ducati has more power than a 500cc GP Bike and is comparatively cheap for what it is. Both are amazing bikes.
John Small Well, if you want to go back to the beginning then it was AJS and Vincent, but we’re not so stupid to “facts” as you state, but as to street homologation for road use for the everyday man who could go into a retailer and purchase off the shelf then it was the GSX-R, so, you need to get you facts right.! Honda built their CB based on racing, as did Kawasaki who made their GPz the same time, but we won’t talk about the race prep KH750 GT750 and the XS750 that all were fashioned after the raving series, even Suzuki still make their GS tribute race in the larger capacity original.. The ones I stated are full faired street/race replicas bikes that originated from the mid-70s GP Bikes from the days of Roberts, Sheene, Agostini etc etc. that Suzuki decided replicate and dominate for 35 years.! Facts..? Obviously you don’t know any that’s why you come up with just one which is weak..
I was lucky enough to see the RC30's and 45's racing round the Isle of Man back in the day. Even the NC30's sound exactly the same, but with less power, but nowhere near as good as the NSR or TZ250's that they competed with though.
This was mostly for the quick wheel changes for World championship Endurance races. The RC30 also had the lower front forks legs equipped with hinge/pinch bolt setup for the same reason.
Hi, I own an all original 1989 RC30 and I love to hear these words and the racers opinion. Maximum speed is fantastic, but even not all...V4power forver. Tom from Germany...
Firing intervals for the 4-stroke droner are 90-270-90-270°. Hence at part throttle, you get that V-twin / V8 sound (270°) as the instability in the cams / fueling breaks down the 360 (boxer / parallel twin) buzz, which itself arises from the way the exhaust groups the cylinders in each bank, due to packaging limits. The Ducati has a 70° crank offset (or 290° the other way), giving intervals of 90-200-90-340 - the smoothest possible for the configuration (smallest total deviation from 4 x 180° intervals). To avoid excessive pulse interference from the successive short intervals at high rpm, it has practically two separate exhaust systems. That means it's tuned (and sounds) like two 70° / 290° twins; not a million miles off their more recognisable 90° - 270° V-twins. Put more simply, each bike sounds like the twin cylinder engine the individual banks of their respective engines mimic.
MCN... You still have the audio problem. Why not put the cam in your helmet then put an better mic(or simple 'bush' on mic) like motovloggers done like 5 years already?
A dead cat / windjammer will do nothing in the free stream on track. What Vloggers do is put a dedicated microphone recorder in their backpack / under the seat, then manually sync it to the video. Given the likely lack of space / facility / permission for such things on this rare machine, and short of stuffing a Zoom up his arse, Neevesy was out of options, I feel. They may have been able to tape an external mic for the (notoriously sonically shite) GoPro somewhere out of the wind, but again, this requires cooperation from the machine's owner.
Of those early purpose built Honda Super Bikes I believe the RC45 was the beast that is under rated. EFI , higher revs, sharper steering and as nimble. Super Bikes lost it's way after that with the cheat rules to allow Ducati to remain competitive. So bad that all the manufacturers started building twins to take advantage.
The RC45 was indeed another Honda classic but it didn't seem as groundbreaking as the RC30,plus it needed an extensive array of extra kit from Honda to get the most out of its Tuning potential.
@@paultanton4307 The RC 30 for sure was ground breaking things like the first bike with a slipper clutch in this sort of class and the light weight but there is no doubt it started an arms race. From memory when modded the RC45 had another 4k rpm, they were also considerably more rare. They were the refinement of the RC30. I have only ever seen one in the flesh stock and had the good luck to be offered a ride.
That smell of petrol in the garage just makes you want to ride. Removed all the EPA equipment from my 2015 VFR800F and now the garage has that faint beautiful smell!
The comparison I've been praying for. Thanks MCN from a humble 5th gen VFR rider.
1:20 failed fist bump ouch
3:40 Facts 💯♥️
The rc30 is still my dream bike if I had 30 grand spare !
A Lottery win would get me a long list of Honda V4's,but id settle for a NR750 or an RC213V-S
@@paultanton4307 Haga Yamaha 750 too please
dream bike ? what are you moron ?
Tan Cakar you are the moron
I am with you on that Graham if only for the sound as being 6 foot four am a bit too big to ride it😂
I checked times at Phillip Island and the RC30s best was 1.37.xx (Corser) back in the day. The Panigale R (Melandri) did 1.30.xx in 2018... 7 seconds is a gap but so is 30 odd years.... I'd say the rc30 has held up well
Two Iconic super bikes ! Between electronic and tire technology , today's bikes are amazing.. GREAT video Thanks
That 30 is amazing. It's reason I own my 51 and will never let it go!
Totally mystifying reason to keep a SP1/2.
They have nothing in common..except for being made by Honda.
@@darrenparkinson4576 Well, by HRC, not only Honda, and both with gear camshaft, altogether with the RC45 the only three sport bikes with this system made by HRC. I think yes, they have a lot in common.
The RC is the only bike I would have if I was offered any bike to choose. They truly were beautifully built and are iconic museum pieces.
No other machines come close IMHO.
I would have to go with the NR 750. Love the RC, but there is a touch of "one of a kind" to the NR...
Id have the RC45 myself, such a beautiful machine.
I'd take the RC30 over the V4R anyday of the week! Got a big soft spot towards the Honda 😍😍
True and in another 25 RC would be a nice pension investment
@Sir Tristan Your opinion fella, in my opinion the Honda is a better bike in looks and isn't depreciating like the Ducati 😬 I work hard for my cash so would rather buy something that makes me money and not loose it in a year....
I just think its because the bike colour matches your leathers lol
Ethan Senior POS, really? You know nothing Ethan Senior.
The RC30 is allready a legend, the v4r is not.. yet, and i doubt it will ever be. They will probably ban the petrol in about 20 years
230 hp and weights like 180kg. God dam that would be intense. I cant imagine what it would feel like to give half throttle down the straight on the v4r. must be an insane feeling.
I have had the pleasure to have had the chance to ride two different RC30s, a RC45, a NSR250 and a R7. All didn't disappoint. I own a RC51,a RVF NC35,and a 1098S. Love to ride all types of bike. Haven't gotten the chance to ride a V4R yet, but there's hope.
The pure pleasure and excitement in the face of Michael tells us all about what it's been like to ride this RC30...
As one of the most notable icons of motorcycle design the RC 30 takes some beating. It was a huge advance in many areas of design when it first appeared. The RC is still one of the best sounding exhaust notes of all time. I well remember Hizzy and Foggy on the Silkolene RVF's at the TT.
Love the romance on old bikes, both dream bikes, thanks Michael
"Almost uncrashable"
Me: Hold my beer
Sir you need your beer here.....
He don’t know who he’s talking to.
The ONLY time I ever rooted for a Hondog was 1990 Mosport Canada with the Fred Merkel aboard. Approachable fella and an epic race weekend for WSB. Davide Tardozzi, Giancarlo Falappa and his stand up wheelies were amazing. The purple paint scheme was cool.
The comparison no asked for but we all LOVE it! Great stuff guys.
Shame about the onboard audio.
Great bikes and a great video. Smells like petrol and has a flat spot - sounds just like my VFR750!
Strangely enough my VFR750 smells of Petrol too sometimes.
Ha ha! I meant that the smell of petrol and flat sounded exactly like my bike!
Ha ha! I meant that the smell of petrol and flat spot described my bike!
I love that smell on my vfr
"Smells like petrol and has a flat spot" - sounds like me. 😂
Both great bikes. One is just nostalgic and the other is top quality fast. But I like the older bikes they have a personality especially the old two strokes. Put a NSR500 up against the DUC or a Suter MX500. 👍
Its somewhat ironic that trying to beat Ducati's V-twins is what killed of Hondas racing V4's and now Ducati are on the grid with a V4.
The V4 Honda 750cc. Ducati V Twin 1000cc. When Honda went V Twin It won.
It goes to show you just can't plan ahead (if you are a manufacturer), it's all down to FIM or whoever decides the rules for next season.
Even in the last ten years technology has seriously moved on. We really do live in the GOLDEN ERA of motorcycles. 💯👍🏼
code_0101100101010011 unfortunately for mcn they havent caught up yet.
yeah, looking into bikes recently all i'm hearing about is abs, dampers, and transaction control. None of my bikes have that XD
@@Dante_S550_Turbo I wouldn't want it,I love older bikes,none of this computer stuff to compensate for lack of skill
@Drakey Drake I'm not saying technology isnt great and Yea it makes riding easy to be faster,but personally i prefer to know im in control,especially on the road,on track all this new tech Defo improves those lap times 👍
@Drakey Drake Try riding a fast older bike and nailing a corner with the satisfaction of knowing you did it 😉
Oh my goodness! Who came up with this idea? That man, or woman deserves a whiskey and a steak! Please keep that creative mastery, locked and loaded. Maybe the next one should start a continuation series on the first championship racing motorcycles and how their manufacturer's and engineers, implemented their winning technologies? I so mean the first? The first racing Harleys, Triumphs and Guzzi's? Thank you.
Agree. I fall asleep listening to how a trio of 200hp Supersports differ in ways that can only be measured with considerable talent and a micrometer. More of the similar, please!
Oh wow I forgot that Honda once made cool superbikes which ended after the RC51 series was ended. Now they just make good landscaping equipment, generators, and snow blowers.
I rode one once, just once, in 1995 and it was the 1st bike I ever felt like I was riding on top of, not just on or in. Some will know what I mean. Very memorable experience for sure!
There was something very special about motorcycle development in the early-to-late 1980's. It was also a time when Honda build quality was beyond measure. But, you also had the other of the Big 4 pumping out amazing rides like the OG GSX-R 750, ZX-10, and that wonderful Yamaha FZR400. Let's not forget that Ducati came back on the world stage with the 888 then either. RC30's are still with every penny.
MCN is such a big publisher. We love all their videos. They are rich definitely with over 200k subscribers on RUclips alone and other sources like a magazine. And they can't get a good enough microphone for onboard shots.
Who would have thought to "compare" these two bikes...MCN that's who!! Loved the video and it really shows the love for motorcycling!
That angry panigalev4r is staring RC like a hungry tiger 😍
Dammed whippersnapper. Back in my day Ducait's made do with two cylinders and they where happy for it mumblemumblemumble........
"An SV650 would probably kick it's arse around here" ha! love it. I really like this guys understated delivery. No hype required, the bikes speak for themselves.
I use my RC30 for track day, being overtaken by modern bike but I am still enjoying the ride, and I actually can stick to them in corners, I love my RC30
In love with that RC30!!!
Man you ride so smooth on that track
Could listen too the RC30 soundtrack all day long and brings back memories from the real road racing back home in Norn Iron 😍
Bloody marvelous vid. Great descriptions, thank you.
Please for the love of God, do an audio specific video with the Honda. This is a request from a fan who will never will be able to see or hear that beautiful honda in real life.
@mikeman2906 Different continent mate. The motorcycle never launched here.
You guys always come up with great videos 🔥
Anyone remember the Dream Machine Race paint one with that paint job?
RC30. Proper bike. Lovely to look at. V4r... Yes but I don't want to die just yet. Great idea for video and your analysis was spot on on in my opinion.... Only track days now the roads are far to dangerous for me. Thank you
I always liked the race spec Honda RC45
Too cool!! Thnx !!
Rc30 is an Engineer's Dream with no computer no electrical magic........a true racing machine.
Best job going that neevsey fella.
Awesome comparison
In 30years from now, yes there will be progress but the jump won't be the same as comparing these two.
The 1000s today are already too much for most people if we're talking about the riders matching what the bikes are capable of.
They should try an experiment running the V4r on track with tyres from 30years ago (if they're accessible) to see how well the older rubber would have coped with the power.
Peter Fleming They will have to pay for the bike and get their own insurance for it!
Biplas rubber and 230 HP?
Recipe for a high/low/moon shot tank slapping good time that will end with the bike in the trash bin and the rider in traction 😂😂😂😂
RC30 is on the top of my dreambike list, not many bike could beat it at the time, and also RC30 is the first motorcycle that adopt single sided swingarm made by Elf.
Both look fantastic,the Ducati is a work of art.........barring the stuck on wings,it's a shame Bautista has suddenly forgotten how to race.
Gorgeous. Trying to remember the differences between RC30 and RC45.
I had a NC30 & too this day it is just my favourite bike ever. all it needed was a little more power with im sure the 750 would od supplied
Same, I loved my NC30. Wish I'd never sold it.
@@TheGuiseppe90 Same, I loved my NC30. Wish some scumbag never stole it.
Great vid - thanks!
man that onboard sucked... I was so looking forwards to the sound :("
Rad comparison otherwise
Love both!
"Maybe electric, maybe cold powered"
That's the spirit!
Spectacular bikes both, but modern electronics do make a giant difference.
Amazing video👏
Both are iconic masterpieces
super nice. Great job.
Thank you very much!
You start to realize how old you are when you remember them comming out and getting the VFR 750 cos it was cheaper. Still a great bike. 😊
Brilliant!
RC30 😍
Honda V4s always sound amazing!
Thank you,
Wasnt the big bang firing order of the vfr to allow maximum traction from the motor?
1:27 he missed the punch 😪
What is the tube running trough the steering rack
If I could choose either one, the Ducati wouldn't even cross my mind. RC 30 is to me the GT 40 of the bike world.
VFR vs V4R.
booked it!!!!!
Got to be v4r time moves on!
Gives quite some perspective.
Nobody beats Reaaaaa!!!
I would love to ride an rc30
Massimo Tamburini was probably inspired by Honda nr750
Has anybody ever seen Neevsey walk?
Lovely bikes, V4 manic👍👍
All good except the onboard sound on the RC , what the hell, can you get a decent mic ?
Rc30 is a dream bike
"Che mondo sarebbe senza superbikes?" From the unknown superbike fun, Imola 2009.
Nice.....🏴☠️🏁
Point to the rc30 .more pure and Classic Bonus 🤩
Would love a UK standard spec RC30.. that or an OW01, or top of my list, a Ducati 888 SP5.. my era of bikes 👌🏼
There are still a few about - just depends how deep your pockets are.
@@paultanton4307 Not as deep as I'd like them to be sadly.. I do look now and again, the Yam being usually the best value. Reasonable OW01s are are possible around £15k
Nice sound
You can’t compare these bikes fairly,they’re from totally different eras. The RC-30 was unobtanium in its day. My local Honda shop had one for 2 years and couldn’t give it away because he wouldn’t discount it. I don’t know if he sold it because I moved. The Ducati has more power than a 500cc GP Bike and is comparatively cheap for what it is. Both are amazing bikes.
The originals were 851, OW01, RC30 which all came from the GSX-R..!
John Small
Well, if you want to go back to the beginning then it was AJS and Vincent, but we’re not so stupid to “facts” as you state, but as to street homologation for road use for the everyday man who could go into a retailer and purchase off the shelf then it was the GSX-R, so, you need to get you facts right.!
Honda built their CB based on racing, as did Kawasaki who made their GPz the same time, but we won’t talk about the race prep KH750 GT750 and the XS750 that all were fashioned after the raving series, even Suzuki still make their GS tribute race in the larger capacity original..
The ones I stated are full faired street/race replicas bikes that originated from the mid-70s GP Bikes from the days of Roberts, Sheene, Agostini etc etc. that Suzuki decided replicate and dominate for 35 years.!
Facts..? Obviously you don’t know any that’s why you come up with just one which is weak..
I was lucky enough to see the RC30's and 45's racing round the Isle of Man back in the day. Even the NC30's sound exactly the same, but with less power, but nowhere near as good as the NSR or TZ250's that they competed with though.
i remember pulling my pudd when the RC30 came, and probably still do😂😂
Man Id love to see more comparos like this!
Which one is more reliable ?
Time will certainly tell,if I was a gambling man id say Honda for sure.
Why does the Honda has its chain, rear brake and exhaust all on the left side? Was this common back in that time?
That's the Advantage of the Single Sided Swing Arm - it allowed quick wheel changes in Racing.
This was mostly for the quick wheel changes for World championship Endurance races. The RC30 also had the lower front forks legs equipped with hinge/pinch bolt setup for the same reason.
All RC Honda generation bike have soul, there is your difference. Thanks for that beautiful video
I seem to remember the RC30 was £9500 and the OWO1 was £12,500 in 1989 which seemed like £1000,000 at the time.
Does anyone know please ...what is the tube for that goes into the top yoke nut on the RC30..???
dmandhelen it’s the breather pipe from the petrol tank
robin hood thank you .. for your reply ..:-)) was it specific to the race bike or did the road bikes have .. and do bikes have them now ..??
dmandhelen The road bikes came fitted with one as standard , most racing motorcycles have them fitted 👍
robin hood thank you 👌👌👌
RC30 hands down!
RC30 all day!
Shows how Honda haven't made the most of their engineering magic.
Went down the safety, reliable and affordable route which is what the brain is saying for mainstream riders..
I like the titanium connecting rods
Hi, I own an all original 1989 RC30 and I love to hear these words and the racers opinion. Maximum speed is fantastic, but even not all...V4power forver. Tom from Germany...
Does anybody know the firing order or crankshaft angle of RC30?
90 degree V4 I think they call it the droner, gear driven cams too. The Ducati V4 is also 90 degree but somehow a different firing order
Just looked - its a 360' crank with a 1-4-3-2 Firing order.
Firing intervals for the 4-stroke droner are 90-270-90-270°. Hence at part throttle, you get that V-twin / V8 sound (270°) as the instability in the cams / fueling breaks down the 360 (boxer / parallel twin) buzz, which itself arises from the way the exhaust groups the cylinders in each bank, due to packaging limits.
The Ducati has a 70° crank offset (or 290° the other way), giving intervals of 90-200-90-340 - the smoothest possible for the configuration (smallest total deviation from 4 x 180° intervals). To avoid excessive pulse interference from the successive short intervals at high rpm, it has practically two separate exhaust systems. That means it's tuned (and sounds) like two 70° / 290° twins; not a million miles off their more recognisable 90° - 270° V-twins.
Put more simply, each bike sounds like the twin cylinder engine the individual banks of their respective engines mimic.
Well there nice handlebars... yes that all i could see.
MCN... You still have the audio problem. Why not put the cam in your helmet then put an better mic(or simple 'bush' on mic) like motovloggers done like 5 years already?
A dead cat / windjammer will do nothing in the free stream on track.
What Vloggers do is put a dedicated microphone recorder in their backpack / under the seat, then manually sync it to the video. Given the likely lack of space / facility / permission for such things on this rare machine, and short of stuffing a Zoom up his arse, Neevesy was out of options, I feel.
They may have been able to tape an external mic for the (notoriously sonically shite) GoPro somewhere out of the wind, but again, this requires cooperation from the machine's owner.
I know the wings are quite effective, but I just don’t like the look of them...
Of those early purpose built Honda Super Bikes I believe the RC45 was the beast that is under rated. EFI , higher revs, sharper steering and as nimble. Super Bikes lost it's way after that with the cheat rules to allow Ducati to remain competitive. So bad that all the manufacturers started building twins to take advantage.
The RC45 was indeed another Honda classic but it didn't seem as groundbreaking as the RC30,plus it needed an extensive array of extra kit from Honda to get the most out of its Tuning potential.
@@paultanton4307 The RC 30 for sure was ground breaking things like the first bike with a slipper clutch in this sort of class and the light weight but there is no doubt it started an arms race. From memory when modded the RC45 had another 4k rpm, they were also considerably more rare. They were the refinement of the RC30. I have only ever seen one in the flesh stock and had the good luck to be offered a ride.
Stoner just road a Rumi RC30 up the hill at Goodwood. believe it was Merkel's #1 Gipsy with lite gold wheels.
That smell of petrol in the garage just makes you want to ride. Removed all the EPA equipment from my 2015 VFR800F and now the garage has that faint beautiful smell!