Honda RC series
Encyclopedia
RC is the prefix adopted for the large majority of works racing motorcycles manufactured by the Honda Racing Corporation
(HRC), a subsidiary of Honda
of Japan.
stage in 1959 to the present day. In recent years the prefix has also been applied to a few production motorcycles, which have been created for homologation
purposes. For works Motocross
bikes, there was an additional M suffix.
In the late 1980s, Honda began to enter its production motorcycles in Superbike
, or production-based, racing series, such as the new FIM Superbike World Championship
. The most successful of these was the VFR750R
, which eventually became better known by its model number, RC30.
(model number SC45) was marketed under the name RC51 only in the United States.
Honda Racing Corporation
Honda Racing Corporation is a division of the Honda Motor Company formed in 1982. The company combines participation in motorcycle races throughout the world with the development of high potential racing machines. Its racing activities are an important source for the creation of leading edge...
(HRC), a subsidiary of Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
of Japan.
History of the RC name
Use of the RC name stretches from Honda's entry onto the international motorcycle Grand PrixGrand Prix motorcycle racing
Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing currently divided into three distinct classes: 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP. The 125cc class uses a two-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use four-stroke engines. In 2010 the 250cc two-stroke was replaced...
stage in 1959 to the present day. In recent years the prefix has also been applied to a few production motorcycles, which have been created for homologation
Homologation
Homologation is a technical term, derived from the Greek homologeo for "to agree", which is generally used in English to signify the granting of approval by an official authority...
purposes. For works Motocross
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
bikes, there was an additional M suffix.
In the late 1980s, Honda began to enter its production motorcycles in Superbike
Superbike racing
Superbike racing is a category of motorcycle racing that employs modified production motorcycles. Superbike World Championship is the international superbike championship, and national superbike championships are held in many countries as well, including the United Kingdom, the United States,...
, or production-based, racing series, such as the new FIM Superbike World Championship
Superbike World Championship
Superbike World Championship is the worldwide Superbike racing Championship. The championship was founded in . The Superbike World Championship season consists of a series of rounds held on permanent racing facilities...
. The most successful of these was the VFR750R
Honda VFR750R
The Honda VFR750R, frame designation RC30, was a fully faired racing motorcycle created for homologation purposes for the World Superbike championship by Honda Racing Corporation . It was first released to the Japanese market in 1987. American enthusiasts had to wait until 1990 to get their hands...
, which eventually became better known by its model number, RC30.
Honda naming convention
Since at least the late 1970s production Honda motorcycles have been given model numbers corresponding to the displacement category into which their engines fell, and the VFR750R was the 30th production Honda motorcycle model with an engine displacement between 650 cc and 899 cc. Similarly, the Honda RVF750R is also known by the designation RC45. The RC45's replacement, the VTR1000 SP-1Honda RC51
The Honda RC51, also known as the RVT1000R or VTR1000 , is a V-twin motorcycle produced by Honda from 2000 to 2006.- Mechanicals and chassis :...
(model number SC45) was marketed under the name RC51 only in the United States.
List of RC motorcycles
| Model | Model years | Engine Configuration | Bore x Stroke | Engine Displacement | Transmission | Other information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RC71 | 1958 | Twin | 247.33 cc | 4 Speed | ||
| RC110 Honda RC110 The Honda RC110 was the Honda racing team's first 50cc Grand Prix motorcycle racer. It was conceived in 1961 and raced during the 1962 season. As the machine was developed during the season, it was renamed the RC111 and most surviving Honda records do not distinguish between either designation... |
1962 | Single Single cylinder engine A single-cylinder engine is a basic piston engine configuration of an internal combustion engine. It is often seen on motorcycles, auto rickshaws, motor scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, go-karts, radio-controlled models and has many uses in portable tools and garden machinery... |
40 × 39 mm | 49.00 cc | 4 valves per cylinder Multi-valve In automotive engineering a multi-valve or multivalve engine is one where each cylinder has more than two valves. A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher revolutions per minute than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.- Multi-valve rationale :A multi-valve design... |
|
| RC111 | 1962 | Single Single cylinder engine A single-cylinder engine is a basic piston engine configuration of an internal combustion engine. It is often seen on motorcycles, auto rickshaws, motor scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, go-karts, radio-controlled models and has many uses in portable tools and garden machinery... |
40 × 39 mm | 49.00 cc | 4 valves per cylinder Multi-valve In automotive engineering a multi-valve or multivalve engine is one where each cylinder has more than two valves. A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher revolutions per minute than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.- Multi-valve rationale :A multi-valve design... |
|
| RC112 | 1962 | Twin | 49.61 cc | 9 Speed | ||
| RC113 | 1963 | Twin | 33 × 29 mm | 49.61 cc | 9 Speed | 4 valves per cylinder Multi-valve In automotive engineering a multi-valve or multivalve engine is one where each cylinder has more than two valves. A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher revolutions per minute than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.- Multi-valve rationale :A multi-valve design... |
| RC114 | 1964 | Twin | 49.61 cc | |||
| 2RC114 | 1964 | ??? | cc | |||
| RC115 | 1965 | Twin | 49.8 cc | 9 Speed | ||
| RC116 Honda RC116 The Honda RC116 was a race motorcycle built by Honda which raced in the 50cc class of Grand Prix motorcycle racing in the 1966 season. The motorcycle was a development of the previous RC115. The RC116 won 3 races out of the 6 that season. Ralph Bryans finished second in the world championship,... |
1966 | Twin | 49.8 cc | 9 Speed | ||
| RC125M | 1981-1984 | Single Single cylinder engine A single-cylinder engine is a basic piston engine configuration of an internal combustion engine. It is often seen on motorcycles, auto rickshaws, motor scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, go-karts, radio-controlled models and has many uses in portable tools and garden machinery... |
124 cc | 6 Speed | ||
| RC141 | 1959 | Twin | 44 × 41 mm | 124.68 cc | 6 Speed | 2 valves per cylinder Multi-valve In automotive engineering a multi-valve or multivalve engine is one where each cylinder has more than two valves. A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher revolutions per minute than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.- Multi-valve rationale :A multi-valve design... |
| RC142 | 1959 | Twin | 44 × 41 mm | 124.68 cc | 6 Speed | 4 valves per cylinder Multi-valve In automotive engineering a multi-valve or multivalve engine is one where each cylinder has more than two valves. A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher revolutions per minute than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.- Multi-valve rationale :A multi-valve design... |
| RC143 Honda RC143 The Honda RC143 was the Honda racing team's 125cc Grand Prix motorcycle racer for the 1960 season. The first time that the Honda team would compete in an entire season's racing... |
1960 | Twin | 44 × 41 mm | 124.68 cc | 6 Speed | |
| 2RC143 | 1961 | Twin | 44 × 41 mm | 124.68 cc | 6 Speed | |
| RC144 | 1961 | Twin | 42 × 45 mm | 124.69cc | ||
| RC145 | 1962 | Twin | 124.68 cc | 6 Speed | ||
| RC146 | 1963 | Inline-4 | 35 × 32 mm | 123.15 cc | 7 Speed | |
| 2RC146 | 1964 | Inline-4 | 35 × 32 mm | 123.15 cc | 7 Speed | |
| 4RC146 | 1965 | Inline-4 | 123.15 cc | |||
| RC148 | 1965 | Inline-5 | 124.02 cc | |||
| RC149 | 1966 | Inline-5 | 124.42 cc | 8 Speed | ||
| RC160 | 1959 | Inline-4 | 44 × 41 mm | 249.37 cc | 5 Speed | |
| RC161 | 1960 | Inline-4 | 44 × 41 mm | 249.37 cc | 6 Speed | |
| RC162 | 1961 | Inline-4 | 249.37 cc | 6 Speed | 4 valves per cylinder Multi-valve In automotive engineering a multi-valve or multivalve engine is one where each cylinder has more than two valves. A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher revolutions per minute than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.- Multi-valve rationale :A multi-valve design... |
|
| RC163 | 1962 | Inline-4 | 249.37 cc | 6 Speed | ||
| RC164 | 1963 | Inline-4 | 249.3 cc | 6 Speed | ||
| 2RC164 | 1964 | Inline-4 | 249.3 cc | |||
| 3RC164 | 1964 | Inline-6 | 247.43 cc | |||
| 3RC164 | 1965 | Inline-6 | 247.28 cc | |||
| RC165 | 1965 | Inline-6 | 247.28 cc | |||
| RC166 | 1966 | Inline-6 | 249.42 cc | 7 Speed | ||
| RC170 | 1962 | Inline-4 | 47 × 41 mm | 284.53 cc | ||
| RC171 | 1962 | Inline-4 | 339.43 cc | 6 Speed | ||
| RC172 | 1964 | Inline-4 | 50 × 44.5 mm | 349.5 cc | ||
| RC174 Honda RC174 thumb|right|250px|Honda RC174E engineThe Honda RC174 was a race motorcycle built by Honda which raced in the 350cc class of Grand Prix motorcycle racing in the 1967 season.... |
1967 | Inline-6 | 297.06 cc | 7 Speed | ||
| RC181 Honda RC181 The Honda RC181 was a race motorcycle built by Honda which raced in the 500cc class of Grand Prix motorcycle racing in the 1966 and 1967 seasons. The bike debuted in 1966 and won 5 out of 9 races that season, 3 with Mike Hailwood and 2 with Jim Redman. Hailowood finished second in the championship... |
1967 | Inline-4 | 499.6 cc | 6 Speed | ||
| RC250M | 1980-1982 | Single Single cylinder engine A single-cylinder engine is a basic piston engine configuration of an internal combustion engine. It is often seen on motorcycles, auto rickshaws, motor scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, go-karts, radio-controlled models and has many uses in portable tools and garden machinery... |
248 cc | 5 Speed | ||
| RC250MA | 1991 | Single Single cylinder engine A single-cylinder engine is a basic piston engine configuration of an internal combustion engine. It is often seen on motorcycles, auto rickshaws, motor scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, go-karts, radio-controlled models and has many uses in portable tools and garden machinery... |
249 cc | Automatic | ||
| RC500M | 1984 | Single Single cylinder engine A single-cylinder engine is a basic piston engine configuration of an internal combustion engine. It is often seen on motorcycles, auto rickshaws, motor scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, go-karts, radio-controlled models and has many uses in portable tools and garden machinery... |
491.5 cc | 5 Speed | ||
| RC1000 | 1981 | Inline-4 | 999.36 cc | 5 Speed | ||
| RCB1000 | 1976 | Inline-4 | 997.48 cc | |||
| RC51 Honda RC51 The Honda RC51, also known as the RVT1000R or VTR1000 , is a V-twin motorcycle produced by Honda from 2000 to 2006.- Mechanicals and chassis :... |
2000-2006 | V-Twin V-twin A V-twin engine is a two-cylinder internal combustion engine where the cylinders are arranged in a V configuration.- Crankshaft configuration :Most V-twin engines have a single crankpin, which is shared by both connecting rods... |
100 × 63.6 mm | 999 cc | 6 Speed | 4 valves per cylinder Multi-valve In automotive engineering a multi-valve or multivalve engine is one where each cylinder has more than two valves. A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher revolutions per minute than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.- Multi-valve rationale :A multi-valve design... |
| RC211V Honda RC211V The Honda RC211V was developed in 2001 by HRC to replace the Honda NSR500 because regulations for the World Championship motorcycle road racing class were changed drastically for the 2002 season. Two-stroke engines were as before limited to and 4 cylinders, but four-stroke engines were allowed... |
2001-2006 | V-5 V5 engine The V5 engine is a V form engine with five cylinders.- Volkswagen :Volkswagen introduced the first V5 engine, though this engine is not a true twin-bank V engine, but rather a VR5, or staggered bank straight-5 engine, and therefore not a true V5. It does not have one cylinder bank with 2 cylinders... |
990 cc | |||
| RC212V Honda RC212V The Honda RC212V is a road racing motorcycle developed to race in the MotoGP series. Officially introduced on 30 October 2006 as the RC211V replacement in the MotoGP series, it was developed by Honda Racing Corporation throughout 2006 and began officially racing in the 2007 season.The model name... |
2007-Current | V-4 V4 engine A V4 engine is a V form engine with four cylinders and three main bearings.-Automobile use:Lancia produced several narrow-angle V4 engines from the 1920s through 1960s for cars like the Lambda, Augusta, Artena, Aprilia, Ardea, Appia, and Fulvia.... |
800 cc |