New bike bought! Classic but quick enough!

[CorvetteConvert]

Just bought this bike today, as a usable classic. Does anyone agree with me that it still doesn't look dated, particularly?
It's a 2 owner 1990 bike with 23,000 miles.

[y2blade]

A good friend of mine has one, lovely thing

[CorvetteConvert]

Early thoughts are that first gear is way too high for the road, but it does mean that the rest are closely stacked. I presume this was to make it more competitive at race tracks in the early 90s?

[podman]

Beautiful, they had one of these in stock where I bought my 500 from on Monday, with just 1,500 miles, I agree, they do still look bang on, enjoy it.

[fleegle]

Shortly after this was introduced, the designer of the bike retired. Honda have spent years looking for his replacement

[Mastodon2]

Definitely a dated looking bike, but not diminished at all for it, in fact quite the opposite.

[CorvetteConvert]

Given it a once-over. It has had a new chain and a really good clean.
I am lowering the gearing tomorrow with a front sprocket one tooth down on standard. It will still be geared for circa 150 mph, so that won't be a problem but the clutch will get an easier time and it will be more sprightly from a stand.
Nice bike.

[StuBurt Monroe]

I quite like these, but hate the premiums that 'classics' like this seem to attract as they all become 'investments' and don't get used.

Glad to hear this one might be different.

[Fartgalen]

Is that 121 bikes now ?

[dc2rr07]

Slightly jealous, as mentioned I think they do about 90mph in first gear but who cares when it looks that good.

[paulrockliffe]

I'm considering doing my test next year and running one of these restricted for the two years. I think they look superb and they're pretty cheap.

[dc2rr07]

paulrockliffe said:

I'm considering doing my test next year and running one of these restricted for the two years. I think they look superb and they're pretty cheap.

This is a RC30 looking at the photo not a NC30 which I believe you think it is if I am not mistaken.

[Biker's Nemesis]

paulrockliffe said:

I think they look superb and they're pretty cheap.

Get me as many as you can if they're going cheap.

Great bike OP.

[outnumbered]

CorvetteConvert said:

Does anyone agree with me that it still doesn't look dated, particularly?
It's a 2 owner 1990 bike with 23,000 miles.

It's very dated, almost everything about it in fact. Wheels, slabby bodywork, bulbous nose, twin round headlights, exhaust...

That's not to say it's not a decent looking bike for its age.

[Andybow]

My all time favourite bike to have in my garage, I remember in 1989 at brands hatch in the pits and John surtees rode past me on one with his suit on. This and the owo1 I would love to have, how much was it? If you don't mind me asking, I'm always looking, for a used decent one that isn't mega money, most that come up for sale that I've seen are now over 20k

[Simes205]

Nice, I own it's little brother.
Dated, but still looks great.
Mine also has a silly long first but I still commute into London on it.

[ZX10R NIN]

CorvetteConvert said:

Just bought this bike today, as a usable classic. Does anyone agree with me that it still doesn't look dated, particularly?
It's a 2 owner 1990 bike with 23,000 miles.

Give the panels a good buff & Powder Coat the wheels (I'd be tempted to go gold) & it'll look mint.

[moto_traxport]

Dated and looks like the £1500 400cc version.

I'm guessing it cost the same as a current new litre bike. Used on the road for sunny Sundays easily better than the latest R1 - zero depreciation and more pose to bikers.

Used properly it will make less sense - cannot get proper tyres for it unless you throw £2k of 17" wheels at it, cannot hold it flat stick on a fast track without it running out of oil (needs the deep sump which needs a full aftermarket exhaust) the factory GRP bodywork can get big blisters in it etc etc

Think I've still got a fecked crank somewhere off my old one, must make it into a lamp stand.

Enjoy, tick the box, don't kill it and move it on after a few years for a profit.

[Baryonyx]

Astonishingly cool. Enjoy it, you lucky devil.

[WaferThinHam]

It's a lovely thing, just don't kill it!

Got any proper photos?