[sburns2421]

1990 Honda RC30 VFR750 R the classic

Bring money!

 

[nomo]

Honestly , as much as I've admired and coveted the RC30 and 45 for years , I'm quickly losing interest and have passed on a couple of affordable chances to own primarily b/c of the plummeting prices of the Desmosedici -- a bike that has much more in common with the actual World Championship machine than either of HRC's V4's . Recently saw a D16 in expensive Canada , 1700 KM , showroom condition , $41,000 . Not bad considering they sold here for $85,000 (+ Fees and 13% Tax) . And brand new ones are still in dealerships around the globe for huge savings . I realize comparing apples and oranges from different camps but I'd rather own a modern MotoGP machine than a nice old cruiser hampered by parts-bin cost-cutting yet sold at a premium .

 

[Mechanic]

Honestly , as much as I've admired and coveted the RC30 and 45 for years , I'm quickly losing interest and have passed on a couple of affordable chances to own primarily b/c of the plummeting prices of the Desmosedici -- a bike that has much more in common with the actual World Championship machine than either of HRC's V4's . Recently saw a D16 in expensive Canada , 1700 KM , showroom condition , $41,000 . Not bad considering they sold here for $85,000 (+ Fees and 13% Tax) . And brand new ones are still in dealerships around the globe for huge savings . I realize comparing apples and oranges from different camps but I'd rather own a modern MotoGP machine than a nice old cruiser hampered by parts-bin cost-cutting yet sold at a premium .

Ultimately it comes down to a matter of taste, and what really excites you. The RC30 and Desmosedici are of the same ilk, but the Duke has a long way to go (if ever) to be comparable to the RC in terms of provenance and relevance. Just my opinion of course.
I'm puzzled by your statement "nice old cruiser hampered by parts-bin cost-cutting yet sold at a premium" in a thread where only the RC's and the Desmo are referred to. What bikes had you in mind for the parts bin cost cutting? It certainly doesn't apply to the Honda.

 

[sburns2421]

For the same money you could probably get one desmosedici or both of the Honda homologation specials. IMO the desmo is more "special" because of how it came into being, not to mention the level of bling on the motorcycle.

With that said and as cool as the D16 is, I'm not sure I would want one. Replacement parts are Bugatti-like expensive, the bike's engine is a maintenance nightmare, and it's performance is way way above what I will ever need or be capable of using. So basically I would ride it slowly and worry about it every time it left my sight, then dread pulling the engine for frequent maintenance.

The 30 & 45 are considerably more practical to own, even if some replacement parts are now unavailable at any price instead of just massively expensive. They will always be collectable (as will the D16).

So which option would I choose? Niether! For the same $45k you could have a garage full of new and used collectable bikes and a tool set of the gods to care for them. Walk around the SB8 to thread through the gap between the MV F4 and 998 and then decide whether to take the RSV4 or the Benelli Tornado out that day. Or if you are of the more asian persuasion hop on your new GSXR750 becuase the RC51 has some HRC bits you haven't put on yet, the ZX-10 needs gas, and you rode the heck out of the R1-LE and ZX-7RR yesterday. Either way sounds pretty good to me.

 

[nomo]

Oh yeah burnsy , I can think of many fun things to do with $45K but we're talking about desirability/collectability and not necessarily practicality aren't we ? And as you state the D16 is special to the Nth degree b/c it shares so much with its works brother (unlike the RC's) , as close to the real deal as any manu has ever offered to the unwashed . Sure , some can just keep collecting cheaper bikes -- and I do have a few -- but storage room soon becomes a problem ; so I'm always looking for the few truly unusual bikes that will peak my interest perpetually . The D16 is IMO the ultimate (and I'm a life-long Big Red fan ) even though it requires some attention , but that's ok b/c it will be treated as a toy for sunny blasts . The 45 is of course nice but there's nothing special there besides the engine which itself is so detuned that a realistic comparison can't be made to its racing counterpart which was (by Honda's final admission) a million dollar experiment full of unobtanium to get it competitive . The 30 was truly special b/c of its successes , but for similar cash I'd pick the Duc in a second .

 

[Busy Little Shop]

The RC30 will not only bring you smiles per mile but also appreciate yearly... The
only time an owner has any regrets is after they sell their prized RC30...

 

[duc1036]

Newest sporting V4

Here is the latest and greatest V4. Notice the short and sassy motor. Observe the inherent strength of the cases. Imagine the growl (or is it drone, can't keep track) of the engine as it produces the superior power pulses. Look at the compact packaging the V4 allows. Check out the nifty hard saddle bags!

Not going to win any Superbike World Championships but let's not quibble over details.

 

[RAZR51]

But it's not longitudely mounted!

 

[trussdude]

$22k is too high.

That bike is 30 minutes from my house.

 

[duckdawg]

that bike is phukin bitchen...

 

[drthompson65]

You must put at the end of any post with a V4 in it...


"Shut Up Larry".

 

[wibbly]

Honestly , as much as I've admired and coveted the RC30 and 45 for years , I'm quickly losing interest and have passed on a couple of affordable chances to own primarily b/c of the plummeting prices of the Desmosedici -- a bike that has much more in common with the actual World Championship machine than either of HRC's V4's . Recently saw a D16 in expensive Canada , 1700 KM , showroom condition , $41,000 . Not bad considering they sold here for $85,000 (+ Fees and 13% Tax) . And brand new ones are still in dealerships around the globe for huge savings . I realize comparing apples and oranges from different camps but I'd rather own a modern MotoGP machine than a nice old cruiser hampered by parts-bin cost-cutting yet sold at a premium .

you clearly haven't looked at what they put on the d16 then. it's covered in stock 1098 parts.

 

[RxRC]

I'm quickly losing interest and have passed on a couple of affordable chances to own primarily b/c of the plummeting prices of the Desmosedici --

So let me get this straight. On more than one occasion you have happened across a correct RC30 for sale, you had the money and didn't buy it? IF, you could afford it AND you had the money then let me be first in line to kick you in the ass.

 

[Jami6989]

So let me get this straight. On more than one occasion you have happened across a correct RC30 for sale, you had the money and didn't buy it? IF, you could afford it AND you had the money then let me be first in line to kick you in the ass.

Plenty of people here could buy it but chose not to. It's just another 20yo bike to alot of people.

 

[Busy Little Shop]

Plenty of people here could buy it but chose not to. It's just another 20yo bike to alot of people.

Yea the same people who work at the drive up window and ask "you want fries with that order"...

 

[mrgrn]

Honestly , as much as I've admired and coveted the RC30 and 45 for years , I'm quickly losing interest and have passed on a couple of affordable chances to own primarily b/c of the plummeting prices of the Desmosedici -- a bike that has much more in common with the actual World Championship machine than either of HRC's V4's . Recently saw a D16 in expensive Canada , 1700 KM , showroom condition , $41,000 . Not bad considering they sold here for $85,000 (+ Fees and 13% Tax) . And brand new ones are still in dealerships around the globe for huge savings . I realize comparing apples and oranges from different camps but I'd rather own a modern MotoGP machine than a nice old cruiser hampered by parts-bin cost-cutting yet sold at a premium .

"a bike that has much more in common with the actual World Championship machine than either of HRC's V4's . "

this makes no sense. the RC30 that won WSBK was a HRC kit bike is all. you buy the parts and ride the bike. the desmosedici won nothing as far as i know

 

[Furious Styles]

Hopefully no one thinks 22k is reasonable. That's a grip O'money.

 

[nomo]

you clearly haven't looked at what they put on the d16 then. it's covered in stock 1098 parts.

And those parts serve it quite nicely , and are necessary to make it affordable considering what else you get in the package . The bike's performance is phenomenal , justifying the lofty MSRP let alone the current discounted prices .

 

[sburns2421]

Yea the same people who work at the drive up window and ask "you want fries with that order"...

BTW, why did you sell the 30?

 

[sburns2421]

And those parts serve it quite nicely , and are necessary to make it affordable considering what else you get in the package . The bike's performance is phenomenal , justifying the lofty MSRP let alone the current discounted prices .

Ducati.ms - The Ultimate Ducati Forum - View Single Post - D16 RR Desmosedici
Just got a new SUV for my wife. While the car is comfortable, safe, and probably gets about the same fuel mileage as the Ducati, seeing what bit of two-wheeled porn you could get for roughly the same amount of money can be frustrating.:banghead

Considering how possessive my wife has become over the stupid thing, I don't enjoy driving it because if I am the one who puts the first scratch on it...I don't need that aggravation. Just get in my Accord and go.

So in some ways it would be just like having a D16. Worrying about damaging it prevents you from enjoying the use of it.