Yamaha R1 vs Honda RC30

An interesting comparison of the R1 vs the RC30 on the Nurburgring. Both videos can be seen elsewhere on YouTube, but here they are side by side.

The bikes are both ridden by the same guy; Helmut Dahne. The R1 run is fairly recent, whereas the RC30 lap was filmed in the early nineties. The RC was wearing Metzeler Mez1 sport-touring tyres - and yet still I had to stop the video a few times to allow the R1 to catch up! I wonder why?

(Apologies for the poor quality. Enlarge/brighten your monitor screen for best effect).

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Yamaha
• R1
• Honda
• RC30
• Nurburgring
• Helmut
• Dahne

[stealthystevie]

Hmm! Not so sure about that. There are certain clear sections on the vid where the RC is still edging ahead. (Especially through the left/right/left turns).

..and let's not forget, the RC is a twenty year old bike (with only 750cc).

[CBR11X]

The RC-30 definitely gets the R1 into the corners and carries much more speed through the apex. The R1 makes up for it off the turn on the gas and on the straights.

[996artichoke]

Sorry current r1 would desroy rc but rc is moto art and history r1 is much more developed

[sensenlos]

There must be some Reason why Helmut Dähne still loves and rides his RC30 on the ring....

He sais that he doesn't need more Power to be that fast on the ring, which is no miracle because the Nurburgring is a very smooth track to ride, not much hard braking points but a lot of fast corners. So no really good brakes to shorten brakepoints or much horsepower to accelerate to a straight is needed.

By the way, there are a few riders that ride the ring faster than Mr. Dähne does or ever did....

[cbrpilot]

I was lucky enough to get to ride an RC30 in the early '90s. Fantastic bike, one of the sweetest handling machines and easiest to ride I've ever sat on. The bike we were riding it against to get a comparison was the OW01 Yamaha, also a great bike. Quite differnt ways of approaching the same goals.

The RC made appox 100bhp, and did about 150mph in standard form, but would corner quite happily at these speeds, allowing the rider to use the bike to it's maximum. Easier to ride, faster you go...

[ahahahascott]

rc30's are the most ledgendary bikes ever, one pulled up to sherburn last summer and everyone went silent

thats why i have the clostest thing i can afford an nc30 :)

[kenbiaggi]

Love both bikes! Rc30 is a legendary bike, prefare the Rc45. what awsome sound that bike made. Endurance race bike are made for long distance and engine are keeped almost standard. I wont coment on some points cause its nonsence. Tecnol..is where the money is! and that tecnol.. is past on to prody bikes.Bikes used for endurance are street bikes not prototype. yam R7 in its day was d most advanced super bike cause it was made for race. all its tecno.. came from motogp and thats why it cost lots.

[EJ25RUN]

some points on yours. Yamaha current 4stroke has been cristened a "big bang motor". This is the same one the 2009 R1 street bike will have. Point 2. The RC30 and even the GP bikes of the early 90's were actually very influenced by the endurance racing bikes like the ones that raced at the Suzuka 8 Hour. The Honda RVF750 and Yamaha YZF750 are examples. Modern fairings are desendents of these bikes. A modern 600 will actually outpace an RC30. I do still feel the RC30 is the greatest ever motorbike

[rc30mike]

Until you've been on one you're talking out your arse. RC30 is well down on power to an R1 or many other bikes but can lay it better, smoother and will win on a twisty track. I've got one now, and had one 15 yr ago in Cumbria against a GSXR1100J and 1000EXUP and neither could get near it, whoever was riding. Only problem now is you've gotta be VERY brave to push it to extremes if its a minter........

[tordenskrald]

i dunno if the rc30 can beat an r1, but i know it's a legend for sure.

dream to own one.

[UnsignedSuperstars]

The RC30 is still probably the best handling superbike ever built, it was a great power to handling package... the RC45 was a lot bulkier and was like a Dodge Viper compared to a Lotus Exige S. If you want a great track bike for club days or ride days you cant beat an old RC30... The R1 cant get the power advantage it has to the ground because it wants to lift the front end all the time....