Race History
Although not designed as a race bike, in 1986 British racer Ron Haslam took a standard VFR750F to third place in a soaked Transatlantic Challenge race at Donington Park, UK.
In the United States Fred Merkel and Wayne Rainey contested the 1986 AMA Camel Pro Championship, which at the time had both Superbike and F1 races but only one championship, with the best finish of the day counting. Merkel just rode in the Superbike while Rainey did the F1 as well. Merkel won two races and Rainey seven but the championship was won by Flyin' Fred Merkel by only two points.
For 1987 Freds bike was passed to Bubba Shobert who took 3rd place in 1987, being beaten by Wayne Rainey and Kevin Schwantz. The points he earned during the 1987 season gaining him victory in the AMA Grand National. In 1988 Shobert won 3 of the 7 races to win the AMA superbike championship.
A very special VFR750F called the '6X', a full HRC prototype containing titanium valves and magnesium flat-slide carburetors and weighing even less than the factory RVF was first seen raced by Wayne Gardner at Suzuka against TT F1 machinery. Wayne trounced the opposition, smashing his 4 stroke lap record by 1.5s.
This 135 hp / 188 mph VFR '6X' was raced at the Isle of Man TT by Geoff Johnson, coming in 2nd to Joey Dunlop in both the F1 and Senior TT
The engine developed in the 6X became the basis for the factory racer, the VFR750R.
An engine race kit was available for the 1986 VFR from HRC for $4,000 (USD), including a titanium exhaust.
Read more about this topic: Honda VFR750F
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