| Sorry RSF, but the RC45's front wheel was a 16". (The RVF400, on the other hand, had a 17").
However, the small front wheel wasn't blamed for the RC45's handling peculiarities. Steve Hislop thought it had to do with weight distribution. Wayne Gardner too said he thought the '93 Factory RVF's (and the RC45) went in the wrong direction as far as engine placement in the frame and it's effect on turning/handling. Even though Honda claimed the engine sits 10mm further forward in the frame (compared to the RC30), both Factory team racers Arron Slight and Doug Polen talked about chasing the front end as it pushed wide, and of its lack of feedback through the turns. |