I bought my RS with just 300 miles on the clock from a dealer I didn't particularly trust. Sure enough, a disturbing rattle appeared. Took the cover and various bits off to get at the balance shaft tensioner. There wasn’t any adjustment left, so I took the circlip off and repositioned the adjuster. Not a good start. Once everything was back together the rattle was gone and the bike was much smoother.
I had started off by running the bike in properly, not exceeding 5000rpm for the first 400 miles. Then a berk in an Escort swerved in front of me, but I managed to miss him. As I went past I kicked the side of his car with a steel toe capped boot - it left quite a dent. The eighteen stone monster in the driving seat tried to grab hold of me but I rode off, revving the Honda to 8000rpm in my haste to escape. So much for running in.
I used the RS as a hack for going back and forth to work and figured the Honda would be reduced to scrap after the winter weather, but, except for the alloy wheels, the thing was unscathed despite use every day.
At 6000 miles the original chain was shot and subsequent replacements lasted only 4000-5000 miles. The tappets needed fairly frequent adjustment until 6000 miles when they didn’t require any more attention.
The handling was good around town and on country bends, but above 70mph the front end went light, giving the feeling that it was going to go airborne. On motorways it felt horrible but on long runs would give 80mpg and the bike felt happier, apart from the stability.
With 10000 miles on the clock the front brake caliper seized and it needed new tyres. The calipers pins needed abuse from a hammer and the piston didn’t come out until I connected it up to a diesel pump test bench - 600psi for half an hour! It was cleaned up and reassembled with anti-scuffing paste. It was better than new and hasn‘t given any trouble since.
With 12000 miles on the clock I was descending a long steep hill with the throttle closed [when the engine stopped. No compression when I kicked it over. Had to push it home but it started first kick next morning.
By 25000 miles the RS was on its 25th oil change, 6th spark plug, 3rd set of tyres and 6th chain.
On one outing to Scotland, with a well loaded up RS, the bike stopped running at some traffic lights. No compression... I eventually got the compression back by pushing the bike backwards! (How does that work then? - Ed) The next 1000 miles were trouble free.
Scotland is great RS country, with those bends, good road surfaces and that scenery. The RS gave 100mpg tootling about and used absolutely no oil.
With 30,000 miles on the clock I was going to trade the RS in but could only get £150 for it, so bought a Motad, a new set of brake shoes and pads and touched up the paintwork. The bike still went well, made no nasty noises and the suspension was still quite taut.
I had used the RS every day since I bought it, so it was like losing an old friend when one day instead of the RS there was an empty space in the car park. I would recommend an RS to anyone. Nice one Honda, shame about the rest of the range.
William Gould