The motorcycle is a very sporty sport tourer, and is powered by a 750 cc (46 cu in) V4 engine developed from the earlier VF750F models.

[1] Compared to its VF750F predecessor, the VFR has significant improvements: The Honda VFR750F uses a 16-valve 748 cc (45.6 cu in) liquid-cooled cast aluminium alloy 90° Transverse V4 engine, with carburettor fueling, and gear-driven DOHC cams.

The transmission was a constant-mesh 6-speed gearbox with a wet multi-plate clutch and chain drive to the rear wheel; (an exception was the 5-speed VFR750P, which had a spacer in place of one of the gears).

[5] Valve adjustment on first-generation VFR750Fs was by screw and locknut, which changed in 1990 to shim-under-bucket, along with the valve-clearance inspection interval to 16,000 mi (26,000 km).

[2] The gear-driven camshaft system removed any lingering concerns about cam-chain maintenance, which had dogged the VF-series engines.

The VFR750 appeared in the following iterations: The RC30 and RC45 750cc V4 models were road-legal racing motorcycles, so comprehensively different from the standard VFR750 bikes as to be altogether separate entities: Production of the VFR750F ceased in 1997, its replacement being the fuel-injected VFR800Fi.

Almost identical to its VFR750F sibling, it had a shorter stroke, different cams, altered ignition timing, an upgraded rear shock and fork internals, square instruments, and no "750" graphic on the lower fairing).

Pillion footrest mounts were changed from being integral to the rear subframe to bolt-on cast aluminium assemblies.

[14] The MkII RC36-2 (the last of the VFR750F models before the introduction of the VFR800Fi in 1998) received some 200 modifications in 1994: a stylish new front fairing (not unlike the Honda NR750's) and a lighter alloy frame and swingarm.

[15][16][17] Other changes included different brakes, new wheels and silencer, a new riding position, adjustable rebound damping for the rear shock, a 10 kg weight reduction, and a larger capacity tank (increased from 5 to 5.5 gal (19 to 21 L)).

In 1986, British racer Ron Haslam took a standard VFR750F to third place in a soaked Transatlantic Challenge race at Donington Park, UK.

[23][better source needed] A modified, 'special' VFR750F called the '6X', a 135 hp@13000RPM 188 mph full HRC prototype using, RVF cycle parts and containing titanium valves, magnesium cases and flat-slide carburettors, weighing 165 kg (364 lb) (dry),[2] less than the factory RVF that was first ridden by Wayne Gardner at a Suzuka test against TT F1 machinery.

[citation needed] For 1987 Merkel's bike was passed to Bubba Shobert who took 3rd place in 1987, being beaten by Wayne Rainey and Kevin Schwantz.