The 748 cc 16-valve gear driven double overhead camshaft liquid-cooled RC24-derived 90° V4 produced at 9,500 rpm for the restricted Japanese model and @ 11,000 rpm elsewhere. It contained race-inspired components. These included such items as titanium connecting rods (a first on a production bike) that reduced reciprocating weight ( lighter and eight times the cost) and gear driven camshafts. The engine firing configuration was very different from the road-going VFR750F from which it was derived with a 360° 'big bang' crank arrangement instead of the smoother 180°. This feature produced a very broad spread of power and was coupled to the close ratio gearbox which had an extremely high first gear ratio (0 - 82 mph). Slowing down was made easier with a slipper clutch, and impressive braking capability for the era.