RC46 is ???

I've got to know. Is a RC46 a 5th gen, or a 6th gen?

or both?:crazy:

 

5th gen.

Google [RC46 honda] and all knowlege will be yours.

 

It's both, all '98 and on VFR's used the RC46 designation afaik.

 

I did, but since there's references to both 5th and 6th gens as RC46 I thought it might be a mistake

Yes, I guess this is the case. Seems strange though, like maybe 6th gen should be RC47 or something else? I had hoped there was some Honda guru who knows where the designations came from.

 

OK Look. Do this.
On your VIN tag that is on the side of the bike is the Vehicle Identification Number.
The VIN on my 2000 starts 'JH2' (i think that is like "made in Japan" or similar) then the next 4 digits are 'RC46' then a buncha numbers.
The RC46 is the model designation. Find a 6th gen & check it out.

I poked around on EBAY to see if the 2002 & later "for sales" would list the VIN numbers. They don't. But in some of the pictures, you can almost make out the RC#& number.
Maybe somebody here can look on their bike & enlighten us all....

 

The rc46 designation comes from the engine size. It represents the 800 cc size. Side note, that's how RC51 is designated as well for its 999cc engine.

That's why both the 5th and 6th gens share the same RC46 lienage. The engine sizes are the same.

 

RC46 is 5g and 6g model designation on VIN

 

Old, old, old post but I have to correct this. "RC51" is ***PURE*** marketing bullshit by Honda USA meant to evoke the idea that its related to the RC30 and RC45. The R refers to a engine size of between 650 and 899cc (which is why both the VFR 750 and 800 are "RC"). The RC51 is *actually* an SC45.

The codes are as follows:

A (50cc to 79cc), H (80cc to 124cc), J (125cc to 149cc), K (150cc to 184cc), L (185cc to 199cc), M (200cc to 349cc), N (350cc to 449cc), P (450cc to 649cc), R (650cc to 899cc) and S (for 900cc and up).