To celebrate its long history of Grands Prix racing in the smaller formulas – and to commemorate the 1962 introduction of the 50cc GP class – Honda produced the CB50R as a limited run model. These bikes are very rare in the United States (initially offered in Japan and abroad), and were purportedly assembled by HRC. These are not street legal motorcycles, lacking any DOT approved lighting (plus no airbox, no starter mechanism, etc), and have been gobbled up by collectors since they hit our shores. Most were never really run in anger, if run at all. Thanks to Honda technology, the tiny single piston four stroke rivals similarly sized two-strokers at 7 HP, and spins to impossibly high RPMs. The bike looks retro, which was the intention, but sports modern everything, from the disk brakes to the adjustable Showa suspension.
NEW 2003 Honda CB50R Dream for sale on eBay
From the seller:
2003 Honda Dream 50R
Brand New 2003 HRC Honda Dream 50R Racing motorcycle
Very Rare opportunity to own one of HRC Hondas limited production Japanese market road racing motorcycles It was acquired by the seller in 2003 as new on BILL OF SALEIt has been on display ever since. Never started or used in any way except as motorcycle art in his family room,
It is equipped with it’s 49cc DOHC four stroke single paired with a six speed transmission and finished in silver over black frame.
Feature include black tank strap, racing seat, duel exhaust, 18 inch wheels front and rear disc brakes,
Honda produced a very limited number of 50Rs in 2003 as a tribute the 1962 R 110.
This bike has never even been started unless they test them prior to leaving the factory.
The only one I’ve seen sell other than this one was on Bring a Trailer for $13,000
The CB50R Dream did not come to US shores until 2004, but they were imported by collectors. Due to the lack of road going hardware, importation was streamlined. Since it is not a street machine, these were sold by bill of sale with no title. Most were never ridden, and have very few miles – likely also due to the lack of road going hardware. This is really an homage to a racer from long ago, and most were tucked away in collections, museums and man caves. Not surprisingly, this particular bike still sports the plastic wrap on the seat from delivery and likely has not gone faster (or further) than somebody pushing it around the estate to its parking place. And speaking of pushing, prices have been pushing upwards as well. Originally sold for roughly $5,500, we have seen steady gains on these models. Today’s ask, while relatively high, is not out of line with that trend for such an unused example. Does the Japanese home market import aspect increase the value? We’ll have to wait and see. Check out all of the details here, and Good Luck!!
MI
I think it’s groovey but very weird seeing the rear disc brake. Those tires look like what they put on urban mountain bikes these days. I have ridden 100cc 4 stroke Honda NSF100 bikes before, but 50cc look like it would take momentum imperitive concervation to compete!
Back in the day of mini-bike racing I thought about getting one, but they were painfully, egregiously expensive. The fact that 0 other people bought it didn’t help. An NSR50R would lap it at any go-kart track and it’s unlikely any normal size track would help it. An NSF100 would bury it. It’s HRC sexy bling without much of a purpose. That being said, it’s hella cheaper than a Senna Ducati or an MHRe or several other bikes with 0 miles on it that also never gets ridden and collects dust while looking cool. And it’s easier to place on a shelf because it’s light.
Totally agree with Henway on these – neat bikes but probably most, like this one, have never been started because these are better suited to putting on display vs. trying to find a race series where they make sense, at least in the US anyways. I have one of these and while it does have some really sweet pieces on it, like the head, aluminum catch can etc, its also obvious they cut some corners with other components and went to the parts bin (brakes, steel vs. aluminum tank, plastic vs. metal rear hump and things like that). But still I love the look and it gets all kinds of compliments when people see it in the house 🙂
The price seems aspirational but things are weird the past few years so I can’t blame the seller for giving it a try.
I just learned that there was a sort of the last version of this bike that I didn’t know existed, called TT or something? It had special HRC bits and would rev up to something 18000rpm. That’s more like it! HRC sold the complete bike as well as parts kit.
JB you may be talking about this version of the bike. Honda also made a street legal version (“Dream 50”?) for the home market in a lower state of tune. This (race) version is the only one that came to the US.
Billy B, I think there were two different race versions. One that was made to rev to 13500, and the other one was the TT (or I don’t remember what it was called). Either way, they must be a blast to ride! I’ve never even seen one in person.