Update 4.28.2018: SOLD! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc
Despite giving up 100cc to the competition, Honda’s mid-’80s GP replica made waves when it was new for its build and ride quality, which proved hard to match for the 500cc offerings from Suzuki and Yamaha. Though the bigger bikes easily outpaced the Honda, Big Red’s homage to Freddie Spencer made a pretty sweet street bike in its own right.
Loaded with mouthful acronyms, the bike was tech-heavy, featuring anti-dive forks and exhaust valves that aided the characteristic low-RPM torque woes. The bike put out 72 horsepower, which had a little under 400 pounds to push around, so its lack of performance was purely relative. There are still plenty of ways to scare yourself aboard an NS400.
This 1985 Honda NS400R recently was imported from Japan, and by the looks of things has been fairly well maintained and is fairly clean. The obvious caveat is that it does not have its lower fairings, which will be a dagger for serious collectors.
From the seller:
1985 Honda NS400R / NC19 – a street-legal 3-cylinder 2-stroke GP race-replica of Freddie Spencer’s GP winning NS500 – somewhat similar to the contemporary Suzuki RG500 Gamma (I have one as well) and Yamaha RZ500 – both of which I have had many over the years. What the NS400R gave up in power, it made up for with sweet handling.
Unmistakable sound, smell and performance of a two stroke road bike. Rare when new – this is a lot of history and performance for the money. Here is a quick walk-around – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17iRwpVf8TE
I do not have the original belly pan, but parts are available out of Yahoo Japan. Well priced for a collectible / rider and easy to enjoy at this price.
1985 Honda NS400R Specifications
Engine – liquid-cooled 3-cylinder 2-stroke
Capacity – 387cc
Bore/stroke – 57 x 50.6mm
Power – 72bhp @ 9500rpm
Torque – 37ft-lb @ 8500rpm
Carburetion – 3 x 26 mm Keihin flat slides
Transmission – 6-speed, wet clutch, chain final drive
Frame – Box section alloy
Suspension – 37mm telescopic forks TRAC anti dive. Pro-Link rear
Brakes – 256mm discs, 2-piston, floating-calipers. 220mm disc, 2-piston, floating-caliper
Wheels – 100/90 x 16, 110/90 x 17
Weight – 163kgs
Top speed – 135mph
Wheelbase – 1362mm
Fuel capacity – 19ltrs
If you’re in Seattle, run by seller Sodo Moto and take a look at this rare and interesting machine. Asking price has been reduced from $8,500 to $6,750.
