UPDATE: Sold for $7,200 – Congratulations!
Until recently, bikes like this Featured Listing Honda NSR250R MC16 were forbidden fruit here in the USA. They were never officially imported here, as their smoky little two-stroke powerplants couldn’t possibly meet emissions standards, and the little sportbikes likely wouldn’t have sold well in a country where 883cc Harleys are considered “learner bikes.” But over in Japan and in Europe where taxes and tiered licensing made large-displacement bikes expensive and impractical, the 250cc sportbike class was hotly contested by the Japanese Big Four manufacturers who were involved in a very real arms race, where the devil truly was in the details. Specifications for the NSR250R, TZR250, KR-1R, and RGV250 look virtually identical on paper, but all four had minor differences that gave them each their own distinct character.
The Honda NSR250R MC16 was introduced in 1987 to replace the earlier NS250R and was, essentially, an entirely new bike. Designed to resemble the successful racing RS250R, the new bike used a liquid-cooled 90° v-twin displacing the expected 249cc with a slightly undersquare bore and stroke of 54 x 54.5mm. Crankcase induction replaced piston-porting and the engine was housed in an all-new aluminum beam frame. The bike was fueled by a pair of Keihin flat-slide carburetors, cylinders were plated by Nikasil, and power was boosted by a pair of electronically-controlled power valves dubbed RC Valves or “Revolutionary Controlled” Valves that replaced the earlier ATAC system. Power was limited in its home market of Japan to 45hp, but 55hp was possible for derestricted bikes.
The NSR250R put that power through a six-speed cassette-style gearbox, a race-inspired touch that made servicing and gearing changes much easier. A 17” wheel was fitted up front with an 18” out back and the bike weighed in at 310 lbs with fuel and oil on board. Power and handling were both excellent when compared to other bikes in the class and the new NSR250R managed to outsell the Yamaha TZR250 for the first time.
I have a clean title 1987 nsr250
Vin MC161015153
– This bike was “edited” to look like Freddie Spencer’s bike.
– Bike has been garage kept its whole life and mechanically all stock including manufacturer label. Number 312!
– It has 3887 original kilometers with the original engine. Runs and rides perfect.
– Fairings oem with an aftermarket headlight cowl. Paint and stickers are sealed with clear coat.
– tires are around five years old. But no signs of wear and they are barely worn.
– New battery and fresh injector oil.
– All fluids topped up
– All buttons and lights work as they should and not a spec of rust with very clean paint.
– Idles perfect at 1100 rpm and shifts smooth. Turns over in one kick.
– Tail cover is scratched from falling off mid ride.
– Some seals are weeping, the ones I have observed looks to be the output shaft, front head gasket, and front exhaust port. Compression on both cylinders reads 90psi. I believe this is due to the faulty seals.
Freddie Spenser Replica
This particular example has been modified slightly via additional graphics into a Freddie Spencer replica bike. If you’re not familiar with him, Freddie Spencer is an American motorcycle racer who competed in AMA Superbike racing in the very early 80s before transitioning to Grand Prix racing, where he won his first world championship GP title for Honda in 1983 at age 21, becoming the youngest rider to ever win the title until Marc Marquez. He rode for a number of manufacturers during his long and varied career, but is most famously associated with Honda, hence the bike you see here.
The bike will need a bit of mechanical attention, as the seller indicates in their description, but otherwise appears to be a clean, unmolested example of an early NSR250R. It has the normal wear you’d expect on a nearly 40 year old motorcycle that’s spent time being actually ridden.
Good luck to the buyer and seller!
-tad
