Originally posted in July, this NSR is back on eBay. Links updated. -dc
This is actually a very nice NSR250R SP in Rothman’s livery, a road-legal version of Honda’s 250 race bike that obviously includes all the necessary lights and signals to keep you looking suitably responsible. The little 250cc two-stroke v-twin pumped out about 45hp as stock, but up to 60 when suitably de-restricted. Which, when pushing a bike that weighs under 300lbs dry, would make it quite the surprise for much bigger machines, considering the snarly little leaf-blower noises and heavy smoke dripping out of the pipes.
1994 Honda NSR250 Rothman’s Edition for sale on eBay
If you’re not familiar with the Rothman’s name, they were a premium tobacco manufacturer that sponsored Honda’s GP motorcycle racing efforts between 1985 and 1993. Their stable of brands also included Players and Dunhill, two other brands famous for their motorsports connections.
This is a very slick little machine, but presents a serious problem for someone like me. It’s way too nice to beat up on the track, and without a title there’s not much chance of you using it on the street, unless you live in a state with a very permissive DMV. So this one looks to be a collector’s item, forever doomed to sit in an office, garage, or museum, never to turn a wheel in anger…
From the original eBay listing: 1994 Honda NSR250 Rothman’s Edition
The MC28 SP bikes represent the fifth generation of Honda 250 two-strokes. They were significantly upgraded from the fourth generation MC21s throughout the bike. The memory card “key” is very slick, the bodywork also had been upgraded for sleeker aero dynamics, and better looks to match the all new single sided swingarm (PROARM). While there were previous versions of the Rothman’s edition, the MC28 SP was the last, and only 1,500 were made. Finding a 1994 Rothmans MC28 SP is quite rare and expensive due to the limited numbers. This is the real thing, not aftermarket bodywork on a plain 250. Check the VIN as well as the official part label on the tail section in the photos.
Bike comes with a limited edition Rothman’s embroidered jacket; size 52 Euro. It also comes with a 1994 NSR250SP Parts Manual (Original), Part # 11KV3RJ5 (in Japanese), code #; D 200.2005.01, 142 pages. You can also see more information about NSRs and an English language service manual at nsr-world.com.
With no valid title, I’m curious as to how this picked up as many miles as it has. The laws regarding what constitutes “road legal” varies from state to state and who knows? Maybe you live in a state where this kind of thing might be doable. I’ve spent most of my life in New Jersey and California, and neither place has a very friendly DMV.
Honestly, I’d be tempted to buy this little dinger, put the beautiful original bodywork on the wall of my office, throw on some Airtech race plastics, put all the road equipment carefully in a box, and ride the living hell out of it.
-tad
This is a very well composed post, Tad. Props to you.
I have one question for NSR250 experts: are those gold zinc plated Phillips head fasteners and washers on the foam instrument panel original? To me, they don’t look hardware Honda would use, but not having owned one I’m not sure. Small detail, but I just wondered- it’s a gorgeous little jewel regardless.
Hi sixthgear,
to answer your question the answer is no, there are no zinc plated Phillips head screws on the dash, having own and original SP myself I can say for sure. Good eye!
if it was orginal body work then why does the glove box cover in the pic fitted all out of place that is one of the biggest problems with the china fairing kits the glove box cover isn’t shaped right and doesn’t fit flush.
Beauty of a bike, but is there really a ‘For Display only’ bike? I mean other than maybe a Britton. HAHA.
Met you testing Superdukes a few weeks ago. Nice post, love the 2strokes. Best of luck out there!
Patrick.
The seat is missing the passenger pad. They’ve also removed the passenger seat pegs which also have a bracket to support the exhaust cans. That seems to be something a lot of folks have done. The stock suspension has and upper limit rider capacity of about 180 lbs. I figure thats a 100lb kid and his 80lb girlfriend. My wife and I are not big, but I am a few pounds over180lbs. She took one look at my mc28 Rothmans and said…well im not getting on the back of that thing….!
And if there is something too big in the seat box it could be pushing the cover out.
I love my NSR and don’t plan to sell it anytime soon.
Hey Patrick! Yeah, that SuperDuke was a pretty amazing bike, pretty much the most intuitive thing I’ve ever ridden. I was down at NJMP last weekend for the AHRMA event, so I saw a TON of two-strokes on-track, including a pack of TZ500s: https://www.flickr.com/photos/53578592@N08/
like they say on southpark
“annndddd…its gone”
.I would guess a previous bidder got a relist notification from ebay and jumped on it.
I have a MC28 with stock plastics and the door for the storage does not always close flush, one of the lower corners always sticks out a little bit. The tail piece on my NC35 where the two tail lights goes never fit perfect neither so this is not just a MC28 issue, but it is not a big enough deal to worry about really. I’d be more worry about the title.