More Than Just Beer In Milwaukee: 2001 Honda NSR150
It might not be Michael Doohan’s NSR500 but hey it is still a two stroke and still has a nice Repsol paint job. We have had a few of these appear on RSBFS but if you have missed them here is a brief history. They were basically entry level bikes produced in and for the Thailand market. Sales eventually started to slide in Thailand and the bike was later sold in Australia. As an entry level bike you won’t see the usual top spec parts you are used to seeing on a NSR250. Obviously the key was to keep costs down so people could afford the darn things.
Just because it was an entry level bike doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun with it though. With a quick search of the internets I found a tidy NSR150 project on Tyga’s website. A pipe, a larger carb, some mild porting and hey, it is time to have some fun. That is the beauty of two strokes. Once you get past the hard to grasp concepts on how the exhaust gases pressurize the cylinder, they are basically simple machines.
There isn’t a whole lot of info on this bike from the ad. It appears stock and no mention of that allusive title or mileage. A note to anyone selling a two stroke: always mention title status. It is every buyers first question. The price to play? $4000 from the piggy bank. I’m not sure on that one. That is getting into late 80’s-early 90’s, 250cc two stroke territory. If you found a semi- ratty 25o for that same price which would you choose? I’m not saying there is anything wrong with these bikes but when you factor in price, I think people would lean toward a racier 250. A lower price and maybe it would be a different story
This bike can be seen on Milwaukee Craigslist.
IK
For what it’s worth, these bikes are decently fast. I bought one last year and earned a Land Speed Record at Bonneville at 99.7 for under 175cc Production bikes. That speed includes a stock carb.
Very cool. Can any mods be made to the bike for that record or do they have to be bone stock?
The bike has so appear stock per a sales catalog. Certain things must be there, like the stock carb and airbox. It doesn’t say the stock carb has to remain stock – so I bored out the carb. Some port work, ceramic bearing, etc.
Because of altitude, the bike bone stock at it’s best did 82 and change. After some engine work, the fasted trap speed was timed at 102.
I’m really interested in the 150’s but how does it handle on those non radial tires? What about the stock suspenion? I also wonder what the build quality is like since they are made at the honda thialand plant.
I have no complaints about the build quality or the ride. My suspension is stock, and feels confident, although I cannot comment on the condition of this example. TYGA I believe offers a stock replacement or upgrade should you need it.