Update 2.8.2023: This bike has SOLD! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc
4 Responses.
Posts tagged as “MC28”
Oh god, I can only imagine the backlash in the comments as our unofficial Honda Week rolls on! Today, we’ve got a clean MC18 version of the NSR250R, Honda’s little two-stroke sportbike that took the fight to the Suzuki Gamma, Yamaha TZR, and Kawasaki KR-1. And like those bikes, it was a technological powerhouse, squeezing maximum power from the tiny engine. Introduced in 1987, these never officially made it to our shores, but are now old enough that they can be legally imported and registered in most states.
The original NSR250R MC16 was followed by the MC18 seen here in 1988. It was powered by a compact, lightweight, crankcase-inducted 249cc 90° v-twin that used Nikasil-plated cylinders for a slightly undersquare 54 x 54.5mm bore and stroke. An early version of Honda’s PGM electronic ignition and their electronic RC or “Revolutionary Controlled” powervalve gave a more flexible spread of power, and a six-speed cassette-style gearbox put power to the 18″ rear wheel that was matched to a 17″ front.
From the original eBay listing: 1988 Honda NSR250R for Sale
For sale is a 1989 Honda NSR 250 two-stroke motorcycle with rare hard to find CA title and registration for street use. The bike was just serviced so it is in running condition with everything working, it has been owned by its last owner for over 18 years. It is in good shape for its age but it is not perfect. If you have any questions feel free to send me a email.
The odometer shows 17,590km, which means the bike has a little less than 11,000 miles on it. No problem if the bike has been properly maintained, and it has that all-important California title that should make a trip to the DMV somewhat less painful if you want to register it here… Probably. The MC18 is less desirable than the later MC21, let alone the MC28, but it’s still an NSR250R and should go for a good bit less: bidding is up to $3,856.00 with several days left on the auction.
-tad
2 Responses.
Update 10.26.2019: This bike has SOLD! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc
If you’re a fan of four-stroke motorcycles, two-strokes like this Featured Listing Honda NSR250R MC28 can be a little… underwhelming, the first time you see, and especially hear one. I mean, even with aftermarket pipes, they make an oddly weedy sort of zing as they rev, and generally sound like you’ve strapped a couple of leaf-blowers with fueling issues to your bike. But fans know that’s the sound of a pure, simple, and utterly focused bike that emphasizes handling over brute power. And the MC28 was probably the most sophisticated of the breed and, until recently, very hard to get a hold of here in the USA.
The mechanics of a two-stroke are inherently primitive, and not very eco-friendly, since lubricant is mixed with the air and fuel in a constant-loss system that will spew heavy, oil-rich smoke from the tiny exhaust cans. But that simplicity means a two-stroke engine is incredibly light weight, and makes pretty spectacular power for a given displacement. If you come from a four-stroke mentality, a 250cc sportbike sounds very unimpressive, but bikes in the class weighed in at around 300lbs and could make as much as 55hp at the wheel when properly tuned, or even a bit more if you didn’t mind the occasional engine seizure…
The original NSR250R MC16 was introduced in 1987 and laid down the pattern the others would follow, with a 249cc 90° v-twin that featured an RC powervalve, and PGM electronic ignition, and a six-speed gearbox, wrapped by an aluminum beam frame. The final MC28 version of the bike seen here debuted in 1993 and added a slick ELF-designed Pro-Arm single-sided swingarm and trick PGM-IV electronic ignition system to the mix, making it one of the most advanced sportbikes of any displacement available at the time.
Today’s example has incredibly low miles and has had the wheels painted white to match the bodywork for an extra dash of 90s style. It’s currently located in British Columbia, but shouldn’t be too hard to register here in the US, depending on where you live. California residents, as always, should visit their local DMV with a sack of unmarked, non-sequential bills and a bottle of good scotch…
From the Seller: 1994 Honda NSR250R MC28 for Sale
Up for sale is a beautiful 1994 Honda NSR250R MC28 with only 1,000km (622 miles). Bike is almost in mint condition. It had a stress crack on the right upper cowling around the blinker that has been professionally repaired. You can see the repair from the inside of the fairing but the outside looks perfect. All fairings are genuine Honda 100%. Bike is completely stock, like it was on the Japanese dealership floor in 1994. No dents on the tank (the tank itself was professionally cleaned and rust-proofed in 2018), one tiny chip in the paint. Wheels were professionally refurbished in 2018 and converted from red to white, which as a personal preference, was a game changer for how the bike looks. A brand new OEM rubber chain guide is included in the sale. Only a few handling marks not worth mentioning. Bike looks awesome. Just serviced with new fork seals (2017), new battery (2018), new engine fluids (2019), and Dunlop Sportmax Q-14’s installed front and rear in 2017. Runs like the day it was new.
This NSR was purchased from a dealer in USA in 2017 and can easily be returned to the USA market. I’m happy to deliver this bike to Blaine, WA 98230 to provide an easy loading point for any USA-based buyer. Bike is currently titled as a streetbike for road use in BC, and had similar title in USA. Thank You For Looking. Call 250-588-8775 for more photos or questions.
Price: $12,500
Well, the completely stock condition might mean you’re stuck with Japan’s government-mandated 45hp, but the MC28 version is much harder to de-restrict than earlier versions and originally required a hard-to-obtain HRC ignition card to unleash the full power. For collectors, it means that the stock electronics and wiring harness haven’t been monkeyed with, and 45hp is still plenty of fun in a 300lb package, if the new owner plans to ride it. Aside from the minor fairing damage the seller describes and the non-original paint on the wheels, this thing should be immaculate, given the mileage.
-tad
Pretty much the only way this Honda NSR250R could be more desirable would be for it to be in Rothmans colors. Honestly, I’m not even the biggest fan of race-replica schemes, but nobody does them like Honda, and the Repsol colors are a close second. But even in its “generic” colors, the MC28 version of Honda’s two-stroke sportbike represents some of the most advanced technology of the time, from the obvious, ELF-designed Pro-Arm single-sided swingarm to the very trick PGM-IV electronic ignition system.
That single-sided swinger increased weight, compared to a more conventional design, but Honda’s PGM-IV was incredibly advanced. The bike still used a pair of carburetors to fuel the 90° liquid-cooled two-stroke v-twin, but every other component was cutting edge, taking sensor input from the throttle position, gear-selection, and rpm to create three-dimensional ignition maps for each cylinder and adjust Honda’s RC “Revolutionary Controlled” Valve.
There was no conventional ignition key on the MC28. Instead, you need one of Honda’s credit card-sized… cards that also housed the bike’s ignition map. De-restricting the MC28 is particularly difficult, since, ideally, you’d need to locate one of the factory HRC cards with a full-power map, or you’re stuck with the government-mandated 45hp. The SP version of the NSR seen here added a dry clutch to hook the 249cc twin to the six-speed cassette gearbox, along with lightweight Magtek magnesium wheels for reduced unsprung weight and a bit of additional flash.
From the original eBay listing: 1994 Honda NSR250R SP for Sale
1994 Honda NSR250SP
Credit card model
HRC parts
Repsol colors
TSR expansion chambers and exhaust
TYGA triple crown
Ohlins shock
TYGA digital gauge
Racetech forks
Nissan disc brakes
Michelin tires
Excellent condition
Runs fantasticCall or text for fastest response. 949-290-5162. Thank you, Brian.
Great bike, but so many questions. Why is the mileage listed as “NA”? It’s located in California, but does it have a California title? Has it been de-restricted, or is it still rocking the Japanese-market 45hp? All of these things could conceivably influence the value of the bike significantly, and the $10,400 Buy It Now price suggests that the answer to the last two questions could be “no,” but it’s definitely worth messaging the seller if you’re interested in the bike.
-tad
3 Responses.
Sometimes, the very final version of a car or motorcycle is a pale shadow of the original, as the years inevitably add pounds and dilute the purity of what made the original example so desirable. But the Honda NSR250R went out with a bang instead of a whimper, at the top of its game, and is considered by many to be the best of the series. The MC28 might have put on a couple pounds compared to the previous MC21, owing largely to that very cool ELF-designed Pro-Arm single-sided swingarm that was heavier than the double-sided aluminum units that preceded it, but the bike was packed with cutting-edge technology.
There were three versions of the MC28, the standard R version, the SE that came with a dry clutch, and the SP that included the dry clutch and a set of lightweight Magtek wheels. This example is the regular R, but all MC28s are pretty special and come standard with that Pro-Arm swingarm, a 90° liquid-cooled two-stroke v-twin and a six-speed cassette gearbox for easy, track-side gearing changes.
The two small combustion chambers were still filled by carburetors, but the charge was ignited by what was probably the most sophisticated electronic control system available on a motorcycle at that time. The fourth iteration of Honda’s electronic ignition was called, naturally, “PGM-IV.” The system took in sensor input from the throttle position, gear-selection, and rpm to create three-dimensional ignition maps for each cylinder and adjust Honda’s RC “Revolutionary Controlled” Valve for maximum power and response.
The biggest concern if you’re looking at a NSR250 is whether or not it has been de-restricted: power for the Japanese-market 250s was limited to just 45hp, and it can be very difficult to unleash the bike’s full potential without the HRC version of the ignition card that functions as the MC28’s key. The seller doesn’t mention whether or not this bike has already been de-restricted, but it’s worth a quick email to the seller as this will affect the value and desirability, especially for anyone interested in riding this little machine in anger.
From the original eBay listing: 1994 Honda NSR250R MC28 for Sale
This is a 94 Honda NSR250 MC28 v-twin 2-stroke sportbike with credit card ignition and only 6000 kilometers (3600 miles).
Clean North Carolina title with the correct 11 digit VIN. These are quite rare to find in the US as they were originally only sold in Japan, and this is the lowest mileage example I have ever seen here in the US. It is completely stock and all the controls are tight and smooth as you would expect on a low mileage bike. I bought this bike in 2011 after it had been removed from storage, fluids changed/replenished, new tires mounted, and new chain installed. I start it up several times a year and ride it occasionally but I doubt I have put over 200 miles on it since I have owned it. I recently put a new battery in it and disassembled the carbs to clean the bowls and jets out. It starts and runs as it should. I don’t need to sell this bike but I have a lot of other toys and feel it is time to turn it over for someone else to enjoy if that person is out there. Tool kit is in place and I also have the passenger seat pad. Rear stand and indoor cover is included. Has one scuff on the right side of the tail section that has been touched up, and the rear of the right lower is discolored. Other than that, very minor blemishes only. Not really interested in any trades.
Winning bidder must pick up bike in person in Charlotte, NC and pay in cash. Title will be signed over at that time. Willing to discuss shipping if you make all arrangements to have your carrier pick bike up at my house after all funds have cleared.
The Buy It Now price for this NSR250 is $10,000 which is reasonable for a nice, clean NSR250 with a US title. The MC28 included some of the most advanced technology ever available in the two-stroke 250cc class, and is thought of by many as being the best-looking of the breed, with the cool single-sided swingarm providing the visual flourish that seals the deal. Unfortunately, residents of states like California might be out of luck, as titling can prove impossible for a bikes less than 25 years old. Of course, if you “know a guy,” or “know a guy that knows a guy” then you can probably make that happen but, if you’re in a state where registering this might prove possible, it’s a huge help that this bike comes with a clean US title. Otherwise, maybe just buy it and display it for a couple years before you try to register it. Certainly, the last of the Honda two-strokes will only going go up in value.
-tad
10 Responses.
When it comes to competition – performance AND style – you simply cannot beat the 250cc two-stroke market. Designed both for capturing regional buyers where licensing regulations restrict capacity and to bolster the corporate image of the company related to GP racing, the quarter-liter smoker is one of the more focused sporting machines you are likely to find. All of the Big Four competed heavily in these 250 battles, and the result is an aging crop of razor-sharp racers that collectors lust after. Never officially imported into the United States, any of these grey-market interlopers are rare. Fewer are in clean, corrosion-free condition. And even fewer have a title for road use Stateside. This 1996 Honda NSR250R ticks all the right boxes. Read on!
Featured Listing: 1996 Honda NSR250R SE MC28
The Honda NSR250 series has proven to be one of the more popular models for importation. Part of this is due to age: the original 250 racer was born in 1985, while the street bike emerged in 1987 and therefore slides under the 25 year old rule for US imports. Unlike the Suzuki Gamma, Honda stuck with the same basic format throughout the model run; all NSRs are 90 degree vee twins. For the next decade or so, Honda continued to ramp the hyper-factor on what could only be referred to as a “racer with lights,” finally closing the door on the model in the late 1990s due to ever-tightening emissions regulations, changes in racing classes, and improvements in four-stroke technology.
Today’s Featured Listing is the vaunted MC28 variant of the NSR250R. This bike is still a bit newer than the 25 year rule, and therefore more rare to find imported and titled in the US. The MC28 is pretty trick by 1996 standards – check out the single-sided swingarm. While other manufacturers were implementing “banana” style arms to help the right-hand side pipe tuck up tighter for better cornering clearance, Honda did away with the right-side arm altogether, improving the tire changing experience and the style all in one fell swoop. The MC28 also introduced Honda’s PGM-IV electronic ignition. This programmable ignition mapping system took input from the throttle position, gear-selection, and RPM to create specific ignition sequences for each cylinder. This system also took control of the exhaust valve, ensuring optimum settings for peak power. In short, the MC28 refined the two-stroke tuning experience and made it as simple as using a key card.
From the seller:
Up for sale is a rarely seen Honda NSR 250R SE Repsol edition MC28. This bike is the cream of the crop. There are only 9,102 kilometers (5,656 miles) on this beauty. This NSR is in mint condition with only a few nicks and handling marks. Bike passes for new condition. Comes equipped with very tasteful and expensive mods: Ethos Design full exhaust system with carbon fiber mufflers, Tyga rear sets, Tyga carbon fiber front fender, heel guards, air intake and carbon fiber dash surround. Engine is completely stock.Fairings 100% original OEM Honda. The upper cowling is fiberglass FRP made in Japan. Very nice finish and is prized in Japan for high quality. The rest of the fairings are genuine Honda OEM.Bike is ultra clean and very well cared for. Tires are very fresh and the bike runs like the day it was new. Full service with carb tune just completed. This is the bike everybody wants in their collection. Bike needs nothing! No problems, no stories, no excuses. This Repsol comes with a Utah state title and is titled as a street bike for road use. Comes with one key card.
This particular MC28 looks fantastic in the classic Mick Dohan Repsol livery. And to compliment an already great machine, this one appears to have quite a bit of the Tyga catalog thrown its way to boot! The Ethos full exhaust is icing on the cake. Unlike much of what we see imported out of Japan, this bike is a cherry rider that looks clean and collectable. This is a bike you can park in your man cave with pride, yet begs to be taken on a canyon-carving session on the weekend. The seller is an avid collector, is well known to RSBFS readers, and has garnered nothing but positive feedback according to readers who have become new owners of some of his bikes. Check it out here before it’s too late. This one has had TONS of internet interest and will be going to a new home soon. If you lust for an NSR250R, this may be your best chance to realize that dream. Good Luck!!
MI
From the “jeez, if you’re going to post your bike for sale, couldn’t you at least wash it” files comes this Honda NSR250R MC28. Early NSRs have become relatively common on this site recently, with containers full of them coming over from Japan, now that they’ve become relatively easy to register in some parts of the US. But the MC28 version is still pretty rare here, as it isn’t yet 25 years old and is pretty much the ultimate development of the successful NSR formula. The MC28 features many trick parts, like the single-sided swingarm and Honda’s PGM-IV electronic ignition that interpreted throttle position, gear-selection, and rpm to create three-dimensional ignition maps for each cylinder and to adjust their RC “Revolutionary Controlled” Valve for improved power and midrange response.
All that technology served a 90° liquid-cooled 249cc v-twin backed up with a six-speed cassette gearbox. As has been discussed at length, these were restricted to 45hp in their home market and, depending on the model, it can be a real pain to release their full potential. Especially in the case of the MC28: that very cool PGM-IV ignition system uses swappable ignition maps stored on “smart cards” and, unless you can track down a nearly unobtainable HRC card with “race” maps, you’re kind of stuck. Supposedly, work-arounds do exist for this issue, but be sure to consult with an expert and proceed at your own risk…
It may be hard to see under that layer of dust, but this is a pretty nice bike, a few superficial scratches aside. The seller indicates that quite a bit of work has gone into it.
From the original eBay listing: 1996 Honda NSR250R MC28 for Sale
I won’t start by saying that is a GP replica and is a fast bike for a 250cc. If you are interested in the bike you know about it….
- The bike has a complete engine rebuilt
- all Honda parts
- rebuilt complete crank (all the bearings)
- all seals
- all gaskets
- clutch
- tires
- chain & sprockets
- the rims are powder coated
- all electrical working
- PGM4 on the bike with one card
Fairings are OEM Honda not after market and they are in great shape no cracks at all
I have the bike for 3 years and I have done only 1500km on the engine. The bike is stored indoors all year and I start the bike every 5-6 weeks. I am just changing the fork seals this week (the one tube has a very small leak). The bike needs nothing just a rider to enjoy the ride. I have rebuilt the bike myself I have register and plate it here in Canada ON. The bike come complete from japan in boxes and I assembled it here. With the bike I have some parts that they come with it. 1 set of complete exhaust (you have the option Dog Fight or Ethos) The bike comes with stock.
1 set of front forks USD from a VFR400 NC35. You need to get the upper and lower fork clams and you install them on the bike. The bike comes with stock forks. As you see on some of the pics the forks and the exhaust I had them on the bike but the bike is complete stock now. The bike is located in Toronto Canada.
Bidding is up north of $6,000 with the Reserve Not Met, which is no surprise, considering what earlier NSRs go for these days. Even more so than usual, be sure you know what you’re doing before you buy this if you plan to register it for road use. It’s still a few years away from that magical 25-year mark, but maybe now’s the time to scoop one up for your collection, with an eye to registering it down the road.
-tad
2 Responses.
Update 11.21.2016: The seller has contacted us and let us know this NSR has sold. Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc
Many two-stroke fans would’ve been thrilled to locate and federalize the last generation of a small-sports dynasty – an MC28-spec Honda NSR250R-SP. But this Florida owner has re-imagined the NSR 250R with blueprinted engine, Yamaha upside-down front end, and full Tyga fairings. The updates were part of a frame-off restoration, with most parts being re-finished or upgraded. Though it appears destined for the track, the bike is titled in Tennessee and could be made road-ready.
Built just 1994-96 and never available in the states, the 60 hp v-twin was a significant revision to the previous MC21 with ProArm single-sided rear, digital dash, and PGM IV electronically controlled ignition. The aluminum box frame and dry clutch helped keep weight to 300 or so lbs. The NSR250R reviewed as a razor-sharp handler which required a skilled rider to keep the momentum high, using the great brakes, on-off engine, wild available lean angles, and no engine braking.
The build for this NSR reads like a catalog page from Tyga, a Thai-British manufacturer and tuner. De-restricting the engine using PGM-IV requires a “racing” card and wiring harness, the owner has both, as well as modified airbox and lightened flywheel. An expansion chamber and carbon-kevlar mufflers from Jha have been installed. A more modern Yamaha front suspension has been installed, with 6-piston brakes. The full Tyga bodywork has been tastefully painted and stickered so as not to compete with the sound of the dry clutch and 13,000 rpms. Also included is a 300cc engine kit, a substantial power increase.
The owner’s list from the eBay auction:
Entire frame up engine and motorcycle restoration, powder coated Frame, Swingarm, & Magtek Wheels, bike come with matching Tennessee title, bike is street legal and can be registered for road use
1) PGM with HRC 030 card and I have stock card
2) New Crank and top end – with matched cylinders
3) Oil injection is blocked off and uses pre-mix only
4) Carbs are jetted
5) Hi flo reed stuffers, with carbon reeds
6) JHA 500V exhaust with carbon kevlar silencers
7) Lightened flywheel
8) Stock airbox with cutout section and aftermarket filter
9) De-restricted wiring harness
10) Lower cylinder head has been upgraded with an upper cylinder head conversion for better burn
11) TYGA GTP body work and custom paint job
12) TYGA new 300 kit sold with bike complete extra top end
13) Yamaha entire front end
14) New Dunlop Q3 tires front and rear
No question, this is for a distinctive rider, on the lower end of the size and weight chart, but well experienced on the racetrack. Beyond distinctive, the customized NSR 250R-SP racebike is a singular machine, especially considering its recently completed condition. This bike/rider combination could lead to some epic days. The asking price is $16,600 or best offer, and the owner can be reach at 954-809-8596
-donn
18 Responses.
