The Honda NS400R is a bit of an odd duck in the annals of rare bike collections. Bigger than a 250 but lacking the brutal thrust of the 500cc smokers, the V-3 two stroke is neither fish nor fowl. Nearly all other two strokes are apples to the NS400R orange. With typical Honda flair and technology, the NSR is finished to a very high standard and offers a more evolved package than the competition. Instead of focusing solely on the HP game, Honda polished the edges and created a softer sport bike. But make no mistake – the NS400R is quite capable of madness in the canyons when piloted by an experienced rider.
1986 Honda NS400R for sale on eBay
To make a NS400R, imagine taking a parallel twin and 90 degree V-twin power plant and stuffing them together in the same case. Retain two cylinders up front, and one in the rear (for packaging). Beef up the single cylinder moving parts to compensate for only having one piston rather than two (to quell vibration), toss in some power valve and exhaust chamber wizardry (ATAC system) and bolt it all to a six speed gearbox. Slide that contraption into a sweet aluminum perimeter frame, bolt up a trick TRAC anti-dive fork and Showa rear shock, and drape it in aerodynamic bodywork with intricate detail (even the kickstand has a freaking fairing!) and you’ve got another Honda masterpiece.
From the seller:
Up for sale is a very rare beast which was sold new in Calgary Alberta Canada and I am the second owner. This bike has sat in a collection for over 20 years and has been started regularly and kept up the way it should have been. I took bike out and have put 250 klms on the machine and worked flawlessly as it should. Everything is 100% and factory Honda not aftermarket ebay panels. These bikes are climbing in value extremely fast and are not going to stop that’s for sure.The only flaw in the bike is a small hairline crack forming by one of the bolts on the faring. I am putting this up for sale this one time for I have found a brand new on in the crate still. Bike is perfect needs nothing at all and is currently located in Alberta Canada with a clear title and can be crated up professionally to ship for an extra charge.
This two owner bike is definitely interesting. The seller does not note the model year, which I sussed is an ’86 due to the “G” digit in the provided VIN (not to mention the big “1986” on the VIN plate). The bike looks clean and is claimed original, but no notes of maintenance or refresh on the running gear – a potential issue for a 31 year old bike with 15,534 on the all kilometer clocks. Certainly it has not set the interwebs on fire as of yet; only a few bids and far below $2k with a reserve in place.
If you are in the market for a NS400R – and there is really no reason you should not be unless you are no longer breathing – this could be your next ride. The bike is located in Canada, meaning that importation awaits US buyers. While that is a negative in this case, it should not be all that surprising considering that Honda never imported these to the States in the first place. You are past the 25 year mark at this point, so for states other than the one at the bottom left of most US maps, it might not be that big of a deal. Check it out here, and then jump back to the Comments section and share your thoughts: is the NS400R too big, too small, or just right? Good Luck!!
MI
The seller’s claim that the bike is 100% factory Honda is simply wrong. Maybe when he buys his new in the crate NS400R he can compare and get his facts straight. Typical bike dealer.
The upside-down and sideways photos are a nice touch.
Comment rules: Add something useful and constructive, and don’t be a jerk. Comments that don’t add value will be deleted. Comments will automatically close after 30 days. Thank you. -dc
Only thing not original is the front windscreen and front signal lights but the front light were an option from Honda in 1986 you could buy over the counter this is not a dealer selling this it happens to be the second owner from which was bought from a family member. The 3 pistons and rings were changed 4200 klms ago. Seen bike today and it’s a master piece.
Looks to be a nice bike but also not original are the exhaust cans, missing upper can heat shield, missing passenger pegs, brake lines, and I don’t see the standard rear cowl and grab bar when the solo cowl is not mounted. Great to finally see another NS400 here, Mine is a keeper.
Jerk? Really? 🙁
I own a very low mileage 100% perfect and 100% accurate Canadian Spec NS400R.
While this is a nice example, don’t call it 100% Honda all original if it isn’t. Wrong solo seat bolts. Wrong front signals. Wrong brake lines. Wrong banjo bolts. Wrong silencers. Missing upper exhaust cover. Missing rear pegs and brackets, wrong windscreen, Flush mount front signals were NEVER an option on Canadian spec bikes. Yes, you could buy them from Honda as they were a Honda item for the overseas market, but they are not correct for a Canadian market bike. The front signals on this particular bike are NOT NS400R flush mount signals. They are far too small. The correct flush mount Honda signals completely cover the base plate.
As for my comment that the seller is a dealer, the seller states on eBay that he is the manager at a motorcycle dealership.
And now…crickets. Go figure.
Auction ended at US $10,345 – bike did not sell.
-Mike