This Honda NSR400R was up for sale recently, but did not find a buyer. Hopefully, it will sell this time around! After years of relatively conservative technology, where overhead cams were considered pretty cutting-edge, motorcycle design went into overdrive during the 1980’s and the Japanese, fueled by their 1970’s domination of the market, were at the forefront. An exciting new era of electronics and a futuristic mentality that sought to redefine what a motorcycle could be led to all kind of striking experiments in technology.
Their looks and electronically-actuated suspensions were just the tip of the iceberg: engine configurations also varied wildly. All of the major manufacturers experimented with turbos, and you could find inline four-cylinder cruisers, straight-six standards, and two-stroke V3 sportbikes, like this Honda NSR400R.
The NSR400R was powered by a liquid-cooled, two-stroke 90° V3 that put 72hp through a six-speed transmission. Water jackets quieted the stroker racket, displacement made for more torque, and Honda’s power-valve fattened the power curve for very smooth delivery and made for a very polished package. Combined with light weight and excellent suspension, it was one of the best-handling bikes of the period.
From the original eBay listing: 1985 Honda NSR400R for Sale
Original owner, bought new in ’85 in the crate, all oem with exception of a increased capacity all aluminum radiator. This bike is ready to ride. Needs nothing new bridgestone battleax tires with less than 20 miles on them. I have clear FL title. Never wrecked or dropped, has no dents nor scratches. Has 25,550 kilometers which is around 15,870 miles. Please feel free to contact me with any questions
This bike looks to be in particularly good shape and there are four days left on the auction, with bidding up to $5,000 and the reserve not met. A very cool example from an era that is only just starting to be recognized for the innovations it inspired.
-tad
This bike is so cool!! Love the triple exhaust.
Always a HONDA fan here . However as I always point put I am not a 2-stroke expert , more of a 4-stroke V-four guy . Always thought they were a neat unique bike , however I know from what I have heard that they were not the best handling nor the most powerful bikes in their class . Still any decent survivor bikes from the 80s deserve our attention . Good luck to the seller .
The NS400R is a under appreciated bike, they are beautifully made(better than some in the class), run nice ,are comfortable, sound great, have decent brakes have a real nice transmission/shifting action(unlike some in the class)and are affordable. GLWS
Actually from first hand experience and back-in-the-day peer review, the NS400 was always a superb scalpel-like handling machine.
At 387cc, yes it is under powered when compared to the 397c & 498cc RG400/500s and the 499cc RD/RZ/RZV500s.
72hp is far too optimistic of a number. High 50s/low 60s on a good day for a good condition stock NS400 is the best you could hope for.
As for the design itself, it was no accident and a direct result of the success of the V3 NS500/RS500, albeit with the cylinder layout reversed to give under seat room for street necessities such as battery, toolkit and rear fender.
And yes, the V3 NS400 is often not given the kudos it deserves. Although the prices being paid are somewhat runaway at the moment – but then again, markets only bear what they can bear – but for me the NS400 Is not a $10K bike yet. Hell, I don’t even think the RG500 is a $10K LOL.
You’d be very luck to find a decent rg in the 10k range.
Which is why I haven’t bought 1. 🙂 A decent well sorted track-only RG would be worth 9 or 10K to me, but as a street bike, my personal opinion is folks are asking too much for them. The bikes are getting to a price point where they are being bought and not ridden for fear of not allowing them to appreciate.
Collector car and bike speculation is a wealthy mans sport, I am just a weekend punter than intends to ride what he buys and so leaves the collector investment speculation to the well healed ballers. 😉
The high selling prices of the 500 RG’s and RD’s are dragging up the selling price of NS400s. $10K for one will probably be the norm in a year or two. Collector vehicle economics, It sucks!!!