Description
Additional photos of this 1985 Honda NS250R are available here for your perusal.
In the mid-to-late 1980s, the small-displacement race replica market in Japan was booming. Legions of bright-eyed young riders were lining up to fork over their hard-earned yen for competition-derived road-legal runners like Yamaha’s TZR250, Kawasaki’s KR-1, and Suzuki’s RGV250. Manufacturers on the island were battling it out on the race track and in showrooms in an ongoing arms race to produce the most trick race bike for the streets. In 1985, Honda launched the NS250R MC11, laying the foundation for its line of quarter-liter oil-burners that followed.
The NS featured a box-section aluminum frame and swingarm, disc brakes, full GP-style bodywork inspired by Honda’s RS250R factory race bike, Honda’s Astralight rims, and a liquid-cooled, 249cc, 90-degree V-Twin engine, two-stroke engine that made 45 hp (at 9,500 rpm) and utilized the ATAC (automatically-controlled torque amplification chamber) power-valve system.
The seller of this example (VIN: MC11-1002034) acquired it two years ago out of a private collection.
The odometer shows 20,131 kilometers (12,508 miles).
“I kept it as a display bike and started it on occasion to keep it alive and well. I have ridden it around the block a few times and it continues to run well today. There is a video of it being ridden:”
The seller states that it recently got a service which included a carb clean. He states that there are no known mechanical issues and that it “starts easy and runs as it should.”
Modifications:
Craftman exhaust.
Aftermarket windscreen.
It has been repainted with a paint job reminiscent of the NS400R.
Cosmetic Blemishes:
The seller notes “general wear and tear for a bike of 20,000 km and 36 years old.” He specifically calls out a cracked left mirror glass and a crack in the left side of the seat cowl that was repaired.
“It presents well for its age and looks the part.”
UPDATE: It has been noted in the comments that there is a welded on the left side above the swingarm pivot:
He sums up this listing by saying “these are very hard to find as they were not officially exported to many countries and only few survive. The motorcycle is running well and is fully licensed with papers up to date. It starts easily and can even be started with your hand. It’s ideal for collectors wanting to complete a set who are missing a MC11. It has a nice old race feel charm about it and is a very cool old bike that brings back good memories of younger days when these were current.”
Currently located in Johannesburg, South Africa, this Honda is offered on a clean South African title. Have any MC11 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the comments!
Iconic’s White Glove process for an auction winner that requires shipping out of South Africa:
This seller is a long time client who has sold quite a few bikes with Iconic Motorbikes – Adam says “it does take a little time but typically but it’s worth the wait as the examples we’ve seen so far from this particular seller are all quite excellent!”
We release money to the seller once it’s dropped off at the transport company. From there we can assist with obtaining necessary clearances. Our container leaving South Africa has filled up – we have another container loading but it won’t ship until it’s full. If you’re patient and can wait for that, shipping will be roughly $1,000-$1,3000 depending on the bike and customs duties. For an LCL shipment, it would cost roughly $2,000 and take 10-12 weeks to get this bike to your door in the US depending on where you live. We can also assist with obtaining a US title, depending on the state.
