Description
Additional photos of this 1991 Honda NSR250SP 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 9,500rpm) and utilized the ATAC (automatically-controlled torque amplification chamber) power-valve system.
Constant competition led to quick improvements in the model line, leading to the MC21 generation that was unveiled in 1990. Timing of the RC Valves were now controlled by a PGM-III ECU, it featured the iconic Gull-Arm swingarm, close-ratio gearbox, and smaller wheel diameters, which dropped from 18″ to 17″.
Performance enthusiasts were glad to hear that the “SP” model made a return, differentiated by the dry clutch, adjustable suspension, and magnesium Magtek wheels.
1990 SP’s had a Cabin Cigarettes livery, while 1991s were adorned with a Pentax paint job. Just 1,500 examples were built in 1991.
This example is VIN: MC211015654.
The odometer shows 16,758 kilometers (10,412 miles).
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us clean and sync the carbs, replace the clutch lever, replace the petcock, replace the air filter, replace the spark plugs, replace some windscreen hardware, and install new Bridgestone Battlax RS10 tires with date codes of 3421 and 3521.
Olly did the work, and this is his condition report:
Tire Years – Front/ Rear: 2021
Tire Life – Front/ Rear: 100%
Brake Life – Front: 95%; Rear: 75%
Hydraulic Fluid – Front: Ok; Rear: Ok
Oil – Level: Ok; Quality: Ok
Oil Tank: Ok
Coolant – Level: Ok; Quality: Ok, New
Low Beam: Ok
High Beam: Ok
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light: Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Killswitch: Ok
Horn: Ok
Battery: 12.6V
We also sent out the tail, mirrors, turn signal caps, and fuel tank out for some paint work.
Modifications:
This NSR250 SP appears to be completely stock.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Inside of the tank:
The sale includes one key.
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Honda is offered on a clean Oregon title. Please note that the bike was accidentally titled as a 1992 model. Have any NSR250SP stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
