Description
Please note: While this is a 1990 model, it is titled as a 1988.
Additional photos 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 welcomed the “SP” model, a bike differentiated by its dry clutch, adjustable suspension, and magnesium Magtek wheels. 1990 SPs had a Cabin Cigarettes livery; only 2,500 examples rolled off the assembly line that year.
This example is VIN: MC211014510. The seller purchased the bike 12 years ago from a private party in Northern California.
During his ownership, the seller has covered “a few thousand miles.” The odometer shows 39,257 kilometers (24,393 miles). He notes however, that “I honestly can’t confirm that. Those gauges are so easy to swap, but I can confirm everything on that bike is like new from Clutch to motor which has less than 500 miles on it since rebuild.”
Maintenance:
Per the seller: “The motor was fully rebuilt by Performance Engineering/GT Motorcycles in England in late 2015/early 2016. The motor has probably less than 500 miles since the rebuild. The cases are not stock, as the builder kept them.”
He adds “I have only ever run leaded C12 race gas in it.”
In preparation for the listing, he had us clean out the rear brake line and replace the brake fluid, the coolant, and the transmission oil. We also replaced the taillight bulbs, replaced the petcock o-ring, cleaned and synced the carbs, and serviced the chain. Finally, we installed new Bridgestone Battlax RS10 Racing tires with date codes of 3322 and 3822.
Olly did the work, he notes the following in his condition report:
Tire Years – Front/ Rear: 2022
Tire Life – Front/ Rear: 100%
Tire Press Front/ Rear: 33PSI
Brake Life – Front/ Rear: +50%
Hydraulic Fluid – Front/Rear: Ok, New
Transmission Oil – Level: Ok; Quality: New
Coolant – Level: Ok; Quality: New
Low Beam: Ok
High Beam: Ok
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light: Ok, No rear brake switch
Plate Light: Ok
Killswitch: Ok
Horn: Ok
Battery: 12.70V
Modifications:
Per the seller: “the bike has been gone through, top to bottom and inside and out. Nothing but the best was used.”
RVF 400 front end.
Lindemann Engineering suspension tune.
Brembo calipers, steel braided brake lines.
CBR1000 brake master cylinder.
Custom reservoir mount.
HRC rear brake setup.
Öhlins shock.
Tyga exhaust.
WP steering stabilizer.
Tyga carbon fiber rear hugger.
Tyga carbon fiber radiator shrouds.
Tyga rear sets, Tyga carbon fiber heel guards.
Tyga mirror block-offs.
CRC bar-end mirrors, aftermarket levers, grips.
Rear seat cowl.
Smoked turn signals.
Battery tender lead.
Stickers.
Not pictured is an HRC air box and HRC jet kit.
Inside of the tank:
The sale includes one key.
Extras:
The sale also includes a very rare set of NOS bodywork and two tinted windscreens. The seller states that “gas has never even touched the tank.” Additionally, he notes that “I have other parts here at home” and that “I’m happy to help buyers after the sale with any spares, jets, etc. they may require.”
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Honda is offered on a clean California title with current registration through November 2023. Please note, the bike is a 1990 model, however, it has been titled as a 1988. Additionally, the sticker was applied after the photo set; we apologize for any inconsistencies throughout the album.
Have any NSR250SP stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
