Description
Additional photos of this Honda NSR250R SP Pentax MC21 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: MC211069600.
The odometer shows 948 kilometers (589 miles).
This bike came to us from a seller in Japan who discovered the bike after it had been sitting for years. He acquired the bike with 183 kilometers on it, then performed a minor restoration to ensure that it was ready to ride. Please note that the following quotes are translated from Japanese and may not be exact: “All the parts were removed, checked one by one, cleaned and coated, and assembled.”
“As you can see in the image, I was impressed by the cross hatch on the inner wall of the cylinder. This engine has not been overhauled (top or bottom end). The inside of the engine was only checked and cleaned. The outside of the engine was sandblasted and repainted with a non-iron metal coating because it did not suit my taste. The picture of the inner wall of the cylinder was taken from the exhaust port..”
“Regarding the exterior, the front cowl, tank, and seat cowl are the original as they were at that time. The side cowls and center cowl were lost, so they are aftermarket replacements.”
“I changed the color of the wheels, silencer, and seat cowl.”
After his work, the seller rode the bike for roughly 750 kilometers. In preparation for the listing, we flushed the transmission oil, flushed the front and rear brakes, replaced the air filter, repaired a corroded terminal in the rear brake wiring, and installed new Bridgestone Battlax RS10 tires from 2021.
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. Have any NSR250R SP stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
