There are very few bikes that get riders riled up like Honda’s RS125R. If you’re just looking at displacement, you might struggle to understand why that is. But the many fans of the little racebike tell a story of momentum, agility, and absurd levels of excitement. Want to really learn how to ride on a track? Start with the little GP bike that could.
The RS125R was the last factory Honda to compete in the 125 GP class, and from the beginning it was an excellent privateer race bike straight off the dealership floor. They were offered for over a decade and were the launching point for most of your favorite modern racing heroes.
MSRP was $13,000, though racers at the highest levels would spend another 13 grand in mods by the time they were hitting the track. Wet weight is around 160 pounds and some riders were getting 45 horsepower out of the little two-stroke motor. Here’s a tale from Emma Franklin, Production Editor at MCN, who shares why she loves her ’98 RS125 so much: “All these factors combine to make a riding experience that’s just simply out of this world. Full throttle, sixth gear, tucked in, shut off slightly then barrel in; the RS’s lack of mass makes for corner entry and mid-corner velocities that are simply unthinkable on bigger bikes…It doesn’t matter where I’m riding it or for what reason, whether it’s testing, racing or just a trackday, it leaves me trembling for hours afterwards. I’ve been lucky enough to ride a lot of bikes, but nothing, nothing, compares to this.”
This example is VIN: JR01-9610103. The seller acquired it 13 years ago from a private party.
The bike has not been ridden during the seller’s ownership. There is no odometer, true mileage is unknown.
This bike is being sold by our friends at New Haven Powersports in New Haven, Connecticut. “This bike was in my fathers collection, he purchased it from a customer and put it on display in the showroom. This is a race/track bike only.”
Maintenance:
“No maintenance has been done, the bike has race fuel in it. Bike runs, no mechanical issues. Don’t know when the last engine rebuild was, bike comes with a box of spares.”
Modifications:
Stompgrip tank pads.
Decals.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Dunlop KR slicks that have aged out.
The sale includes several spare parts, including a “head, crankshaft, gaskets, sprockets, chain, fork springs, side stand, spare rims.”
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
“This bike does not seem to be ridden with the paint job, no marks on the paint that I can see anywhere.
RHS: marks on the frame by the VIN plate, scratches on the swing arm, fiberglass cracks by the seat, rear rim scratched on the rim/edge
LHS: swing arm scratches, and exhaust”
Currently located in New Haven, Connecticut, this Honda is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Have any RS125R stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
