Both Honda and Aprilia offered two-stroke sport bikes under the model name of “RS250”, but the Japanese variant was much more aggressive as it was a production racer available directly from the factory. It was first made available to privateer racers in 1985, going through four different generations until exiting Honda’s lineup in 2009.
As a ’97 model, this is part of the NX5 generation that was introduced in 1993. The NX5 came with a new 75 degree V-Twin motor which was more compact than the outgoing 90 degree engine. Dry weight was only about 225 pounds!
This example is VIN: MR019710109.
There is no odometer, true mileage is unknown.
This machine was “originally imported, set up and raced by Danny Little in AMA250 GP. Has tremendous midrange and great top end power. I last raced this in 2019 with AHRMA. How much power? One time I out-dragged a very small guy on a TZ250 to the finish line at Blackhawk, when we talked afterward he said his TZ dynoed at 77 hp. I don’t know what the RS makes today but since I’m 195 lbs I’d guess it’s 3-6 HP above that.”
The sale includes ~$23,000 of extras: “used but good consumable parts typically listed at 50% value. Used but usable spare pistons listed at 20% of new price. MANY of these parts are no longer available at any price. A GP bike is no use without spares! Some highlights from the spares kit:
– Spare wheels (magnesium of course!)
– Three spare crankshafts, one of which is a brand new/ never installed HRC unit
– Spare engine, assembled w crank/rods/pistons, cyls, heads, gearbox, magneto, water pump (this is the third crank)
– Sixteen rear sprockets and eight front sprockets
– Two more spare cylinders (total of 4 spare cylinders)
– Complete collection of seals, gaskets, bearings, gears, keys, huge gearing collection, many shock and fork springs, pretty much every rate variation that was available for this bike, and every miscellaneous part that you might need
– New spare subframe
– Diagnostics tools
– Spare ECU
– Full wiring harness
– Multiple sets of low-mile pistons that can be dressed and reinstalled with new rings- I have been putting these back in and running out to 500+ miles
– Spare set of carbon fiber bodywork from the QUB RS250R racebike, still in QUB livery (upper and lower) plus various other bellypans and tail sections.
Maintenance:
“Fires right up, runs great, should be gone over as it hasn’t seen the track in 3 years. Motor has approximately 700 miles on the top end and crank. Have always run C12 racing fuel and 927 Castor at 32:1. Stored with propylene glycol in cooling system.”
“Shock and forks have 5 races on them since last rebuild, shock done by Thermosman.”
Modifications:
Repsol livery.
Lassek-tuned motor,”40mm Keihin PWM carbs are one of two pairs that were imported as I was told – the other set went onto Randy Renfrow’s 250GP championship-winning bike.”
SPA stepper-motor tachometer with MPH and RPM recall.
Guhl thermostat retrofit.
Water injection system into headpipe (currently disarmed as reservoir tank has been removed) but if you choose to set that back up it significantly boosts upper midrange.
K&N filter setup in airbox greatly increases crank and piston life. I carefully tracked piston skirt collapse and leak down % and am replacing pistons at 500-600 miles while maintaining 97% effective leakdown at the end of piston life. Ring seal does not drop off with the miles like it would with an open airbox.
Battle shifter.
Brembo RCS front master cylinder with variable ratio.
JollyMoto exhaust.
Titanium fasteners throughout.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Ankeny, Iowa (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Honda is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Have any RS250R stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
Continental US: Haul Bikes will ship anything sold through Iconic for a starting rate of $750 in the Continental US (prices may increase in rural markets), and Iconic will handle the paperwork on your behalf. You do not need to crate your bike or drain the gas/disconnect the battery if you go with Haul Bikes. We are glad to work with the shipper of your choice as well, but you will have to arrange it.
Please note:
spares/extras will have to be shipped separately via FedEx or similar.
the fee includes $15,000 of insurance with a $500 deductible. Additional insurance can be purchased at a cost of $50 per additional $5,000 of value.
$5,000 for US to Europe/Asia is a VERY ROUGH ballpark which includes transport as well as customs fees and duties. Please contact Shippio for an exact quote.
