Owning a two stroke is a stormy relationship. The highs are massively high, but the lows can be equally depressing!
There's not much else around that will give the same hit as a two stroke, the power delivery, the nimble chassis, the noise and of course the smell!
The NSR was very well screwed together by Honda at the factory, and has survived the years well. Various parts suffer depending on how moronic the previous owners have been, but the motors are generally very reliable, only showing problems when we try to extract more power from them without proper care and attention.
All bikes built after 1989 came from Japan restricted to 45hp, so the first thing on any owners' mind is to release what Honda meant to be there - 60+hp. Done properly, the bike will be just as reliable as in restricted form, since this was it's intended output before legislation castrated it.
60hp is good enough for 125mph, and plenty to embarass the crap riders on their big bikes on a twisty road.
An 'R' is a pretty basic model, but all the parts from the SP can be fitted, giving you a dry clutch, fully adjustable suspension, and magnesium alloy wheels. Alternatively, there are many upgrades from other bikes, to bring the suspension bang up to date, such as the upside down forks Monkey mentioned. Personally, I have simply had my SP forks rebuilt by a pro and they're top notch.
Parts are still easily available, and can be ordered from most Honda dealers - you just get the part number from the site and take it to the shop.
After market fairings, HRC parts, lightweight parts and tuning parts are pretty well covered on the net, though most emanate from the East, so you will have to get them posted in.
A few words of warning! Once you fall in love with the NSR, you may find yourself: penniless but elated, as you fit that exotic new bodywork. Upset yet giggling like a child, as you remember the corner before you crashed as you went round the outside of an R1. Depressed yet optomistic as you strip a siezed engine, and figure out how you can get more power out of it on the rebuild.
Buy with confidence, and enjoy!
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MC21SP Plaything
BMW F800GS Bumblebee
Triumph 9551 Daytona Big boys toy
FJ1100 Sporting relic
GTS1000 oddball
