Hi folks,

my name is Holger from Germany. I'm 51 years, still hanging on to my 2-stroke years when I was 16, and the NSR 250 cured me from a strong "I must have a RGV" feeling

All I found out so far, is that the NSR is a bit less a diva than the RGV. Especially the exhaust steering of the Suzuki engine makes me fear (At least as long it's not modiefied by e.g. the Fischer construction).
The NSR doesn't seem to have a similar problem, consumes a bit less fuel and is, however a Lucky Strike or a Pepsi RGV are as well real cute, even a bit more exciting than the RGV (just my 2 cents).
So, it will be a NSR (probably MC21) and an old word says "having got something is better than needing something"

My favourite design is, as obviously as well as for many others, the Rothmans sceme, but however having read the history overview, I'm not quite sure if I understood correctly...

So are there both types of Rothmans MC21, real SPs and "only" SEs ? If yes, how can one distinguish them?

I ask because I-'m a bit unsure as almost every Rothmans is beeing offered as an SP, but often not one word about a dry clutch. Are these vendors all wrong by mistake or do they just hope to get it sold better if they "label" their SE as an SP?

Please don't misunderstand me; as performance is only secondary for me and the artwork of this bike is prior to me, I obviously don't need an SP if there is an equal looking SE, but of course I don't want to pay the SPs price if it's "only" an SE.

thanks for your help and greetings from Germany
Holger

Welcome Holger
There are quite a few previous posts that can easily searched. Also have a look a the model details on the link on the left-hand side of the site
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Why do things simply when you can complicate them

sp= magtek wheels(magnesium in them) ,dryclutch,diferent sunspensions,different cylinders-heads (height)
with the ebay chinese fairings you need good luck to find original rothmans

Thanks guys !

kostaskk wrote: with the ebay chinese fairings you need good luck to find original rothmans

That's exactly my fear!
Like said before, the Rothmans design looks that good to me that I would probably also take a well converted R or SE but then I of course don't want to pay an SPs price!

I had a look on different history / overview sites (of course as well this one here).
One thing these sites overcome is, that the MC21 Rothmans has been released at first 1992 so every earlier MC21 Rothmans should obviously be a "fake" (while a 1988 MC18 Rothmans can be a genuine SP!).
But unfotunately that doesn't automatically mean that every 1992 or 1993 Rothmans MC21 is genuine
Obviously the wheels seem to be an important characteristic! On the earlier MC18 it seemed to be easier to recognize the Magtek wheels as they were golden painted (?).
But on the MC21 the colour also of the Magtek wheels obviously followed the bikes design.
So is there an easy way to distinguish the Magtek from the cheaper alluminium wheels already on a picture? I tried to distinguish but didn't succeded so far.

Thanks a lot and greetings from Germany
Holger

It is quite a challenge to be sure an SP is genuine as parts are interchangeable. It depends on what your outcome is really. If you want a nice Rothmans NSR with all the correct parts it wouldn't matter to me as long as they are all there, as I would want it to look good, make the right noises and ride well. If it's an investment that's a different matter. There are some on ebay that look like the right spec, but they might need a complete refresh, like this one https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-NSR250-R-SP-MC21-1992-26k-miles/152927591417?hash=item239b31dbf9:g:dnkAAOSws-ta~F-z
By the sound of that bike on their video, it probably needs an engine refresh as well! Quite a few kicks to get it going and then sounded like it wasn't running on both cylinders
If it needs a repaint then it's quite a challenge to get OEM decals, although copy decals are available or some good painters can recreate them. There are some excellant restorers like JonMac who could possibly be persuaded undertake a refresh for you
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Why do things simply when you can complicate them

Hello Holger, and welcome to NSR-WORLD.COM!

It will be very costly and probably difficult to find a genuine MC21SP Rothmans now. There were only 1500 ever made, and are easily the most sought after MC21.

ALL MC21SP Rothmans bikes are 1992 models, but just to confuse the issue, not all will necessarily be registered as 1992!

It's almost impossible these days to tell if a bike is a genuine Rothmans. The frame number will fall between 1060012 and 1069021, and the motor MC16E-1270006~1279027. However, there are no SP specific frame numbers or engine numbers... they were plucked off the production line completely at random. The only people that can tell you what the bike originally was is Honda. I personally wouldn't trust any of the so-called "import specialists" currently advertising NSRs! In my opinion, ALL of the bikes currently advertised by importers are dramatically over-priced, and regardless of how they look on the outside, will still need a small fortune spending on them.

NSR250R MC21R: Wet clutch/basic suspension/Enkei alloy wheels/"H" type barrels and heads
NSR250R MC21SE: Dry clutch/adjustable Fr/Rr suspension/Enkei alloy wheels/"L" type barrels and heads
NSR250R MC21SP: Dry clutch/adjustable Fr/Rr suspension/Magtek alloy wheels/"L" type barrels and heads

1990/1991 Magteks - Gold
1992 Magteks - White
1993 Magteks - Red

Other than the wheels, there are no differences between the SE and SP.

Magtek and Enkei wheels are easily distinguishable... Magteks have a big "MAGTEK" cast into [the outside of] one of the spokes for one! A quick search on the forum or Google will also highlight the differences.
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Andy.
NSR-WORLD.COM

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Hi Andy
Hi all
thank you all for you comments, which were very helpful!
From now on I believe that miracles can happen!
The NSR owners community has got a new member!
Almost a miracle because not far from my home I found a beautiful red-white, honest (no SE or SP) 1992 R in an almost like new condition for a very fair price!

Futhermore it is legaly registered in Germany and even has more than one year until the next technical TUV (DOT?) inspection!
It is very well maintenanced as the previous owner was a Honda technician for over 10 years.
Due to a broken piston ring the engine got new pistons and the cylinders have been renewed incl. new nikalsil coating as well only 300 miles ago.
Just took her home ( from about 150 miles) and however it was my first ride on a bike since 25 years it was like we both have had a hundred rides together. Extremely easy to handle. More than enough (personally for me) power ("open", about 60HP) and everything else like a dream.
I can't tell you how happy I am
I will probably remove the original red-white parts, store them carefully, and order some Chinese Rothmans parts (are there big differeces in quality from the different suppliers? Any recommendations?
(A tank I will have to find additionally as I don't like this ugly plastic cover solution.)
Doing so I will get "my" Rothmans NSR and it also assures that nothing will happen to the original parts (which are like new as you can see!) in case I will once sell her again (which is of course only a theoretical consideration - as she is the the fulfillment of a 28 year old dream, I'm rather sure that I won't ever give her away again)...
Greetings from Germany
Holger

Congratulations! It looks lovely. You could could also look out for a set of used fairings and tank to restore and repaint in Rothmans colours. I got some pattern wings for my MC18 tank and most people wouldn't know they weren't original. Check out http://bike-stickers.com/homepage.htm
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Why do things simply when you can complicate them