After reading Stephens account of why would Honda change the gearboxes on the 500v at such a late date, it prompted me to jot down what i have been thinking about my own bike for a long time, a 1992 NF5 RS250. For that final year of the NF5, before the NX5 came out in 1993, Honda decided to change many things for one year only, the list included, new shape gas tank, the adoption of USD forks which then meant a new front fender, different cylinders, new exhaust system, new seat, different rear shock, improved pv movement, change to a digital temp gauge, and lots of minor little differences that mark the 92 model out as a one year only exercise. again you think why when next year you will have a completely new model. So as Stephen has already said, why, but as we all know, thats HONDA for you, because we can. I also came to the same conclusion back in the mid 90's when i rode an NR750 back to back with my own RC30, it was heavy and i thought very overated, and once again why. But thats Honda for you, always pushing the envelope and striving for better.
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Proud Father of , 05 ktm 400exc supermoto 2018 honda crf rx supermoto

In my opinion - the last of the NF5's were at the pinnacle of engineering for that model. Apart from a change of ignition rotor from 1990 - the bottom end of the NF5's remained pretty much unchanged throughout the model range. It was continuing research and improvement on the cylinders, reeds and exhausts and particularly, the adaption of USD front forks that really brought the 1992 NF5 to the top of it's game.

Yamaha pipped Honda with it's 1991 TZ250B model as the first V-twin and first with USD forks. Kind of made the stock 1991 RS250 look a bit dated so Honda made changes to the 92 RS250 to follow suit, before taking a complete fresh approach with the significant engineering changes to the new and improved 1993 RS250. Virtually nothing could be interchanged between the models so the new RS250's advanced ahead.

Just a shame Honda didn't make enough spares to keep us all happy with our NF5 model range