Hello everyone!

I'm looking to buy an NSR250 in some shape or form in the next few weeks (assuming I can find a good one) but before I really get stuck into looking I was hoping some of you guys might be able to advise me a bit on models etc?

I'm fortunate to have some other bikes but I have always wanted to own another 2 stroke after owning for a short time, a KR1 back in the day. I've settled on a Honda NSR as I like the idea of 90's Honda build quality and I love the looks.

Question is, what model should I be looking for? Is there a particular model that's thought of as being better, or more sought after than the other models? How much should I be looking to spend on a mint bike? Is it worth spending the extra on an SP?

Please forgive me if these are stupid questions, I am very new to the world of NSR's!

Thanks in advance for the help

Best

Luke

Hello Luke, and welcome to NSR-WORLD.

A very subjective question, but here's my personal advice: Go for a 1990~1993 MC21SE. If possible, and it has matching numbers, go for a 1993 MC21SE.

• The 1993 has a better crankshaft lubrication system and 2T oil pump. But don't let it discourage you from an earlier one; all '21s are good.
  
  
• Mechanically, an SP isn't worth the added expense over an SE. You are paying for Magtek wheels (that don't weigh much less) and a paint job! (The MC28SP does have better forks than all the other models though.)
  
  
• Many, parts are still available from Honda for the MC21 (including new cranks), and many parts are still available from aftermarket manufacturers. (Parts for MC16s & MC18s are becoming very difficult to source, with almost all of them discontinued and NLA.)
  
  
• The MC21 can be delimited to around 60hp with a simple [free] wire-splice. Unless you are lucky to find one already sorted, the MC28 can cost in excess of £500 to delimit, and entails sending the PGM-IV (ECU) to Japan. It's a great road bike, but on wide open UK roads, the MC28's 40hp is very limp.
  
  
• An MC21 is likely to cost around £1500 less than a comparable MC28, and an MC21 SE is likely to cost about £1000 less than an MC21SP.
  
  
• The MC21 has the best [stiffest] chassis of all the NSRs.
  

If money is no object, and performance isn't as important (or can wait), then an MC28SP has the best potential for investment, as it's the last of the models. Everyone wants a Rothmans, however the Repsol was the most limited MC28 edition. Expect to pay heavily for it.

Pricing has gone mental! Worthless bikes sell for thousands now! Expect to pay £2000~£8000 for an MC21, depending on condition and spec. (And yes, I've personally seen bikes at both ends of that spectrum... recently!) Add £1500 to the price range for an MC28.

It all depends on how much you want/have to spend, and what you want from the bike. If you want one that reminds you of your old (UK spec, I presume?) KR1, but with 90s Honda quality, then you want a delimited MC21. If you want the showcase model though, then go for the MC28SP.
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Andy.
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Hi Andy,

Many thanks for the information. I'm specifically looking for a bike to ride as opposed to one to look at in my garage but I do want to put what money I have saved up into as safe a place as possible. So, if there is a particular bike that is a 'safer' investment than the others it would be tempting for me and far easier to justify to her indoors!

My KR1 was a UK spec bike. Huge fun and, at the time, the closest thing I could find to the CR's I was riding offroad. Sadly I didn't have it for long as I moved abroad and couldn't take it with me. Looking back though it's still one of the most exciting bikes I've ridden, I guess that's why I've ended up here asking you guys stupid questions! I want to find something as exciting as that old KR1 was but I want one that's better built! Hence, a Honda.

Can you recommend any particularly good dealers? I've seen a few negative things about certain dealers (naming no names) so I was wondering where you think would be a good place to start looking?

Thanks Again

Luke

Hi Pedals, why not try and buy one privately, preferably off someone who has been an NSR owner for some time and have become familiar with the marque, and have ironed out a lot of problems that come with dealers bikes that have just come out the crate. You will almost certainly pay top dollar for a dealer bike, and i have noticed lately that a lot of dealers that are not that familiar with NSR's are jumping on the bandwagon and asking inflated prices for any old NSR, regardless of model, because they have seen the prices asked for good clean late 21 and 28's. There may even be forum members with good bikes for sale, you never know. Everyone wants an SP, but as a lot of collectes are keeping a lot of these stashed away they are going to become harder and harder to find, and people wanting NSR's are going to have to settle for what they can find. As Andy said an SE model 21 is a good bet. It is a minefield, and i would suggest trying to find someone on the forum with a good knowledge of NSR's who is in your neck of the woods, (wherever that is) to go with you when viewing
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Proud Father of , 05 ktm 400exc supermoto 2018 honda crf rx supermoto

Thanks,

I'm in Hampshire, not sure if there are any members down this way?

I'm happy to pay the money for the right bike but I am well aware that I am not educated enough on these bikes to be able to be able to spot a good bike without some expert help! And I can't afford to make a mistake. I would rather pay extra for a great bike and be safe in the knowledge than end up with something that's going to be a money pit.

I guess I'll keep an eye on this forum for anything that comes up for sale!

Lesviffer750 wrote:... It is a minefield, and i would suggest trying to find someone on the forum with a good knowledge of NSR's who is in your neck of the woods, (wherever that is) to go with you when viewing

That advice is pure gold…..(at least from my first experience)...…and also the best advice I could give to you too.

http://www.nsr250.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13513 I'd say,this would be a top buy!If resale is a consideration,then something like this is ideal.It's a 21,desirable model!

[quote="pedals"]Thanks,

I'm in Hampshire, not sure if there are any members down this way?

I'm happy to pay the money for the right bike but I am well aware that I am not educated enough on these bikes to be able to be able to spot a good bike without some expert help! And I can't afford to make a mistake. I would rather pay extra for a great bike and be safe in the knowledge than end up with something that's going to be a money pit.

I guess I'll keep an eye on this forum for anything that comes up for sale![/quote
Well Pedals, Hampshire is a big county, but it seems you are only about 40 minutes away from me, if you need any advice or guidance, i'm sure that between myself and johnnymac (5 minutes from me), who has probably had his hands on as many NSR's as most people on here, we should be able to offer a fair bit of guidance and info. Just give us a shout if your stuck.
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Proud Father of , 05 ktm 400exc supermoto 2018 honda crf rx supermoto

Thanks guys, it's greatly appreciated. I'm sure I'll be badgering you all over the next few weeks!

I will be one to admit my original rothmans mc28 has not been cheap to de-restrict. I finally have it sorted out and am very happy, but if i was going to do this again i would buy an mc21.

There i said it.

My next money pit is likely to be of the floating type.

ericandchi wrote:
My next money pit is likely to be of the floating type.

Any MC28 expense is going to be peanuts compared to a boat! But I'm guessing you already know that!
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Andy.
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pedals wrote:
I'm in Hampshire, not sure if there are any members down this way?

If you fancy a day out one day, drop down to Plymouth and see us at Performance Engineering for a chat. We may even be able to set you up with a bike!

We have a couple of MC21SPs in for work at the moment, and you can have a look round at some of our "other work" if you like. (We also have a cafe!)



We're just 5 minutes off the A38.

Pedals wrote:
I'm specifically looking for a bike to ride as opposed to one to look at in my garage but I do want to put what money I have saved up into as safe a place as possible. So, if there is a particular bike that is a 'safer' investment than the others it would be tempting for me and far easier to justify to her indoors!

...

I'm happy to pay the money for the right bike but I am well aware that I am not educated enough on these bikes to be able to be able to spot a good bike without some expert help! And I can't afford to make a mistake. I would rather pay extra for a great bike and be safe in the knowledge than end up with something that's going to be a money pit.

An MC21SE is your best all-round bet. If looked after, the way things are going, it's never going to lose you [much!] money, and is easily tuned and maintained. You're also less likely to worry about scarring it a little with daily use than you [understandably] would with a spotless MC28SP too.

Whatever your budget, be prepared to spend money on it. We've seen "mint" bikes that needed thousands spent on the motors! If anything, I would look at spending less on the bike, and putting some aside for your own renovation work. Sellers seem to be hiding a lot of demons lately!
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Andy.
NSR-WORLD.COM

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Please DO NOT PM me for technical advice. My time is precious, and you will probably receive a faster response on the Forum anyway.

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Thanks Andy,

I love that 500V.......that's definitely a bit of me. Plymouth isn't all that far. I'll certainly be down your way at some point in the next few months so I will try and pop in. Looks like an Aladdins cave!

Andy wrote:
An MC21SE is your best all-round bet. If looked after, the way things are going, it's never going to lose you [much!] money, and is easily tuned and maintained.

A word of warning and it sounds like you already know....there is no such thing as saving/making money. They seem to be bottomless money pits as you chase one niggly thing or another

Well worth the investment if you think it is for more than just monetary purposes.