Hi, how are you doing? I'm new in the forum.
I'm from Argentina and I have bought a nice Honda NSR 150 RR

So, I was doing some work on this bike and a have a few questionsm if you can help me.

1) I have the service manual from the SP model. But I'd like to have it from the RR. Does someone have it? In any language.
2) I'd like to know how long is the fork springs. It seems that it is different
3) What viscosity do you use in the front forks, and what level? I have 10w and it is too soft. But maybe the fork springs are worn out. It seems the volume of fork oil that goes into the SP is different than the RR.

So far, that's all. I have done some work on the bike, and now its running very well. I really like this bike! I hope someday I get a 250, but they are very rare in Argentina.

Some pics of my bike:

Hi
You may be able to work out some of the differences from the part numbers here https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-nsr150rr-1993-p_model50042/partslist/#.XmJVCkB2uUk
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Hi "niksfish", and welcome to NSR-WORLD.

I think you're the first 150RR owner here! We have a couple of members with the 150SP, but none with the RR.

I do know someone who may be able to help though, so watch this space.

By the way, your bike looks to be in great condition for its age!
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Andy.
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RobH wrote:Hi
You may be able to work out some of the differences from the part numbers here https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-nsr150rr-1993-p_model50042/partslist/#.XmJVCkB2uUk

Hi, RobH. Thanks. I have downloaded that part catalog. All I can get from that is which parts are different, looking at their number. It doesn't give any information about dimensions or anything else. I have taken notes about what are the exact differences between the SP and RR models:

The connecting rod is the same, and all of the engine, exhaust, front suspension, is slightly different. The rear is the most obvious difference, since the SP is a pro arm and the RR is the classic system with two arms.
So... I read that both models were sold at the same time, the SP being the most expensive version... But why would they do that? I don't think the small differences (besides the pro arm) would be significant in production cost. It's only about 1.5 hp...

Hi "niksfish", and welcome to NSR-WORLD. Smile

I think you're the first 150RR owner here! We have a couple of members with the 150SP, but none with the RR.

I do know someone who may be able to help though, so watch this space.

By the way, your bike looks to be in great condition for its age! Smile

Hi, Andy. Thanks. Yeah, it's in great shape. I'm not sure about the exact km because the speedometer cable isn't the original, so maybe it was used for a while without it. The reader says 35.000 km. The engine was never disassembled so it looks like its in good condition. The only thing it has right now is a scratch on the left side (it wasn't me).

So far I have done these things: Sent the bike to fix an oil leak in the front suspension, new rear pads, new tyres since it had ones from 2008, sent the bike to clean the carburetor and remove the silencer for maintenance (it was like glue), I have decarbonized the first part of the exhaust and the RC valves and aligned it, cleaned the air filter and air box, cleaned and lubricated the chain, and cleaned the whole bike, including inside the frame. It was dirty as hell, I guess it wasn't cleaned in 22 years. That alone took me many days. Oh, I also fixed a few things in the plastics. It had issues with ilding, now it runs like a clock. It was mainly because of the clean carburetor.

The things that I still have to do is: change both grip handles, the rubber of the steps, the rubber that is under the seat, and the complete clutch lever, its from another bike.

I'm not so sure if my front suspension is ok or it is too soft. Some people say they use 10w. I feel it right when I'm riding, except when I hit a bump, it feels like it some play. The thing is that I don't have a lot of experience with bikes, this one is my second, the first was a brand new Yamaha FZ FI. So I don't know if the suspension is ok or not.

Im very happy with this bike, it seems perfect for my current experience as a rider. I will try to improve myself and enjoy it a lot! I was right in getting one of these, sporty two strokes are fun as hell! The bike is quick in acceleration and the sound is cool.

The "problem" with the suspension is that it's not very sophisticated, as the NSR150 was built down to a price to suit the SE Asian market. At the time, and still to a degree now, although nowhere near as much, it was very much a developing market with buyers on a very limited budget. The other issue that faces many western riders, is that the suspension is designed for a much lighter rider. The suspension works so much better when it isn't carrying much more than just the bike's weight!
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So the general consensus regarding the NSR150RR suspension is that it's crap!

The conversation basically went "throw the rear shock in the bin and fit a YSS unit. As for the front... useless! Just aim where you want to go, and hang on!"

The 150SP forks are slightly better, having a slightly larger diameter, but are still basically just a damper rod, and although a little more refined, still mostly useless.

Regarding performance, I knew the 150SP top-end is much better than the 150RR, but couldn't remember to what extent, so didn't want to comment until I could confirm it. It has been 20 years since I looked at one, after all! The 150RR has a steel liner [that often masks the ports in areas], and old school porting, whereas the 150SP is an all alloy, Nikasil plated barrel, with NSR250 style porting.
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Last edited by Andy on Wed Mar 11, 2020 5:54 pm; edited 1 time in total

Well, so far I didn't really had problems with the suspension, except in bumps. About the rider weight, it is ok for me, since I am 57 kg first hour after the morning piss. I like it being very lightweight.

I didn't notice anything about the "aim where you want to go and hang on", but I didn't try my bike in circuit or anything.

So far I went in the highway and I got 160 kmh from the meter, all stock. I'll try again since I have cleaned the carburetor and let you know. About the real speed of the SP, I found this on wikipedia: "An NSR 150SP currently holds the Bonneville SCTA Land Speed Record for Production 175 cc (10.7 cu in) motorcycles at 104.4 mph". You can see videos on youtube about the top speed but some of them have aftermarket exhaust. I'm maintaining everything stock for now. So, I think the top speed of my bike is allright. I think the SP might have around 10 kmh more. I can't tell because i tried my bike on a limited space and also it has some use.

Andy wrote:The 150RR has a steel liner [that often masks the ports in areas], and old school porting, whereas the 150SP is an all alloy, nikasil plated barrel, with NSR250 style porting.

So, what do you mean by that? I tought the cylinder was the only thing with nikasil.

niksfish wrote:

Andy wrote:The 150RR has a steel liner [that often masks the ports in areas], and old school porting, whereas the 150SP is an all alloy, nikasil plated barrel, with NSR250 style porting.

So, what do you mean by that? I tought the cylinder was the only thing with nikasil.

The 1500RR barrel is "old" (think early 80s) 2-stroke technology. It's an alloy barrel, with a pressed-in steel liner. It's handy in that it can be rebored easily in case of seizure, but is far from optimal for a number of reasons, one of which is the liner often masks areas of the exhaust and transfer ports, affecting efficiency and consequently power. The 150SP barrel is all alloy, with a very hard, electroplated "Nikasil" cylinder wall. The all-alloy barrel means thermal expansion is more predictable, and therefore controllable, allowing for tighter tolerances, because it and the piston will expand and contract at similar rates as operating temperature rises and falls.

The NSR150RR barrel has rather crude porting, but the 150SP has porting much more akin to the NSR250, complete with the RC Valve, developed by HRC, and effectively used by all HRC 2T race bikes all the way through to the end of Honda's involvement in 2-stroke world championship Grand Prix racing in both 500cc (NSR500 and NSR500V NX6) and 250cc (NSR250, RS250R NF5/NX5/NXA, and RS250RW NJBC).

Remember the NSR150SP speed record will be set in perfect conditions, with a perfectly prepared bike. It's very unlikely to get near that speed on the street, and also highly inadvisable anyway, as it leaves zero margin for any kind of safety manoeuvre... and it's illegal!
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In a group we have here in Argentina, they say that both the RR and SP have nikasil. They can have a steel liner if they were repaired. Yes, the SP has more agresive ports.

For what I could guess, I would say the SP is some sort of factory tuned version of the RR, something a little better. Maybe they designed the SP, but they still had a lot of older model parts to build a lot of RRs, so they sold both versions at the same time... I really don't know.

No. The RR can be retro-fitted with the SP top-end though, which is more likely the case, as the RR parts were discontinued years ago!
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Andy.
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I saw this NSR150 SP on Yahoo Auctions
https://www.jauce.com/auction/o382673395
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Andy wrote:No. The RR can be retro-fitted with the SP top-end though, which is more likely the case, as the RR parts were discontinued years ago!

Well, that is sad

I saw this NSR150 SP on Yahoo Auctions
https://www.jauce.com/auction/o382673395

Looks in perfect condition, also, it is cheaper than the NSRs that sell here.

I can't find anywere in the internet that say that the RR doesn't have nikasil. Neither is confirmed. I have found someone that sold oversized pistons for the RR W/W but not the SP. This is what it says:

Honda NSR 150 RR W/W - SP piston repair kit. For steel cylinder use all piston size.For aluminium-nicasil cylinder SP type use only STD size. piston Option STD 59 mm.

piston Option STD 59 mm. or +0.25, +0.50, +0.75, +1.00, +1.50, +2.00

The part catalog of the RR doesn't say anything about different piston sizes. I don't know if Honda has that in other catalogs from other models...

So... You say that the RR has steel barrel. If I ever dissasemble the engine I'll place a magnet and check it out. Hmm... I could have done it when I serviced the RC system. Too late.

niksfish wrote:
I can't find anywere in the internet that say that the RR doesn't have nikasil. Neither is confirmed. I have found someone that sold oversized pistons for the RR W/W but not the SP. This is what it says:

Honda NSR 150 RR W/W - SP piston repair kit. For steel cylinder use all piston size. For aluminium-nicasil cylinder SP type use only STD size. piston Option STD 59 mm.

piston Option STD 59 mm. or +0.25, +0.50, +0.75, +1.00, +1.50, +2.00

You quoted the same info you are questioning in your reply!

My information comes from someone who tuned and raced the NSR150 competitively in SE Asian championships.
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