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1985 Honda RS250
Estimated at £11,000 - £13,000
Lot details
Registration No: N/A
Frame No: RS250F5113
Engine No: RS250E5113
cc: 250
The very public failure of the radical four stroke NR500 led to the realisation that a two-stroke was needed to compete at the highest level and led to the development of the NS500 triple The success of NS500 resulted in the development and sale of two stroke road bikes, something that had previously been inconceivable for the four stroke orientated firm. By 1983 Honda were marketing the three cylinder MVX250 in Japan, which later evolved into the NS400, based heavily on the successful Grand Prix triple. A twin cylinder 250cc two stroke became available during 1984, typed the NS250 and was joined by a production racer coded the RS250R. Unfortunately Honda underestimated the problems inherent in converting the road bike into a racer, and the new 250 proved a costly failure both for the factory and those that bought it.
The R and D department reacted with great speed, introducing a completely redesigned RS250 for the 1985 season, prototypes of which were run at the British Grand Prix.
Although retaining the same configuration as the previous model, the engine was now a pure racing unit. The crankcases had been slimmed and the vertical cylinder was turned through 180 degrees, benefiting, along with its partner, from revised porting and ATAC exhausts. A new twin spar aluminium frame equipped with rising rate rear suspension and "Comstar" wheels was employed. When Freymond tested the new bike he found that it was significantly improved in all respects when compared to the 1984 machine, a view vindicated during the 1985 season with consistent points finishes at Grand Prix level, Massimo Matteoni won the European Championship and the great Joey Dunlop took wins at both the TT and Ulster Grand Prix.
This matching numbers machine retains the original, rare "Comstar" wheels and has been the subject of a full restoration. It is finished in the same livery as the machine used an exact replica by Joey Dunlop during 1985 from which, according to the vendor, it is "hardly distinguishable".
Registration No: N/A
Frame No: RS250F5113
Engine No: RS250E5113
cc: 250
The very public failure of the radical four stroke NR500 led to the realisation that a two-stroke was needed to compete at the highest level and led to the development of the NS500 triple The success of NS500 resulted in the development and sale of two stroke road bikes, something that had previously been inconceivable for the four stroke orientated firm. By 1983 Honda were marketing the three cylinder MVX250 in Japan, which later evolved into the NS400, based heavily on the successful Grand Prix triple. A twin cylinder 250cc two stroke became available during 1984, typed the NS250 and was joined by a production racer coded the RS250R. Unfortunately Honda underestimated the problems inherent in converting the road bike into a racer, and the new 250 proved a costly failure both for the factory and those that bought it.
The R and D department reacted with great speed, introducing a completely redesigned RS250 for the 1985 season, prototypes of which were run at the British Grand Prix.
Although retaining the same configuration as the previous model, the engine was now a pure racing unit. The crankcases had been slimmed and the vertical cylinder was turned through 180 degrees, benefiting, along with its partner, from revised porting and ATAC exhausts. A new twin spar aluminium frame equipped with rising rate rear suspension and "Comstar" wheels was employed. When Freymond tested the new bike he found that it was significantly improved in all respects when compared to the 1984 machine, a view vindicated during the 1985 season with consistent points finishes at Grand Prix level, Massimo Matteoni won the European Championship and the great Joey Dunlop took wins at both the TT and Ulster Grand Prix.
This matching numbers machine retains the original, rare "Comstar" wheels and has been the subject of a full restoration. It is finished in the same livery as the machine used an exact replica by Joey Dunlop during 1985 from which, according to the vendor, it is "hardly distinguishable".
Auction: Harrogate International Centre, 16th Apr, 2008
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