Discussion
At the weekend went to see a specialist dealer north of Auckland. Specifically to see an RS250 Chesterfield Rep with a purported 9k km. Japanese import. Bike looked a bit of a mess cosmetically. Not in running order either. Seller said it would be fully reconditioned before sale. He is asking £5.5k. Only RS250 for sale in NZ at the moment.
The seller had two barns stuffed with Italian exotica - Ducatis, MV, Bimota and Aprilia. In various states of repair.
He also had an NSR250 MC21. Rothmans Rep lookalike. Asking £3800.
How does the Honda compare to the Aprilia? Worth considering as an alternative?
The seller had two barns stuffed with Italian exotica - Ducatis, MV, Bimota and Aprilia. In various states of repair.
He also had an NSR250 MC21. Rothmans Rep lookalike. Asking £3800.
How does the Honda compare to the Aprilia? Worth considering as an alternative?
Spares may be difficult to source for the Honda....
They are a physically smaller bike, say 9/10ths scale to the RS and way behind in terms of tech and refinement.
The RS is still well supported in terms of spares and with the suzuki motor, parts arereadily available from specialists such as Sean at The Tuning Works.
I would say get the RS despite it's current shortcomings and return it to decent condition.
The only Honda MC worth looking at is the MC28 but very rare and extremely expensive, and still difficult for spares.....
They are a physically smaller bike, say 9/10ths scale to the RS and way behind in terms of tech and refinement.
The RS is still well supported in terms of spares and with the suzuki motor, parts arereadily available from specialists such as Sean at The Tuning Works.
I would say get the RS despite it's current shortcomings and return it to decent condition.
The only Honda MC worth looking at is the MC28 but very rare and extremely expensive, and still difficult for spares.....
Esceptico said:
Thanks Steve. I put this out as a general query but was hoping you would answer.
Badger baiting 
Whilst the MC was a great bike in its day, the RS was the final example of the breed and by far the best.
Regarding the sizing, the Honda et al were aimed at 17 year olds and their sizing reflected this..
MC21
Dimensions Length 1975 mm / 77.7 in Width 655 mm / 25.7 in
Height 1060 mm / 41.7 in
Wheelbase 1345 mm / 52.9 in
Seat Height 770 mm / 30.3 in
The RS was sold as a full size bike and accordingly, the bike was aimed at the older/more mature rider, especially considering its price
Dimensions Length: 1880 mm / 74.0 in Width: 690 mm / 27.2 in
Height: 1080 mm / 42.5 in
Wheelbase 1370 mm / 53.9 in
Seat Height 810 mm / 31.9 in
Ground Clearance 135 mm / 5.3 in
The Honda's had a complex electrical ECU system, (not sure the MC21 included) but de-restricting could be a nightmare. The RS was full power from the get go.
Spares for the Honda's has become a tricky issue, especially motor parts. For the RS, I think it's only the kickstarter (seriously!!) that's no longer available.
And if you want to unlock to the potential of the VJ motor, easily done with tons of parts available although a good set up of the PV's is a great starting point.
Regarding prices, do you have any historical info as to whether the RS holds its value in NZ?
Maybe give a breakdown of what's needed to bring this one back to good condition and we can discuss the feasibility if you want.
I don’t think prices for the RS here is as strong as the U.K. There aren’t many bikes as not sure many were sold originally and most seem to have been imported from Japan. However the intention would be to keep it (not my strongest point I know as it would be my 11th purchase in 5 years!)
The £5.5k would include all work to get the bike back into order. Question is what to do to it afterwards to make it better.
Agree that parts are a pain. On my former RS the fuel tap barely worked but I couldn’t order a new one.
The £5.5k would include all work to get the bike back into order. Question is what to do to it afterwards to make it better.
Agree that parts are a pain. On my former RS the fuel tap barely worked but I couldn’t order a new one.
Esceptico said:
The £5.5k would include all work to get the bike back into order.
What's the bike worth in its current state? I would be worried about someone selling a bike before they have done the work. The balance between cost of repairs and profit could become a problem. Unless it's just cleaning carbs and giving it a service, it's not uncommon for the cost of purchase and repairs to end up costing more than the bike is actually worth, certainly not much room for profit.Of course if that's the only one for sale what do you do?
What options do you have about personal imports from Japan?
xstian said:
What's the bike worth in its current state? I would be worried about someone selling a bike before they have done the work. The balance between cost of repairs and profit could become a problem. Unless it's just cleaning carbs and giving it a service, it's not uncommon for the cost of purchase and repairs to end up costing more than the bike is actually worth, certainly not much room for profit.
Of course if that's the only one for sale what do you do?
What options do you have about personal imports from Japan?
Agreed although I wouldn’t have to give a definite yes or no until the work was done. Having said that, if I asked him to get the bike ready I would feel obliged (personally not legally) to take it unless something was wrong. Of course if that's the only one for sale what do you do?
What options do you have about personal imports from Japan?
Exchange rate not good at the moment for imports from Japan. Also there is a time limit as I’ve heard that from November you won’t be able to import bikes that don’t have ABS. Or rather you can import them but won’t be able to register them.
But choices are limited. I was given the name of a two stroke specialist in Auckland to discuss RSs. I also asked if he knew if any were for sale. No luck.
2T from Japan aren't as cheap as they once where. I think numbers are getting thin on the ground and and as such prices have picked up. I also heard some bike are getting import back into Japan, but probably only very rare bikes.
I thought you had an RS before, what made you get rid?
I thought you had an RS before, what made you get rid?
Esceptico said:
I don’t think prices for the RS here is as strong as the U.K. There aren’t many bikes as not sure many were sold originally and most seem to have been imported from Japan. However the intention would be to keep it (not my strongest point I know as it would be my 11th purchase in 5 years!)
The £5.5k would include all work to get the bike back into order. Question is what to do to it afterwards to make it better.
Agree that parts are a pain. On my former RS the fuel tap barely worked but I couldn’t order a new one.
RS250's were expensive in Australia from the get-go - $AUD12,750, which made them an expensive 250cc bike indeed. I'd imagine this type of pricing continued in NZ back then. I would imagine there weren't too many sent to Japan back then as they had the NSR's, RGV's and TZR's which were built for their locale (ie. size of bike, restricted engines...)The £5.5k would include all work to get the bike back into order. Question is what to do to it afterwards to make it better.
Agree that parts are a pain. On my former RS the fuel tap barely worked but I couldn’t order a new one.
AceOfHearts said:
I am on the prowl for an MC21 or MC28 at some point. The MC21 I believe didn't have the complicated ignition of the MC28, but also didn't get the single sided swing arm etc. Personally I would rather have one than an Aprilia but thats because i'm a big fan of 90's Hondas
I’m a big fan of some 90s Hondas too, would love both an MC28 and an RC45, both are far too expensive though sadly.xstian said:
2T from Japan aren't as cheap as they once where. I think numbers are getting thin on the ground and and as such prices have picked up. I also heard some bike are getting import back into Japan, but probably only very rare bikes.
I thought you had an RS before, what made you get rid?
A question I’ve asked myself a lot since selling it. Temporary insanity? I think at the time I had three bikes and talked myself into going down to just the one. I thought you had an RS before, what made you get rid?
Walter Sobchak said:
AceOfHearts said:
I am on the prowl for an MC21 or MC28 at some point. The MC21 I believe didn't have the complicated ignition of the MC28, but also didn't get the single sided swing arm etc. Personally I would rather have one than an Aprilia but thats because i'm a big fan of 90's Hondas
I’m a big fan of some 90s Hondas too, would love both an MC28 and an RC45, both are far too expensive though sadly.If you like the V4s how about an RVF400? Has also risen in value a lot recently but a lot more affordable than its big brother, and still gorgeous!
AceOfHearts said:
I love the RC45 too but are too expensive to justify for me! I have a CBR250RR (MC22) at the moment and will get an NSR to go alongside at some point. My trackbike is a CBR400RR (NC29) which I absolutely love and is going through a load of work currently.
If you like the V4s how about an RVF400? Has also risen in value a lot recently but a lot more affordable than its big brother, and still gorgeous!
I had an RVF400 as my first proper bike after passing my test, loved it at the time and would love another, although always have wanted a go on the 750 version, although to be fair I know that compared to the V4 that’s sitting in the garage at the moment an RC45 would feel, I hate to say it, a bit tame but I think I’d still take one over my modern bike just for that amazing gear driven cam, distinctive Honda V4 drone If you like the V4s how about an RVF400? Has also risen in value a lot recently but a lot more affordable than its big brother, and still gorgeous!
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