HONDA 2-STROKES

Honda's 1985 NS400R was an homage to Fast Freddie Spencers' world championship in the premier (500cc 2-stroke) class. That Spencer captured the crown in 1983 was a little puzzling but that Honda made the new bike a 400cc machine was slightly weirder. No matter, the quickly became the class of it's class. And speaking of weird, the motor is a V3 with the middle cylinder being verticle and the outer two canted forward, giving the bike a slim and compact cross-section. With it's box-section aluminim chassis and Grand Prix race replica features, including a close-ratio 6 speed gearbox, and weighing only around 360lbs, this short-wheelbase unit handled beautifully, stopped well and had a smooth (for a 2-stroke) powerband owing to Honda's "power-valve" system. Truly a standout amongst the repli-racer classics.

specs

Make Model Honda NS 400R Year 1985 Engine liquid cooled, 90°V-three cylinder, two stroke reed valve Capacity 387 Bore x Stroke 57 x 50.6 mm Compression Ratio 6.7:1 Induction 3x 26mm Keihin carbs Ignition / Starting CDI / Kick Max Power 72 hp 52.5 kW @ 9500 rpm ( 59 hp @ t 8,500 rpm ) Max Torque 5.1 kg-m @ 8000 rpm Transmission / Drive 6 speed / chain Gear ratio 1st 2.500 / 2nd 1.714 / 3rd 1.333 / 4th 1.111 / 5th 0.965 / 6th 0.866 Frame Double cradle Front Suspension Air assisted forks. adjustable anti-dive 120mm wheel travel Rear Suspension Pro-link adjustable preload 100mm wheel travel Front Brakes 2x 256mm discs 2 piston calipers Rear Brakes Single 220mm disc 2 piston caliper Front Tyre 100/90 -16 Rear Tyre 110/90 -17 Seat Height 780 mm Dry-Weight 163 kg Fuel Capacity 19 Litres Consumption average 30 mp/g Standing ¼ Mile 13.03 sec / 164.2 km/h Top Speed 202 km/h