I finally got a chance to get the NSR on the track and I liked it alot! Bike was in total stock condition (except jetting),as delivered.
-Build quality: really good a typical Honda product
- Chassis fit: I'm 5'8" and 200lbs and I felt like I was on a lounge chair. Keep in mind I ride Giannini R1s and I find those to be pretty comfy.
-Suspension: Showa always works good on about everything. Even with the stock settings and my 200lbs without gear, I felt secure and never had any scary moments. As I get used to it and get faster, I will probably have to upgrade the spring rates.
-Tires: The Dunlop TT-91s work as advertised and are very sticky. I only got them to slide once on a pavement repair and that was taking them all the way to the very edge of the tire. I don't know if it's the chassis or the tires, but I get limited feedback as to just where the traction limit and edge of the tire is (thank god for knees).
-Gearbox: The gearbox is a bit notchy. I hope it improves and smooths out with use.
-Engine: When jetted correctly, the powerband stretches from 8k-11k. There is some over-rev there and it will rev to at least 12.5k (after this point I suspect nothing except increased noise[the powerband pretty much drops anchor here]), if you are trying to make the next corner without another shift.
-Overall impression: A very nice bike and they can be picked up for $2299 to $2799 out the door in my locale. The gearbox makes a big difference with only 7.2-7.9hp (range of dyno reports read/advertised at the rear wheel) and if kept on the boil will surprise you. I wish I had someone to time my laps, because I turned higher top speeds on the NSR than my Open class Giannini. I think the suspension had huge bearing here keeping the bike more planted on the bumps. If you want to get into racing on a budget, but can't deal with pocket bike ergos this may be your new baby!
I knew you would like it man! Good job! Just image if you had 11.5-12hp with the same bike... it makes it just that much more fun! I loved my NSR stock, but now that I've got more power... it is a total blast to race and opened up my eyes again to mini roadracing!
There are pictures everywhere on the internet of this bike. Mine is plain white and boring with no cool paint job like the Fireman's. Do a search, take a look at the stock bike and some of the great team colors.
Brian I really like the bike! We are just now trying to get our shifter class started, so for now I'll keep it stock. I want to make sure I have someone to race with/against. If all the modded minimotards show, I may have to rethink my position on that. I was telling some of the guys with the 10-12k dollar pit bikes to come on out and race with us.
Great review, and I agree with all of it. I picked up a new 04 last October. Stepping up from PB's with no experience riding big bikes and shifting took some getting used to. I found that I can't use the same lines I take when riding/racing the PB, how 'bout you? I have to take my turns wider to carry more speed. I did notice that the shifting is notchy, and yes it does improve with time (wear?). Riding with suspension definitely helps plant the tires on the track, a very nice change from what I'm used to when racing on PB's. Mine is completely stock except of the painted body. Here's a couple of pics, I'm #11
Mine is plain white and boring with no cool paint job like the Fireman's
Mine isn't cool... just a simple single stage $30 dollar paint job!
To comment on the shifting... I've never been on a PB before, and really don't want to (no offance to you PB racers), but I think the gear box is really good on the NSR. Try to ride/race a Yamaha R6... Talk about a clunky gearbox! The suspension is great on the NSR! Hands down the best stock suspension for a mini out! I've got my rear set to full hard on everything and left the spring in the stock position. The front I think I've got 3-4 lines showing on the pre-load and 4 clicks out. I also raised my forks up 10mm to help with the front end feel.
What main jet are you running with the stock carb?? I think I ran a 104 main when I was stock with the clip moved up one on the needle to lean it out a little bit. Remember, lean is mean and white is right!
Great review, and I agree with all of it. I picked up a new 04 last October. Stepping up from PB's with no experience riding big bikes and shifting took some getting used to. I found that I can't use the same lines I take when riding/racing the PB, how 'bout you? I have to take my turns wider to carry more speed. I did notice that the shifting is notchy, and yes it does improve with time (wear?). Riding with suspension definitely helps plant the tires on the track, a very nice change from what I'm used to when racing on PB's. Mine is completely stock except of the painted body. Here's a couple of pics, I'm #11
Yea, I can ride some of the same lines of attack, but no inside to inside in horsehoe turns. Wide is definately the way to go to keep it on the boil. The suspension was great and as I get older it will be the way of the future. I need to change the gears on mine and tighten up the spread. Then I've got to figure out how to get the tap dance going while leaning. I definately didn't think I could keep that momentum with less hp than my S/P PB. Those gears make all the difference. For a good read try Keith Code's "A Twist of the Wrist" vol. I and II.
Mine isn't cool... just a simple single stage $30 dollar paint job!
To comment on the shifting... I've never been on a PB before, and really don't want to (no offance to you PB racers), but I think the gear box is really good on the NSR. Try to ride/race a Yamaha R6... Talk about a clunky gearbox! The suspension is great on the NSR! Hands down the best stock suspension for a mini out! I've got my rear set to full hard on everything and left the spring in the stock position. The front I think I've got 3-4 lines showing on the pre-load and 4 clicks out. I also raised my forks up 10mm to help with the front end feel.
What main jet are you running with the stock carb?? I think I ran a 104 main when I was stock with the clip moved up one on the needle to lean it out a little bit. Remember, lean is mean and white is right!
I ran 100 main jet, needle first postion on top, 40 pilot and had to make sure the air screw didn't fall out. Some rejetting is still in order; main jet till I get a tannish grey with 1mm of soot at the base of the insulator and threads, order the next leaner needle and a 38 pilot which should take care of the airscrew setting. I live at 5400ft and race at 6900ft in Colorado. Thanks for the suspension settings and your bike is very....photogenic (no pun intended). Till next time. I gotta be at work in 6 hours.
Yeah, I've never messed with the pilot jet, just the main. I'm sure your jetting would be different then mine since you are up so high.
If you are having problems with the stock pegs hitting while you are leaned over all the way... try and make a set of set-back plates. I moved mine up and back 1" and cut my pegs in half and it solved all my problems with that. I've heard that some people have problems with them dragging and others don't, but my body position is way off the bike so I know it isn't that. They are just too low IMO.
You can kinda see the ones I made in these pics... ( don't know how to attach a thumbnail, so I'll just post the link to them)
Hi all, I just joined this site. A couple of months ago I decided to try to find a Honda Dream 50R and was lucky enough to find a new one. Initially, I didn't appreciate the Honda NSR50R b/c I'm really not a 2-stroke fan, but after more research I've come to appreciate the quality and performance of this little blaster. Well, I just bought one yesterday. A dealer in another province here in Canada still had one in the crate. I couldn't resist. I've bought these bikes for display purposes, but considering how much fun they seem to be to ride, I think I'll run them.
I attended a practice day with my YSR, and a fellow racer allowed me to track his 04 NSR. From that moment, I had to have one.
After the 2005 race season was over, I put my 'race' YSR up for sale and shortly there after, I bought myself an early X-mas present an 04 NSR
In the 2006 season, I finished 3rd in points in one of two classes raced w/ the 04 NSR. I am now going on my second season with it. Altho', I am having problems contending with the 9 yr old fast kids in my classes *cries laughing*.......not getting out to the track as much as I used to, doesn't help either
I LOVE my 04 NSR, but also love my Derbi/Metrakit 72cc YSR just the same
Thanks YSRCali , will try. I haven't received the bike yet, as it's presently in transit. I can't wait to get it. I bought it from a dealer 1000 miles away.
