Honda Gets Racy

HONDA GETS RACY

THERE ARE RACEBIKES based on production machines, and then there are the real things, purposebuilt for racetrack warfare.

You don’t have to be Mick Doohan to get your hands on one of these. Both Honda and Yamaha build and sell such machines, and Honda has just announced its 1994 models.

These are the RS125R and RS250R, both of which are marked by production of lots of horsepower, very light weight, and hefty pricetags.

The RS250R, which lists for $20,800 for the bike and a complete set of spares, develops a claimed 86 horsepower and is said to weigh 225 pounds without fuel. That horsepower figure is up by two over the claimed number produced by last year’s bike, thanks in part to engine pieces cast from the same molds used to cast the engine pieces for the works GP bikes, and thanks also to refined rings, expansion chambers, pistons, porting and ignition timing. The bike’s frame, suspension and brakes also are improved, with new low-friction fork bushings, revised rear-suspension damping ratios, and upgraded brakepad material.

The RS125R, meanwhile, lists for $9700, produces a claimed 42 horsepower and tips the scales at a claimed 157 pounds. Like its bigger brother, it gets revised and enlarged intake and exhaust ports. It also gets a new digital ignition system, improved transmission internals, a newly designed rear wheel, and refined suspension calibrations.

Don’t expect to find these bikes occupying pride-of-place in dealer showrooms. They’re special-order machines available directly from American Honda only to licensed roadracers. Unfortunately, American Honda plans no racersupport system for these machines. —Jon F. Thompson