1985 Honda NS400R Frame no. NC19-2001748 Engine no. NC19E-2002165

1985 Honda NS400R Registration no. C586 MRC Frame no. NC19-2001748 Engine no. NC19E-2002165 Multi-cylinder two-stroke Grand Prix race replicas were much in vogue during the mid-1980s, as first Yamaha and then Suzuki sought to exploit their links with the racetrack. Honda too were players in this niche market but somewhat surprisingly chose to make their GP look-alike a 400 rather than a 500 like those of their rivals. Despite giving away 100cc, the NS400R looked every bit as convincing as Yamaha's RD500LC and Suzuki's RG500 Gamma and had the advantage of being both lighter and more compact than either. Introduced for 1985, the NS400R boasted a three-cylinder engine just like Freddie Spencer's 1982 World Championship-winning NS500 while being notable as Honda's largest two-stroke roadster and its first with an aluminium frame. The NS400R was one of the best-handling roadsters of its day, Bike magazine declaring: 'there are few machines that will make up time on the NS400 through a series of bends'. An instant classic, the NS400R is one of the most sought after of 1980s sports bikes. A UK model first registered in August 1985, this fully restored example is finished in 'Freddie Spencer' livery and has recorded only 26,427 miles from new. The vendor advises us that the machine rides and runs superbly, and that it last ran in March 2023. Offered with a V5C document. Keys present. Footnotes: All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com