Sportbikes
1990Honda NSR 250 R
33 fields on record
The 1990 Honda NSR250R is a high-revving 249cc two-stroke V-twin sports bike making 45 hp, weighing 132 kg dry.
- Capacity
- 249.0 ccm
- Engine
- V-Twin, two-stroke
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Dry weight
- 132.0 kg
- Seat height
- 770 mm
- Power
- 45.0 HP (32.8 kW) @ 9500 RPM
What’s new for the 1990 Honda NSR 250 R
vs the 1989| Spec | 1989 | 1990 |
|---|---|---|
| Top speed | 209.2 km/h (130.0 mph) | not listed |
| Wet weight | 149.0 kg (328.5 pounds) | 151.0 kg (332.9 pounds) |
| Seat height | 780 mm (30.7 inches) | 770 mm (30.3 inches) |
| Front suspension | — | 41mm Telescopic air valve semi- adjustable |
| Rear suspension | — | Rear: Pro- Link Single shock swingarm non- adjustable |
| Front brakes | Double disc. 4 piston calipers | 2x disc s 2 piston calipers |
| Rear brakes | Single disc. single piston caliper | Single disc 1 piston caliper |
How it rides
Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested- Best for
- Built as a pure sport and track-focused replica, it rewards aggressive riding on twisty roads or circuits far more than commuting or touring.
- Built for
- A screaming, lightweight two-stroke V2 with razor-sharp aluminum-framed handling, it has the raw, visceral character of a road-going grand prix bike.
- Not ideal for
- It is a poor choice for new riders, long-distance touring, passenger comfort, or anyone wanting low-maintenance, easygoing daily transport.
Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.
Will it fit you?
Worked out in your browser - nothing is sent to usReliability & safety
Bike Reliability score, safety recalls and owner complaintsBike Reliability
How the score works →53
out of 100Average
The Honda NSR 250 R passed its annual roadworthiness test first time 84.8% of the time, 1.3 points above expected for bikes of the same age and mileage. That beats 53% of models.
Bikes first registered in 1990 have 74 tests, too few for their own score, so this covers every year.
84.8%Passed first time
5.9%Failed outright
9.3%Fixed during test
17,000Typical miles
762Tests
Pass rate by miles ridden
All years of this model.
Score by year first registered
31
47
46
198719881989
Against its rivals · ranks 4 of 6
| # | Model (all years) | Score | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yamaha RD 350 F | 76 Good | 141 |
| 2 | Gilera Saturno 500 | 64 Good | 208 |
| 3 | Yamaha TZR 250 | 59 Average | 3,338 |
| 4 | Honda NSR 250 R | 53 Average | 762 |
| 5 | Suzuki RGV 250 Gamma | 39 Below average | 2,632 |
| 6 | Kawasaki ZXR 400 | 24 Below average | 14,183 |
Rivals are the most-viewed bikes on MotorcycleDB in the same category and engine size, from within three years of this model.
From British annual roadworthiness tests, 2005-2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA MOT test data, Great Britain). How Bike Reliability works.
Engine
- Capacity
- 249.0 ccm
- Power
- 45.0 HP (32.8 kW) @ 9500 RPM
- Torque
- 35.0 Nm (3.6 kgf-m) @ 8500 RPM
- Engine type
- V-Twin, two-stroke
- Power/weight ratio
- 0.3409 HP/kg (dry)
- Bore x stroke
- 54.0 x 54.5 mm
- Compression
- 7.3:1
- Cooling system
- Liquid
- Fuel system
- Carburettor
- Starting
- Kick
- Ignition
- PGM-CDI
- Lubrication system
- Seperate Pump (engine) splash type (transmission)
Transmission
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Transmission type
- Manual
- Final drive
- Chain
- Clutch
- Multi-plate, coil spring
Dimensions & weight
- Wheelbase
- 1345 mm
- Overall length
- 1975 mm
- Overall width
- 655 mm
- Overall height
- 1060 mm
- Seat height
- 770 mm
- Dry weight
- 132.0 kg
- Wet weight
- 151.0 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 16.00 litres
- Ground clearance
- 135 mm
Chassis & suspension
- Frame
- Aluminum tube type frame
- Front suspension
- 41mm Telescopic air valve semi- adjustable
- Rear suspension
- Rear: Pro- Link Single shock swingarm non- adjustable
- Rake (fork angle)
- 23.0°
- Trail
- 87 mm
Brakes & wheels
- Front brakes
- 2x disc s 2 piston calipers
- Rear brakes
- Single disc 1 piston caliper
Specs last verified against published sources: .
Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
What changed, year to year
Differences highlighted| Specification | 1988 | 1990 | 1991 | 1993 | 1994 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 249 cc | 249 cc | 249 cc | 249 cc | 249 cc |
| Dry weight | 127 kg | 132 kg | 132 kg | 132 kg | — |
| Seat height | 770 mm | 770 mm | 770 mm | 770 mm | 770 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 16 L | 16 L | 16 L | 16 L | 16 L |
| Bike Reliability ⓘ | 47 Average | Too few tests | Too few tests | Too few tests | Too few tests |
Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.
Rider Reviews
Common questions
What is the engine size of the Honda NSR 250 R?
The 1990 Honda NSR 250 R has a Capacity of 249.0 ccm (15.19 cubic inches).
What engine power does the Honda NSR 250 R have?
The 1990 Honda NSR 250 R has a Power of 45.0 HP (32.8 kW) @ 9500 RPM.
How many gears does the Honda NSR 250 R have?
The 1990 Honda NSR 250 R has a Gearbox of 6-speed.
What is the torque of the Honda NSR 250 R?
The 1990 Honda NSR 250 R has a Torque of 35.0 Nm (3.6 kgf-m or 25.8 ft.lbs) @ 8500 RPM.
How much does the Honda NSR 250 R weigh?
The 1990 Honda NSR 250 R has a Dry weight of 132.0 kg (291.0 pounds).
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