Honda NS125F, R and R2

NS125F

The Honda NS125 was first presented at the Bologna Motor Show in December 1984 and went on sale in April 1985. The engine is a liquid cooled, 124.5 cc (7.60 cu in), two-stroke which used Honda's ATAC system (Automatically Controlled Torque Amplification Chamber). The NS was Honda's first attempt at the high end 125cc sports bike market in Italy; therefore it was built in Atessa, Italy and many of the parts used were made by well known Italian brands such as Dell'Orto for the carburettor, Marzocchi forks and single rear shock and Grimeca wheels and front disk brake. Honda, Japan supplied the spec sheets and a few parts like the electrics, piston and barrel. Colours are White and Silver or Red and Grey.

The NS125F 1986 model, type TC01, was offered in the UK market for the first time with a heavily restricted 12bhp engine and without the ATAC power vlave system. Colours are Blue, White and Red and Red and Grey.

The 1987 model featured revised alloy 'rear set' foot pegs for the rider and pillion opposed to the welded frame style of the previous version. UK colours remained the same with Red and White with white wheels offered in Europe.

NS125R

Presented in January 1987 and marketed soon after, the NS-R, also TC01 type, is the faired version of the NS-F presented two years earlier and with which it shares chassis and engine.

The UK (restricted) versions were offered in VFR750 colours of plain White or plain Red to accentuate its big bike looks and feel, indeed the NS was considerably larger than its main Japanese rivals. To go along with the 'VFR' style the bike featured 'NSR' on the fairing often causing confusion that this model was a NSR rather than a NS - R,!

NS125R - UK spec

The R model was offered in White with Red stripe in Europe

NS125R2

The R2 model had twin front disc brakes and was offered in Rothmans and Parisienne (Cornu) and finally the Adriatico in the colours of the Italian flag which was made for the Japanese market.

Rothmans

Parisienne - Jacques Cornu replica

Adriatico