Honda NSR125R JC20

The NSR 125-R type JC20 , was Honda's response to the ever increasingly popular 125 class and increased completion not only from its fellow Japanese rivals but more so from the Italian brands like Aprilia with its AF1 series, Cagiva's Freccia and Mito, and Gilera with its SP models. Customers were no longer interested in small, budget bikes but desired real motorcycles with big bike features that just so happened to be 125cc. It is characterised by its full fairing and was offered alongside the NSR-F with which it shares the chassis and engine.

The R featured a unique warning light bridge that extended from the fuel tank, over the top yoke where it met the bodywork under the clocks. The ignition was relocated to a special panel inside the right side of the clocks.

Warning lights with the ignition obscured by the front brake cylinder

The R was an immediate success in sales and on the track where it took over from the F which, despite the absence of the fairing, achieved good success in the '88 edition of the Sport Production championship.

Followed on the track directly by the Honda Italia Racing service , the new R conquered the top positions in the rankings on many occasions and in 1989 it won the title in the over 21 category .

The NSR125R follows the same multi-spoke wheel and fender updates as the F model and in 1991 and 1992 two special versions dedicated to the Sport Production championship were also put on sale and could be purchased freely with or without a driver's license.

The NSR125R remained in production until the very early months of 1993 , when it was replaced by the new NSR-R JC22 .

Motor Single cylinder, 2 stroke, liquid cooled
Displacement 124.8cc
Bore x Stroke 54 x 54.5 mm
Maximum Power 21.3 kW
Clutch Multi-disc in oil bath
Start-up Electric
Chassis Die-cast aluminum alloy
Front suspension Telescopic hydraulic fork
Rear suspension Swingarm with hydraulic monoshock
Front brake Hydraulic disc
Rear brake Swingarm with hydraulic monoshock
Weight (dry) 132 kg.

Pre-production drawings of paintwork studies

NSR125 RK 1989

Red/ White/ Blue

Red/ White

White/Blue/ Aqua/ Pink

NSR125 RL 1990

New Grimeca six spoke wheels and a front mudguard with a thinner profile

Red/ White/ Blue, 'HRC' style

White/ Blue/ Red/ Aqua

NSR125 RM 1991

Black, Purple, Aqua, Pink

NSR125 RN 1992

Red/ White/ Blue, 

Black/ Bronze

NSR125 R3M SP91

Produced in 1991, the NSR 125 R3M, or SP91, is a special version designed to race in the Sport Production '91 championship, where Honda had achieved great success in previous editions. Featuring updated suspension, centre stand delete. New cylinder, piston, compression ratio, ignition, gearbox, Arrow exhaust kick start only

SP91

NSR125 R3N SP92

SP92