Description
The Honda NSR500 was a motorcycle that was used in the World Motorcycle Grand Prix from 1984 to 2002. It was a 500cc two-stroke bike that was very successful, with two world championships and many other victories.
Although now featuring 990cc 4-stroke engine bikes, prior to 2002 the
top class of the World Motorcycle Grand Prix was the GP500, featuring
bikes restricted to 500cc engines capable of producing a maximum 150hp.
In the 1980's Honda and Yamaha dominated the GP500, with Honda racing
their legendary NSR 500. Honda's 2-stroke V4 engine loaded NSR 500 made
her first appearance in the GP500 in 1984. After a disappointing debut
season the NSR 500 lived up to all expectations in 1985, with former
world champion Freddie Spencer taking out his second world title. In
1986, whilst the NSR 500 was in the capable hands of Wayne Gardner in
the GP500 class, in Japan it flew the famous Honda racing team colours
in the domestic All Japan Road Race Championship. Burdening high
expectations for instant success, by round 3 champion Honda rider Keiji
Kinoshita and the NSR 500 had already formed a formidable combination.
Drawing out the full potential of the powerful 2-stroke 499cc V4
engine, the Kinoshita-NSR 500 combination clock d the fastest time in
qualifying to go on and win Honda's first race of the season. Taking
out a second consecutive win in round 4, Kinoshita had already climbed
to the top in the riders championship. Holding the lead for the rest of
the season, Kinoshita took out his first title in 5 years and Honda
their first ever domestic title in the 500cc class. Improving with
every season, the legendary NSR 500 continued to be used at the top
racing level until the arrival of the revolutionary 4-stroke 990cc
RC211 V in 2002.
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