**CONFUSION - FRUSTRATION** What to buy?

[x08tw]

well guys.. i have been thinking and thinking about what bike to get.. 1,200 -> 1,600 pounds on a '94 RS125, which may or may not be derestricted... or 2,500 pounds on a brand spanking new Honda NSR150SP...

My thoughts are this, in favour of:
NSR150 - Honda, so easier to find parts.. Just as much power as the RS derestricted, actually 39bhp.. NEW.. well established shop..
RS125 - Better looks.. not so common on the road (meanin its also more likely to get stolen <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/ohwell.gif ALT=":\"> )

Handling is not an issue.. the handling on the two bikes i dont think will be too different, and as we all know, it also has a lot to do with the skill of the rider.. For the RS, it will be hard to find too.. and i seriously doubt it will be derestricted for that price...

So?? Any opinions?

I would love to get an R6, or an RS250... but i seriously cant afford those :(

[aprilia2003]

the nsr sucks...slow, slugish...good looking..but BURNED by sny other 125!!!

[Key Walshe]

I presume as you're using pounds you're in the UK but I'm not sure wether you are or not as you say Rs' are '<em>not so common on the road</em>' which seems odd as in the UK they're the bigget selling sports 125 by a very big distance! If you look you'll quickly and easily find Rs250's for sale from £1400 upwards, and there's some bargains to be had! I've recently seen lots of 96 onwards Rs250's for sale for around the £1500 price which has surprised me as these are similar prices to that of the rs125's of similar age.

You say parts will be easy to find for the Honda NSR150 <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/ohwell.gif ALT=":\"> They're imported bikes and not sold here officially through Honda, parts have to come direct from Japan and even parts for standard NSR125's can be delayed for some time so for bike's like the NSR150 parts maybe more difficult to obtain than those of an Aprilia which is maybe something you may have to take into more consideration.

Aprilia2003, no offence but you don't even yet own an Aprilia Rs125 so unless you've had test rides on both bikes how can you compare?!? And from you're 'Scared Sh!tless' post you've not yet rode a geared bike like an Rs or NSR...

[x08tw]

Nope.. I'm not from the UK.. I just thought that since most of u guys here seem to be from the UK, i would convert to pounds... I can probably assume safely that I am the only taiwan member here :P

as such.. Honda shops are aplenty here.. and there's plenty of NSRs (Aprilia2003 - sorry, but i DID say 150.. not 125 - which means u cant say 'other 125')... and Aprilia are rare.. though i believe there may be an Aprilia store up in taipei - which i am currently trying to confirm with my sources.. but as for the NSR.. this is a genuine SP which I am looking at, so the different parts may be a little harder to come by..

FZRs are super cheap, and I have considered buying one... but opinions from others that I know, all state that the FZR150 is rather slow (V-twin 4 stroke? - i get confused in my translations sometimes) but sound good...

and unfortunately, illegal (stolen from japan and imported - hence unregistered) NSR250s range at about the 2,000 pounds... i'm not certain if the new, legal one is sold here.. though if i have to go to taipei to get one and ride it back on the backroads (bikes arent allowed on the highways here) just to get a legal NSR250 (payment by installments)... i would :smokin:

[Key Walshe]

Ok, I was thinking you'd be from Taiwan or another malaysian country as 150's are more common there due to restrictions on engine capacity's etc.

Most people here in the UK go for Aprilia's as they have a wide dealer network with a dealership now in almost every major town it seems so you're never too far away, but for Honda NSR150's they're specialist import bikes so it seems the situation is reversed for each country. I've heard lots of good things about the NSR150SP and are very much a match for an Rs125 if not the better bike, and ofcourse as they're readily available to you this maybe the better option due to parts, reliability etc. However as you say the Aprilia is rarer and if you want to stand out from the crowd then it maybe the way to go, really all I can say is get whatever you prefer as at the end of the day it will be you riding it and looking at it every time you put it in the garage at night.

All the best with your decision and hope you're happy with whatever choice you make. Oh yea, you're english and it's translation is very good, better than most on here :lol: hehe

[x08tw]

lmao! i thought u were gunna say that about my english.. ummm... im aussie... :p i just live in taiwan... what i meant by problems in the translations is because my chinese isnt perfect.. :smokin:

well yeah... the SP is still pretty rare too... more NSR150RRs on the road..

my main thoughts are: i dont like the colours of the SP, i much prefer the colours of the RS... but that could be changed with a little $$ and some paint.. and as for the RS.. its 10 years old... and probably thrashed.. and if i DO end up with one that isn't derestricted.. it will cost the same in the end anyways...

[x08tw]

by the way.. the NSR150SP is an EXACT match of the one on this site...

www.dreamgate.ne.jp/nsr/s...150sp.html (http://www.dreamgate.ne.jp/nsr/specsother/nsr150sp.html)

[125CharliefumiRS]

soz mate but that nsr suks arse hairs!!! Get the rs its got 33bhp apparently, even if it hasnt its the beast of beasts to get. luks loads better than nsr, the rs has bigger tyres for better cornering it can do 110mph in some cases and its a bril bike all over. u truly want an rs u wont regret it. u only consider the 150 sp cus its popular where u are but i can safely say that the rs can kick the nsr providing ur a gud rider. 150cc's are uncommon anyway dont get one.

[ajak79]

even though rs have better cornering, rs wont had any chance to beat nsr on the straight road.bcos here in malaysia there is plenty of nsr 150 sp. my m8 is using nsr and it get top speed 210kmh and no modification,while my rs can only get 175-180kmh,note that im currently using 34mm carb and full arrow pipes.which i noticed that nsr had 39hp and rs is 34.5hp(with arrow pipes).:| but as everybody know rs have a good shape and its really awesome.
cheers:cool:

[jj008]

Too bad both those bike don't even compare to the Cagiva Mito.:evil:

[aprilia2003]

then get outta here punk...lol, only kiddin!!

[JamesRS125]

ajak - a link on this page reports the top speed to be close to 180kmh (110mph), I have been 110mph on my RS so its not faster at all. Also at the bottom of the page it claims that the 150sp has 28-31bhp rather than the claimed 39.5.

Therefore the RS has the same power, and is a lighter bike. Not to mention italian!

James.

[x08tw]

some of u seem to be missing the point::

1) Aprilia - 10 years old Vs. Honda - nearly brand spanking new... older bike means a) its prolly already been thrashed, b) who knows if the bike has been maintained properly...

2) Aprilia are rare in taiwan - Honda r common - so which parts will be easier to come across?

3) If the RS doesnt have a powervalve.. its gunna cost me just as much as the NSR

[Key Walshe]

If it was me in your position I'd go for the NSR. Aprilia's are hard enough to get parts for over here in the UK which supposidly has a nationwide dealer network so I wouldn't like to be in a country like Taiwan having to wait months for parts due to an almost non-existant dealership network.

And as you say the Aprilia you're looking at is an older bike, 2 strokes like the Rs can have enough problems from brand new. Where as the NSR with it being Honda, and having an extensive amount of dealers in the country should be much easier to maintain and get parts for and should be a much easier sale if/when you come to sell it with it being a Honda and being a newer motorcycle.

The Rs is a great lil bike, but from reports about the NSR 150SP that's just as good if not better and tuning possibilities, well there should be a nice list to get started on and I'm sure that would have any 125 stroker in the all important 'Traffic light Gp's!'!

Whatever bike you choose I hope you enjoy it :D

[x08tw]

thanks walshe :) u and ajak seem to be the only ones who have read and understood everything.. and aren't reacting with a biased 'i ride an aprilia so aprilia is better' attitude... :) its guys like u that make forums worthwhile :smokin:

and the report from my local forum is that NO.. there is no aprilia dealership in taiwan.. though there is a store selling some.. but only the big litre bikes... :(

[Mr X]

Get the 150 sp mate more reliable and faster. I live in the uk and would swap my rs125 tomorrow, the only problem is you cant buy them anywhere over here.

[ajak79]

yep..i agreed with mrX,honda are more powerful and reliable.who said that nsr is making 28-31hp?nsr actually making 39.5 hp,here are some site u can refer about nsr spec <a href="http://www.asianhonda.com/product/main_motorcycle_export_nsr150sp.htm" target="top">www.asianhonda.com/product/main_motorcycle_export_nsr150sp.htm</a>
note that nsr is using rotary valve(same like gp bike technology).
so here is some nsr150sp tuning site and in english version.<a href="http://www.users.totalise.co.uk/~petrolhead/nsr-world/pages/800x600/150%20tuning%20index/150%20tuning/carburation%20info.htm" target="top">www.users.totalise.co.uk/~petrolhead/nsr-world/pages/800x600/150%20tuning%20index/150%20tuning/carburation%20info.htm</a>
cheers!:cool:

[Keith]

Hi

With my sensible hat on I would say go for the NSR. It is locally sold and should be more understood locally.

However there is a large difference between the prices you are quoting, pretty much double the price you are considering spending on an NSR rather than an RS.

In the UK we dont get the NSR150, just the NSR125 which is built in Spain (and I dont know if it is related at all to the 150).

The other point you mention is that you are from Aus. Are you considering taking the bike back to Aus in the future? If so which one would be the easiest to take back (note that getting a headlight that dips the right way might well be a problem for the Aprilia, which can be a major problem for Aus I think).

The NSR150 seems to use quite narrow tyres. I would take the power claims with a large pinch of salt.

As to a 4 stroke 125, I wouldnt bother if a 2 stroke was a reliable possibility. I have no knowledge of the FZR but I would expect it to be 25~40kmh down on top speed compared to the RS125.

Overall as occasional fun I would go for the RS (and put up with the wait for spares). For transport I would go for the NSR.

All the best

Keith

[x08tw]

yes.. the price difference is big.. but dont forget we're talking pretty much brand spanking new Vs. 10 years old.. i do know the shop where i found the NSR isn't the cheapest of shops... but thats what u get when u go to a bigger, better-established shop.. the price will be worth the security and service...

as for the FZR.. i have discovered that the other reason people dont buy them much, is that they are rather old too.. in fact, to let u know the difference, the 2nd hand RS125 is about 70-90,000 NT$.... a slightly older 2nd hand NSR150RR is about the same... and the FZR (2nd hand - dont thinkn u can get new ones) is about 30,000 NT$ though i should point out for keith that the FZR is a 150.. not a 125

no, i am not planning on taking the bike back to aus.. it would probably be cheaper to buy one in aus as it is... and as you said, with the bike being intended as a daily rider... i'll get the honda.. though... if i can get my hands on a legal RS250... that will be a different story :smokin:

[timega]

I live in taiwan too,and I have my rs125 for one year.
Indeed,aprilia part is quite rare here,so I must order part online.
Sometimes I get parts which were disassembled from other break down rs125.
Anyway if you decided to buy rs125 at last,I could help you find parts in taiwan.
well...If you asked me why I did not buy NSR150...
my opinion is the same as aprilia2003,the NSR sucks...
But if you just want a bike which is very convenient,I suggest you buy NSR.
sorry my poor English...

[x08tw]

well.. by the looks of it.. the NSR150SP will be sold by the end of this week |I |I ... so it looks like i won't be getting it.... guess i will be getting an aprilia after all (at the present moment) :smokin:

where abouts do u live timega? im in taichung...

[timega]

HaHa...welcome to join taiwan aprilia club:)
rs125 is a good bike,I believe it's absolutely better than nsr.
I live in Taipei
So far as I know,there are 2~3 rs125 in taichung.
I'm not quite sure <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/ohwell.gif ALT=":\">
send a email to me;)
timega.tw@yahoo.com.tw