The Japan-Italy Connection

THE JAPAN-ITALY CONNECTION

IN A WORLD ENMESHED BY global economics, the notion of producing a Japanese motorcycle in some country other than Japan is not too far-fetched. For an example, check out Honda’s new NSR125R, a motorcycle designed in Japan but built in Honda-Italia’s Atessa manufacturing facility.

This eight-liter race-replica resembles Honda’s ultra-expensive NR750, thanks to its similarly styled headlight treatment, ducting and cheese-grater grillwork. The NSR does not share the NR’s

but its single-cylinder powerplant is still very sophisticated. The slightly undersquare, liquid-cooled, 125cc two-stroke sports a 12.6:1 compression ratio, case-reed induction, an electronically operated exhaust powervalve and a six-speed transmission.

In addition to its stylish bodywork and performanceoriented engine, the bike uses Honda’s innovative Alcast Zeta frame. Composed of two castaluminum shells linked together by steel bolts, the chassis is mated to a conventional 35mm

linkage-assisted Showa shock absorber. Braking comes from a single 12.4-inch floating rotor and twin-piston caliper up front and a single 8.7-inch, one-piston combination at the rear. The 17-inch wheels are shod with Pirelli tires in 100/80 and 130/70 sizes.

The NSR125R weighs a claimed 280 pounds dry and retails for approximately 6.3 million lira, about $4400 at current exchange rates.

Matthew Miles