The Honda NSR500 is a race motorcycle from the Honda NSR series. It was created by HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) and debuted in 1984 for the Grand Prix motorcycle racing's 500 cc class. Honda won ten 500cc World Championships with the NSR500 from 1984 to present, six in a row 1994 to 1999. With more than 100 wins to its credit, the NSR500 is the most dominant force in modern Grand Prix motorcycle racing. The 1989 NSR500 that won Honda's third 500 World Championship with Eddie Lawson exemplifies the overwhelming power, acceleration and raw speed that has always been synonymous with Honda's 500 cc two-stroke V4.

Pictured here is a 1:12 scale, limited edition 2001 Honda NSR 500 Nastro Azzurro Honda Racing MotoGP bike driven by Valentino Rossi at the Le Mans GP. Also includes a removable fairing and detachable kickstand. Only 9,546 produced. Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Length: 7-inches
Height: 3-1/2-inches

Historical Account: "The Doctor Is In" - Born on February 16th, 1979, Valentino Rossi is an Italian professional motorcycle racer and multiple MotoGP World Champion. He is widely considered one of the best motorcycle racers of all time.

Following his father, Graziano Rossi, Rossi started racing in Grand Prix in 1996 for Aprilia in the 125cc category and won his first World Championship the following year. From there, he moved up to the 250cc category, again with Aprilia, and won the World Championship in 1999.

He won the 500cc World Championship with Honda in 2001, the MotoGP World Championships (also with Honda) in 2002 and 2003, and continued his streak of back-to-back championships by winning the 2004 and 2005 MotoGP World Championship after leaving Honda to join Yamaha.

He is the reigning World Champion and won his seventh World Championship (5th consecutive) in the 2005 MotoGP series. At the end of the 2005 season, Valentino Rossi holds 79 Grand Prix victories which makes him the most successful rider of the Grand Prix series, surpassing legendary rider Giacomo Agostini.