Honda Axo Gresini GP250 Replica

TYGA Team Honda Axo Gresini GP250 Replica

December 2004

 This project bike was built by TYGA to show how a very ordinary MC21 can be transformed into a modern looking race replica without spending a fortune on performance upgrades (total less than 2,500 dollars), but a few simple bolt on parts and a cosmetic makeover. The aim was to build a bike with mild manners but performance to suit its looks.

In short, the mods increased the peak power from around 46 horsepower to over 63. The curve was continuous and better throughout the rev range. Not only that, but the performance gain was achieved easily by bolting on TYGA parts and no special skills are needed to fit them.

Now we had the power, we wanted the looks. We decided to go for the look of the Axo bike that Daijiro Katoh raced in 2000. The obvious choice was the TYGA GP250 bodywork. This kit consists of complete replacements for the stock plastic with glass fiber race replica panels.

The GP race tail was used in conjunction with the TYGA subframe, seat pad, battery box and rear LED (the latter not shown in the pictures) This cleaned up the back end, as well as lightening it and making it more aerodynamic.

The GP250 upper cowling is supplied with a small headlight slotted in the front vent and utilizes the GP upper stay for support. Lowers are the same as used with the TYGA GP500 and Spark uppers, and they have a vent in bottom as well as a much extended rear section compared to the stock MC21 items. Front fender is the TYGA GP fender which gives the front end a much more substantial look. After all, there really is nothing wrong with the stock front end performance wise with excellent forks and brakes and it just needs to look more modern which the fender takes care of.

 Paintwork and stickers were made easy by the similarity in shape between the TYGA bodywork and the GP factory racer's. No side vents, lots of space on lowers for sub-sponsors, and a large area on the upper, allowed for full size stickers. The screen is tinted blue to match the paintwork and to help distinguish between this bike and Katoh's!

Of course, the bike was fitted with a set of TYGA racing steps which enhanced the looks and moved the pegs into a slightly more racey position. The latest Bridgestone BT090s were fitted for a change from the usual Dunlop GPR70s. After that, a few anodized parts were sourced such as suspension and clutch adjusters and, together with TYGA race stand bobbins and anodized fork caps, added the final touch. Of course, it is never really final. Next, the top triple clamp will be replaced with an MC28 item and the ignition lock repositioned and then...

Finally, what about the performance? No worries here. There is lots of power throughout the rev range and the bike is as mild as you could hope for in traffic and at low speed. Steering is good and temperature isn't a problem at all, even in traffic. Instrumentation is stock, but the lack of mirrors and turn signals are a bit inconvenient. Maybe they will get fitted at a later date but probably not.

At higher speed, the fairing works well at deflecting the air from the rider and enabling the bike to reach a high top speed. With stock gearing, it goes right to the 'km/h' script (guestimate 200kmh) on the speedo at 12,000 rpm in top. That was uphill with a 100 kg. rider on board. Different gearing and a ligher rider should allow the bike to pull quite a bit more. But that is not really what the bike is about or a Hayabusa would have been the donor bike. This bike is designed for twisties and it really enjoys them as only NSRs know how to. The difference being, this bike has a bit more power and a huge spread of it for a two stroke making the ride so much more enjoyable. Overall, another success from TYGA!

So how does it compare in looks to the original? Check out the thumbnails below and judge for yourself.

 So you want to build an Axo replica. This is what you need: