The basic run down:
On January 19th 1988 the NSR250R 2J was released in Fighting red & white & Terra blue & white colour schemes. An SP model was released on March 15th 1988 in Rothmans racing colours which had Magtek magnesium wheels & was designated the R4J.
The second version of the MC18 was released in February 10th 1989 & designated the R5K for the standard 'R' models & R6K for the SP. The newer MC18 had sharper styled bodywork, pretty cool looking higher set silencers, new rear suspension, PGM II & wider tyres. Colours were the same fighting red and white & Terra blue colours of prevous years (made to look a little sportier), but a new Black and gun metal grey debuted as well. All NSR's were speed restricted from 1989. The 1989 SP had magnesium wheels, new dry clutch and came in Terra racing colours (which personally i think looks arse). It also had fully adjustable front forks & fully adjustable rear shock with reservoir.
From that info, you should easily be able to tell if it's an 88 or 89 MC18. If yours in still wearing standard paint you're laughing (
) But MC18 SP's are pretty damn rare now, so it's most likely a standard 'R' model (like mine). _________________
88 NSR250 R2J (work in progress!) & 05 Aprilia SL1000 Falco