Yamaha RD350

Overview

Yamaha RD350: My Personal Take

Then there’s the Yamaha RD350: one of those bikes that still gets me all hot and shaky after all these years. The first time I actually saw it in person—I mean, *“Man, is this the same bike that everyone screams about?”* It was impressive. This thing was an absolute monster back in its prime. Not that kind of bike you'd just seen and then glanced at something else—it was the bike you had to see. It wasn't for the faint of heart either. There was nothing quite like it to see either — you either wanted to talk about how great it was, or you had to admit that you'd be a little scared of what it could do.

What was it about the Yamaha RD350 that made it an icon? Was it the raw speed? The aggressive design? Could be or wasn’t that two stroke engine that had you on edge the whole time! So let’s break it down and figure out why, even after being discontinued, this bike was talked about like legend.

Yamaha RD350 What Was it About?

The RD350 wasn’t a normal motorcycle, by a long shot. The version offered in India was wild, untamed and had a 347cc, twin cylinder, air cooled two stroke engine which produced 39 horsepower along with all the power that it needed. If you think that 39 horsepower is not much, please allow me to give you perspective: this was in a lightweight frame — it felt like riding a rocket. Then twist the throttle, and you were flying before you knew it.

The RD350 was a street racers dream in the 1980s. One bought you entry to an exclusive club and people paid attention if you rode by. If you talk about the RD350 today, to someone who’s been around motorcycles, his eyes will light up even today.

The Design: Classic Yet Aggressive

It was a pretty ugly looking design, but that’s what made the RD350 cool. That classic look, with maybe a little bit of aggression mixed in. This was all about understated Power: the round headlight, the minimalistic bodywork, and above all, that twin exhaust pipes. This wasn’t a bike that needed to shout, having started it up people knew what a bike it was.

The RD350’s design was all about function and what I love about it is that is was all about function. It wasn’t even trying to win any beauty contests, but it didn't have to. Its performance was the beauty. And the sound—oh, that sound! It was a two stroke scream. That’s not the sound you hear from modern bikes.

Engine and Performance: A Two-Stroke Legend

The LD350’s heart was its 347cc, two stroke engine though, that’s where the magic happened. Back in its day, this engine was a game changer. It was explosive, almost violent at times. Or you are whizzing right along and bam! Powerband hit and the car is trying to wrinkle you out from underneath you. It was exciting, and very scary.

Not a single electronic safety net in the way if things didn't go right: no ABS, no traction control, nothing. There just you and the machine, that’s why riding it was so good. That RD350 was something real could be tamed’ you got the feeling you’d beaten something wild.

This bike was blisteringly fast, for its time. That number could do 0 to 100 km/h in around 7 seconds — and if you had the balls, the Focus would have gone well past 150 km/h. With great power came great responsibility — or, with great power meant a great challenge. Well, the brakes weren’t up to the task of slowing down all that speed, and stopping could be an adventure of itself.

Handling and Ride Quality: Nimble, Yet Unpredictable

The RD350 got a bit mixed bag with its handling. One the one hand it could weave through traffic and take tight corners with ease. At the same time, however, that random power delivery always kept you on your toes. It was a bumpy ride, but it shouldn’t’ve been. Thrills, not comfort, was this bike about.

The frame was light enough for city riding but really enjoyed being out on the open road. That’s where you could let loose and eat up some miles riding a two stroke beast. That’s what made it exciting of course, but you had to be willing to be hit up the ass with a sudden surge of power once you hit the powerband.

The RD350: Why It Was So Special?

But why do riders still love their Yamaha RD350 today? First of all, it was an experience not found on any other bike at the time. Raw and unfiltered it, made you feel like you were wrestling with something wild every time you got on it. If you’d come out on top, it made you feel like you had accomplished something.

The RD350 had also been something tremendously rebellious. No, it wasn’t a bike for everybody. To ride it well, you needed skill, courage and possibly a little recklessness. One that you owned meant you were serious about riding, and that got you respect. Today, an RD350 that hasn’t rot set, crashed, fallen apart or been cannibalized is like finding a piece of motorcycle history. Most importantly people remember the thrill they had when riding one and then they restore them and collect them. 
The RD350’s Downside: A Love-Hate Relationship

The RD350 wasn’t to be without its flaws and as much as I love it. For one, the fuel economy wasn’t great. RD350 was no exception when it came to two-stroke engines guzzling gas. Don’t forget the infamous “two stoke smoke.” It looked really cool, billowing out of those twin pipes, but it being good for the environment and your health weren’t really qualities of it, either.

Maintenance was also another issue. The RD350 was not really low maintenance. It runs smoothly but took some regular care and attention and finding the spare parts today can be a little… challenging. However, small prices to pay if you really loved the bike.
Final Thoughts: Is the RD350 Still Worth It?

Well, is the Yamaha RD350 worth it today? In my opinion, absolutely. It’s not practical, it’s not easy to live with, but it provides an experience that modern bikes simply can no longer provide. That’s raw, that’s wild, and if you can take it it’s a fun one to ride too.

If you ever get an RD350 riding or owning anytime, do it. Its legitimately a piece of motorcycle history, and the memories you'll make with it will live on in memory. But what about you? Do you really think they are worth reviving or would you ride one of these two stroke beasts? So please, ask me what you want in the comments below!