Was the Yamaha RD350 truly a "widow maker"?
Over the years the Yamaha RD350 has gained a reputation as a 'widow maker' with its powerful two stroke engine and basic brakes for the time. The meaning of this nickname is that the bike was dangerous and could even kill an inexperienced rider. But opinions on this matter range from wildly divergent among motorcycle enthusiasts. A few contend the RD350's power-to-weight ratio and quick acceleration made it difficult to tame, while others say it was no more deadly than other bikes of its time if ridden sensibly. Arguments rage as to whether current safety standards have done a disservice to the memory of the older bikes, or that the 'widow maker' tag is an unjustified exaggeration born of the bike's renown.
It's just a myth. I had a ride one back in the day, and with respect, there was no more danger involved than with any other bike.
Definitely earned that nickname. For its time, the power delivery was insane and those drum brakes were sketchy at best.
It’s a bit dramatic to call it a widow maker. For their time it was fast, but so were a lot of bikes. The rider’s skill and judgment is all it’s about.
I'd call it a thrill maker more than a widow maker. It was fun to ride, sure, but it was powerful, and that made it fun to ride!
It’s probably exaggerated, but it’s true to some degree. Quick acceleration with mediocre brakes might fool some beginners.
It's not fair to call it such. The wrong hands can make any bike dangerous. Its reputation grew because the RD350 just happened to be popular and powerful.
I feel like it’s more how advanced it was for its time. Nothing else could come close to its performance back then, and it felt dangerous.
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Discussions and Questions Was The Yamaha Rd350 Truly A Widow Maker
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