Yamaha RD 350

shoei · 22nd June 2009, 01:45

i have a 1988 model low torque bike its in gret condition std engine and colour will all scracthes and dull colour ... i think india can not come with such a beautifull and power full bike again ..rd is a machine ith unlimited power and pleasure no indian bike can beat yamaha rd 350 on road nor pulsar 220 or 250. .these bikes are for kids

IF SPEED IS UR WORSHIP THEN RD IS YOUR GOD

YaeJay · 29th August 2009, 21:14

Will always be the best!

You will forgive the bike for every small flaw for the rush! I would love to get one again, ( God and lesser Gods willing!). Hmm errr, it is lunacy i guess to a lot of people but still...

Jaggu · 29th August 2009, 22:04

Guys for the price it was launched and for the sum it was available in India (till few years back), nothing would come near it. Bang for the bucks! And this is one bike that has CHARACTER written all over it.

Will i pick one up again, DEFINITELY!

alok_balsekar · 29th August 2009, 22:28

The only Problem with the RD are the electricals ....

I have my HT for 6 years now ..... once the electricals are fixed, the maintainence is as good as the regular bikes (Servicing once every 4-6 months) ...

I am still running CB points ... runs super and sounds great ...

CDI Kits|: Works well for people who ride on weekends (Battery not critical)

CB points: Troublefree for those who use the RD as a commmuter (like me) .

Aaaahhh !!!! The Open road and a six speed twin .....

milindajp · 29th August 2009, 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Guys for the price it was launched and for the sum it was available in India (till few years back), nothing would come near it. Bang for the bucks! And this is one bike that has CHARACTER written all over it.

Will i pick one up again, DEFINITELY!

I hope and pray to The Almighty, that you and all those RD350 lovers who wish to own the machine once again, fulfill their cherished dream. After long long wait of 3 years, God smiled on me and just a month back - bought one. (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route...ide-rd350.html (Delhi - Kolkata : A ride on RD350))

nitrogary · 1st September 2009, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by nfs3000

What do you guys think about yamaha RD 350 ? Do you guys think is it the king of the indian roads ? well let me know about your opinion.

a 30 year old bike may not remain the king of the road...
but surely she the queen of hearts...

having said that, a well kept rd can smoke bikes currently sold in india.
its a pleasure to own. and since mine has several original parts, i havent ever parked her on a public road in the last 4 years, not even at friend's places. it hasnt seen rain or sun as i have always parked in shade. always...
i usually ride on sunday mornings so that ride is decently fast and the bike can open up. i run on points and havent had trouble from her. I like it because it is the way it was designed. i have a CDI which i used earlier. that also works fine.
bike starts in first kick even after sitting for weeks.

MOST important thing the bike needs is respect and love. she ll give you more than enough in return.

Spitfire · 1st September 2009, 15:10

We are a nation starved of affordable performance bikes. Bikes that don't only do 0-100 in less then a blink but can be bought and maintained for very less.

The RD 350 back in 1983 was a bike way ahead of its time. Maybe a launch in the early 90's could have seen the bike survive at least till the death kneel of 2 strokes in India was sounded.

But at the same time no other manufacturer gave us a bike with similar performance during or after the RD period. The BMW's and others were way out of reach.

This bike was the "poor man's" superbike and did better then some too. It worked and worked well and still does. Its a legend now and is acknowledged around the world.

There will be many a replacement much better then the RD, but what it delivered to us Indians then will be etched on our minds forever.

PS: I was a wide eyed pillion on my dad's brand new 84 HT for 8 years before he sold it.

Spitfire · 12th November 2009, 11:11

YouTube - Legendry Movie that featured Legendry Machine - Yamaha RD350

From the movie Hero, many may have seen it already. It has a shot of the Escorts Factory too with rows of RD350s parked.

roy_libran · 12th April 2010, 10:50

I had the PRIVILEDGE of using a RD 350 for about 6 months in Kanpur during 95-96. I also had the rare PRIVILEDGE of actually letting it go all out on an airstrip. It was Kanpur IIT's Aeronautical Engineering airstrip, very near to where I used to live then.

I have Wheelied this bike in Third Gear.
Have ridden this at 150+ KMPH on that airstrip.
Been chased by Airport Security in their Mahindras, with absolutely no hope of catching me.
Burnt all my Pocket Money on the 12 KMPL I used to get from it.

Things, I would never tell my children (whenever I have them). ;-)

But, the most unforgettable experience ever on a bike.

inderpalgill · 13th April 2010, 11:57

hi guys friends and all here yamaha 350 stolen from Ludhiana having Chassis no: 4776 and engine: 4776 model 1989 regn no HR 22 9222. fully restored in metalic cherry shade K& N exhausts, help in any manner will surely be rewarded,I need your help bring back home my kid

jkdas · 16th April 2010, 22:13

Heard about a RE350 beating a RD350 during an event ! RE was worked on by a RD guy!

Renjit · 15th June 2010, 10:41

Thank you all for all your inputs. Feel soooo proud as i have onr HT RD350 for the last 24 years. currently not in use, but i am sure i will restore her ASAP.

Ajaybiz · 16th June 2010, 14:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkdas

Heard about a RE350 beating a RD350 during an event ! RE was worked on by a RD guy!

That was Bull classic 500 done by RDD founder Ron Chinoy during last hill climb

BTW my RD is also ready now will put the pics and details in couple of days in another topic started by me two years back, quite busy in doing last few remaining things.
Guys with weak heart and pocket should avoid buying RD, she needs lots of time, money and patient, i took 2 years to get her in present shape and collected so many parts that now planning to do one RD cafe racer as well

If you have money and knowledge parts are no issue us ebay is the way.
I am sitting on standard US spec barrels, 0.25 LT, standard HT and one china spec barrels

ported to eat up our HT RD's.
Loaded with RDD goodies like CDi, UNI filters with bigger jets, crank, engine blue printed, geniune ART pistons etc.
Soon will be pluging the complete US RD front end on her with disc break setup.

james · 16th June 2010, 15:23

jkdas, are you refering to the unofficial drag that took place a few years ago between anthony's 500/535(citybike/lightning) and a rd worked on by rdd? Or the race to the clouds event?

Ajaj baba,you are sitting on too many goodies! Share the love man!

Ajaybiz · 18th June 2010, 09:55

Enjoy the teaser, anytime James i love sharing with RD fellows.

YouTube - MY RD's first start up after work.

22nd June 2009, 01:45	#16
shoei Newbie Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: hyderabad Posts: 12 Thanked: 0 Times	even i have a rd i have a 1988 model low torque bike its in gret condition std engine and colour will all scracthes and dull colour ... i think india can not come with such a beautifull and power full bike again ..rd is a machine ith unlimited power and pleasure no indian bike can beat yamaha rd 350 on road nor pulsar 220 or 250. .these bikes are for kids IF SPEED IS UR WORSHIP THEN RD IS YOUR GOD
	() Thanks

29th August 2009, 21:14	#17
YaeJay BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: . Posts: 489 Thanked: 131 Times	Will always be the best! You will forgive the bike for every small flaw for the rush! I would love to get one again, ( God and lesser Gods willing!). Hmm errr, it is lunacy i guess to a lot of people but still...
	() Thanks

29th August 2009, 22:04	#18
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,907 Times	Guys for the price it was launched and for the sum it was available in India (till few years back), nothing would come near it. Bang for the bucks! And this is one bike that has CHARACTER written all over it. Will i pick one up again, DEFINITELY!
	() Thanks

29th August 2009, 22:28	#19
alok_balsekar BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: mumbai Posts: 115 Thanked: 40 Times View My Garage	The only Problem with the RD are the electricals .... I have my HT for 6 years now ..... once the electricals are fixed, the maintainence is as good as the regular bikes (Servicing once every 4-6 months) ... I am still running CB points ... runs super and sounds great ... CDI Kits\|: Works well for people who ride on weekends (Battery not critical) CB points: Troublefree for those who use the RD as a commmuter (like me) . Aaaahhh !!!! The Open road and a six speed twin .....
	() Thanks

1st September 2009, 15:10	#22
Spitfire BANNED Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Panaji - Goa/Bangalore - Karnataka Posts: 3,312 Thanked: 774 Times	We are a nation starved of affordable performance bikes. Bikes that don't only do 0-100 in less then a blink but can be bought and maintained for very less. The RD 350 back in 1983 was a bike way ahead of its time. Maybe a launch in the early 90's could have seen the bike survive at least till the death kneel of 2 strokes in India was sounded. But at the same time no other manufacturer gave us a bike with similar performance during or after the RD period. The BMW's and others were way out of reach. This bike was the "poor man's" superbike and did better then some too. It worked and worked well and still does. Its a legend now and is acknowledged around the world. There will be many a replacement much better then the RD, but what it delivered to us Indians then will be etched on our minds forever. PS: I was a wide eyed pillion on my dad's brand new 84 HT for 8 years before he sold it.
	() Thanks

12th April 2010, 10:50	#24
roy_libran Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: DNCR Posts: 1,643 Thanked: 3,456 Times View My Garage	I had the PRIVILEDGE of using a RD 350 for about 6 months in Kanpur during 95-96. I also had the rare PRIVILEDGE of actually letting it go all out on an airstrip. It was Kanpur IIT's Aeronautical Engineering airstrip, very near to where I used to live then. I have Wheelied this bike in Third Gear. Have ridden this at 150+ KMPH on that airstrip. Been chased by Airport Security in their Mahindras, with absolutely no hope of catching me. Burnt all my Pocket Money on the 12 KMPL I used to get from it. Things, I would never tell my children (whenever I have them). ;-) But, the most unforgettable experience ever on a bike.
	(2) Thanks

13th April 2010, 11:57	#25
inderpalgill BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ludhiana Posts: 465 Thanked: 50 Times View My Garage	hi guys friends and all here yamaha 350 stolen from Ludhiana having Chassis no: 4776 and engine: 4776 model 1989 regn no HR 22 9222. fully restored in metalic cherry shade K& N exhausts, help in any manner will surely be rewarded,I need your help bring back home my kid Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

16th April 2010, 22:13	#26
jkdas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Thiruvananthapu Posts: 9,687 Thanked: 1,492 Times View My Garage	Heard about a RE350 beating a RD350 during an event ! RE was worked on by a RD guy!
	() Thanks

15th June 2010, 10:41	#27
Renjit BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Mavelikara, Alappuzha Posts: 45 Thanked: 0 Times	Thank you all for all your inputs. Feel soooo proud as i have onr HT RD350 for the last 24 years. currently not in use, but i am sure i will restore her ASAP.
	() Thanks

16th June 2010, 15:23	#29
james BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mangalore Posts: 597 Thanked: 645 Times	jkdas, are you refering to the unofficial drag that took place a few years ago between anthony's 500/535(citybike/lightning) and a rd worked on by rdd? Or the race to the clouds event? Ajaj baba,you are sitting on too many goodies! Share the love man!
	() Thanks