Am I Mad - Thinking of revisiting Yamaha RD350 ownership
Discussion
Way back in 1979 I bought a really clean 1974 red Yamaha RD350A. First thing I did was go to Roy Smiths in Surbiton to buy the revised part for the selector drum so I could use 6th gear. Seem to recall it cost nearly £10!
Anyway I really enjoyed that bike for 2 years until a mate bought a new Z650 so I thought I'd better get one of those.
I sold my last bikes in 2010 when the Mrs and I split up which meant I no longer had a garage - I had an RD400C and a scruffy old XJ550.
My mate has about 10 bikes and keeps telling me I ought to get one too, and I've seen a clean red RD350A for sale. As I do have a garage now I'm very tempted.
Should I?
Anyway I really enjoyed that bike for 2 years until a mate bought a new Z650 so I thought I'd better get one of those.
I sold my last bikes in 2010 when the Mrs and I split up which meant I no longer had a garage - I had an RD400C and a scruffy old XJ550.
My mate has about 10 bikes and keeps telling me I ought to get one too, and I've seen a clean red RD350A for sale. As I do have a garage now I'm very tempted.
Should I?
I lusted after a power valve back in the day, a mate owned a real beauty and I always admired it.
Things moved on and he sold it before I passed my test and bought a new CBR600FN.
Years later I had a go on one, they say you should never meet your heroes and this was the case, the power valve felt ancient, dead brakes a hinge in the middle and it felt slow and breathless…what a disappointment.
It did sound nice though..!!!
Things moved on and he sold it before I passed my test and bought a new CBR600FN.
Years later I had a go on one, they say you should never meet your heroes and this was the case, the power valve felt ancient, dead brakes a hinge in the middle and it felt slow and breathless…what a disappointment.
It did sound nice though..!!!
Mr Tidy said:
Way back in 1979 I bought a really clean 1974 red Yamaha RD350A. First thing I did was go to Roy Smiths in Surbiton to buy the revised part for the selector drum so I could use 6th gear. Seem to recall it cost nearly £10!
Anyway I really enjoyed that bike for 2 years until a mate bought a new Z650 so I thought I'd better get one of those.
I sold my last bikes in 2010 when the Mrs and I split up which meant I no longer had a garage - I had an RD400C and a scruffy old XJ550.
My mate has about 10 bikes and keeps telling me I ought to get one too, and I've seen a clean red RD350A for sale. As I do have a garage now I'm very tempted.
Should I?
I love motorcycles and still own one. My favourite bikes are mid 80’s to mid 90’s 2 stroke race replicas with the Honda NS400R and Kawasaki KR1S being of particular interest. Anyway I really enjoyed that bike for 2 years until a mate bought a new Z650 so I thought I'd better get one of those.
I sold my last bikes in 2010 when the Mrs and I split up which meant I no longer had a garage - I had an RD400C and a scruffy old XJ550.
My mate has about 10 bikes and keeps telling me I ought to get one too, and I've seen a clean red RD350A for sale. As I do have a garage now I'm very tempted.
Should I?
I did plan to buy one a few years ago to use occasionally and show. However, the risk of 2 stroke seizures, together with the state of the roads and standard of driving, I totally went off the idea. In fact the latter 2 reasons have stopped me riding anything.
If you’re looking for nostalgia, I’d go for a classic car and prices are reasonable at the moment.
Rob 131 Sport said:
I love motorcycles and still own one. My favourite bikes are mid 80 s to mid 90 s 2 stroke race replicas with the Honda NS400R and Kawasaki KR1S being of particular interest.
I did plan to buy one a few years ago to use occasionally and show. However, the risk of 2 stroke seizures, together with the state of the roads and standard of driving, I totally went off the idea. In fact the latter 2 reasons have stopped me riding anything.
If you re looking for nostalgia, I d go for a classic car and prices are reasonable at the moment.
My favourites were 70s/80s 2 strokes. I had four RDs and a 250LC, although my favourite was a KH500 so maybe I should try and find one of those? I'm still undecided but will see what I can find out about it. I did plan to buy one a few years ago to use occasionally and show. However, the risk of 2 stroke seizures, together with the state of the roads and standard of driving, I totally went off the idea. In fact the latter 2 reasons have stopped me riding anything.
If you re looking for nostalgia, I d go for a classic car and prices are reasonable at the moment.
My current fun car will turn 20 this year so by some definitions is almost a classic already!
When we were first married in 1975, our RD350B was our only transport. It served for commuting, shopping and holidays for nearly two years and 38,000 miles. Took us all over the UK, seized once when I ran the oil tank dry (when - ironically - I had a gallon of oil in the top-box...) and went like the absolute clappers once I had done some rudimentary gas-flow work to the motor.
Brilliant bike, I am seriously considering another (or, better still, a 400).
PHC 557M, are you still alive?
Brilliant bike, I am seriously considering another (or, better still, a 400).
PHC 557M, are you still alive?
My red 350A was VPA 694M, but hasn't had an MOT since the system went digital. 
I had a couple of 400s but as a classic IMHO the 350s look so much better with the "peanut" tank and spoked wheels.
Actually I think the LCs look better than the coffin-tank models - love the Italic alloy wheels!
I had a couple of 400s but as a classic IMHO the 350s look so much better with the "peanut" tank and spoked wheels.
Actually I think the LCs look better than the coffin-tank models - love the Italic alloy wheels!
I hsd bikes in the 70s, then again as a commuting tool from 2005 to 2015. After a break, I decided I would fulfill the dream of having a 70s two stroke again. After some searching I bought a low mileage GT500 and a GT380 needing restoration. I am happy to ride the 500 to the occassional local bike night and round the lanes on a sunny day. But compared to the VFR750 I was riding previously, it really does feel like a vintage ride. Not something I would want to take very far or very fast or use if there is the slightest bit of rain. I would definitely buy the RD350. Just don't expect it to feel like the rocket ship it did when you were 17 or to use it to head off to Europe for the Summer.
Gareth9702 said:
I hsd bikes in the 70s, then again as a commuting tool from 2005 to 2015. After a break, I decided I would fulfill the dream of having a 70s two stroke again. After some searching I bought a low mileage GT500 and a GT380 needing restoration. I am happy to ride the 500 to the occassional local bike night and round the lanes on a sunny day. But compared to the VFR750 I was riding previously, it really does feel like a vintage ride. Not something I would want to take very far or very fast or use if there is the slightest bit of rain. I would definitely buy the RD350. Just don't expect it to feel like the rocket ship it did when you were 17 or to use it to head off to Europe for the Summer.
My GT500 was a commuting tool (my wife had the Escort for her teaching job). You think it rains now?, it seemed to rain all the time then in 1977. I never came off the bike, but I got my only ever speeding tickets on it. Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff