1980 Yamaha RD125 DX
Discussion
I bought this bike last week from a groovy hipster dude in Cornwall. It's a hoot! Noisy air cooled two stroke parallel twin, five speeds, one disc, one drum. Light in weight, not much frame, really quite nippy and dynamic. Tops out at an indicated 80 ish (probably rather less in real life). Likes going around corners (NB bugger all engine braking). Kick starts first go every time. More stoppy than the one reviewed below, because disc brake. Me likee!
PS: Great condition, good tyres. Has had a bit of paint at some point in its life. MoT until next Feb. I paid 2K. You can get an imported one from 1.5K upwards, but 2K feels to me about right for one in this condition and with UK registration.
PS: Great condition, good tyres. Has had a bit of paint at some point in its life. MoT until next Feb. I paid 2K. You can get an imported one from 1.5K upwards, but 2K feels to me about right for one in this condition and with UK registration.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 15th June 06:49
See below for an accurate review of this type. The gearing is a bit odd. You get a great big meh when you change from fourth to fifth. But the review nonetheless says -
"... the RD125 is a delightful machine, easily the best of the 125cc bikes from the period and able to embarrass more than a few larger machines in a straight fight."
"Once used to the engine and chassis characteristics, the ride is nothing less than great fun; it isn’t hard to see why this machine caused a bit of a stir when first introduced, with its mix of lightweight and performance, while getting it right is eminently satisfying. Small, but none the less positive, inputs being the strict order of the day to reduce any upsetting of the delicate ride. Treat it with respect when cornering, allow a bit of extra distance for stopping from speed and above all rev the engine for all its worth."
http://classic-motorbikes.net/yamaha-rd125b-road-t...
"... the RD125 is a delightful machine, easily the best of the 125cc bikes from the period and able to embarrass more than a few larger machines in a straight fight."
"Once used to the engine and chassis characteristics, the ride is nothing less than great fun; it isn’t hard to see why this machine caused a bit of a stir when first introduced, with its mix of lightweight and performance, while getting it right is eminently satisfying. Small, but none the less positive, inputs being the strict order of the day to reduce any upsetting of the delicate ride. Treat it with respect when cornering, allow a bit of extra distance for stopping from speed and above all rev the engine for all its worth."
http://classic-motorbikes.net/yamaha-rd125b-road-t...
Cheers! I dunno about the 200s, but RD 250s seem to go for closer to 3K. For a mid-sized bike I have opted for something 80s and Italian, also in the 3K to 4K ish price range (thread may follow in due course).
I am too much of a mahoosive wuss to have a big bike, being not only frit of bike-fastiness (whereas in any car I drive like a nutter and get busted for speeding all the time), but also physically too weedy to pick up heavy bikes after I inevitably drop them.
I am too much of a mahoosive wuss to have a big bike, being not only frit of bike-fastiness (whereas in any car I drive like a nutter and get busted for speeding all the time), but also physically too weedy to pick up heavy bikes after I inevitably drop them.
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 16th June 08:58
By the way, I went to collect this bike myself - using a 1981 Morris Sherpa campervan that has a smooth(ish) and reasonably punchy two litre O Series engine with a single SU carb, but only has four forward speeds. Top whack in that is a bit over 70 MPH (the van is going to have an ex-MGB Laycock overdrive gearbox fitted soon, which will give it another 8 MPH). It does 20 MPG tops. 545 miles there and back again in a day. I am now deaf, and also skint on petrol bills.
Bike in van pictured below. The black plate is both anachronistic and naughty, and I have just bought a proper yellow plate for the bike.
Bike in van pictured below. The black plate is both anachronistic and naughty, and I have just bought a proper yellow plate for the bike.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 15th June 12:15
Breadvan72 said:
Castle Point - will watch out for that in the area - looking good.Not sure on the black number plate, was thinking of putting one on the X7 but doesn't look right, RD looks too recent.
(I know you've done the foody stuff before, are you running the van by the lay-by on Castle Drive?).
I live nowhere near Castle Point (wherever that is). The picture above is cheekily stolen from the sale advert (OMG sue me). The bike looks better in real life than in the picture.
Foody? I had a slightly rubbish pasty en route and a slightly rubbish crab sandwich at Falmouth. Padstow and St Ives apart, food doesn't seem to have reached Cornwall yet.
Foody? I had a slightly rubbish pasty en route and a slightly rubbish crab sandwich at Falmouth. Padstow and St Ives apart, food doesn't seem to have reached Cornwall yet.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 15th June 11:10
Re the 250, I love this:-
https://bikerandbike.co.uk/yamaha-rd250-classic-bi...
"Occasionally we’d hear that crackly exhaust noise, catch a whiff of two-stroke smoke and wander toward the cul de sac where a couple of goons would be disturbing the peace by popping wheelies on antisocially loud smoking two stroke bikes. We were awestruck of course and desperately wanted some of that action.
Becoming a knobhead on a motorbike was the natural next step for many of my associates.
...
They were loud, annoying, brightly coloured and dangerous and old people complained about them. That was enough for us. We were helplessly in love from first sight. To own an RD and ride it like a dick was to be the coolest kid on the estate and became every spotty kid’s dream."
https://bikerandbike.co.uk/yamaha-rd250-classic-bi...
"Occasionally we’d hear that crackly exhaust noise, catch a whiff of two-stroke smoke and wander toward the cul de sac where a couple of goons would be disturbing the peace by popping wheelies on antisocially loud smoking two stroke bikes. We were awestruck of course and desperately wanted some of that action.
Becoming a knobhead on a motorbike was the natural next step for many of my associates.
...
They were loud, annoying, brightly coloured and dangerous and old people complained about them. That was enough for us. We were helplessly in love from first sight. To own an RD and ride it like a dick was to be the coolest kid on the estate and became every spotty kid’s dream."
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 15th June 11:13
Breadvan72 said:
I live nowhere near Castle Point (wherever that is). The picture above is cheekily stolen from the sale advert (OMG sue me). The bike looks better in real life than in the picture.
Foody? I had a slightly rubbish pasty en route and a slightly rubbish crab sandwich at Falmouth. Padstow and St Ives apart, food doesn't seem to have reached Cornwall yet.
Fair do - thought you were the chap who had a retro catering trailer. Foody? I had a slightly rubbish pasty en route and a slightly rubbish crab sandwich at Falmouth. Padstow and St Ives apart, food doesn't seem to have reached Cornwall yet.
Edited by Breadvan72 on Thursday 15th June 11:10
Castle Point where the photo was taken is in Falmouth, Fraggle Rock lighthouse only just out of view.
graham22 said:
thought you were the chap who had a retro catering trailer.
I have fallen from grace, but not fallen quite so far as that! Also, I have neither tats, piercings, nor neck beard, so hipster career options are closed to me. I do own one plaid shirt, but it's a real one from ye olden days, formerly used in hut stays during actual mountaineering on actual big mountains . It is not from a cool shop in Marylebone.
My first bike back in the very late 70s. I knew bugger all about it. Only ran on one cylinder and a few other issues.
Should have persevered but wanted something that worked. Got rid, got a bank loan for £350 guaranteed by my mum and bought a Yamaha RS125DX. Single cylinder 2 stroke.
Should have persevered but wanted something that worked. Got rid, got a bank loan for £350 guaranteed by my mum and bought a Yamaha RS125DX. Single cylinder 2 stroke.
That is the mutts nuts, well done you. I hope you're riding it in jeans, sambas and a black leather jacket off the market. No gloves.
I bought a bike recently from a guy in Camelford, which I think is also in Cornwall, and which is really far away.
Not having a Sherpa I drove it home to Scotland.
Via France, Switzerland, Germany then France again and all of England. Took nearly a week. Sadly my wife has begun speaking to me again.
It's nowhere near as cool as yours though.
Enjoy.
I bought a bike recently from a guy in Camelford, which I think is also in Cornwall, and which is really far away.
Not having a Sherpa I drove it home to Scotland.
Via France, Switzerland, Germany then France again and all of England. Took nearly a week. Sadly my wife has begun speaking to me again.
It's nowhere near as cool as yours though.
Enjoy.
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