Opinions on a Yamaha RD 350 as a first bike?

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zenman · #1 Unread post by **zenman** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 11:17 am

1973 2-stroke

http://orlando.craigslist.org/mcy/234432236.html

flynrider · Wed Nov 15, 2006 11:57 am

The RD350 has an extremely twitchy powerband. Kinda like a switch that goes from "off" to "full on". My friend had one and we christened it "The Wheeliemaker".

With that kind of power response, plus 70s era supsension, it probably wouldn't make the best beginner bike. Even back in the 70s, the RD350 was a challenge for experienced rider.

zenman · #3 Unread post by **zenman** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 4:25 pm

flynrider wrote:The RD350 has an extremely twitchy powerband. Kinda like a switch that goes from "off" to "full on". My friend had one and we christened it "The Wheeliemaker".

With that kind of power response, plus 70s era supsension, it probably wouldn't make the best beginner bike. Even back in the 70s, the RD350 was a challenge for experienced rider.

I spoke to an experienced rider a little while ago and he said forget about it. He said there used to be a joke about the RD standing for Road Death or something like that.

#4 Unread post by **fireguzzi** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 4:25 pm

flynrider is right. Don't let the engine size fool you, those things are wheelie monsters.

zenman · #5 Unread post by **zenman** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 4:25 pm

Looks like it's sold anyway.

Scott58 · #6 Unread post by **Scott58** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 5:17 am

I put almost 50,000 miles on an RD-400 and in stock condition they are actually sadate and rpm tends to fall off around 6500 rpm. It's when you add pipes and jet kit the real animal comes out. The craiglist has already been removed so not sure what the 350 had in it. If they are modified at all they aren't beginner bikes.

Kal · #7 Unread post by **Kal** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 5:52 pm

I've a friend with both a modified CBR900 'Blade and a standard RD350LC.

He will happily lend me the 'Blade but wouldn't let me ride "Elsie"

#8 Unread post by **Koss** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 11:02 pm

Mmmmmm Two-Stroke goodness.

qwerty · #9 Unread post by **qwerty** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 6:27 am

Sure, the RD350 is a good beginner bike, if your are a beginner roadracer. The YZ racing version of the bike is what Yamaha competed with in the 750cc roadracing classes for years, and they did pretty good. Once Honda came out with the CB750, Harley came out with the XR750, and Kawasaki came out with the H2 750 triple, the YZ350 was no longer competitive. Yamaha stuck two YZ350s end-to-end and introduced the YZ700, which smoked EVERYBODY. It took several years for the other manufacturers to catch up, performancewise. Unfortunately, the YZ700, and later the 750 version, so overpowered the suspension, brake, and tire technologies of the time, crashes were common and riders died like flies.