No video

Yamaha RD Series ! 2-stroke Classic

Yamaha RD 50, 125 ,250, 350, 400. Generation of AIR-cooled two-stroke engines manufactured and assembled into Yamaha RD motorcycles before 1980.
Compilation with original sound and technical description.
Many thanks to all bikers and motorcycle fans who contributed their videos to our motorcycle channel. If you have a motorcycle at home that you built yourself, or an old, interesting or unusual motorcycle that you would like to show, please send me short videos from your camera or mobile phone to: We Transfer - jawatinomoto@gmail.com
I will process your videos and publish them on our motorcycle KZread channel - Jawa Tino

Пікірлер: 816

  • @sambrooks7862
    @sambrooks78623 жыл бұрын

    As a 16 year old in 1981 an Rd 250 was my dream bike. I never had one, I ended up with a suzuki hustler (still a bloody quick 250). Out of the 7 or 8 mates that had an RD at least 4 didn't reach their 18th birthday. What I now believe was a clear case of ambition outweighing talent. They may have only been a 250 but you needed skills to ride them that few 17 year olds possessed.

  • @muckle8

    @muckle8

    Жыл бұрын

    @sambrooks7862 your 5 years older than me , my two older brothers had an hustler and an red250 - both fantastic bikes and then my eldest brothers mate appeared one day on a rd400 - life was never the same after that - IN A GOOD WAY! 😎

  • @halamkajohn

    @halamkajohn

    Жыл бұрын

    107 mph must be an underestimate. i had a first motorcycle engine was an rd 200. I could easily get up to 110 mph.

  • @texasblueboy1508

    @texasblueboy1508

    Жыл бұрын

    RD350 is what I owned. I loved it. 1974 the color was purple.

  • @sambrooks7862

    @sambrooks7862

    Жыл бұрын

    @@texasblueboy1508 bet you wish you still owned it, it would be worth a fortune now!

  • @peter7624

    @peter7624

    Жыл бұрын

    I also had the T20 Hustler back in the seventies. It went well and was quite fast for a 250, but eventually spat its bearings out via the transfer ports, taking a piston with it.

  • @jamesbraun2763
    @jamesbraun27636 жыл бұрын

    I had a RD-400E . It was crazy quick . The biggest problem was keeping the front wheel down . I like it .

  • @vinwilliams6562

    @vinwilliams6562

    4 жыл бұрын

    Me too had mine a week lol trying to show off in front of some girls trying to wheelie didn't happen on way home stopped at some lights give it hand full first and second third hit power band hadn't done my lid up up it went lid over eyes back of a cortina lol wild ride like buckaroo lol went like heck when it dried out

  • @tonyb9735

    @tonyb9735

    4 жыл бұрын

    lol, mine would scrape its number plate along the ground in 1st or 2nd if you hit the power band!

  • @jfan4reva

    @jfan4reva

    2 жыл бұрын

    Even my old R5 was a wheelie machine. You just had to know how. Below 3000 there was no power, which is why Yamaha gave the RD series reed valves. Gave them some actual low RPM torque. Starting from a stop was - rev to 3000, slip the clutch and roll the power on holding the engine at 3000 until the clutch was fully engaged, then shift to 2nd! How fast you accelerated depended on how much throttle you rolled on and how fast you slipped the clutch. At 3500 RPM in first gear with full throttle, the front wheel would not be on the pavement.

  • @fakenewssucks211

    @fakenewssucks211

    2 жыл бұрын

    let me guess ? white tank with red decals ?red alloys or yellow and black

  • @kevclark3662

    @kevclark3662

    2 жыл бұрын

    i still have my wheels

  • @gosolobox
    @gosolobox3 жыл бұрын

    I had one of these... I'm lucky to be alive.

  • @timschutte6924

    @timschutte6924

    3 жыл бұрын

    Your NOT kidding !!! Massive power band from the GODS of torque

  • @gosolobox

    @gosolobox

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@timschutte6924 Coupled with scary 70's frame and brakes..

  • @nietherniether7508

    @nietherniether7508

    3 жыл бұрын

    Just like the 2 stroke dirt bikes. Scary stuff😬

  • @konavader

    @konavader

    3 жыл бұрын

    Mine was just like the one at 2:45, I was 24, life was great. Aloha

  • @bryankirk3567

    @bryankirk3567

    3 жыл бұрын

    You just had not sorted your suspension. I've got gravel-rash scars on my elbows.

  • @TheGreatest1974
    @TheGreatest19743 жыл бұрын

    ALL the RD’s are amazing bikes. I had a rd125lc mk3 in 1987 aged 17. 20 in 1st, 40 in 2nd, 60 in third and 0-60 in about 4 seconds. Crashed it and wrecked it, nearly died, but I still want it back! Nothing is quite like an RD.

  • @LeonTrotsky6782
    @LeonTrotsky67823 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Japan for providing such great bikes us for us Brits. They were truly wonderful machines that gave us such joy & an affordable means of transport.

  • @ASelbo
    @ASelbo4 жыл бұрын

    These Yamaha RD’s are just as good looking, purposeful and quick as in the day. I remember when the RD350 entered the stage. Scaring the owners of the big BMW’s and Guzzi’s, leaving them in a haze of blue smoke

  • @timoffreethought580

    @timoffreethought580

    Жыл бұрын

    When I had my 350 (82) my friends had 750 Hondas and KZ 650 . They didn't like to play too seriously. A buddy with a CB 900F WAS Untouchable down the straight but usually reeled him in a few corners later .

  • @phlodel
    @phlodel6 жыл бұрын

    Oh, how i'd like to ride an Rd 400 again! It wouldn't make me a young man again but it would remind me I once was one.

  • @timmason7430

    @timmason7430

    5 жыл бұрын

    I'm getting mine running again this year. So, if you're at the Raven( Whitchurch ) next year, you might see it there.

  • @patgh63

    @patgh63

    5 жыл бұрын

    Omg I know.. I had a slew of RD 350's as a teenager. A '79 RD 400 Daytona Special in my early 20's. In the 1/8th mile , these bikes would outrun 750 & 900cc machines I see vids today of RD 400's at the drag strip running hi 8 second quarters The TZ 350 twins ruled Daytona for years in the 70's

  • @timmason7430

    @timmason7430

    5 жыл бұрын

    Oh-Well, such are the joys of 2 strokes.

  • @johnritchie4801

    @johnritchie4801

    4 жыл бұрын

    phlodel I had one to Dam they were fun

  • @jlucasound

    @jlucasound

    4 жыл бұрын

    I had a couple of H1 500's. Great on oil (injection), horrible on gas. S2 350? Go forever on a tank of gas, but the oil would be sucked up. Go figure. (YES! I was at the Loudon/Laconia Classic in 1983! I jumped the "Gauntlet"!!) Wild weekend. Had to use my shoelace to replace the kickstand spring that went flying into the woods. Yes, I rode my H1 500 back to CT. On I-91. Sunday night.

  • @LabRat6619
    @LabRat66195 жыл бұрын

    ALL RDs were beautiful, air cooled and water cooler. That 70's look is sooo appealing today!

  • @Jamcam99
    @Jamcam996 жыл бұрын

    The 2 stroke Yams, Kawas, and Suzukis where the soundtrack of my youth growing up in the 70s. We used to be able to tell them apart from the exhaust note. The RD 400 was a rocket as was the later 350LC.

  • @ianmangham4570

    @ianmangham4570

    4 жыл бұрын

    I use to dream about rd350 lc's

  • @MarkDavison59

    @MarkDavison59

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@ianmangham4570 I still dream, literally, about my LC which I sold 33 years ago!

  • @billallen4793

    @billallen4793

    3 жыл бұрын

    Had 3 different rz350's 1 black and yellow and 2 red white and blue. Rode them to highschool....from Wyoming USA 🔫🤠🇺🇸p.s stay safe and healthy everybody GOD BLESS OUR COUNTRY AND stop this foolishness!!

  • @disyokerr

    @disyokerr

    3 жыл бұрын

    350LC was a rocket 400 not that much...standart conditions.

  • @foobarmaximus3506

    @foobarmaximus3506

    Жыл бұрын

    lol

  • @duggydugg3937
    @duggydugg39374 жыл бұрын

    my buddy bought five of these things in disrepair... we all couldn't get enough of them... We helped him get all five of them running great.. he and I and three other Buddies rode them to a motorcycle show a few miles away that had beer and burgers and dogs

  • @Rondo2ooo
    @Rondo2ooo5 жыл бұрын

    Even the small ones are so beautiful. Miss the 70s 80s 2-strokes, despite all disadvantages.

  • @audieconrad8995
    @audieconrad89956 жыл бұрын

    RD 350's & 400's = Giant Slayers! Awesome then - awesome now.

  • @timmason7430

    @timmason7430

    5 жыл бұрын

    Same for mine, mine is a 78 DX

  • @Jimmyzb36

    @Jimmyzb36

    4 жыл бұрын

    Yes!! RD350 stock vs KWA 900. I got him on an early Sunday morning. circa, 1980.

  • @Jimmyzb36

    @Jimmyzb36

    4 жыл бұрын

    john thonig Why? I can’t forget the experience!

  • @patrickhorvath2684

    @patrickhorvath2684

    4 жыл бұрын

    @john thonig 30 years ago my roommate had a CB900. He rode my RD400F and said there was no comparison in the acceleration. In the 1/8th mile, light to light, these little two stroke twins would smoke the UJM fours. Ride one..

  • @bunberrier
    @bunberrier4 жыл бұрын

    I had two RD350s, traded a bag of weed and an equalizer for both. Probably the best barter I ever made. Then my dad made me sell them when he found them in the garage.

  • @MichaelandCathy1999
    @MichaelandCathy19996 жыл бұрын

    Ahh,yes. The smell of 2 stroke in the morning. After ‘75, when I had a Kawasaki 350 triple, which I considered pretty darn quick for small cc’s, I went out in the winter and ordered some new bike that Yamaha was putting out, with unbelievable new tech, such as (1) First bike with mag wheels (2) first bike with self canceling turn signals (3) first bike with front & rear disc brakes. Only saw it in the magazines, but the tech and specs were above and beyond what the magazine writers ever expected. Light,fast and nimble, everything a boy racer was looking for. Having come from the Kawa, I didn’t know what to expect, but when I picked it up in the spring of ‘76, it blew my mind. Our colors here in Canada were Gold and White over Black, racing colors if I ever saw. Had the shop install flat bars and a set of K81 Dunlop’s and I was ready to go. I’ve been through many bikes in my 62 years, but those 2 years I had, embarrassing EVERY 750cc biker (except of course, the 500-750 Kawasaki’s), were the best! Spent many weekends on trips down to Lake George, NY, taking #9S from Plattsburgh down to the Lake. If you’ve never been on that curvy,twisting back road for 160 miles, you’ve missed cycling Nirvana. What I’d give to go back in time...🏍🏍

  • @MichaelandCathy1999

    @MichaelandCathy1999

    5 жыл бұрын

    Warren552011 ooops, just going by what was in the Cycle Magazine, fall of ‘75. Wasn’t much of an Italian bike fan, so if it was, my bad 🤗

  • @alasdair4161
    @alasdair41616 жыл бұрын

    Wow.. what a blast down memory lane. The air cooled engines really had a distinctive sound, my first being the 125, haven't heard that engine in decades, sadly they all seemed to get forgotten once LC's came along. I bet now that everyone regrets selling theirs as much as I do..

  • @sanoronha1963

    @sanoronha1963

    5 жыл бұрын

    Alasdair McC I have a fully restored RX100, of 1995. There are a few RD350 , 2 cylinder beauties around.

  • @fontaineking5158

    @fontaineking5158

    5 жыл бұрын

    Wish I had my 400 and 350 again. Worth a small fortune now.

  • @blacklight4460

    @blacklight4460

    5 жыл бұрын

    I actually gave my full race RD400 away before I got married in '91. I would buy an RZ350 now though.

  • @bunchofchevys3126
    @bunchofchevys31266 ай бұрын

    Great video! I love the RD bikes. I still own and cherish my all original 74 RD60 that I got new for Christmas in 74. I was 10 years old. I could barely touch both toes on the ground at the same time. Very tough bikes as I rode it off road the first 5 years. I got my motorcycle license on this little bike. I switched out the 12 tooth cog for a 13 which gave me a few more mph. I didn't take very long as a 16 year old for it to get really small on the open road. The bike has 2535 miles on it now. I still get it out on nice days, fire it up and put a mile on it every now and then in my driveway.

  • @chrisbarlow2131
    @chrisbarlow21314 жыл бұрын

    I can smell that blue smoke from here. Best aftershave ever! 😊

  • @piggyoinkenstein.186

    @piggyoinkenstein.186

    3 жыл бұрын

    ah yes, that "full bore" racing oil, some of the best cologne ever. ! 👍

  • @dennisyoung4631

    @dennisyoung4631

    4 ай бұрын

    Blendzall, too.

  • @starsailor49
    @starsailor493 жыл бұрын

    I had three RD400’s, a C, a D and an F model, superb bikes, so much fun!

  • @steveskouson9620

    @steveskouson9620

    2 жыл бұрын

    Same exact ones I had. But: A shop had a wrecked RZ350, I was able to get for $350. Engine was good, front end was good, wiring was good. My Daytona turned into a water cooled 350 CC screamer! steve

  • @user-tz2mc3sy2e
    @user-tz2mc3sy2e4 жыл бұрын

    I had the 350A, the 350B, and I've still got an RD400, with around 16,000 on the odometer...What's great about the RD series is that you can still get both original NIB Yamaha parts for them; along w/ new aftermarket parts; that's how popular the RD series was worldwide...

  • @motocyclesandstuff3138
    @motocyclesandstuff31385 жыл бұрын

    Nothing , in my opinion, beats the sound of a 2 stroke motorcycle . Reminds me of belting around a fields as a youngster .

  • @billysyms5761
    @billysyms57613 жыл бұрын

    Back in the 70's those 250 / 400 RD's were all that. Insane off the line.

  • @timschutte6924
    @timschutte69243 жыл бұрын

    I miss my rd350. Nothing like a 2 stroak, the sound or smell.!!!!

  • @ludditeneaderthal
    @ludditeneaderthal6 жыл бұрын

    My first bike was a 73 RD350, a little magenta beast! Minor spec correction, both the 250 and 350 came initially with the 5 speed R model gearbox, mid year they switched to the 6 speed. Mine had the 5, so was about as early as possible. I still have gravel scars in my leg from dropping it on a dirt road 30 odd years ago, lol. Those puppies could go anywhere, though my handlebars broke from serious dirt pounding in a cattle field (replaced them with braced dirt bike bars to prevent a repeat performance). Nothing like the blue exhaust and "swarm of seriously pissed off hornets" exhaust note at redline exists today, unfortunately. Hardly a day goes by I don't wish I still had it!

  • @medusasg8
    @medusasg86 жыл бұрын

    Back in the 70s here in So California my friends brother worked for Yamaha. One day he pulled up on a prototype RD 400 for marketing purposes. It had a nylon rear sprocket (which didn't make it on production as far as I know)is really the only thing we commented on. I didn't really think much of the bike at first, but he followed me and my other bud who had a muscle car he pulled nxt to us on the RD the light went green the bike and car launched together but I was blown the fuck away the little twin was 1/2 a block away and getting smaller and we were barely through the intersection!!! WTF I was flabbergasted I could not believe what I just witnessed and herd, truly amazing bike.

  • @alejandrosienra2179

    @alejandrosienra2179

    5 жыл бұрын

    a Beautiful and fast motorcicle.,🏍️

  • @ianmangham4570

    @ianmangham4570

    4 жыл бұрын

    TRIPPY,first I've heard about the nylon rear cog

  • @grantpetersen1049
    @grantpetersen10493 жыл бұрын

    My word I can still smell my Rd 250 wonderful times and happy days

  • @shaunelliott3759
    @shaunelliott37596 жыл бұрын

    I absolutely adore 2 strokes, and I miss them so much.

  • @tonyb9735

    @tonyb9735

    4 жыл бұрын

    Me too. After my RGV250 I always hoped Suzuki would make an RGV500. If they had done so I'd have sold my mother for one.

  • @UncleRobsGarage

    @UncleRobsGarage

    3 жыл бұрын

    I just got a 75 rd 350.

  • @jimsz0100
    @jimsz01006 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this video! Those two stroke Yamahas were great. My first was a 1964 YG-1 (80cc) and it was traded two years later for the 305 YM-1. I wish I still had them!

  • @jawatino3797

    @jawatino3797

    6 жыл бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @kevinday6182

    @kevinday6182

    6 жыл бұрын

    jimsz0100

  • @chuxtuff
    @chuxtuff6 жыл бұрын

    Growing up in the 60's where my parents owned a small neighborhood grocery store and gas station in western Washington state (one of our famous customers was a young Mark Fuhrman (later the OJ Simpson detective) who lived on nearby Clear Lake who had just got out of the USMC and bought and drove a brand new red 1968 Z-28 (with the high winding 302 under the hood) at the time. That was but one of the many cool cars that came into our store and gas station in those years.) that was like Happy Days (really) I remember my neighbors who had a little red 125 Yamaha 2 stroke twin obviously a road bike as it had the low exhaust pipes. Their's was almost new at the time in 1968 or so. I remember it distinctly being a Yamaha as nobody had heard much about them unless they were motorcycle people at the time. Anyway it was a good runner and a novelty being a small twin and the neighbor used it for short trips to our corner grocery store gas station. The neighbor liked to imbibe once and awhile and one time removed the exhaust pipes for some reason and decided to take it for a couple of short unmuffled blasts up and down the main drag in front of our store/gas station one evening. I'll never forget the sound of that little twin screaming like a bunch of mad mosquitoes. Or when he shut it off and laughed all the way in to show everyone the motorcycle that was making all that racket out there. Him and the neighbor across the street who rode a mid 60's vintage 250 Ducati single thumper (remember those?) used to drag race each other laughing like a couple of crazy kids on those motorcycles. Of course they knew better and were never more than 2 or 3 blocks from home but they were fortunate those bikes were..."small" and unable to go highway speeds. Those were the days...

  • @volksquadman
    @volksquadman3 жыл бұрын

    You have captured RDs spot on mate, anyone who hasn't had the flat out induction roar & scream of these icons and thinks they have experienced bikes are living in a plastic deluded world. Beautiful Video!. The ''78 RD200, '80 RD400 ate my wages quickly. Worth every ounce of Castrol TT!

  • @sambrooks7862

    @sambrooks7862

    3 жыл бұрын

    And the smell mate, more addictive than crack

  • @professorpatpending8731
    @professorpatpending87316 жыл бұрын

    Ahh the RD400 ... a sound I knew from forty years ago. Had two RD 400 C models #1 standard and #2 with J&R expansion chambers and fitted with the larger XS 750 60/55 Watt halogen headlight for night riding. Good to see these clean RDs. cheers.

  • @vinwilliams6562

    @vinwilliams6562

    4 жыл бұрын

    Lighting the night sky how thoughtful lol

  • @stevegordon2032
    @stevegordon20324 жыл бұрын

    I recall in 1977 when we were 17yrs old my workmate Cam bought a brand new Yamaha RD250 in dark blue. I was so envious of him it hurt. More so when my Dad refused to sign the guarantor forms so I could get one. Cam was great though. Let me ride his Yam whenever and we often cruised around Whitley Bay on sunny summer nights. Great days.

  • @christiannurse3595
    @christiannurse35954 жыл бұрын

    I had the DT 360 Yamaha. Scary quick. Only a single 2 stroke. Went like a maniac. Loved those 2 strokes.

  • @glenminnick3724
    @glenminnick37243 жыл бұрын

    I had a Yd3 250 in 1969, love the old 2 stroke street bikes!

  • @barriestevens9923
    @barriestevens99235 жыл бұрын

    I never got any further than a yellow FS1E 😂 but I was still king of the road in 1976 aged 16. That’s a long time ago now 🤣 Great video, thanks.

  • @sambrooks7862

    @sambrooks7862

    3 жыл бұрын

    Right there with you brother, my mate had a fizzy with an expansion chamber, you could hear him coming from about 2 miles away. Best days ever and yeah as 16 year olds back then we were kings of the road and we had a new found freedom that had never been seen before, or since for that matter. Happy new year sir.

  • @madeljacky

    @madeljacky

    Жыл бұрын

    I bought a blue FS1E brand new back in the days, micron pipe added and 2 teeth bigger sprocket on the gear box and I thought I was some kid, I still have it and when I get it going and sit on it im 16 all over again.

  • @AudiophileTubes
    @AudiophileTubes6 жыл бұрын

    Great, nostalgic video! I remember the venerable, classic Yamaha RD series bikes. Even the small RD50 was a total blast to ride, like the Honda MB5. 2-strokes were the essence of motorcycling!

  • @vinwilliams6562

    @vinwilliams6562

    4 жыл бұрын

    Don't forget the susuki x1 50cc the first of the governed bikes looked great but the extra 10 mph the fise had priceless

  • @alanfenick1103
    @alanfenick11035 жыл бұрын

    From 1968 to 1975 drove a Bridgestone 350 GTR 2 stroke rotary valve twin. 19” rims. Incredible road bike. Downside loved to foul NGK 7S plugs.

  • @davem145mxr
    @davem145mxr5 жыл бұрын

    I’m a diehard motocrosser but the RD 350 gets my blood pumping every time

  • @user-tz2mc3sy2e

    @user-tz2mc3sy2e

    4 жыл бұрын

    The YZ series have got to be my all time favorite motocross bikes! My buddy even turned a YZ 250 into a cafe racer using a gearset/ frame/ other parts from a RD 250; yes, they do match up!

  • @decioxy
    @decioxy5 жыл бұрын

    Just amazing! Thanks! I had a 2nd generation 1987 rd350 ypvs and restaured a 1989 one in 2002. What a joy!

  • @AdvBrewery
    @AdvBrewery6 жыл бұрын

    Awesome compilation! YAMAHA 2 strokes can't be touched

  • @Farweasel
    @Farweasel4 жыл бұрын

    'And that son is the *proper* way to treat a 50mph limit'. Classic.

  • @duncandmcgrath6290
    @duncandmcgrath62905 жыл бұрын

    14 when I got a RD250 as a basket case builder , and I was hooked ! Since , I’ve had a RD400, RZ350 and an RZ500...... even had a friend who put a built RD400power in a FZR 400 frame , whatta rocket!....I miss those 2stroke days

  • @phlodel
    @phlodel6 жыл бұрын

    The first bike I had that actually ran was a 76 RD 400 I bought new. One of the very first ones. I took a crash course (literally) in motorcycle riding on it. 40 years later, Im still riding. I've had other bikes that were better handling, more sophisticated and faster but none more memorable.

  • @vintageprolink

    @vintageprolink

    6 жыл бұрын

    phlodel fantastic!😀

  • @phlodel

    @phlodel

    6 жыл бұрын

    Mark Ali-gilkes Wheelies!

  • @vinwilliams6562

    @vinwilliams6562

    4 жыл бұрын

    New big bikes are predictable you could not say that about the Rd 400 cofin tanks no two rides the same

  • @anup2282
    @anup22825 жыл бұрын

    We still have cult following for rd350 in India back when I was kid I wanted this bike so bad still to this day even when i own this bike I still look like a fanboy the immense love I have for rd450, Enfield g2,Jawa 250 is way beyond anything😎we have big group of people who owns and ride rd350 it's still the headturners.

  • @no1shere710
    @no1shere7105 жыл бұрын

    Had one of the 350 models back in the day. what a beautiful little bomb it was. Miss my two strokes.

  • @jonnyrox116
    @jonnyrox1166 жыл бұрын

    The RD series was Yamaha's hayday, you couldn't touch my RD 350 back in the day...then I bought an H1R, 500cc 2stroke, 3 cylinder drag bike and the only factory option was a 42" wheelie bar , peaky as frig and you better be holding on when it hit the power band. Out of the box with a 160lb rider I consistently ran high 11s and low 12s in the quarter mile with 38mm Mikuni carbs and a slight chamber mod!

  • @alasdair4161

    @alasdair4161

    6 жыл бұрын

    You didn't have yellow leathers did you? I used to drag bikes in the 80's and a guy with full yellow leathers on a RD 350 always running left lane right up against the wall ate anybody running less than 11's. He was always fast and never screwed up a run. Gave me a few good runs too.

  • @danieledwards7341

    @danieledwards7341

    6 жыл бұрын

    Damn I miss those tight power bands of my yester-years!

  • @danieledwards7341

    @danieledwards7341

    6 жыл бұрын

    YEA AN EMPTY ROAD AGAINST SOMEONE 2

  • @shaunelliott3759

    @shaunelliott3759

    6 жыл бұрын

    Jon Rothenbusch, Sorry, I don't want to burst your bubble, but the 250 was not only faster but much more reliable and better handling. Even on paper.

  • @chrostopheragius4516
    @chrostopheragius45163 жыл бұрын

    Had several RDs. 250 350 and 400. The air cooled models looked the best imo, the 350s where were fast. The 400s were my favourite , best mid range torque and crazy fast acceleration.

  • @Riso-Musik
    @Riso-Musik6 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the memory. I had a RD250 DX in 1975. Brilliant bike. Passed my test on it in 77

  • @Vintage_JDsleds
    @Vintage_JDsleds6 жыл бұрын

    Thank You JAWA TINO for the wonderful RD series Video ! I saved it to my favorites playlist and replay them when I feel cabin fever creeping in, lol.

  • @markholden3806
    @markholden38064 жыл бұрын

    thanks for this brother,had an rd400f when i was 18,what a bike,now im over 50,really do need another one,

  • @nivan231
    @nivan2315 жыл бұрын

    I just love these vintage bikes.. their make and design.. they have very simple look but they capture everyone's attention as they look awesome

  • @davidlivingstone9190
    @davidlivingstone91904 жыл бұрын

    Red line! What red line! The thought of my old 350 LC makes me happy inside! Wish I still had her!

  • @matthewjones9565
    @matthewjones95654 жыл бұрын

    I still remember one of my neighbours having the RD250 when I was a kid. Like most boys I thought motorbikes were the bollocks. I remember one day my parents telling me, "If you don't think motorbikes are dangerous go and look outside". My neighbour had crashed his and the front end was bent beyond belief. His legs were knackered and it never put me off. Now here I am with my own bike many years later, and telling my 9 year old son "Not a chance" when he said he wanted a motorbike. Yes, I've turned into my dad.

  • @pascodavid
    @pascodavid3 жыл бұрын

    I had a GT 250cc Ram Air cooled with allspeed pipes no silencers! I used to race all the RD coffin tanks on the street! The RD`s did have a slight difference to them mine used to just win. My best friend bought a second 250cc one that was ported and jetted blimey that was a rocket. The old owner came back and took the barrels back it slowed right down. I converted mine too a 350cc customed it to the max and changed the sprockets used to wheelie in most gears until I came off and bent the frame. Cannot beat a punchy two stroke and used to love the smell too. By the way I was racing at the strip near Whips cross and some guys stepped out with baseball bats due to the noise, the RD 400 I was on the forks bent when I slammed on the brakes!!

  • @ewanramsay2448
    @ewanramsay24484 жыл бұрын

    love to hear those 2 strokes, need smell vision with castrol R

  • @psup8

    @psup8

    3 жыл бұрын

    Rock oil sachets from work used for the two stroke circular saws .

  • @hawkt2448

    @hawkt2448

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes!

  • @stephenharris7558
    @stephenharris75586 жыл бұрын

    Always been a vespa and lambretta man , But I'm looking at these bikes and thinking of seriously going down this route , thanx for the video....

  • @jimmarshallman6300

    @jimmarshallman6300

    3 жыл бұрын

    GO! You'll NEVER regret it ...... :)

  • @davidhamilton506
    @davidhamilton5066 жыл бұрын

    The 1967 Yamaha 250 YDS 3 was, IMO, one of the best looking bikes around in the 250cc category back then. It's electric blue with white pearlescent paint was an absolute stand out. It had a shitload of torque off the mark and felt light and very easy to handle. I particularly liked it's signature exhaust note from the twin megaphone styled mufflers, accompanied by a blue smokescreen under full acceleration, that alas, would have the "greenies" of today baying for blood. I also liked that the oil was injected into the cylinders from it's on board oil tank. Yamaha could do well to re-release this as a retro model, without the smokescreen of course...

  • @fredflintstone9449
    @fredflintstone94495 жыл бұрын

    Drew tears in my old heart , sweet vid. RD400E for sure where best rd ever,in fact I had a production tuned 400e that power wheeled in first 3 gears and pull ya arms off with its 60 plus hp , problems where chassis n brakes couldn't really handle even up to 80 hp fully race tuned.😎😎😎😎 The good old days . 4 rd 400s later I ended up with UK Stan stevens 430 cc conversation. Was dogs bolls back in the days.

  • @johnmahler840
    @johnmahler8403 жыл бұрын

    Used to used to own a 71 Rd 350 with that canary yellow and flat black it was badass bike

  • @randalldavis3251
    @randalldavis32514 жыл бұрын

    I had a divorced friend and every Saturday afternoon in 1976 he would trade me his RD400 and use my car to take his young child.Awesome bike.My favorite 70's machine.

  • @Toni62R
    @Toni62R6 жыл бұрын

    ...RD 250 - a dream machine of our youth.....when we drove 50ccm and 6,3 Horses...

  • @tonyball3927

    @tonyball3927

    5 жыл бұрын

    You mean Road but I agree 250 Yamaha the best

  • @jamesnettleton68
    @jamesnettleton683 жыл бұрын

    I remember these bikes. keeping the front of bike down on the 350 and 400 was only achieved by restraint. Addictive to ride, madness in the lowers gear at WOT.

  • @michaelfeucht1911
    @michaelfeucht19114 жыл бұрын

    I miss my RD250. It was a kick ass ride.

  • @natasnatas9581
    @natasnatas95815 жыл бұрын

    greetings from new zealand.in 83 when i was 14 i had a 78 rd400 bored out 18thou oversized.six speed.cop killer i can vouch for that,thrashed it for a few years till i traded it for a honda cb750k2.amazing bike.called the rice rocket

  • @user-bo4mh1he9t
    @user-bo4mh1he9t5 жыл бұрын

    Wow nostalgic! I saw my high school favorite car RD-350 after a long time. It was a straightforward handling, but the long distance touring was tired. 貴重な映像ありがとう。

  • @dsgtms
    @dsgtms4 жыл бұрын

    Dream machines. Music to my ears.

  • @kevinallen6197
    @kevinallen61976 жыл бұрын

    I had one in high school. My buddy had a 69 fastback mustang. I pulled a wheelie all the way across parking lot to show off to the girls. Like Steve McQueen. Good old days.

  • @davephilpott4543
    @davephilpott4543 Жыл бұрын

    As a 17 year old teenager, I was once asked by my girlfriend's neighbor to walk my '79 RD400 (Daytona Special) down her driveway, and then down the road before starting it. Apparently their bedroom backed onto her driveway and on weekends I'd leave at all hours. Now 58yrs old, after hearing the startup of this bike, I laugh at my ignorance of my surroundings. Youthful bliss, really!

  • @gregorywheless3064
    @gregorywheless30645 жыл бұрын

    In high school I had a 1972 Yamaha 250 Enduro . My 6'4" best friend had a 1972 360 Enduro . Boy those were the days !

  • @upperleftcoastchelseafan7718
    @upperleftcoastchelseafan77184 жыл бұрын

    Back in the late 70's and early 80's had 2 RD250's and then the RD400. Switched out the carbs, put on power pipes and the 250's were little screamers! The 400 I kept stock except the pipes and it was a little beast, put down so many 2 cylinder 4 stroke 750's I quit counting. Pretty much kill anything around up to 80mph at that time. So many friends with broken limbs and road rash resulting from having no clue how fast and torquing these things were, climbing on a new one and damn near killing themselves on their first ride. How nice would it be to be 17 again instead of 60?

  • @waynerainey2606
    @waynerainey26066 жыл бұрын

    I need to make a video, I have a decent 2 stroke Motorcycle collection mostly 70's air cooled Suzuki GT's, Yamaha RD's and Kawasaki Triples. Ive a handful of water cooled bikes too. I'd love to add a couple of these bikes to my collection... that 50 wow

  • @hanspeter3495

    @hanspeter3495

    5 жыл бұрын

    Buy a Kreidler or a Zündapp

  • @Supergeologist

    @Supergeologist

    5 жыл бұрын

    I have an 1983 RD 350 YPVS for sale if anyone's interested. It's just sitting in my shed goin' nowhere and needs a loving partner.

  • @oceanhome2023

    @oceanhome2023

    5 жыл бұрын

    Please do !!

  • @voornaam3191

    @voornaam3191

    4 жыл бұрын

    @Paul Reed What do you think? How many people have such a collection? Why would it be an imposter?

  • @user-tz2mc3sy2e

    @user-tz2mc3sy2e

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@voornaam3191 I dunno, I'm older and have money; I own 14 bikes mostly acquired off of craigslist in the USA; vintage Honda's, Yamahas, even a Ninja & a Suzuki DRZ; It's not like living in the Police State, economically restrictive EU, you know...Sure the US kinda sucks; but at the same time there is still a lot of opportunity here that you will not find in a lot of other countries...Besides, I was a bike mechanic for years before I got into construction. I love motorcycles. The newest bike I own was manufactured in 2004. All my bikes I have paid less than 3000 USD each; some as cheap as $700.

  • @parsivalshorse
    @parsivalshorse6 жыл бұрын

    I had the rd 400, it was an absolute beast. You could lightheaded front wheel accidentally in third gear.

  • @haveguitar
    @haveguitar3 жыл бұрын

    A very cool line of bikes from Yamaha, shouldn't they make a modern remake of this one? Would love to see it!

  • @georgebarnes8163

    @georgebarnes8163

    3 жыл бұрын

    no market for them due to the emissions laws

  • @ukbusman
    @ukbusman5 жыл бұрын

    My best friend lost his leg on a RD 400 yellow, I had YDS7 250 that got nicked in 1977 and my brother had the YR5 350 that nearly killed him 4 times. All so bloody quick for their weight, but they sounded great and with the 3 of us going down the road we'd leave a blue haze behind us. Thanks for the memories, thanks for the video. I'm 60 now and can remember it as yesterday.

  • @geraldswain3259
    @geraldswain32596 жыл бұрын

    Music to the ears !!!.

  • @chrisbaker528
    @chrisbaker5282 жыл бұрын

    I traded a Fiat Spider for a 1969 Yam RD 350 in 1973. Still have that bike. Love it.

  • @backyardbasher
    @backyardbasher5 жыл бұрын

    As I was growing up I had all the AC & LC RD's, including the 200 which was same as the AC 125 except it had electric start, will always have awesome memories and a place in my heart for those.

  • @blacklight4460
    @blacklight44605 жыл бұрын

    Still the best, most fun street bikes ever. I paid

  • @steveclem
    @steveclem3 жыл бұрын

    I had a RD125 and 2 RD 400's in my youth. I crashed and wrote off both 400's. Then onto 3 Rd 350 LC`s before moving onto a brand spanking new GSXR IN 1986. The good old days!

  • @kennethm.pricejr.8921
    @kennethm.pricejr.89215 жыл бұрын

    Awesome display of machinery with actual speed rides! Air cooled, easy to work on, faster than snot!

  • @chal1957
    @chal19575 жыл бұрын

    Happy memories, RD250E, in silver OWW 985W. Some sticky fingers had it away in Leeds. One model missing RD200E mate had one in orange super quick.

  • @abaneyone
    @abaneyone5 жыл бұрын

    I miss my RD 350!

  • @joebasher9859
    @joebasher98596 жыл бұрын

    Thank you had a 350 last of the spoke wheels ,blew it up and bought a 400 and later paired it with the Daytona metzler pipes ,drop bars push back pegs ,my front tire never touched an intersection

  • @billallen4793
    @billallen47933 жыл бұрын

    My first street bike!!! Rd400 piped ported and carbed,,,, flew in a strait line. . I was ALMOST 14yrs old at the time....from Wyoming USA 🔫🤠🇺🇸p.s stay safe

  • @paulellis7533
    @paulellis75336 жыл бұрын

    I had an FLF race replica kitted RD400 with expansion boxes. I used to overtake Suzuki 750's and Kawasaki 900's with ease. (and with the front wheel in the air!) Truly awesome machines. I started with a YL1 100cc twin, then an RD250, then RD350, before the RD400. I tried a four stroke 500cc twin, but I hated it, traded for the RD400. I would love to own one today.

  • @jeffblake6894
    @jeffblake68942 жыл бұрын

    I had a new RD 400 in 1980. I put Bosnia pipes, kickback shifter pegs, jetted the carburetors, honeycombed aluminum gold anodized heads, down bars and a 1/4 fairing on it. It was Yamaha racing orange. It was a scary and bad ass cafe racer. Oh how I wish I still had it.

  • @teamflanneloutdoors5631
    @teamflanneloutdoors56315 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the memory flashback👍 Had the 75 350B and the 85 350N😎 Miss them both.

  • @46danz
    @46danz5 жыл бұрын

    I had the rd250lc and it regularly scared the shit out of me,mad thing.One day it caught fire and i was glad in a way because i knew i would live longer.The acceleration and the noise is completely addictive ,pure motorcycle theatre.

  • @winstonchurchhill3264
    @winstonchurchhill32643 жыл бұрын

    Ah , the look , the sound, the smell 👃 ! Greetings from Portsmouth England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

  • @piggyoinkenstein.186

    @piggyoinkenstein.186

    3 жыл бұрын

    Oy, i miss england, havent been back since late 1979. Enoch Powell, ❗🤪👍

  • @zacandmillie
    @zacandmillie5 жыл бұрын

    Wow. I've forgotten what it's like to hit the redline and have the front wheel airborne. I traded a 79 Suzuki GT250 X7 for a 1980 RD400G, the last of the aircooled. I raced it and drag raced it and even broke the New Zealand 400cc streetbike class 1/4 mile speed record at 96 MPH. That record stood for a number of years. A year later I traded up to a GSX750. Those were the days of nice looking bikes, unlike today where they all look the same. Watching this video took me back to my younger days. Thank you.

  • @timmwhite9218
    @timmwhite92185 жыл бұрын

    ...I ran the old purple disc braked RD 350 thru it's paces back in the '70s but the real cream of this whole Yamaha 2 stroke crop are the newest models of the RZs and RZVs that are still being sold in Japan and parts of Europe and Asia...I would LOVE to have a new, state of the art, Yamaha RZV 500...that would be a treat of epic proportions!!! : )'

  • @fishfire_2999
    @fishfire_29994 жыл бұрын

    This was my dream bike at 14 in 84 then came 88 bought a wht and blue gsx r 750 ,but never forgot about the RDs .If you do research you will find this us every 40 to 60 yr old Canadians dream this is what they ride ,some good vids out there .

  • @marcconyard5024
    @marcconyard50246 жыл бұрын

    There was something just a little more refined about Yamaha 2 strokes. Their use of black painted heads, cylinders and cases was great styling that carried over to the XS series triples and fours.

  • @chuckstyes3196
    @chuckstyes31965 жыл бұрын

    oh the memories! I owned several 350 pocket rockets back in the day. they were so easy to make fast! some chambers, a lil porting, a lil jetting, and some hotter coils, and they were running with the KZ 1000's! also, I was surprised that there was nothing about the sudden unexpected wheelies in the 350 and 400's in this vid. lol

  • @robertrishel3685
    @robertrishel36852 жыл бұрын

    Any RD from 50 to 400cc is a WONDERFUL thing! So nostalgic in the bumblebee livery or in white with the blue strioes😍😍😍😍. And then there are the RZ’s....😍😍😍😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

  • @offthestarboardhull8913
    @offthestarboardhull89135 жыл бұрын

    I had a RD-350, RZ-400, RZ-500. Thanks for the memories

  • @blacklight4460

    @blacklight4460

    5 жыл бұрын

    RZ400? Never seen one. What country got all those?

  • @antonthiem8831
    @antonthiem88313 жыл бұрын

    My father owned a Yamaha dealership from 77 to 86, God knows I love 2 stroke and the sound, smell and accelaration

  • @MINXC3
    @MINXC35 жыл бұрын

    Went from a Honda CB175 to an RD350 in the mid 70s. What a difference!

  • @thef8ofman984
    @thef8ofman9845 жыл бұрын

    Rapid Death! Miss my little 350A, the 350B sits in the dining room, just looking pretty.. Once bitten...

  • @stevewyman2822
    @stevewyman28225 жыл бұрын

    .I had them all..ih the 80's & early 90's.....the RD 125, 200, 250 & 400E...they were great fun...!!!

  • @derekheuring4646
    @derekheuring46466 жыл бұрын

    Of all my friends who rode back then the only one that could keep up with my 1968 Norton P11A was my friend who rode an RD350.

  • @vinwilliams6562

    @vinwilliams6562

    4 жыл бұрын

    Most people wouldn't believe that but I followed a race between what ever a feather bed Frame Norton (not a fan of British bikes soz )and a kawka st1000 the Norton kicked it's arse lol

  • @garypatrick7817

    @garypatrick7817

    3 жыл бұрын

    P11 Norton...what a beautiful bike...! Miss my Norton Commando....