The RD 350 was the very first super performance offering to the Indian Consumers at a time (1983) when the only bikes in India were the Bullet 350, the Jawa (Yezdi) 250 2 stroke and Rajdoot 175 cc 2 stroke. The other two wheelers being geared scooters like Bajaj Priya, Chetak, Allwyn Pushpak, Vijay and Lambretta. The original Japanese RD 350 had 40 bhp but the Indian Editions were detuned to 31 bhp due to lower fuel quality in India and also to increase Mileage.
The RD was produced from 1983 to 1990 in India. The first edition was called HT(high torque) edition, this edition had 31 bhp. The first sets of RD’s were given to the Indian Traffic Police to help them in nabbing criminals quickly. The Indian Police were used to Enfield Bullets previously and the RD proved to be a handful for them to control. The result was many accidents by the officials.
The first HT edition of the RD 350 had too much power for the average Indian Rider as back then our Market was not used to such a performance product (and sadly even now). The RD was a crotch Rocket capable of hitting 165 KM/HR in 6th gear. The RD used to frequently wheelie at the hands of inexperienced riders, being a high revving 2 stroke the bike was uncontrollable except a handful of experienced and matured riders. This prompted Yamaha to bring a detuned version of the RD 350 LT (low torque) which had 27 bhp with less pick up and slightly better mileage.
The RD used to return a mileage of anywhere between 6 to 23 km/ltr depending on how it was driven. The RD was fully imported in earlier models but by 1990 the bike was manufactured completely by Escorts Yamaha in India. The name RD stands for “Race Derived” performance and had technology from the Motogp bikes of the 1970′s. The bike had cult status all around the world since it was produced from the early 70′s in Europe, Japan and America. The bike was stopped production in America in early 1980′s due to stricter emission and sound norms.
The Indian Scenario: Unfortunately the RD did not enjoy that much success in India. The running costs was the greatest deterrent for the Indian rider to buy the RD and with the reputation of it being a “Lethal” bike ensured the sales of the RD was poor. Some people thought RD stood for “Rapid Death” ! Yamaha promoted the bike with the line “For the few who dared to Dream and be different” but that’s what happened literally in reality. The Hero Honda CD 100 which was launched in the 1985 further dented the RD’s sales figures as it had better mileage. Yamaha still continued to offer the RD LT. The RX100 was later launched in 1985 and it continued to sell better than the RD. Finally the RD 350 was discontinued by Yamaha in 1990 after years of frustration. The “Fill it, Shut it, Forget it” era marked the demise of the RD 350.
The RD 350 was a bike way ahead for its time and especially in the Indian context, the bike was not suited for the Indian consumer. The bike though a very competent and quality product enjoyed little success in our country.
Technical Aspects: The RD was a twin cylinder “Reed Valve” air cooled 347 cc engine with each cylinder having a displacement of 173.5 cc. The RD had a slick 6-speed close ratio gearbox with 1 down 5 up pattern. The RD also featured “Torque Induction” ignition technology of Yamaha. The RD could do 0-100 in 7 seconds and a top speed of 165 km/hr in its heyday. The RD could touch 150 km/hr in just 16 seconds and was the first bike to have a tachometer in India.
The RD had twin exhausts and the Indian models had only 150 mm drum brakes at both ends. The drum brakes lacked the bite of a disc and the abroad models had a front disc brake, which was absent in the Indian models. Coupled with the skinny tires the RD had scary high-speed handling and braking control characteristics. The RD is still the performance benchmark of any production bike in India and even after 25 years no Indian performance bike has even come close to it.
The Race RD’s: The RD 350 was modified for track use at the MMSC race track in Chennai and ran on Aviation fuel (white kerosene). The Race RD’s were turbocharged and had smaller sprockets and wheels, 
which pushed the power upto 85 bhp. The top speed was in excess of 220 km/hr. The bike had just the chassis, suspension, large 25 ltr fuel tank, disc brake on both ends and a thin sponge cushion for seat as everything else was removed to lighten up the bike. The Race RD was very light and agile and was very different from the Stock RD. The Race RD’s had modified powered up exhausts and the sound would be intoxicatingly addictive as well as deafening when they would zoom past in the track spewing blinding smoke all over the track. I was in complete awe of the action taking place on the race track. The Race RD was the “Undisputed King of the MMSC Race Track” before it was discontinued from racing.
Salute the Grand-dad of Indian Performance Bikes: The RD was the first proper performance Superbike in India and it still enjoys cult status in our country. Performance Purists still swear by it and we can find many RD clubs all around our country. The RD had many editions like RD 400, RD 500 LC (liquid cooled) all of which enjoyed considerable success through out the world and attained cult status.
Truly The RD 350 was the Greatest Landmark bike of India, which paved the way for performance biking in India and Yamaha’s greatest offering to our country’s performance enthusiasts. None of the modern day Indian Performance bikes can even touch 150 km/hr. Only those who have experienced the raw power and pure adrenalin rush from the RD will know its character and importance. The Race RD’s were in a league of their own. The RD 350 is a Legend and not your everyday bike and having driven it few times I can vouch that RD is a Legend par Performance Excellence.
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Amazing YAMAHA …… still i can see lot of YAMAHA RX100 roaring in our city roads , no other bike can compromise to its power and reliability ….. their engine quality is of high standards which run for long time… hats off yamaha motor ……..nice article
I have seen very few RD 350 bikes in my life … but i dont thought it would create this much of perfomance from its mill … i am now eager to have a ride in RD350 in my life … but i dont believe to get one …..
I’m sory that you see a few Rd bike. I thing if you want to know more a bout RD bike and want to see good condetion i sagest you to came to MIZORAM STATE. you will find a lot
Nice write up Deepak. There is no denying the fact that the RD 350 is the best thing to have happened to Indian biking. A magazine had done a comparo of the RD 350 with the Kinetic Comet which was quite an interesting read.
dude, i had three RDS . in which one is japanese of 83 model ht made in japan one in 100 % original counditions n its still runing on unsleved blocks of 1 st over size, n its of blue colour ……. n the scound one is of silver colour thats also a high torque of 84 mobel but its made in india …… its also in full original coundition ………. n the 3 rd i had buyed now in a junk coundition n i m going to restore it … it will take 6 months atleast !!!!!!!!
the pic which u had mentioned above does not have original signal lights and did not have original rear shock ups n did not have the original switches …. and the leg guard seems a bit tiltted
hi friend i would like to no more about rd350 parts .form where can we get parts .
Zafir, nice to hear that you have 3 RDs. And I have changed the pic. Is it ok now?
Hi. Yes true that no one can ever compare to the power of the Yamaha bikes long ago. Only the Shogun and the KB 125 had enjoyed limited success.
Could any of u guys give me some knowledge where i could purchase an old still working RD 350 in India? I have a 86 model Yamaha which i ride till no. Love the Yamahas
hi,i am also RD350 lover now i still got one here in my place here in Mizoram NE India,i,ve own this bike for 8 years still now i dont like any ather bike yet! its really common here in my place for me and some of my friends and we use to have a drag race every month.If you are really interesting i think you should come and visit and i am sure you will enjoy being riding 350 with us.350 lover
One of the best articles on the RD. Keep this up!
guys RD is god of indian bikes i still remember how it scared wen i first saw the bike but i dont knw that was a RD after i growed up and wen i was in 6 th grade the owner of the bike passed away i saw the name of the bike frm that time i hve a unique respect fr that bike bcoz that guy had a love fr the bike and the way he ride was amazing the sound frm the twin engine is rthym to hear’s the way every one see us in road wen v across them with screeeeming engine sound of RD say’s it iam the king leave me the way iam the ruler ……..i still wonder will pulsar and karizma will come near it to the glory of RD
ya deepak the pic which u had kept now is of the american rd …… they are all high torque bikes ….. with front disk n rear drum ….. and in the starting of the engine number and frame number the alphabet B is added …… with the help of that we can verify that its an american model !!!!!!! but i oblige u as u had tooked out the topic about rd as in this digital era the coming generations is forgetting the most popular cream of POWER !!!!! Its a BEAST …. but slightly taineed !!! LT means [LOW END TORQUE] & HT means [HIGH END TORQUE].
The difference between LT & HT is there powerband , means LT power starts from 3000 rpm & goes till 6500 rpm & for HT power starts from [5500rpm or 6000rpm] and goes till [8000rpm or 8500 rpm].
LT is suitable for city condition’s because it’s power starts in less rpm.
HT is suitable for highways because it’s power starts in high rpm.
Next time when u test ride a rd 350 observe at wat [rpm] it become’s monster , i mean wen it starts making power.
Gud Luck bye.
zafir bhati its a very common practise that people try to make a HT look like a LT and sell it to command higher resale. If would be nice if there is a way to distinguish them visually.
ya it is a very simple and a easy way to see the difference between a HT and a LT ……… the other factors are the tale end shape of the silencers in different and in HT the blocks are having two gap lines and in LT there are no such gap lines we can see the gap lines only after opening the head ….. and a HT dosent comes in idealling nicely and a LT is very good in idealling
Hey, I just brought the Yamaha Rd 350 (Single)
It Looks alot nicer than the example the website gave,
A kind of maroon. This is the first I have ever heard of
a twin RD. LOVELY JUBLY!
i’m a die hard fan of the RD series
hi….
i am fan of RD -350 HT and willing to buy
please let me from where can i get my dream bike….
u can call me 09326152122
hey,if you want to buy RD350 i think you should come to Mizoram and i can show you a good condition like my mine and i can also help you in modification if you like it.you can call me 09862821128
i have an yamaha rd 350 … but itzzz in mumbai … contact me 9825294324
r u still having the rd350 for sale
Ibrahim
HI Shehzad,
Do u still have RD350 for sell?
Thanks,
Chirag
9820641260
power starts in less rpm as it adds good point acoording to nature also…low end torque and high end torque ,dey jus have a technical difference of jus gap lines ,nothing else..so dot worries guys n njoy d rd sereis….
just getin my RD350 LT 2morow!!!!!
its an amazzzzin piece ov marvel….
thanks a lot for the great article.could u tell me were i will get one rd350.its my ambition to buy one rd350.could u help me.
m sellin off ma rd 350..1985 black…std pistons..excellent condition…1.05 lac…UGI 7020
09761212355
HI I M ONE OF THE GREATEST LOVER OF RD350
ITS MY DREAM BIKE
WEN I WAS SMALL MY FATHER HAD THIS BIKE
I HAVE SOME PICS OF MY FATHER ON RD350
I WANT THIS BIKE ONCE IN MY LIFE
CAN I GET IT!!!!!!!!
LOVER OF YAMAHA RD350
can tell me cost of RD 350 ?
Hi Punith, I know a mechanic in N.Kerala who owns an RD350 and willing so sell. He will take nothing less than 70,000 rs/- despite one of its engines has stopped running.
Superb Article, I am a die hard fan of RD, I am looking for RD HT which is in original stock maintained condition
Please let me know if any one is willing to Sell the legend
9986034353
I want to get the original spareparts for my bike. Can anyone assist me. Some says you get it in Delhi only. any adresses.
i want buy an yahama rd350 bike
nice bike
plz if anyone wanna sell plz tell me.
NICE WORK DEEPAK. ZAFIR, GOOD 2 HEAR U HAVE 3 RDs.I HAD AN 85 MODEL RD HT, BUT SOLD IN 2001. I WAS GOING ABROAD THATS Y I SOLD THE BEAST.BUT I DIDNT GO.TIL NOW I WAS TRYING 2 BUY BUT IT IS GOING FARWAY 2 REACH. THE ONLY RELIEF IS THAT, NOW I’M HAVING 2 YEZDI ROADKINGS,[1 POINTS,1 ELECTRONICS]AND AN ENFIELD,BUT KEEN 2 BUY AN RD. MY CLOSE FRIEND NAMED JOMY[PRESIDENT OF RD CLUB COCHIN] HAD 13 RDs AND NOW HE IS HAVING 5 BOTH HT & LT AND A RD 400.ONLY A EXPERT RIDER CAN TAME THE BEAST. GOOD 2 SEE NOW ALSO THERE R FANS WHO NOT ONLY LOVE RD.
i am crazy about this bike, will get it soon. have heard that there were different models in it, like high torque (HT) and low torque. i dont know much. but will get my hands on it.
I am so much intrested in purchasing a RD 350 in any condition.I am a big enthusiast about Yamaha bikes and specially with RD’s and RZ’s.Anybody willing to sell,with all clear papers, plz mail me at issacgeorge7@gmail.com
Hi,
I have grown on RD’s from my childhood days and i currently own a standard sleeved bike,in full og condition and teh same is up for grabs for 1 Lac.The bike still has orignal handle bar,indicators,lights,coils,rectifier and is fitted with brand new tyres and battery and bears the yamaha stickering.
U can get in touch with me on 9821120088 / tabbyn1@gmail.com
regards
Rasik Narula
is the bike still for sale
where r u from
any photo
ibrahm
The bike sounds as if a Tiger is coming…. RD350 rocks
Hi i like Rajdoot RD 350
How much price rd
dear friends,after reading the article about rd350,i became a bit naustralgic.when i was a student at late 80′s,one of my friends used to ride rd350.from those days i alway deamt to have one of my very own.but at that time it was like a day dream to me.and when i become able to buy one.. the prduction was stopped. i still look for informations about rds’ and dream to storm the road on one.
ICE WORK DEEPAK. ZAFIR, GOOD 2 HEAR U HAVE 3 RDs.I HAD AN 85 MODEL RD HT, BUT SOLD IN 2001. I WAS GOING ABROAD THATS Y I SOLD THE BEAST.BUT I DIDNT GO.TIL NOW I WAS TRYING 2 BUY BUT IT IS GOING FARWAY 2 REACH. THE ONLY RELIEF IS THAT, NOW I’M HAVING 2 YEZDI ROADKINGS,[1 POINTS,1 ELECTRONICS]AND AN ENFIELD,BUT KEEN 2 BUY AN RD. MY CLOSE FRIEND NAMED JOMY[PRESIDENT OF RD CLUB COCHIN] HAD 13 RDs AND NOW HE IS HAVING 5 BOTH HT & LT AND A RD 400.ONLY A EXPERT RIDER CAN TAME THE BEAST. GOOD 2 SEE NOW ALSO THERE R FANS WHO NOT ONLY LOVE RD.
i have driven a rd 6 months ago am tryin damn hard to find one… but not findin one!!! i stil cant forget the ride!! i left a zma in dust on the highway!! was doin 145 with ease!!!
Nice write up. But personally, though most say RD stands for Race Derived, I dont think it stands for anything. Same way that RX does not stand for anything. Also, You’ve mentioned it as ‘Torque Induction Ignition’. Torque Induction has nothing to do with ignition mate
Nice article.
RDs are the most sweetest sounding twins our country has seen so far.
Please let me kno if neone interested in selling their RD… i need 1 desperately..
my number is 9833179404
Yamaha RD350 is a very good bike no doubt. bur the yamaha rx100 is a very bad bike… it doesnt roar like the rd350… it screams!!;)
i have 5 rds 350 for sale if any intersed 2 buy pls cal me on 8054249969
Intrested in buying RD 350!Call 9840320300!
Hi,
i think i am late for asking about the sale of your 5 rds, but i am desperate to get one. my budget is around 70,000. if you have any for this price. please mail me.
regards,
Naseer
Monument must be kept at museum only.
Yamaha RD350 is a Vinatage Motorcylcle.
Regreets goes to Deepak for once again to remember Rd350.
i need a rd350 high torque awesome condition ..price is not the matter ..quality matters contact me 9051611443
i think i can help you finding 350 but can you tell me your place?cause we v got a lots here in my place NE.you can contact me here 09862821128
Zodin contact me 0914290953.
planin 2 buy rd350 HT stock model.. if any1 planin 2 sell pls do mail me d photos n d cost on my mail.. thank u
Hi guys my names ali and i want to sell my rd350 84 model , hightorque,blue in color, its in original condition if theres ne1 interested in buying one pls contact me on -alinawazmerchant@hotmail.com ‘thank you!!
buddy the Japanese rd have top speed of 185 in 5th gear and the Indian ht rd have 34.4 bhp buddy.
wanna know m ore about rd350? just come to my site. hope you love to read more and more
hey i m a single hand owner of rd350 my dad brought it in 85 ahh lucky still runs amazin good .. we have have alot of rds here down in bangalore n rides on weekend on our machines must say no indian bike can still beat a RD350 !! top speed without any modificaton 160km/hr has 6gears
Hi. I live in Mumbai. I am interested in purchasing an RD350. If anyone is willing to sell, please contact me on +919769433364. Thanks.
Hi,
i think i am late for asking about the sale of your 5 rds, but i am desperate to get one. my budget is around 70,000. if you have any for this price. please mail me.
Hi naseer. Your budget is not robust enough for an RD 350. Its not that you cannot find one that fits your budget, just that it will not be in great condition. So eventually, you will have to spend another 20k to transform it to running condition. The points ignition system is the first thing you should change on an RD, replace it with a TCI (Transistor Coil Ignition) system available on Bullets. Suggest you increase your budget to 90k if you want a good RD. Cheers.
Hi,
I wish to buy an RD 350. Anyone interested in selling or knows if any available in excellent condition, pls mail me at georgyboiii@gmail.com .Thank you.
The yezdi had a twin exhaust before RD 350 came to the market
Nice article though
For as long as i remember i too like most my mates here, have dreamt of owning an RD. My number is 08826560008 & Im based in Delhi. Though my budget isnt as robust but im willing to go the extra mile for an RD. Please let me know if anyone has a decent babe up for sale. Gaurav
P.S – Im sure most of you who have advertised “FOR SALE” here have either got a sms or a call from me already…thats how desperate i am!
Dear friends, was anytime Yamaha 350 lanuched with 5 gears.. acutally there is gentlemen selling his Yamaha 350 but it has only 5 gears with all other thing same as RD 350 such as the meters, headlights, seating, silencers, head etc.. Please advise
no hemant i never listen that any 35o with 5 gears
hi friends………….i feel on top of d world to have such bike again………….it is really a man toy
it is my request to yamaha co. Plz re introduce rd 350 again in india.
hi guys.. im great fan of yamaha and VR…im still using yamaha……… ma dream bike is RD 350… … nw im using Yamaha rx 135 5speed…… need yamaha rd 350 mail me.. rvino46@gmail.com…………
really ,The rd350 has greatest bike record in india . My cousin brother have the rd1986 mpdel and this time he work to maintain it.
I m a bikes freak and really loved your article.
Keep it up.
i love rd.after trying many years i got two rd.
i like rd 350 verry much old bikes are nice
Hello, I am in search of RD 350 HT engine in running condition. Only engine not a bike. If any body having it pls contact on 09423425218.
Hi i want to buy a rd 350 ht any one sale plz contact 08764338734
i seriously need 1
I am lucky that —–I own a RD with a front disc and imported US spec cylinder kit
Its like the old sierra advertisement ——–YAMAHA RD 350 – its not owned owned its possessed
Hi,
Anyone interested or knows someone selling a RD350, please email me at ryanfonsi@yahoo.com
i want rd350 under range of rs 60000. plz contact me my no 9450013143
i had my own rd350 in d 90ties but sold that bike . now i am regreting why i sold it.
its really awesome to drive
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