AUTO FOCUS AUTO FOCUS

Its also worth noting that the Yamaha RD was the UK’s
second most stolen vehicle in 1982, the first being a
Ford Cortina.

There was a myth that RD stood for “Racing Death” and

“Road Death” and that it was the Japanese revenge for
the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as it
claimed the lives of many US riders, but this is pure
fiction (according to Japanese representatives). It was
thought by some RD stood for “race derived.

Rajdoot 350 enjoys a cult status in India. Owners clubs

and organized rides are existent in almost all major
cities. Today, good used bikes often change hands
for 3 to 4 times the original purchase price. A lot of
the bikes got scrapped or became non-runners due to
lack of spares in the early 1990s. However, specialist
dealers are supplying all major spares that are locally
made or imported from the USA and Singapore.

The HT was made from 1983 to 1985. It made a

respectable 30.5bhp@6750 rpm, detuned from 39 bhp
(29 kW) by restricting the exhaust ports of the Yamaha
RD350B. The carburetors had smaller jets. Most HTs
had the left engine cover casting marked “Made in
Japan”. HT exhausts made the traditional “RD beat”
compared to the more toned-down LT beat.

Remembering the Yamaha RD 350 LT was made from 1985 to 1990. It only made 27 bhp
(20 kW) since the exhaust ports were restricted even
further. Carburetors were jetted small in the interest of
fuel economy. All LTs had the left engine cover marked

O
“Made in India”.
n a steel horse I ride, I’m wanted dead or alive...
It was a lazy Sunday afternoon and we were all riding through the picturesque countryside
of Mawphlang (en route to Cherrapunjee) which captivates a traveler. We were six bikers in
all and speeding in the empty streets is a feeling which is difficult to describe because one has to
Engine: 347 cc Two stroke, Air-cooled,Parallel
experience the feeling of the wind hitting your face and the thrust of the bikes. twin, twin carburetor, seven port with reed
All the dudes (as we are known) were on our latest bikes and we owned the road (or so it felt, my valves
apologies to the PWD ). All our pride and flamboyance was to end in ONE…TWO…THREE seconds and
Transmission: 6-Speed
vroooooom it was gone. For a brief moment it felt that we were hit by a bolt from the blue or there
must have been a god of wind, because we thought we were riding at a high speed but this thing Suspension Front: Telescopic fork, Rear:
Swingarm
which overtook us was lightning.
No, I am not talking about our experience from the twilight zone or the X-files but the long Brakes 180mm Drum brakes (TLS front)
forgotten Yamaha RD 350. Yes they made this bike way back in the 80s and even today it is the Tires Front: 3.00-18”, Rear: 3.50-18”
fastest in the country (with the exception of the super bikes which have recently entered). Wheelbase 1320 mm
Guess what, our egos were hurt and so was our Dude pride but at least we knew that it took the
Dimensions L 2045 mm W 835 mm H 1110
beast of a machine to do this. They say that men aren’t made the way they were before. I realised mm
it is the same when it comes to bikes. Next time I am going to get the Rajdoot or RD 350, chrome it,
Weight 143 kg (dry), 155 kg (wet)
service and rev the engine because I want to rule the roads once again.
Fuel capacity 16 Litres
40 October 08 October 08 41