That is one beautiful machine👌. It’s amazing that so many people riding modern bikes with 150-200bhp still says nothing can put a smile on their face like an old RZ/RD, and other twostrokes of that era. It’s twostroke magic. I love them❤️
I bought that exact bike in 1986 brand new. The dealer had several still in crates because no one wanted them. For $1800 I was sold on it instantly. Absolutely a dream to ride. So quick. Man I wish I had it still. Only see them in museums now. The RZ500 is a wicked monster and my absolute dream machine. Thanks for showing it off!
Bought mine in 1986 as a leftover from the dealership. Best $1999.00 I ever spent. It has rewarded me with miles of smiles ever since. I have kept it mostly original, but I swapped out the stock exhaust, rejetted the carbs, milled the head, and fitted a performance air induction. Yes, I kept the original parts. Sedate below 6k, but when the tach swings past 6k, lookout! It's go time. The most you can have on two wheels. Good parts availability and easy to service, I will doing miles of smiles for a long time.
The exact model I had in 1984 Auckland, New Zealand. The only bike I got a speeding ticket on. 160km/hr. I had just cleaned the baffles and was going up the Bombay hills to Pukekohe to check it was okay. Best bike ever.
I have never ridden a.RZ, but.I had two RD350's in my younger years, the first one ensured that it made me respect bikes...period. I had the worst crash on it, still wear the scars more than 30 years down the track... My second one was perfect, I have always since then then worn my gear and my helmet lol...
Those bikes are beasts, my uncle had the yellow Kenny Robert's 350 when I was a kid. He would take me for rides on it and it would scare me cuz I would slide back on the seat. I was only like 8 years old at the time but I remember that bike like it was yesterday. I'm glad I got to experience one of these bikes when they were brand new. Fun Fact: The motor on these bikes were the motors the Banshee motor was based on. You guys see what people do to banshees, can you imagine building this bike up like the banshees? You would embarrass people on sport bikes.
Yup . 1989 brother.... Sorry to say. Only a Brazilian model with double fz600 like set up available after that. True story. Look up the history of rz. It wilk show ya. Blue n yellow, different seat and tank from 86 on...it's an 89.
Great rz Ken, super rare stock, they were all called Rd in the UK, a budy had on in white and orange livery I went outwith him as pillion and it scared the shit out of me on the way back we kicked the ass of a z1300 on acceleration unreal bike it was tuned with micron pies sweet bike,. I had a 250 dx 74model I ended up putting big kit an engineer made for me it came out at 475cc,rear sets, clip ons, twin microns with the bend tube sticking out the baffling to look period race correct, the flywheel was also skimmed for diet, what bike it would never tick over it was just that way, without a lie the fastest acceleration bike I had up 110mph..Great work guys keep it up
Thank you Kaplan and all at Kaplan Cycles. These bikes were made ahead of their time. Excellent two stroke bikes by Yamaha that have amazing style and with Yamaha’s excellent quality that they are known for over so many years. Kaplan looking sharp n cool riding every bike and on this one no exception. God bless all of you at Kaplan Cycles and yes God bless the greatest nation in the world the U S A. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I believe that the Scott Flying Squirrel back in the teens (20th century) was the first perimeter frame bike sold in America. Also, it was a liquid cooled 2 stroke. I really appreciate your channel, keep up the good work!
Awesome K《☆》I got my 73 RD350 candy red in 1975 & wish I still had it. A little porting, jetting with racing pistons & JR expansion chambers transformed it into a beast. I'd like to get a 350 Banshee engine mounted to a 250 Ninja frame one day🤠☻🤠
I very rarely disagree w your opinion but the Kenny Roberts special is the one to have! I actually asked you about one of these a while ago....cant wait to meet you guys this summer...Rich T
My buddy has that Kenny Robert edition rz. it's all torn apart ready in his basement to be assembled, but he got a bullit mustang and doesn't have time for his Harley, drz400, or his 836 cb750 that is also torn apart ready to be assembled. He is to much of a perfectionist I want his cb750 or that Kenny Robert's rz, but I already know the answer is no.
I had a KR edition in the mid '80s. Factory brand pipes, K&N pod filters, that was about it. It was still quick! I'd still have one but I ONLY ride dirt now (too many near-death experiences).
Memories! This bike was my very first RZ. I went for the Toomey kit and jetted the carbs! Bought it from a friend in Boston, took it to NYC. Got stolen 2 times in NYC and the 2nd time I never saw it again! SO I had to get the Kenny Roberts Yellow bee version a few years later and that was the babe! Man was it fast!
Speakin' of the Z1 a friend of mine (jeeziz, how many friends with bikes did I HAVE?!) had the now ultra rare (unobtainium, as Sr. says) Z1R-TC, and that bike was tied for fastest in Pawcatuck with a V-MAX Yamaha that yet another friend of mine had at the time. There's a kid in Westerly now that has the Kenney Roberts TZ350, and his bike looks new too. And the exhaust note is pure f--kin' music...GOD I miss those days...
There are so many things I love about this video, but I must mention 2 things that stood out for me. 1) Beautiful country man! Has that part of the states ever featured in a movie? If not, give Hollywood a call 📞. That intersection before the twisties, absolutely gorgeous. And 2) that sentiment you took time to express about your son… dude… I get choked up just thinking about it. Do tell your boy how lucky 🍀 he is, in the Dad he has. And obviously, his Dad feels the same way about him. I wish you guys all the best 👍🏿👍🏻👍🏿 signed, new fan from Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹
I road by yellow and black Kenny Roberts Edition for about three years this bike kick my ass here in Daytona slid out once over sand and shells in Ormond Beach with flip flops recovered was doing kick ass wheelies on the Saint Augustine Beach approach and passenger snatch me off came back from North Florida in the snow in the late 80s loved it though definitely had to have respect for this bike , loved it it would scream ! mine had a kick-ass exhaust modified carburetor Toomey pipes rode down the same road that you did during Daytona Bike Week the loop in Ormond Beach awesome thanks for the Memories
My brother had one of these. I don't get along with him and haven't spoken to him in years but he did keep his well maintained. As far as I know he still has it. I know he only did a few mods to it. It was red and white but it did have the Kenny Roberts signature on it.
@kevinroark5815 Sorry to say, that is never going to happen. I'm grateful for my sisters and that is more than enough for me. Too many important lines were crossed.
Fantastic video! I had a fully rebuilt RZ350 as my first ever road bike. Those bikes are bonkers, total wheelie machines with the YPVS. Sorry to hear you had a serious crash on one.
They kept making these until 1990 [In Canada]. I had the blue 1990 model, just a great all around bike, fast as hell, but well behaved when you needed to be.
That is the Bike to have! Wow that would be awesome to take to Daytona ! I live in Orlando and would be on cloud nine taking that to bike week..Ken you get the most legendary bikes and I love all you videos. Love your knowledgeable commentary also. God Bless.
I bought an '84 Kenny Roberts edition brand new. Loved it in the beginning, but mine was far from dependable due to the engine management computer being bad. I finally sold it. It was my dream bike for a time though.
To turn an RD all you had to do is shift you chewing gum from one side of your mouth to the other! For big turns.....just nod your head........great machines!
The rz 350 was made up until march 1990 in Brazil. I have built and raced 13 different models. I still have 2 1985 canadians in my shed with 3 spare engines. I am the last of 12 2stroke mechanics, certified in the low 80's. 4 sets of barrels, 16 sets of carbon fiber reeds....i even have the original service manuals and microfiche. Yup. Still alive baby. !!!! My powerbands start at 5500 rpm. The dual stage reed cage set up is super worth it with original Toomeys and or Factory race pipes. I recommend staying at 2× oversize as the squish doesnt add up after 9k. Jus sayin. Stock pipes are super good too....especially if messing with jetting and sprockets. Sometimes too much is too much.
yep had a brand new n2 loved it! got a 600 ninja after that it didnt compare the yam never missed a beat and i enjoyed every minute i cant say that for the ninja 6 or 9 always wanted the 500 my friend has three
I had the full fairing 1985 Australian model of this bike...It was a Repli Racer for road use for sure and alot of fun to ride..It loved to be revved out and in powerband to get the best from it..However,i clearly remember,back in the day for TOURING purposes it had terrible range so much so that my mates Honda VTR1000 Firestorm was considerable more economical and didnt need any two stroke oil top ups either..I did enjoy owning it and it does have its advantages too for sure.
Damn o.O I remember my first taste of one of these beasts. (Although i am talking RD350LC in the uk here, not the YPVS) I was 11 years old, my next door neighbour was 21, I remembering him picking me up from school one day and all my classmates stood there open mouthed as i jumped on the back.. They all knew what he was like.. He threw me a spare lid and we hit a sliproad onto a dual carriageway at around 90mph, and he dropped a gear whilst revving and then dumped the clutch.. Bike came to around 10 oclock and my ass came off the seat because of the sudden acceleration, and both feet almost either side of his helmet.. The only thing that i had in contact with the bike at that moment were my hands grasping the little grabrail at the back.. Jesus Chr... Good job i had both elbows locked right then i can tell you that! we hit around 145mph 2 up.. so, yeah! I know what these can do! TY for sharing.
Now theres a great bike! I had a RD350 ex race bike. A mate had one of these. Still has it in excellent condition. Theres one for sale where I live, he wants $2000. No fairings etc. still, Im tempted. Cheers! 👍🏻🇦🇺
Love you bike videos, it was brilliant seeing a bit of your town here you stay. Well normally then you do your videos it's with scramblers/trail bikes. So we just see you riding around your museum area. Some beautiful scenery 🤔 😎🏍️
There is a 1985 RZ350LC for sale in my town right now. I bet I saw it when it was brand new on the show room floor. I lived a the Yamaha shop back then.
1983 in uk they had to change the learner bikes to 125cc 12 bhp Because at 17 you could jump on rd 250 From 30 mph moped to 40 hp and alot of hospital bills , beautiful bikes handlebars and seating position are perfect on them bikes
I was lucky enough to saw one on the street while I was riding, the dude was on the other side of the road I have to bust an U and chase him so I can see one in real life, and it have Kenny Roberts fairing too! made my day.
I still have 4 engines in my basement. First 400 built in '85. Yup 2 ready in the shed! Right from japan. Steering damper and fork braces needed. Let me tell ya!.
I bought one of there bikes out by Willow springs, ca in near mint condition for $800. Rode it for 4-5 years, loved it. Sold it for $2,300. Should a kept it !!!
LOL @ 7:07, same here! In high school I had an orange 1975 RD350 with clubman handlebars, solo seat and chambers. Didn't leave the house without an extra set of NGK's and tools, I fouled so many plugs. Had no insurance, no license but a lot of luck! Then bought a 1976 Honda CB400 SS and eventually a 1985 Kawi GPz750
@@apodski I swapped my stock pipes out with chambers and I think when I re-jetted the carbs I didn't do it right. I was 16 at the time lol, just a dumb kid riding around.
Scooter guy doesn't have a clue ! He would've been in his Prius but he found it full of homeless people having an orgy ! Metzeler tires is all I buy now. Never had a Dunlop I liked. Your early days matched mine. I bought a new R5 in cash at 15 with money I earned through the years and rode it with no license till I was 16 and got my license. Had a car pull out in front of me and ended up with compound fracture and about the same amount of time in hospital. I totalled out the car. I wasn't riding at your level but with some porting and better coils and expansion chambers that bike rocked. Back then not many people had 4 cylinder bikes so the 2 strokes ruled. The yamahas, kawasaki h1,h2, and even the Suzuki water cooled 750 which were sleepers. In 1975 yamaha changed the whole off road riding with the monophonic. The 70's was a very important decade for bikes as a whole. Got refined through the years but what a turning point in bike industry. Harley went from hero to zero and AMF sure didn't help. 60s and early 70's the streets were full of V twins and parallel twins. By 1975 everyone had a Honda 750 or a kawasaki Z1. Crazy you could go into a kawasaki dealership and pickup a H1,H2, or a KZ900. Crazy times !
Had not had a bike, Kawasaki, for 27 years, chance to get a bike March '19, no Kawasaki shops near, wonder what I could get???, maybe get a good used RD 250,350,500 LC, turned down chance to get a' 07 CBR600RR, sight unseen, saw it wanted it, knew nothing about it's performance, just looked really good to ride hard. Just sold AGH!!, I got a 2005 GSF 650 BANDIT, L L L LUCKY ME, one very careful, cautious owner who basically ran it in for 15,000 miles, and it pulls, fly's up steep, steep hills, like it's falling off a cliff, capable of about 85mph in 2nd gear, before the red-line at 12,000 RPM, half way to the red-line in 3rd, 4th gear, and it hits a PERFECT STORM, A time vortex enhancing, bubble, tunnel scenario. What a biking BUZZ. BUT a 2 stroke Yamaha, nice, a riders bike, fun to be had.
Love that bike love the Yellow One even more everyday.That goes by the cost of that will increase.Those bikes are gonna be worth big big bucks.They already are expensive.I want to r z five hundred kenny rodd birds replica that was something
I have a 1985 kenny roberts edition RZ350 all original and still runs but engine needs to be gone through a little tired after so many miles just wonder what its worth these days I think its time to find it a new home.
Had the same bike loved it!!! And a 1976 chappy red RD 400 Friend had red white blue one to with toomey pipes and a crashed yellow and black one his friend almost got killed on!
How much did this baby go for on Ebay? I;m in the Market for one Maybe captain America can help me locate a good one lol. Love your videos and your Attitude God bless.
Haha I wrecked the yellow/black rz350 turning onto a road that they just graveled to pave over...still have dirt/pebble in-bedded in my right palm and I graduated high school in 86
We bought one for $1400 it’s bone stick but the original owner put k&n pods on without jetting it properly and he over heated it and broke a piston skirt and destroyed the crank and the head but we have a highly modded RZ350 and the stock one we’re going to completely rebuild it and it’s still sitting on stock bore but the engine and the whole bike sat in a basement of a house that was going to get torn down so the guy went and got it out before it came with everything but the pipes all the plastics are mint it’s going to take lots of work but the engine and frame numbers match up so it’s original
That is one beautiful machine👌. It’s amazing that so many people riding modern bikes with 150-200bhp still says nothing can put a smile on their face like an old RZ/RD, and other twostrokes of that era. It’s twostroke magic. I love them❤️
I bought that exact bike in 1986 brand new. The dealer had several still in crates because no one wanted them. For $1800 I was sold on it instantly. Absolutely a dream to ride. So quick. Man I wish I had it still. Only see them in museums now. The RZ500 is a wicked monster and my absolute dream machine. Thanks for showing it off!
That motor lived on as the powerplant for the Yamaha Banshee from 1987 - 2006.
Similar but this has powervalves and the banshee engine did not
Ronald Tartaglia that motor has been around basically for 50 years the RD’s before this, etc. They shamed a lot of bigger bikes
Deborah chesser this motor started in 1980 in the rd350lc
@@alexpinci3432 I just meant the same basic architecture as the air cooled motor. Two stroke twin it won lots of races.
@@zane4964 I believe there are powervalve banshees.
Bought mine in 1986 as a leftover from the dealership. Best $1999.00 I ever spent. It has rewarded me with miles of smiles ever since. I have kept it mostly original, but I swapped out the stock exhaust, rejetted the carbs, milled the head, and fitted a performance air induction. Yes, I kept the original parts. Sedate below 6k, but when the tach swings past 6k, lookout! It's go time. The most you can have on two wheels. Good parts availability and easy to service, I will doing miles of smiles for a long time.
The exact model I had in 1984 Auckland, New Zealand. The only bike I got a speeding ticket on. 160km/hr. I had just cleaned the baffles and was going up the Bombay hills to Pukekohe to check it was okay. Best bike ever.
I have this EXACT same bike with DG pipes, Boyesen reeds and a Barnett clutch. It's no joke.
Lucky guy
That is bad ass.
You still have your RZ ? I’d love to restore one, they are rare as hens teeth so don’t let it go. I bet the DG’s sound good. What’s on those 34’s ?
thats awesome.
im jealous.
I had one too. Gosh I loved that thing. At the time it was just that and a Ducati 1000S Multi. The Duc got very jelly.
I have one RD 350 1987/1988 here in Brazil. 55HP of pure adrenaline!
I have never ridden a.RZ, but.I had two RD350's in my younger years, the first one ensured that it made me respect bikes...period. I had the worst crash on it, still wear the scars more than 30 years down the track... My second one was perfect, I have always since then then worn my gear and my helmet lol...
Those bikes are beasts, my uncle had the yellow Kenny Robert's 350 when I was a kid. He would take me for rides on it and it would scare me cuz I would slide back on the seat. I was only like 8 years old at the time but I remember that bike like it was yesterday. I'm glad I got to experience one of these bikes when they were brand new. Fun Fact: The motor on these bikes were the motors the Banshee motor was based on. You guys see what people do to banshees, can you imagine building this bike up like the banshees? You would embarrass people on sport bikes.
I had a 1990 rz350 Canadian model of this. It was blue and yellow (french racing team colours) 63 hp . It was an absolute blast to ride
I had the same bike. Wish i never sold it. It didn't like to stay at one speed, always wanted to rev. From Canada also.
I have a 90' and 88' sitting in the garage. Imported them from Ontario to NY.
Yup . 1989 brother.... Sorry to say. Only a Brazilian model with double fz600 like set up available after that. True story. Look up the history of rz.
It wilk show ya. Blue n yellow, different seat and tank from 86 on...it's an 89.
Love it. I had an 84 RZ 250 bored out to to 350. Such a fun bike
My first road bike was an 89 RZ 350 YVPS. What a great bike! I still have it. and no its not for sale.
I used to have an obsession with these...owned 2 of them way back in the day. Snappy little bastards to be sure.
I graduated in 84 too and bought the yellow and black as my 1st ride. I still have dreams riding it.
Great rz Ken, super rare stock, they were all called Rd in the UK, a budy had on in white and orange livery I went outwith him as pillion and it scared the shit out of me on the way back we kicked the ass of a z1300 on acceleration unreal bike it was tuned with micron pies sweet bike,. I had a 250 dx 74model I ended up putting big kit an engineer made for me it came out at 475cc,rear sets, clip ons, twin microns with the bend tube sticking out the baffling to look period race correct, the flywheel was also skimmed for diet, what bike it would never tick over it was just that way, without a lie the fastest acceleration bike I had up 110mph..Great work guys keep it up
The bike colors and appearance are indeed amazingly beautiful . .
The service that was done to the Yamaha reflects excellence care.!!
The most amazing channel by Kaplan Cycles second to none !!
Thank you Kaplan and all at Kaplan Cycles. These bikes were made ahead of their time.
Excellent two stroke bikes by Yamaha that have amazing style and with Yamaha’s excellent quality that they are known for over so many years. Kaplan looking sharp n cool riding every bike and on this one no exception.
God bless all of you at Kaplan Cycles and yes God bless the greatest nation in the world the U S A. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
YPV system works very well a Rz350 out back that was a 3 wheeler sand dragster denco pipes...its wild fun
I believe that the Scott Flying Squirrel back in the teens (20th century) was the first perimeter frame bike sold in America. Also, it was a liquid cooled 2 stroke. I really appreciate your channel, keep up the good work!
Amazing.....that gauge cluster is decades ahead of itself☆☆☆☆☆
I’m glad you’re still with us Bro 😎 💪🏼👊🏼🍀✨✨✨✨✨
Awesome K《☆》I got my 73 RD350 candy red in 1975 & wish I still had it. A little porting, jetting with racing pistons & JR expansion chambers transformed it into a beast. I'd like to get a 350 Banshee engine mounted to a 250 Ninja frame one day🤠☻🤠
🤠👍🔊III[[[[
I very rarely disagree w your opinion but the Kenny Roberts special is the one to have! I actually asked you about one of these a while ago....cant wait to meet you guys this summer...Rich T
My buddy has that Kenny Robert edition rz. it's all torn apart ready in his basement to be assembled, but he got a bullit mustang and doesn't have time for his Harley, drz400, or his 836 cb750 that is also torn apart ready to be assembled.
He is to much of a perfectionist I want his cb750 or that Kenny Robert's rz, but I already know the answer is no.
I had a KR edition in the mid '80s. Factory brand pipes, K&N pod filters, that was about it. It was still quick! I'd still have one but I ONLY ride dirt now (too many near-death experiences).
Memories! This bike was my very first RZ. I went for the Toomey kit and jetted the carbs! Bought it from a friend in Boston, took it to NYC. Got stolen 2 times in NYC and the 2nd time I never saw it again! SO I had to get the Kenny Roberts Yellow bee version a few years later and that was the babe! Man was it fast!
Speakin' of the Z1 a friend of mine (jeeziz, how many friends with bikes did I HAVE?!) had the now ultra rare (unobtainium, as Sr. says) Z1R-TC, and that bike was tied for fastest in Pawcatuck with a V-MAX Yamaha that yet another friend of mine had at the time. There's a kid in Westerly now that has the Kenney Roberts TZ350, and his bike looks new too. And the exhaust note is pure f--kin' music...GOD I miss those days...
There are so many things I love about this video, but I must mention 2 things that stood out for me. 1) Beautiful country man! Has that part of the states ever featured in a movie? If not, give Hollywood a call 📞. That intersection before the twisties, absolutely gorgeous. And 2) that sentiment you took time to express about your son… dude… I get choked up just thinking about it. Do tell your boy how lucky 🍀 he is, in the Dad he has. And obviously, his Dad feels the same way about him. I wish you guys all the best 👍🏿👍🏻👍🏿 signed, new fan from Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹
I road by yellow and black Kenny Roberts Edition for about three years this bike kick my ass here in Daytona slid out once over sand and shells in Ormond Beach with flip flops recovered was doing kick ass wheelies on the Saint Augustine Beach approach and passenger snatch me off came back from North Florida in the snow in the late 80s loved it though definitely had to have respect for this bike , loved it it would scream ! mine had a kick-ass exhaust modified carburetor Toomey pipes rode down the same road that you did during Daytona Bike Week the loop in Ormond Beach awesome thanks for the Memories
I'm in Oz, I would drive across the country for this RD
You get the best bikes cap
🗽☘
My brother had one of these. I don't get along with him and haven't spoken to him in years but he did keep his well maintained. As far as I know he still has it. I know he only did a few mods to it. It was red and white but it did have the Kenny Roberts signature on it.
Make peace with your brother. Blood is thicker than water
@kevinroark5815 Sorry to say, that is never going to happen. I'm grateful for my sisters and that is more than enough for me. Too many important lines were crossed.
Fantastic video! I had a fully rebuilt RZ350 as my first ever road bike. Those bikes are bonkers, total wheelie machines with the YPVS. Sorry to hear you had a serious crash on one.
They kept making these until 1990 [In Canada]. I had the blue 1990 model, just a great all around bike, fast as hell, but well behaved when you needed to be.
Good luck with the sale and your business in general. You are doing God's work. Simply marvellous bike
That is the Bike to have! Wow that would be awesome to take to Daytona ! I live in Orlando and would be on cloud nine taking that to bike week..Ken you get the most legendary bikes and I love all you videos. Love your knowledgeable commentary also.
God Bless.
Beautiful eye-catching RZ Ken. Haven't seen one of those in decades.
I bought an '84 Kenny Roberts edition brand new. Loved it in the beginning, but mine was far from dependable due to the engine management computer being bad. I finally sold it. It was my dream bike for a time though.
To turn an RD all you had to do is shift you chewing gum from one side of your mouth to the other! For big turns.....just nod your head........great machines!
They were the good bikes.
The rz 350 was made up until march 1990 in Brazil. I have built and raced 13 different models. I still have 2 1985 canadians in my shed with 3 spare engines. I am the last of 12 2stroke mechanics, certified in the low 80's.
4 sets of barrels, 16 sets of carbon fiber reeds....i even have the original service manuals and microfiche. Yup. Still alive baby. !!!! My powerbands start at 5500 rpm.
The dual stage reed cage set up is super worth it with original Toomeys and or Factory race pipes. I recommend staying at 2× oversize as the squish doesnt add up after 9k.
Jus sayin. Stock pipes are super good too....especially if messing with jetting and sprockets. Sometimes too much is too much.
yep had a brand new n2 loved it! got a 600 ninja after that it didnt compare the yam never missed a beat and i enjoyed every minute i cant say that for the ninja 6 or 9 always wanted the 500 my friend has three
Thanks for bringing the intro back!
I love your sharing of the history of these bikes
I had the full fairing 1985 Australian model of this bike...It was a Repli Racer for road use for sure and alot of fun to ride..It loved to be revved out and in powerband to get the best from it..However,i clearly remember,back in the day for TOURING purposes it had terrible range so much so that my mates Honda VTR1000 Firestorm was considerable more economical and didnt need any two stroke oil top ups either..I did enjoy owning it and it does have its advantages too for sure.
One hell of a bike❤
Damn o.O I remember my first taste of one of these beasts. (Although i am talking RD350LC in the uk here, not the YPVS) I was 11 years old, my next door neighbour was 21, I remembering him picking me up from school one day and all my classmates stood there open mouthed as i jumped on the back.. They all knew what he was like.. He threw me a spare lid and we hit a sliproad onto a dual carriageway at around 90mph, and he dropped a gear whilst revving and then dumped the clutch.. Bike came to around 10 oclock and my ass came off the seat because of the sudden acceleration, and both feet almost either side of his helmet.. The only thing that i had in contact with the bike at that moment were my hands grasping the little grabrail at the back.. Jesus Chr... Good job i had both elbows locked right then i can tell you that! we hit around 145mph 2 up.. so, yeah! I know what these can do! TY for sharing.
That's frightening lol
Now theres a great bike! I had a RD350 ex race bike. A mate had one of these. Still has it in excellent condition. Theres one for sale where I live, he wants $2000. No fairings etc. still, Im tempted. Cheers! 👍🏻🇦🇺
What. A. Bike. Damn tragedy they were banned.
love those 80's yamahas !
In Brazil from 1986 with the name rd350 became the greatest legend among motorcycles
Love you bike videos, it was brilliant seeing a bit of your town here you stay. Well normally then you do your videos it's with scramblers/trail bikes. So we just see you riding around your museum area. Some beautiful scenery 🤔 😎🏍️
There is a 1985 RZ350LC for sale in my town right now. I bet I saw it when it was brand new on the show room floor. I lived a the Yamaha shop back then.
Owned and rode one regularly for 16 years.
Way better than the RZ500. The Myth, even w the 350 is bigger and better than the reality.
Ken you are a awesome guy and great dad!!
1983 in uk they had to change the learner bikes to 125cc 12 bhp Because at 17 you could jump on rd 250 From 30 mph moped to 40 hp and alot of hospital bills , beautiful bikes handlebars and seating position are perfect on them bikes
I've ridden both a RD-350 (aircooled) and RD-400 Daytona and both wanted to loft the front wheel in the air with spirited gear shifts.
Wish they still made these!
Fantastic bikes to ride, especially on the country roads in Cumbria in the UK where I live.
Excellent !! Thanks for sharing . Greetings from Portsmouth England 🏴
Beautiful scenery Kaplan there as you ride the Yamaha two stroke 350 !!
This bike is worth easily $23K
7000 Rpm and up there all the fun start
I was lucky enough to saw one on the street while I was riding, the dude was on the other side of the road I have to bust an U and chase him so I can see one in real life, and it have Kenny Roberts fairing too! made my day.
I still have 4 engines in my basement. First 400 built in '85. Yup 2 ready in the shed! Right from japan. Steering damper and fork braces needed. Let me tell ya!.
I had a red and white 1984, man i bought new. Man wish i still had it
Nice,I had an 86 and loved it
I bought one of there bikes out by Willow springs, ca in near mint condition for $800. Rode it for 4-5 years, loved it. Sold it for $2,300. Should a kept it !!!
They are worth about 7500 now in good condition if not more.
LOL @ 7:07, same here! In high school I had an orange 1975 RD350 with clubman handlebars, solo seat and chambers. Didn't leave the house without an extra set of NGK's and tools, I fouled so many plugs. Had no insurance, no license but a lot of luck! Then bought a 1976 Honda CB400 SS and eventually a 1985 Kawi GPz750
I don't really get this. I've ridden thousands of hours on all manor of two stoke. Never fouled a plug. Do people use like 20:1 premix or some thing?
@@apodski I swapped my stock pipes out with chambers and I think when I re-jetted the carbs I didn't do it right. I was 16 at the time lol, just a dumb kid riding around.
Scooter guy doesn't have a clue ! He would've been in his Prius but he found it full of homeless people having an orgy ! Metzeler tires is all I buy now. Never had a Dunlop I liked. Your early days matched mine. I bought a new R5 in cash at 15 with money I earned through the years and rode it with no license till I was 16 and got my license. Had a car pull out in front of me and ended up with compound fracture and about the same amount of time in hospital. I totalled out the car. I wasn't riding at your level but with some porting and better coils and expansion chambers that bike rocked. Back then not many people had 4 cylinder bikes so the 2 strokes ruled. The yamahas, kawasaki h1,h2, and even the Suzuki water cooled 750 which were sleepers. In 1975 yamaha changed the whole off road riding with the monophonic. The 70's was a very important decade for bikes as a whole. Got refined through the years but what a turning point in bike industry. Harley went from hero to zero and AMF sure didn't help. 60s and early 70's the streets were full of V twins and parallel twins. By 1975 everyone had a Honda 750 or a kawasaki Z1. Crazy you could go into a kawasaki dealership and pickup a H1,H2, or a KZ900. Crazy times !
The Powervalves we got in the UK were a bit more powerful, I think an F2 made about 60hp.
John Q Public! 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣...Love your humor, brother. Beautiful RZ 350
Had not had a bike, Kawasaki, for 27 years, chance to get a bike March '19, no Kawasaki shops near, wonder what I could get???, maybe get a good used RD 250,350,500 LC, turned down chance to get a' 07 CBR600RR, sight unseen, saw it wanted it, knew nothing about it's performance, just looked really good to ride hard. Just sold AGH!!, I got a 2005 GSF 650 BANDIT, L L L LUCKY ME, one very careful, cautious owner who basically ran it in for 15,000 miles, and it pulls, fly's up steep, steep hills, like it's falling off a cliff, capable of about 85mph in 2nd gear, before the red-line at 12,000 RPM, half way to the red-line in 3rd, 4th gear, and it hits a PERFECT STORM, A time vortex enhancing, bubble, tunnel scenario. What a biking BUZZ. BUT a 2 stroke Yamaha, nice, a riders bike, fun to be had.
I had one of those! And it was awesome. 😎👍
You said it all. Nice camera work.
the ferrari f40 of the motorcycle world .....beautiful
Most fun bike I ever had. Still got it. Rusted out.
I'll buy it 860 454 7024, or I cam sell you a new tank!
Love that bike love the Yellow One even more everyday.That goes by the cost of that will increase.Those bikes are gonna be worth big big bucks.They already are expensive.I want to r z five hundred kenny rodd birds replica that was something
This bike had an old frame from Yamaha. That’s why it didn’t win bike of the year in 84 and that honor went to the new Yamaha 1100.
I have a 1985 kenny roberts edition RZ350 all original and still runs but engine needs to be gone through a little tired after so many miles just wonder what its worth these days I think its time to find it a new home.
I own exactly such bike! Yamaha RD350 YPVS -84, in the same mint condition! But with DG-pipes. :)
Had an 82 RD then an 84 RZ full fairing. Would love to have another one
Had the same bike loved it!!! And a 1976 chappy red RD 400
Friend had red white blue one to with toomey pipes and a crashed yellow and black one his friend almost got killed on!
Awesome I bet it sounds soo cool and unique
Sound is 1000% better
I love this bike 👌
I think the front tire is on backwards? Check the tread out.
In the UK they are RDs. We call them power valves.
❤️ Yamaha ! #1 ☝️
You got screwed having to have a Cat. My Aussie one had 60hp stock
Just drove a 1992 rd350r home I purchased.
How much did this baby go for on Ebay? I;m in the Market for one Maybe captain America can help me locate a good one lol. Love your videos and your Attitude God bless.
I don't think you can ride one of these bikes with out doing wheelies you just have to the bike makes you do it it turns you in to a nutter
Buddy had a Kenny Roberts with the toomey exhaust it was cool.
Throw a set of Toomey pipe's on it. What a sound they make.
Haha I wrecked the yellow/black rz350 turning onto a road that they just graveled to pave over...still have dirt/pebble in-bedded in my right palm and I graduated high school in 86
We bought one for $1400 it’s bone stick but the original owner put k&n pods on without jetting it properly and he over heated it and broke a piston skirt and destroyed the crank and the head but we have a highly modded RZ350 and the stock one we’re going to completely rebuild it and it’s still sitting on stock bore but the engine and the whole bike sat in a basement of a house that was going to get torn down so the guy went and got it out before it came with everything but the pipes all the plastics are mint it’s going to take lots of work but the engine and frame numbers match up so it’s original
It came with 30 over pistons but were going to keep it as close to stock as possible
Thanks!
It ws made until 1989....yup! I have owned 13. Look up th rz story!
When bikes had soul and could be spotted and identified from100 yds away.
in the uk it´s called Rd350 Ypvs
Another cult bike in the UK ,we called them Elsie's
Richard ypvs in the Elsie frame, allspeed exhaust & air box hole opened up a few mil 💪🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
join the rz 350 serious accident club mine was Friday 13th 1987 but i do miss my old rz 350 r ,
I have the exact same bike, bought it new. Its got less the 10k miles on it