More love for the 2 Strokes. Over here in my country, Malaysia, the RXZ 135cc is very famous back in the 80s and 90s. The popularity has since surged back up once more.
To ride this bike well with the factory footrest you have to climb all over moving your body position for every corner and lay on the tank in the straits...from Wyoming USA 🔫🤠🇺🇸p.s stay safe
Shocking review, an iconic 2 stroke bike known for its wicked powerband and you ride it on a freeway, try riding it on a twisty road. Comparing it to an R3 was the last straw, there is no comparison
I think you underestimated the 'cool' rating for this bike. If you hit a bike meet at your local coffee shop, I'm sure you'll get a lot more people gawking at the RZ over any other bike.
My RZ, with a few mods, was my favourite canyon carving weapon ever. Guys on 750s struggling to keep up. Those were the days. First bike I ever dragged knee on, and first bike that I lifted the front wheel in a corner. Crazy powerband. Loved that bike. Thanks for the memories!
Even in the 80s. By then, people were a little sick of the smoking cannons though ?? LOL. It was my best chance to keep up with the big bikes until i eventually brought one. 2nd bike i owned was a brand new RD 250 LC then converted to a 350 with a good porting job and set of noisy expansion chambers ?? Flat out in top gear 220 kmh, ( not to bad for a 350 cc )
@@Toxic2T LOL. It does seem fast i guess. The only reason i knew what speed i was doing at that time, was because i had a few other mates with big bikes with me to compare the speed. When we finally stopped. They could not believe my little RD could go so fast. Another mate on a RG 250 who got left behind, LOL actually brought my bike when i brought a GPZ 900R. Even that bike felt slow after a few months of riding it. Best i stop now otherwise i will be writing a book ?? LOL. Absolutely LOVE Bikes. Best drug ever made.
I owned an RZ and later a Yamaha TDR250. Riding a two stroke motorcycle is such a sensory experience. It commands all of your attention and does not disappoint in thrilling you every time you twist the throttle.
Seems you must miss the old 2 Smokes. Definitely a great bike in there time. Most hated them because of the oil burning. But at least we had a chance to keep up to the big bikes if you own a 2 Smoke.
This for me is the most fun "Daily Rider" so far. Maybe it's nostalgia, or possibly because this one seems to have extracted the most giggles from the pilot...
Depends. The GT500 or 750 have wide powerband but low peak. Also the old style 2-strokes are designed for low peak but wide powerband. You can even tell from the shape of the exhaust systen what style the engine is...
I had a RD350 F2(UK model name), loved it, regret selling to this day. Mine was race tuned, and you could bury the speedometer as far as it would go, 120MPH, if you tucked in behind the bubble. The smell of Castrol R and the sound of power valves cycling when you turned the ignition, awesome. Front end would get lively at speed, so I had a steering damper fitted.
I had on of these as well. Unfortunately it got a major front end modification after a car pulled out in front of me! It WAS a great bike until that point.
Key on, burrrrr, buzzzz, burrrrrrrrr. Magic times mate. I had an 89 TZR 250 - similar to the RD. Loved that bike - It was restored and painted in the red Loctite colours just before I bought it.
1st bike I got after passing my test , I think it gave me more grins per mile than almost anything I've ridden since ,certainly the most grins per CC !
We used to endurance race those things in the early mid eighties. Imagine a two stroke running flat out for 8 hours and no issues. Pretty cool little bike.
Thanks so much for this; it made my day, week, month, and year. I bought one new in 84 in Yamaha racing yellow and black livery. I had many two strokes previously, but it was the first that you could ride every day without worrying about fouling plugs or seizing up. I commuted in the heat of Dallas, Texas, toured around the southern USA, and basically lived on my RZ; great memories.
They were a great bike, bought one second hand back 1987 rode it till I done a crank bearing about 2 years later, then traded it in what an idiot I was should have kept it.
I had 2 of them. I rode one again about a year back. It felt sketchy on its 15 year old tyres and bent fork but brought back so many memories. That rapid change to the power band pulling wheelies, having to refill them daily as the 22 litre tank only did about 200ks and I commute d 160. Ahh my teenage years.
What a nostalgia kick! I got the RD350LC when they came out here in ‘81. Got the YPVS in ‘85. Got a couple of scars from both. These bikes were just awesome and part of the fabric of my youth.
I had the LC too. That little back tyre made life very interesting if you weren't facing forward and accidentally hit the power band. Out of all the bikes I owned in my life, that was very much one of the more exciting ones.
Bought an Rz350 brand new at Green Lake Yamaha in 1984. Road raced it for 2 seasons at Seattle International raceway.450 prod.Btw 600 Ninja just came out then ,and we could smoke them! pun intended !My last race was in the rain (no track insurance) I crashed ,broke my wrist 2 pins 5 casts and 6 months later.I sold it..I am crying right now ! Thanks for this video.
Here in Europe two strokes were still common even in the 2000s. When I was a kid in the 90s and the 2000s you could see everything from two stroke sports bikes (Aprilia RS50, RS125 and RS250, Cagiva Mito 50 and 125, Yamaha TZR50 and TZR125, Honda NSR125 and NSR250, Kawasaki KR1S, Suzuki RGV250, Derbi GPR50 and GPR125, etc.), to cruisers (Aprilia Red Rose and Red Rose Classic, Gilera Eaglet, Cagiva Roadster, Laverda Custom 125, etc.), to dirt bikes, to scooters and mopeds on the streets over here. In fact,my first and still current motorcycle is a two stroke,a 1994 Aprilia Red Rose Classic.
Bazza the RGV was actually quicker and better than the NSR. Here in Australia, back in the 90’s they had a national race championship for 250 production bikes. You’d rarely ever see the Honda in it, just because the Suzuki was better... 👍😎
Sir, writing from England, what a staggering adventure on a 350! It is a trip I have wanted to do having worked in Virginia and New Mexico and loved both States. I did keep the two-stroke faith all these years. I have a Kawasaki H2C but in all honesty I don’t fancy riding across the States on that, but I have enormous admiration for what you achieved.
That beats the hell out of my 2 stroke long ride. Johannesburg to Durban on a Montesa 250. Enduro. Normally takes about 7-8 hours on a regular big bike. Took me 10+ on that trip. To be fair, I did stop quite a bit to let it cool down, plus took 2 different short off road romps.
I'm drooling 1st time I rode one was as a passenger My friend took off nice and smooth Shifted into 2nd...Again, smoothly Then twisted the throttle hard and instead of shifting into 3rd, he messed up and went back to 1st Brand new RZ went right in the field, about 6-7 ft from trees... My friend rolled in the street (no injuries)... I ended up on my 2 feet running (don't ask me how) and fell on my hand and knees, just scratching my jeans and gloves. The bike was litterally 3 hours old with about 70 miles on it MEMORIES 🤪 3 weeks later I bought an '82 RD350 ... To this day it's still my favorite (GPz550 being a close 2nd)
Cool story totally believable by anyone who hasn't ridden a motorcycle before...It is impossible to accidentally go from into 1st from 2nd unless your friend was a complete moron who went down rather than up...
We owned the Kawasaki shop, our old mechanic owned the Yamaha shop, when dad retired I worked as their mechanic… he had the RZ and I had the first GPz 550 in Canada… we had a blast going over “Going to the Sun” every weekend.
Wow man! I'm super stoked to see this bike! I bought mine second hand for $900 in 1987 and to this day it's hands down the best bike I've owned and ridden! The handling was amazing (I'm not as tall as you Zack) and I was always tucked in and went 180kph everywhere and first bike I dragged my knee....regularly. It ate the winding ranges for breakfast, lunch and tea AND the much bigger bikes! Thanks so much because now I can sleep knowing I can view this video anytime, day or night. Two thumbs up!
First name Last name I agree. When Z&A left the other channel I didn’t follow, but the replacement couldn’t touch the way Zack does these vids. Glad to see you are back on an easily viewed (i.e. not pay extra) channel. Keep it up, I’ll let the ads run so you get paid. Z&A rides are also great. More of those please. Really liked the Baja monkey bike ride.
The rz350 comes on so hard in the mid range,, lots of people lost skin off there ass. We nicknamed my cousin Johnny one bun , after his 2and to 3rd gear wheelie over at 50mph plus.
In Malaysia.. If You Ride With This Bike.. You More Famous Rider More Than People Ride Ducati.. Old Bike Like 500cc , 350cc , 250 cc 125 cc.. Always Be Hunting.. Not Just Old Man.. Man Age 21 Also Wan This 2t Old Bike... I Hope.. One Day I Will Get My Dream Bike Aprilia 250 RS...
This Yam stroker just looks so much cooler than the BMW 1250GS or the Ducati Multistrada V4. Turn up at a bikers Cafe on a weekend and I know what would get the most attention.
Since I used to own one, I can help with some of the questions at the end of the video. The question about riding one now and maintenance is a good one. The RZ350 engine was later used in the Banshee 4-wheeler, minus the YPVS system. Parts for engine are still available from 3rd parties (especially replacement parts like reeds and gaskets). However, if you crash one, parts like the fairings and instruments are impossible to find. Tire selection is very limited. Maintenance on the engine is super simple, so if you are resourceful, you can keep one going without any trouble. You also mentioned the oil injector system, which was a weak point of the engine. The oil injector worked very well for the street and was simple to use. You filled the oil reservoir every couple hundred of miles, and it was right under the seat. However, a lot of owners forgot to fill the oil reservoir, and then damaged the engine. There was no warning or indicator if the injector failed. When I raced one, I removed the injector pump because it was extra weight and I would be able to pre-mix my fuel. The injector was driven off the throttle (and not adjustable), and so it would be a little behind in providing enough oil in the mix. The danger was at high RPMs the pump would not be able to inject enough oil to lubricate the engine, so pre-mix was safer and much more reliable. You couldn't adjust oil rate from the injector, so pre-mixing was the only way to adjust the oil-to-gas ratio. As for whether I'd choose a RZ350 or a MT03, I'd choose the RZ every time!!
I had one too. My favorite bike. The AMA had a series of races just for them. One of the requirements was the oil injection system had to be in operation. Such good memories.
All quite true, except oil mixer. It works great, even on track, with a stock motor. After some 20 years a seal can get weak and starts leaking, but it still works. You can find quite a lot of fairing parts on ebay, and even instruments. Tyre selection is really scarce, but bridgeston bt45 are great. Weak point: suspensions, they are soft. A Yam Thundercat fork and R6 rear shock makes miracles. Breaks are good but can be great with 298mm rotors from r6.and suzuki sv650s master pump. I bought an rd350r (brazilian build) in 1994 and still own her. The best bike on earth, simply....
Exactly, 2 stokes are super easy to maintain and super fun to ride. I have a single cylinder 2stroke. Unfortunately the registration expired so its in the garage, but we never had any problem maintaining the motorcycle on our own for the last 26 yrs in my family.
The RZ was one of the best two strokes ever made, no doubt, but of course it was not without faults. I rode one back in 86 when I traded my DT200 with a friend for the day, and had one of the scariest moments of my life hitting a speed wobble at 160kph. Terrifying. But what a great motor. I'm no expert on the yamaha 2 stroke history either, but the RD400 was the air-cooled version. The RD350L/C was the liquid cooled version. The RZ350 came with YPVS, which was a power valve that altered the exhaust valve according to rpm, providing for much better low end power while still giving lots of power on top.
My first new bike I bought, at 21 years old was 85 rz350 for 2074 dollars, on sale at Beaverton Honda OR. Red and white version. Port and polish job on the cylinder, exhaust pipes and jet kit later that bike got about 25 mpg, so that 5 gallon tank was only good for about 115 miles, cause it left me walking on the side of HWY 217 back in 1987! Then I bought an 84 red and white, and raced that for 2 seasons at PIR, that was fun. And the dual discs were pretty good for a mid pack rider like me never noticed issues with the brakes. Bike was great, I just wasn’t fast enough. Then the FZR400 Yamaha’s came out and that was the bike to have. Thanks for this great video! Brings back great memories from this 57 year old brain.
Zack, just wanted to say how much I missed your presentation style and approach to motorcycling and reviews when you went behind the payroll. Glad your back for the little guy to appreciate every Saturday morning. Awesome job sir!
We all ran against Kenny in the early days of AFM (mid 70's) in California on our RD350's and of course Kenny was always in the top five. RD350's were great track bikes.
I grew up in South Africa, in high school my buddy had one of these and I had a Honda MTX200 two stroke, the Honda never came to the USA. I miss the two stroke bikes.
My one and only bike in 1982 was a Suzuki GT380 triple. This really brought back some memories. I think we've lost something by not having 2 stroke road bikes anymore. They were absolute, pure fun!
The suzuki two strokes with oil injection never fail because the injector pumps were driven off the main shaft of the transmission .they turned at a much slower rpm and did not get the high frequency vibration from the crankshaft ...yamaha single cylinder oil injection pumps were mounted on the end of the crankshaft and would get vibrated to death ... When you see a suzuki that has had its oil injection pump removed and the oil lines removed the engine is already destroyed ...the left main bearing only gets pressure feed oil from the pump and continues feeding down a hollow crankshaft to the connecting rod bearing where it then sprays into the intake air and fuel mix . There is another oil line to the intake also .. but removing the pump and lines starves the left main bearing of receiving any lubrication at all even if you mix cause the left main bearing is sealed to force injected oil onward through the hollow crankshaft to the connecting rod also ...suzukis oil injection never failed for reasons given ...but people will be fixing thinks that dont break and destroy the best
Just now looking up the old two stroke suzukis and some where water cooled ..these would make q great cafe race project .and very reliable due to the oil injection pump being driven from the transmission main shaft ...im not familiar with the yamaha multi cylinder injector pump reliability but if they are driven directly from the end of the crankshaft they will fail ...same as a polaris two stroke quad ...but suzuki no problems with the injector pump geared to the transmission main shaft ...set up with chambers and a 1/4 cafe racing fairing modern alloy or carbon fiber wheels brembo calipers gaffer rotors ohlins front forks and rear piggy back gas shocks ...ported balanced and tuned would be the best two stroke track and street experience of your life
never had an injection pump fail on an RD yamaha but I turned them down till there was almost no smoke with Full Bore synthetic oil. I raced them for years with no pump failures. Suzuki x6 and 380 two strokes were slo in comparison but they were always trying my Yamahas.
2 strokes really do pull at the heartstrings for me. the first bike which I maintained and modded myself was a 2 stroke. it's delicate yes but significantly easier compared to modern-day bikes. a set of screwdrivers, allen keys and wrenches is almost all you need. in my country the last batch of 2 strokes was in the early 2010s, really do miss em. Thank you for this content.
yeah! my dad just got his fixed up because he bought it from a friend and it never ran and I have NEVER heard it run since this year (2022) when his friend from college who fixed it up for him the reason he didnt do it earlier is money but im glad he did it when did because it wouldve been beyond repair but I cant wait till in 16 and can ride it!!! i dont think I can ride it when Im 15 with my permit (im 14 now) but yea! i hope you can get a new one
yes, i can turn my key part way off, it cuts power to the servo, if timed right while the servo cycles you can cut power and make it stay open or closed. when "stuck" open at low rpms the power is noticably lacking and it is a lot louder. the powervalve definitely cuts down on shifting gears when not in race mode.
Bought new in '84. Pulled the cat pipes, replaced with Toomies, rejet carbs, battery box air intake change out... all before rolling out the dealer door. Solo saddle cowl Kenny Roberts yellow scheme. Good for 120 mph on a cooler day with a little help of tailwind. Chainsaw gang little killa'
I had one of these when I was a teenager and early 20’s and I’ve never ridden anything that was as fun. “Bottle rocket 🚀 intensity “ is how Motorcyclist Magazine accurately described its acceleration when on the pipe. The lack of weight transfer inherent in a two stroke when decelerating with engine breaking made high speed sweepers dream like. Coming off an exit / entrance ramp you could just rev match the down shifts and carry your speed through the corner and be right in the power as you accelerate away. My favorite bike of all time. 0-60 I NEVER lost. Nighthawks, Ninja 600’s, even a CBX Honda I’d just leave them so far behind they’d give up not realizing that at that point they could walk me down. Lol LOVED it!
Saw one of these at a vintage bike meet. despite there being legitimately rare and expensive bikes all over the place, THIS is what I kept coming back to and pouring over. It was a black and yellow one, and it was absolutely mint. what a lovely model, just wish i could afford to own one.
Wow, talk about bring back memories - I have had a 1972 Yamaha R5 - this bikes grandfather, a 1982 RD250LC, a 1985 RZ250FN [Full fairing model] and the grand daddy of them all an RZ500 V4 two stroke - awesome bike, lethal tank slappers, but awesome. One bike I wish I had never sold
Yup. The RZ 500 could bite you in the arse. The one that I had came with Yokohama, hard as rock tires. What a handful in the rain. A switch to soft Metzlers helped.
That engine had a future home in the Yamaha Banshee . That was a great quad. They took a Toyota Supra, a Honda V65 Sabre and Eddie Lawson was on the RZ 350. He gave the Supra and Sabre a 1/2 mile head start and within a mile he passed both
I was 16 when this bike came out and had it plastered all over my bedroom walls, I wanted one so badly. Given the fact that you are so much younger than me i don't think you understand how immensely popular this bike was back then or how cool it was. The RZ-350 was pretty much king of the twisties and would easily outperform higher displacement bikes on back roads and off the line. I did manage to drive a friends bike in 2004 and I let him drive my 91" VMAX. I now drive an FJR 1300 but would love to add this iconic bike to my collection for sure.
This is so incredibly cool. Fantastic to have reviews of older, especially legendary, bikes. To both show where we've come from, and to further appreciate where we are now.
Thank you for that blast from the past! I had a Yellow/Black 85' RZ350 and loved it! One thing I didn't hear you mention was engine braking, or rather the lack thereof. You needed decent brakes (and they were) on these bikes due to the fact that when you let off the throttle, the engine DID NOT help slow you down!
2 strokes have never had any decent engine braking, and on my RZ350 I only had front brakes, which made it quite interesting when an idiot in a car with trailer attached pulled out in front of me blocking all 3 lanes, lets just say I prayed n survived, locked up the front wheel for a good few meters without dropping the bike, don't ask me how just LUCK I guess. Lets say the car panels what were once all straight did not end up staying straight after I was finished with him.
yeah! my dad just got his fixed up because he bought it from a friend and it never ran and I have NEVER heard it run since this year (2022) when his friend from college who fixed it up for him the reason he didnt do it earlier is money but im glad he did it when did because it wouldve been beyond repair but I cant wait till in 16 and can ride it!!! i dont think I can ride it when Im 15 with my permit (im 14 now but i what I do know is that my dads friends put on VERY high quality race brakes. (also this friend raced these bikes)
I had a totally built RD400 air cooled . I could literally smoke anything on the road back then. There’s nothing like when she would hum like a finely tuned instrument and everything turned a blur. I once raced a Harley 1200 up 805 hill and I was a mile ahead of him at the top! Smiling all the way!!
Started 30 years ago on a Yamaha RD250, Upgraded to RZ350, next was Suzuki RG500(which i still have),then several RGV250's...nothing like screamin on a stroker!🙏🇦🇺🇺🇸🙏
Old-school, I had a little 2stroke liquid-cooled 50cc when I was in my teens, loads of fun (that bike was as old as I was, made in 86) but some time spent with wrenching it. Thrashed it 2 years after owning it though...
In Canada there was another generation after. Our stock pipes never came with cats, they were just light and the last generation had an expansion chamber style pipe with aluminum silencers at the tips with a full fairing. That 5 gallon tank was needed as my RZed only got 30mpg with a top speed of 145mph top speed (I can personally confirm). It's definitely no slouch. I live in Niagara falls Canada and I rode mine from where I lived to the west coast in Vancouver down to LA, then over to Florida then up the east coast back to Niagara . In 85 Yamaha had Barnett design the clutch and it was bulletproof. You could beat the living piss out of it 24/7. At 6k rpm that front wheel is going to climb high no matter how hard you tried . It was the most fun I ever had . I always thought how much it sucks that you guys got shafted with the emissions . I could cruise down the highway on the back wheel and pass cars at 70mph all day long. It will punish you if you get stupid .
Love your comment. What a ride. In 1984 at 19 yr old, my dad came with me to J and B cycle in Timmins to look at bikes. I wanted the RZed 350 in the showroom. But my farmer of a dad was wise enough to know better. He agreed to co sign on a seca 400 xs instead. Was no rocket but i enjoyed that seca alot. The Rzed 350 still remains like « the girl i could never get ». Update: last week I bought a 1982 Seca xs400r in decent shape as a spring commuter project/possible starter bike for my son's if they are interested.
Thanks for your video! I used to run its uncle, the RD400, which was an absolute terror for the other Philly guys I would square off with....BSA's, Bonnevilles, Nortons, Guzzis, Big BMWs....you name it, the RD just toasted them. I used to particularly pick on Harley riders...it made them nuts when I would pull ahead 20+ feet, then turn and wave goodbye. Interestingly, on short traffic light to traffic light drag races, the only bike I was worried about was a properly launched BSA 441 Goldstar, which could launch pretty hard. Fortunately, the old Beezers would usually break on the 2nd or 3rd.pass... Thanks again for the memories of my fabulous Yamaha!
The power valve is not exactly to do with exhaust flow, it changes the timing of the exhaust pulse to be optimal at a given RPM. Normally fixed length tuned pipes have a late pecky power delivery if tuned for maximum performance. That timing would be to have a higher roof of the exhaust port to open sooner and close later giving the exhaust pulse time to exit then bounce off the back of the pipe and return in time stuff escaping fuel/air charge back into the cylinder just before the piston closes the port back up. At lower than peck rpm the pulse (which travels at a fixed speed) will get back to early (since the piston is traveling slower) to be effective. At lower RPM the power valve lowers the roof of the exhaust port so the port opens later and closes sooner. The lower port delays the commencement time of the pulse on its journey there fore it comes back at the optimal time for a slower moving piston every revolution. The same effect could be achieved if the pipe itself was motorized to shorten as the rpm goes up. Therefore shortening the journey as the pistons journey is also quicker at higher rpm.
Makes me miss my old RGV250!! That bike was so much fun at the race track. I was stationed in Japan when bikes like the RGV250 and NSR250 were all the rage
Really enjoyed this episode! I was lucky enough to work in a Yamaha dealership in the early 90s (In the UK) and we still had the swan-song version of the RD350. She had become a little too weighty, a little bloated. Sat as she was next to the likes of the svelte TZR250s, RGV250s and KR1S. It always made me feel a little sad for them. As a bike-mad teen in the 80s. The 350 "valve" was almost worshipped like a deity by my friends and I. You could hear one coming a mile off. Somewhere off the edge of the city, where the roads were verdant and flowing. On the pipe in every gear, barking those down changes. Eventually they'd reach the bus stop that we called home and we would grin the biggest grins and breathe in the intoxicating fumes. If were were really lucky, they'd be using Castrol R and that would make our night! Fast forward to the late nineties. I'm in a position to finally get my bike test passed. What's the first bike I buy? An RD350. I went to those same verdant, flowing roads and I put her on the pipe, barked those down changes and blew her up two days later. -_- Oil pump had seized... Pre-mixed after the rebuild and had a really happy two years having unrequested 2-up wheelies at every set of lights. At the time I remember thinking I was the only 2-stroke fan left, but then I'd go on organised ride outs and realised that everyone one was trying to position themselves behind me! That's the allure of Castrol R. I can tell you, I wish my channel had videos of me on my RD over any of my R1s or Fireblades. Thanks again, really nostalgic ride. Also, you had a 350 on the pipe and you didn't have one hand covering the clutch? Bruh, do you even 2-stroke? :P
I had an '84 RZ I bought new up here in Canada, I had a stage 1 engine build (welded and balanced crank, port, polish and milled head, hand made expansion chambers), gave the bike a diet, got it down to almost 300 lbs, HP was up to 75-80, played with gearing, etc, etc, etc......serious fun, it would wheelie like a motherf*#%@r, and topped out at 140 MPH
The only bike I ever got a speeding ticket on before or since. 160km going up the Bombay hills out of Auckland, NZ. In my defense I had just cleaned the baffles and wanted to be sure it was all good. My brother had a newer RZ RR250 that he raced. It was a nice ride too. A great assessment and completely accurate.
You should not have sold it. When I got married, my wife told me to get rid of my 1988 GSXR 750. I told her I choose the bike over her anytime. That was the end of the discussion. I still have it to this day. Unfortunately it is not running, due to sitting for a long period of time. I have a 2005 GSXR 1000 that I ride currently.
Sold mine in December 1990 when my wife became pregnant and I bowed to the presure from family members to stop riding. I did vow that I would take up street riding again some day, and I did! My RZ was a Yellow/Black 85' with full Toomey kit. I do miss it dearly!
Yamaha RD 350 YPVS, first bike that tried to kill me. I knew it was mean, so I took it easy thru 1 and 2:nd and then gave full throttle in third. That was the first time I did a wheelie, and so far the only time. But I did manage to save it.
So my Dad ordered one in November 1983 and picked it up in March 1984. Serial number 100000001. It was not a starter or beginner bike like a Ninja 400 is now. The “R Zed” had a power valve and about 6000ish RPM Vtec would kick in and pick the front tire mid corner. First bike I ever sat on, and rode on. First bike I ever found out what the throttle did on, my mom also fell off the back before I was born. I have a picture of my Dad doing a dank wheelie on it. Thank you for the memories revzilla. I know where it is and it will be brought home eventually.
Aah that was good! Thanks for making my Saturday afternoon. I respect your ability to speak in somewhat reasonable terms while riding this bike. I would mostly make strsnge sounds. It is so refreshing to see reviews on older bikes. Makes it much more credible too. Keep them coming please!
I purchased this bike new in 1985 on an impulse. I was 18 and had never riden a bike before so I had nothing to compare it to. I taught myself how to ride this beautiful machine. I fell in love. Although it was state of the art for it's time, it was definatley dangerous. But I was young and fearless. I can still tast the adrenaline in my mouth. It taught me so much about how to handle myself on the road. It was my daily ride for about three years until I destroyed it in a very nasty accident. Every bike that i've owned since seems tamer/safer in comparison. I miss it Sooooooo much. Thank you so much for taking me on the ride down memory lane.
Had had one for 13 years (from 2020 to 23). I bought if for my love of the old RDs. I did all the mods to it after it melted down one day. It was a blast and an eye catcher too. It produced around 69 hp and went around 112 mph. The full air tech ferring helped at the hi end. Power wheelies shifting into 2nd gear. What a blast it was. I miss it.
Brian Hanson What is wrong with manufacturers they could do better. If I had the cash I have been dreaming of buying a KTM RC390 and putting a 300 TPI engine from the XCW in it.
I grew up racing RD250,350 and 400 bikes then moved on to SECA 550 and then a 900. I missed out on the RZ and really regret that I didn’t pick one up and hang on to it. Those two stroke twins from Yamaha were the best smiles per miles I’ve ever experienced. Great video.
Yes people need to remember that the bike is 35 years old in its day the RZ or RD 350 was a brilliant small sports bike. I live in the UK and the RD350 ypvs had a cult following and a cottage industry supplying go faster goodies and tuning for them . When they were launched top litre sports bikes didn’t do 140mph so a light 350 that did 115 to 120 stock was very competitive and with the right bits and work the RD would do 130. Sadly two strokes have been killed by emission regulation but the feel /sound of one when they hit the power-band is something every motorcyclist should experience.
@@johnludmon7419 when the 400/4 4 strokes came out revving to 14k and making the same horsepower cbr400r vfr400f gsxr400 fzr400 zxr400 thats when they got fazed out. Not really emissions. Remember there are still 2 strokes now and they never really went away.
Chris Hart yes there are still two strokes but mainly moto cross bikes and some trail bikes. I haven’t seen a road bike of any capacity that is a two stroke in the UK for years we don’t even get scooters these days.
@@johnludmon7419 I ride a dt125x on the road everyday as my only source of transport and it always gets a good thrashing 😂 at 20,000 miles it's lasting me pretty well although I did do a piston and reborn somewhere in there 😬 easy fix though
I owned one of these back in the early 90's. Loved it. Biggest problem was not wheeling every time I twisted the throttle. Frikin' awesome. Totally impractical, but still Frikin awesome! Thanks for the ride down memory lane. What a treat.
I was smiling through many parts of this presentation. It became especially so much more fun from about the point of your entry into Lover's Lane. Well done on the metaphors for the exotic nature of the riding experience.
I know right? I have thought about it a lot. The best I can come up with is that the 4 stroke allows much more of the power to be utilised through the entire length of the power stroke whereas the 2 stroke has the exhaust and then intake ports open on the bottom half of the stroke.
I had two one that was stolen twice in NYC and a Kenny Roberts yellow version that seized up at about 60 mph! But they were the best and way faster than most bikes on the road when in the powerband! Truly an epic and exhilarating ride every time!
These were plentiful at the track in the early and middle eighties. I can still smell them going by as we were marshalling the corners, nice and near! R - Zed 350, that's how you say it!
Had a friend with a RD400 and it had the same light front end feel to it compared to my CB400F which felt a lot more planted, maybe heavy even for back then. But those two strokes did feel really exciting when rev'd up and the front end got light. The lack of engine braking takes some getting used to if you've been riding four strokes though.
My cousin jumped on my RZ350 from a KZ 400 🙄 about the time he said this thing doesn’t have any power it came on the pipe and scared him 😂 he 12 o clocked it but didn’t wreck it. That was his 1st and last time on my bike.
My buddy with a Honda CB350 jumped on my RD250 and made it about 50 feet. I told him not to hit it hard in first, I should have said the first three but wasn’t thinking because I was used to it and I thought HE was a motorcycle rider. Broke his leg and got a slight case of road rash. You better respect the RD or you WILL regret it.
@@justdad53 You're right JD. I was confusing it with my 650 Commander W2TT. Got to get out the Emory cloth and dust down my brain. My 68 A7 was a candy red 'scrambler'. First bike. Taught me how to clear the engine after fouling the spark plugs. 😂 Man. That bike could scoot! But you know I never did find out what the A7 meant?
@@justdad53 I had the same plugs in my charcoal grey H1. I bought my Avenger used and it had regular NGK. You're so right about the H2 (mine was the Blue) even though it wasn't the fastest it was quick and dependable with such a great engine. Unforgettable. My father had a gold '73. Mine had S&W shocks, bronze bushing swing arm, 3 into 1 expansion chamber, K&N air filter pods and was rejetted. Dads 73 was bone stock and I still couldn't lose him. He worked for Indian in Spfld. Ma. Great times.
I've had a dozen Banshees in various states of mod and tune and a Quadzilla. I love 2 strokes. I can't imagine a single narrow tire handling that power when it comes on the pipe.
Parts are no problem, performance parts are still made to this day, that motor went on to power the Yamaha Banshee for 20 more years and people still build them
I really miss the classic analogue instrument clusters. Perhaps you get more info on the digital screens, and they probably weigh a lot less than the three instruments we see on this RZ, but the old instruments just look so good!
Other thing with analogue instruments? Read somewhere that psychologically you can easily read an analogue needle almost subconsciously in your peripheral vision. Digital you have to look at and actually read. But hey - gizmos sell.
@@duncanjowett5575 The problem I find with digital speedometers is the quoted speed has no reference, on a gauge you know where fast is based on where the needle is on the dial, seeing 68 mph on the digital display doesn't give you as much information. It's also hard to hold a constant speed when a police car is behind you, or you are just trying to observe a speed limit as you cannot see when you are speeding up, or slowing down as clearly as you do with a needle on a dial. I'm all for technology when it serves a purpose, but on a speedometer I just don't find it works for me.
Only one gauge is needed tach, but i started life on 2 stroke dirt bikes, i could feel when to shift. Ridden bikes for 40 plus yrs, 99.9999 percent of time i never looked at guages. Eyes on road and rode by feel. Gauge clusters today are just distracting from The ride.
Nice video, it brought back a lot of memories! The Power valve only adjusts the 'effective' height of the exhaust port, it does not make any changes to the inlet side of the engine or anything like that. The exhaust timing has a major effect on how a 2 stroke delivers power. A low port gives good bottom end power and response but kills the top and and won't allow the engine to rev. A high port does the opposite so having a port that effectively goes up and down along with the engine revs gives you the best of both worlds. I guess in some small way the exhaust is having an effect on the inlet as it is chancing the amount of fresh charge that is getting trapped in the cylinder.
Good explanation. My 1982 YZ125 had a YPVS and i hand machined it after boring the bike right out. Works on the exhaust side and continuously adjusts depending on RPM. no servos involved. all mechanical.
Aside from this bike... the original styling of the 250/350 Yammies were spankin nice... personally though, I always went the Kawasaki rotary valve bike path... rotary valve are quite interesting.
Great video! I had a 1985 RZ350 in the early 90s that looked just like this one. Of all my bikes, it's the one I wish I could have back. I rode mine on many long trips and loved it on the highway and twisty roads as well. I spent a month riding around the west US, starting with the 870-mile ride from St. Louis, MO to Boulder, CO, then all over Colorado, down to Albuquerque and then back to St. Louis. I would just lay down on the tank behind the bikini fairing and jam for hours, once keeping it above 100 for over an hour on the sweeping roads near Denver. I love how he's laughing all the time when accelerating. That's exactly how it felt to ride the RZ. This video is a really great tribute to the RZ.
I grew up with these Yamahas. I had a YDS2, Big Bear Scrambler and an RD350B (not all at once but all bought brand new). I loved every one of them! TOO much fun!
Just finished watching this, entertaining! When you stalled it, why didn't you just drop it in 3rd and let out the clutch? My first street bike was a '77 RD400 in 1979. LOVED IT! Keep up the great work Zack!
The RZ was no where near the end of the 2 stroke era. KR1s, the RGV 250, RS250, TZR 250, were tearing up well into the late 90s. The RS/RGV 250% were some of the best bikes ever made.
The old Suzuki 380 GT was an excellent two stroke for street use. I discovered that no lead fuel kept the spark plugs clean, and the three cylinder engine would ride a low RPM. The old Suzuki X6 250 hustler was definitely an on the can engine. The Yamaha two stroke is more top end power than low end. Good review. Yeah, I had two ring ding two strokes. GT 380 and GT 750 Suzukis.
For more from Zack and the rest of the ZLA crew, head over to RevZilla's online magazine, Common Tread, for fresh articles daily: rvz.la/2F5pRVH
I hope that one of these days you do a daily ride of a sidecar Ural. Please, please, please make that happen.
More love for the 2 Strokes. Over here in my country, Malaysia, the RXZ 135cc is very famous back in the 80s and 90s. The popularity has since surged back up once more.
More yamaha 2 strokes please ! Ive got one its a rd 80 its basically the same as you rode but only 80cc ,make me giggle every time
To ride this bike well with the factory footrest you have to climb all over moving your body position for every corner and lay on the tank in the straits...from Wyoming USA 🔫🤠🇺🇸p.s stay safe
Shocking review, an iconic 2 stroke bike known for its wicked powerband and you ride it on a freeway, try riding it on a twisty road. Comparing it to an R3 was the last straw, there is no comparison
I think you underestimated the 'cool' rating for this bike.
If you hit a bike meet at your local coffee shop, I'm sure you'll get a lot more people gawking at the RZ over any other bike.
Exactly what I want! Someone wearing a flannel and beanie gushing over my bike! :^)
I guess it would depend on the age group. All too many today don't know two stroke bikes existed, let alone this bike. Me? I would go nuts!
@@Pavorish You are so going to wrong bike nights if that is the crowd.
In my youth the Rz50 was the best ; yes 50cc better than a NSR
@@michaelkrenzer3296 DUCK!
Nothing as involving as a 2 Stroke coming on pipe, totally addictive.
Nothing as involving as when the piston nips and throws you into the hedges! Still, I would have another one tomorrow :)
Lol. To this day I still have a habit of covering the clutch on a 4str.
you gotta have the fastest clutch hand of the west.
100% agree!
@@morrisbagnall2690 piston nips? as someone who never rode a 2 stroke can ya inform me?
My RZ, with a few mods, was my favourite canyon carving weapon ever. Guys on 750s struggling to keep up. Those were the days. First bike I ever dragged knee on, and first bike that I lifted the front wheel in a corner. Crazy powerband. Loved that bike. Thanks for the memories!
I miss that 2 stroke sound and smell. It was everywhere in the 70s!
Even in the 80s.
By then, people were a little sick of the smoking cannons though ?? LOL.
It was my best chance to keep up with the big bikes until i eventually brought one.
2nd bike i owned was a brand new RD 250 LC then converted to a 350 with
a good porting job and set of noisy expansion chambers ??
Flat out in top gear 220 kmh, ( not to bad for a 350 cc )
Klotz oil and a 2 stroke bike was the shit back in the 70s and 80s
@@weldmachine 220 kmh thats insane for a 350cc 2 stroke.
@@Toxic2T LOL.
It does seem fast i guess.
The only reason i knew what speed i was doing at that time, was because i had a few other mates with big bikes with me to compare the speed.
When we finally stopped.
They could not believe my little RD could go so fast.
Another mate on a RG 250 who got left behind, LOL actually brought my bike when i brought a GPZ 900R.
Even that bike felt slow after a few months of riding it.
Best i stop now otherwise i will be writing a book ?? LOL.
Absolutely LOVE Bikes.
Best drug ever made.
At least there are still a lot of two strokes in southeast asia although they are starting to disappear
I owned an RZ and later a Yamaha TDR250. Riding a two stroke motorcycle is such a sensory experience. It commands all of your attention and does not disappoint in thrilling you every time you twist the throttle.
Could listen to that thing coming on to the pipe all day. Maybe it’s my age, but I’m a sucker for a 2T
Same. I miss two-strokes.
I was born in 1992 and even i am a sucker for 2 strokes!
My first bike was a 150cc single cylinder 2 stroke and i miss it very much!
Seems you must miss the old 2 Smokes.
Definitely a great bike in there time.
Most hated them because of the oil burning.
But at least we had a chance to keep up to the big bikes if you own a 2 Smoke.
Luckily my Husky 300 keeps me from missing them too much. But would love an RZ or 90s NSR for the street.
It's crazy how much power even the 135s make
This for me is the most fun "Daily Rider" so far.
Maybe it's nostalgia, or possibly because this one seems to have extracted the most giggles from the pilot...
Giggle factor was pretty high with this one, no doubt :-)
I had it too. Loved it.
Zack giggled every time it hit 7,000 RPM. That’s the best way to tell that it’s definitely a fun bike.
The powerband on a 2 stroke is one hell of a drug.
Depends.
The GT500 or 750 have wide powerband but low peak.
Also the old style 2-strokes are designed for low peak but wide powerband.
You can even tell from the shape of the exhaust systen what style the engine is...
@@JenniferSmith-yl6lr true, my dad's ke... or kd 175 is very linear and tame for a 2 stroke, especially when comparing to my kx 125 dirtbike. XD
Dante S550 10R80'S
The rotary intake valve engines spin out without a sharp power decline, but the spin-up power ramp is still steep and addictive.
Fun begins at 5000 Rev’s
I had a RD350 F2(UK model name), loved it, regret selling to this day. Mine was race tuned, and you could bury the speedometer as far as it would go, 120MPH, if you tucked in behind the bubble. The smell of Castrol R and the sound of power valves cycling when you turned the ignition, awesome. Front end would get lively at speed, so I had a steering damper fitted.
I had on of these as well. Unfortunately it got a major front end modification after a car pulled out in front of me! It WAS a great bike until that point.
I had an RZ250 and the smell of Castrol R was addictive. Simple, light, fast and so much fun with pipes, steering damper and Ohlins shocks.
Key on, burrrrr, buzzzz, burrrrrrrrr. Magic times mate. I had an 89 TZR 250 - similar to the RD. Loved that bike - It was restored and painted in the red Loctite colours just before I bought it.
1st bike I got after passing my test , I think it gave me more grins per mile than almost anything I've ridden since ,certainly the most grins per CC !
And my bike can bury your 350 at 170mph
We used to endurance race those things in the early mid eighties. Imagine a two stroke running flat out for 8 hours and no issues. Pretty cool little bike.
Thanks so much for this; it made my day, week, month, and year. I bought one new in 84 in Yamaha racing yellow and black livery. I had many two strokes previously, but it was the first that you could ride every day without worrying about fouling plugs or seizing up. I commuted in the heat of Dallas, Texas, toured around the southern USA, and basically lived on my RZ; great memories.
They were a great bike, bought one second hand back 1987 rode it till I done a crank bearing about 2 years later, then traded it in what an idiot I was should have kept it.
@@fullboostturbo1 same here, sold mine in 88, and have regretted it ever since.
I had 2 of them. I rode one again about a year back. It felt sketchy on its 15 year old tyres and bent fork but brought back so many memories. That rapid change to the power band pulling wheelies, having to refill them daily as the 22 litre tank only did about 200ks and I commute d 160. Ahh my teenage years.
I love where this is headed. You definitely should test out more cool, classic bikes.
agreed except learn the history or good info next time though please
Yep definitely need to do the rz500!
An old BMW boxer would be cool
CX650 Turbo!
I doubt you giggle like that when riding an MT03...2-strokes are pure fun, can't be measured, just experienced.
I bet you never tried the redline of a 03 either
Marco Martins rekt
Actually, he did....
@@kingkrimson8771 so true Ahaha
@@Marco-cl9pb But it won't do a wheelie with just power like the RZ350
What a nostalgia kick! I got the RD350LC when they came out here in ‘81. Got the YPVS in ‘85. Got a couple of scars from both. These bikes were just awesome and part of the fabric of my youth.
I had the LC too. That little back tyre made life very interesting if you weren't facing forward and accidentally hit the power band. Out of all the bikes I owned in my life, that was very much one of the more exciting ones.
Bought an Rz350 brand new at Green Lake Yamaha in 1984. Road raced it for 2 seasons at Seattle International raceway.450 prod.Btw 600 Ninja just came out then ,and we could smoke them! pun intended !My last race was in the rain (no track insurance) I crashed ,broke my wrist 2 pins 5 casts and 6 months later.I sold it..I am crying right now ! Thanks for this video.
Here in Europe two strokes were still common even in the 2000s. When I was a kid in the 90s and the 2000s you could see everything from two stroke sports bikes (Aprilia RS50, RS125 and RS250, Cagiva Mito 50 and 125, Yamaha TZR50 and TZR125, Honda NSR125 and NSR250, Kawasaki KR1S, Suzuki RGV250, Derbi GPR50 and GPR125, etc.), to cruisers (Aprilia Red Rose and Red Rose Classic, Gilera Eaglet, Cagiva Roadster, Laverda Custom 125, etc.), to dirt bikes, to scooters and mopeds on the streets over here. In fact,my first and still current motorcycle is a two stroke,a 1994 Aprilia Red Rose Classic.
So you're saying this wasn't actually the last of the the two strokes. You're right of course, but it was definitely the coolest.
Plenty still for sale brand new at the dealers in 1993 yamaha tzr125 tzr250 rd350ypvs tdr125 tdr250 just to name a few
@@davidbesant Depends on how you define cool but definitely not the last of the two strokes. I would argue the RGV250 and NSR250 are cooler bikes
Bazza the RGV was actually quicker and better than the NSR. Here in Australia, back in the 90’s they had a national race championship for 250 production bikes. You’d rarely ever see the Honda in it, just because the Suzuki was better... 👍😎
@@marcusgeorge1825 I certainly loved tracking my RGV250 around countless laps of Eastern Creek.
Damn that’s a blast from my past. I purchased one new when I was 19 and rode by myself from D.C. to New Mexico. Best time of my life. Great review
Sir, writing from England, what a staggering adventure on a 350! It is a trip I have wanted to do having worked in Virginia and New Mexico and loved both States.
I did keep the two-stroke faith all these years. I have a Kawasaki H2C but in all honesty I don’t fancy riding across the States on that, but I have enormous admiration for what you achieved.
That beats the hell out of my 2 stroke long ride. Johannesburg to Durban on a Montesa 250. Enduro. Normally takes about 7-8 hours on a regular big bike. Took me 10+ on that trip. To be fair, I did stop quite a bit to let it cool down, plus took 2 different short off road romps.
I'm drooling
1st time I rode one was as a passenger
My friend took off nice and smooth
Shifted into 2nd...Again, smoothly
Then twisted the throttle hard and instead of shifting into 3rd, he messed up and went back to 1st
Brand new RZ went right in the field, about 6-7 ft from trees... My friend rolled in the street (no injuries)... I ended up on my 2 feet running (don't ask me how) and fell on my hand and knees, just scratching my jeans and gloves.
The bike was litterally 3 hours old with about 70 miles on it
MEMORIES 🤪
3 weeks later I bought an '82 RD350 ... To this day it's still my favorite (GPz550 being a close 2nd)
Cool story totally believable by anyone who hasn't ridden a motorcycle before...It is impossible to accidentally go from into 1st from 2nd unless your friend was a complete moron who went down rather than up...
@@rolandbonser9883 Good ... You understood. Here's a star for you ⭐🤦♂️
Yeah that's kinda impossible
We owned the Kawasaki shop, our old mechanic owned the Yamaha shop, when dad retired I worked as their mechanic… he had the RZ and I had the first GPz 550 in Canada… we had a blast going over “Going to the Sun” every weekend.
@@grandenauto3214 I had a '82 GPz 550 ... Best bike I've ever owned. God dammit did I had fun on that thing
I had one of these in 1987 when I was 17. That sound! Thank you for the memories!
And you’re still alive?! Congratulations
I got one at 13 in 76, Pocket Rocket, ❤
Wow man! I'm super stoked to see this bike! I bought mine second hand for $900 in 1987 and to this day it's hands down the best bike I've owned and ridden! The handling was amazing (I'm not as tall as you Zack) and I was always tucked in and went 180kph everywhere and first bike I dragged my knee....regularly. It ate the winding ranges for breakfast, lunch and tea AND the much bigger bikes!
Thanks so much because now I can sleep knowing I can view this video anytime, day or night. Two thumbs up!
I had a ‘86 black fully faired RD350 back in the ‘90’s. this was a trip down memory lane. Thanks Zack.
Same here, got a RD250 Red/White then sold it to a guy at the Ace cafe that owned two RD350's and I brought the Black and Purple one of him.
The cool older bloke had an RD350 and a girlfriend I had a DT50 and Miss Wrist.
Zack, that was the greatest review ever! Loved the bike and your enthusiasm.... every time you giggled with happiness, priceless.
First name Last name I agree.
When Z&A left the other channel I didn’t follow, but the replacement couldn’t touch the way Zack does these vids.
Glad to see you are back on an easily viewed (i.e. not pay extra) channel.
Keep it up, I’ll let the ads run so you get paid.
Z&A rides are also great. More of those please. Really liked the Baja monkey bike ride.
@@markr641 . Hammond hahahahahahahaha
A 350 doing a power wheelie? Man I love 2 strokes
The rz350 comes on so hard in the mid range,, lots of people lost skin off there ass.
We nicknamed my cousin Johnny one bun , after his 2and to 3rd gear wheelie over at 50mph plus.
Jake Edgell yeah those weren’t beginners bikes. I had a 1973 RD 350 I bought off a new rider who scared himself when it lofted the front wheel.
350 cc two stroke = is 700 cc in four stroke. Awesome power for a small and light engine.
In Malaysia.. If You Ride With This Bike.. You More Famous Rider More Than People Ride Ducati.. Old Bike Like 500cc , 350cc , 250 cc 125 cc.. Always Be Hunting.. Not Just Old Man.. Man Age 21 Also Wan This 2t Old Bike... I Hope.. One Day I Will Get My Dream Bike Aprilia 250 RS...
This Yam stroker just looks so much cooler than the BMW 1250GS or the Ducati Multistrada V4. Turn up at a bikers Cafe on a weekend and I know what would get the most attention.
Yeah, boi!!! Dank two-stroke wheelies coming up! *gets popcorn ready*
Since I used to own one, I can help with some of the questions at the end of the video. The question about riding one now and maintenance is a good one. The RZ350 engine was later used in the Banshee 4-wheeler, minus the YPVS system. Parts for engine are still available from 3rd parties (especially replacement parts like reeds and gaskets). However, if you crash one, parts like the fairings and instruments are impossible to find. Tire selection is very limited. Maintenance on the engine is super simple, so if you are resourceful, you can keep one going without any trouble. You also mentioned the oil injector system, which was a weak point of the engine. The oil injector worked very well for the street and was simple to use. You filled the oil reservoir every couple hundred of miles, and it was right under the seat. However, a lot of owners forgot to fill the oil reservoir, and then damaged the engine. There was no warning or indicator if the injector failed. When I raced one, I removed the injector pump because it was extra weight and I would be able to pre-mix my fuel. The injector was driven off the throttle (and not adjustable), and so it would be a little behind in providing enough oil in the mix. The danger was at high RPMs the pump would not be able to inject enough oil to lubricate the engine, so pre-mix was safer and much more reliable. You couldn't adjust oil rate from the injector, so pre-mixing was the only way to adjust the oil-to-gas ratio. As for whether I'd choose a RZ350 or a MT03, I'd choose the RZ every time!!
Can use the Banshee big-bore cylinder kits to make 500cc RZ350. :)
I had one too. My favorite bike.
The AMA had a series of races just for them. One of the requirements was the oil injection system had to be in operation.
Such good memories.
All quite true, except oil mixer. It works great, even on track, with a stock motor. After some 20 years a seal can get weak and starts leaking, but it still works.
You can find quite a lot of fairing parts on ebay, and even instruments. Tyre selection is really scarce, but bridgeston bt45 are great.
Weak point: suspensions, they are soft. A Yam Thundercat fork and R6 rear shock makes miracles.
Breaks are good but can be great with 298mm rotors from r6.and suzuki sv650s master pump.
I bought an rd350r (brazilian build) in 1994 and still own her.
The best bike on earth, simply....
Exactly, 2 stokes are super easy to maintain and super fun to ride. I have a single cylinder 2stroke. Unfortunately the registration expired so its in the garage, but we never had any problem maintaining the motorcycle on our own for the last 26 yrs in my family.
That's odd because my 1974 rd250 had an adjustment for oil flow. I wonder why they would omit this feature 🤷♂️
I love the instant giggles it produced after 7000 rpm
The RZ was one of the best two strokes ever made, no doubt, but of course it was not without faults.
I rode one back in 86 when I traded my DT200 with a friend for the day, and had one of the scariest moments of my life hitting a speed wobble at 160kph. Terrifying. But what a great motor.
I'm no expert on the yamaha 2 stroke history either, but the RD400 was the air-cooled version. The RD350L/C was the liquid cooled version. The RZ350 came with YPVS, which was a power valve that altered the exhaust valve according to rpm, providing for much better low end power while still giving lots of power on top.
My first new bike I bought, at 21 years old was 85 rz350 for 2074 dollars, on sale at Beaverton Honda OR. Red and white version. Port and polish job on the cylinder, exhaust pipes and jet kit later that bike got about 25 mpg, so that 5 gallon tank was only good for about 115 miles, cause it left me walking on the side of HWY 217 back in 1987! Then I bought an 84 red and white, and raced that for 2 seasons at PIR, that was fun. And the dual discs were pretty good for a mid pack rider like me never noticed issues with the brakes. Bike was great, I just wasn’t fast enough. Then the FZR400 Yamaha’s came out and that was the bike to have. Thanks for this great video! Brings back great memories from this 57 year old brain.
Radical man! I’m 16 and started riding on a restored 1970 Honda CL350 I did. I love a vintage bike I get pride and satisfaction after working on it.
Awesome mate, 16 /17 and playing with old bikes. That’s cool man and working on your own bike is a real buzz
Zack, just wanted to say how much I missed your presentation style and approach to motorcycling and reviews when you went behind the payroll. Glad your back for the little guy to appreciate every Saturday morning. Awesome job sir!
You said payroll. Did you mean paywall?? LOL!
I'm also so pleased about his return
We all ran against Kenny in the early days of AFM (mid 70's) in California on our RD350's and of course Kenny was always in the top five. RD350's were great track bikes.
I grew up in South Africa, in high school my buddy had one of these and I had a Honda MTX200 two stroke, the Honda never came to the USA. I miss the two stroke bikes.
My one and only bike in 1982 was a Suzuki GT380 triple. This really brought back some memories. I think we've lost something by not having 2 stroke road bikes anymore. They were absolute, pure fun!
The suzuki two strokes with oil injection never fail because the injector pumps were driven off the main shaft of the transmission .they turned at a much slower rpm and did not get the high frequency vibration from the crankshaft ...yamaha single cylinder oil injection pumps were mounted on the end of the crankshaft and would get vibrated to death ...
When you see a suzuki that has had its oil injection pump removed and the oil lines removed the engine is already destroyed ...the left main bearing only gets pressure feed oil from the pump and continues feeding down a hollow crankshaft to the connecting rod bearing where it then sprays into the intake air and fuel mix . There is another oil line to the intake also .. but removing the pump and lines starves the left main bearing of receiving any lubrication at all even if you mix cause the left main bearing is sealed to force injected oil onward through the hollow crankshaft to the connecting rod also ...suzukis oil injection never failed for reasons given ...but people will be fixing thinks that dont break and destroy the best
Just now looking up the old two stroke suzukis and some where water cooled ..these would make q great cafe race project .and very reliable due to the oil injection pump being driven from the transmission main shaft ...im not familiar with the yamaha multi cylinder injector pump reliability but if they are driven directly from the end of the crankshaft they will fail ...same as a polaris two stroke quad ...but suzuki no problems with the injector pump geared to the transmission main shaft ...set up with chambers and a 1/4 cafe racing fairing modern alloy or carbon fiber wheels brembo calipers gaffer rotors ohlins front forks and rear piggy back gas shocks ...ported balanced and tuned would be the best two stroke track and street experience of your life
never had an injection pump fail on an RD yamaha but I turned them down till there was almost no smoke with Full Bore synthetic oil. I raced them for years with no pump failures. Suzuki x6 and 380 two strokes were slo in comparison but they were always trying my Yamahas.
2 strokes really do pull at the heartstrings for me. the first bike which I maintained and modded myself was a 2 stroke. it's delicate yes but significantly easier compared to modern-day bikes. a set of screwdrivers, allen keys and wrenches is almost all you need. in my country the last batch of 2 strokes was in the early 2010s, really do miss em.
Thank you for this content.
I remember that sound! I had it predecessor the RD 350, loved the smell, and so fun to ride!
yeah! my dad just got his fixed up because he bought it from a friend and it never ran and I have NEVER heard it run since this year (2022) when his friend from college who fixed it up for him the reason he didnt do it earlier is money but im glad he did it when did because it wouldve been beyond repair but I cant wait till in 16 and can ride it!!! i dont think I can ride it when Im 15 with my permit (im 14 now) but yea! i hope you can get a new one
The ypvs was made to give the bike midrange.
The high end hit is there naturally, see RD350
Allegedly an extra 10 bhp and 10 extra mpg. Mine was still the most fun bike I've ever owned!
yes, i can turn my key part way off, it cuts power to the servo, if timed right while the servo cycles you can cut power and make it stay open or closed. when "stuck" open at low rpms the power is noticably lacking and it is a lot louder. the powervalve definitely cuts down on shifting gears when not in race mode.
RD400 Daytona was a beast too.
Bought new in '84. Pulled the cat pipes, replaced with Toomies, rejet carbs, battery box air intake change out... all before rolling out the dealer door. Solo saddle cowl Kenny Roberts yellow scheme. Good for 120 mph on a cooler day with a little help of tailwind. Chainsaw gang little killa'
I had one of these when I was a teenager and early 20’s and I’ve never ridden anything that was as fun. “Bottle rocket 🚀 intensity “ is how Motorcyclist Magazine accurately described its acceleration when on the pipe. The lack of weight transfer inherent in a two stroke when decelerating with engine breaking made high speed sweepers dream like. Coming off an exit / entrance ramp you could just rev match the down shifts and carry your speed through the corner and be right in the power as you accelerate away. My favorite bike of all time. 0-60 I NEVER lost. Nighthawks, Ninja 600’s, even a CBX Honda I’d just leave them so far behind they’d give up not realizing that at that point they could walk me down. Lol LOVED it!
hearing you bro, loved it 👍
Saw one of these at a vintage bike meet. despite there being legitimately rare and expensive bikes all over the place, THIS is what I kept coming back to and pouring over. It was a black and yellow one, and it was absolutely mint. what a lovely model, just wish i could afford to own one.
YES!!! The instrumentation is awesome! It never looks outdated. I love it!! I love the two stroke experience!!
Wow, talk about bring back memories - I have had a 1972 Yamaha R5 - this bikes grandfather, a 1982 RD250LC, a 1985 RZ250FN [Full fairing model] and the grand daddy of them all an RZ500 V4 two stroke - awesome bike, lethal tank slappers, but awesome. One bike I wish I had never sold
Yup. The RZ 500 could bite you in the arse. The one that I had came with Yokohama, hard as rock tires. What a handful in the rain. A switch to soft Metzlers helped.
That engine had a future home in the Yamaha Banshee . That was a great quad.
They took a Toyota Supra, a Honda V65 Sabre and Eddie Lawson was on the RZ 350. He gave the Supra and Sabre a 1/2 mile head start and within a mile he passed both
I was 16 when this bike came out and had it plastered all over my bedroom walls, I wanted one so badly. Given the fact that you are so much younger than me i don't think you understand how immensely popular this bike was back then or how cool it was. The RZ-350 was pretty much king of the twisties and would easily outperform higher displacement bikes on back roads and off the line. I did manage to drive a friends bike in 2004 and I let him drive my 91" VMAX. I now drive an FJR 1300 but would love to add this iconic bike to my collection for sure.
This is so incredibly cool. Fantastic to have reviews of older, especially legendary, bikes. To both show where we've come from, and to further appreciate where we are now.
Happy to say that I've owned two of these in my days. Great memories...
Thank you for that blast from the past! I had a Yellow/Black 85' RZ350 and loved it! One thing I didn't hear you mention was engine braking, or rather the lack thereof. You needed decent brakes (and they were) on these bikes due to the fact that when you let off the throttle, the engine DID NOT help slow you down!
2 strokes have never had any decent engine braking, and on my RZ350 I only had front brakes, which made it quite interesting when an idiot in a car with trailer attached pulled out in front of me blocking all 3 lanes, lets just say I prayed n survived, locked up the front wheel for a good few meters without dropping the bike, don't ask me how just LUCK I guess. Lets say the car panels what were once all straight did not end up staying straight after I was finished with him.
yeah! my dad just got his fixed up because he bought it from a friend and it never ran and I have NEVER heard it run since this year (2022) when his friend from college who fixed it up for him the reason he didnt do it earlier is money but im glad he did it when did because it wouldve been beyond repair but I cant wait till in 16 and can ride it!!! i dont think I can ride it when Im 15 with my permit (im 14 now but i what I do know is that my dads friends put on VERY high quality race brakes. (also this friend raced these bikes)
2 strokes were not meant to slow down, corner speed is best to stay in power band lol
I had a totally built RD400 air cooled . I could literally smoke anything on the road back then. There’s nothing like when she would hum like a finely tuned instrument and everything turned a blur.
I once raced a Harley 1200 up 805 hill and I was a mile ahead of him at the top!
Smiling all the way!!
Started 30 years ago on a Yamaha RD250, Upgraded to RZ350, next was Suzuki RG500(which i still have),then several RGV250's...nothing like screamin on a stroker!🙏🇦🇺🇺🇸🙏
Old-school, I had a little 2stroke liquid-cooled 50cc when I was in my teens, loads of fun (that bike was as old as I was, made in 86) but some time spent with wrenching it.
Thrashed it 2 years after owning it though...
I could listen to this this redline gears all day. It’s beautiful
In Canada there was another generation after. Our stock pipes never came with cats, they were just light and the last generation had an expansion chamber style pipe with aluminum silencers at the tips with a full fairing. That 5 gallon tank was needed as my RZed only got 30mpg with a top speed of 145mph top speed (I can personally confirm). It's definitely no slouch. I live in Niagara falls Canada and I rode mine from where I lived to the west coast in Vancouver down to LA, then over to Florida then up the east coast back to Niagara . In 85 Yamaha had Barnett design the clutch and it was bulletproof. You could beat the living piss out of it 24/7. At 6k rpm that front wheel is going to climb high no matter how hard you tried . It was the most fun I ever had . I always thought how much it sucks that you guys got shafted with the emissions . I could cruise down the highway on the back wheel and pass cars at 70mph all day long. It will punish you if you get stupid .
Love your comment. What a ride. In 1984 at 19 yr old, my dad came with me to J and B cycle in Timmins to look at bikes. I wanted the RZed 350 in the showroom. But my farmer of a dad was wise enough to know better. He agreed to co sign on a seca 400 xs instead. Was no rocket but i enjoyed that seca alot. The Rzed 350 still remains like « the girl i could never get ».
Update: last week I bought a 1982 Seca xs400r in decent shape as a spring commuter project/possible starter bike for my son's if they are interested.
Thanks for your video! I used to run its uncle, the RD400, which was an absolute terror for the other Philly guys I would square off with....BSA's, Bonnevilles, Nortons, Guzzis, Big BMWs....you name it, the RD just toasted them. I used to particularly pick on Harley riders...it made them nuts when I would pull ahead 20+ feet, then turn and wave goodbye. Interestingly, on short traffic light to traffic light drag races, the only bike I was worried about was a properly launched BSA 441 Goldstar, which could launch pretty hard. Fortunately, the old Beezers would usually break on the 2nd or 3rd.pass...
Thanks again for the memories of my fabulous Yamaha!
The power valve is not exactly to do with exhaust flow, it changes the timing of the exhaust pulse to be optimal at a given RPM. Normally fixed length tuned pipes have a late pecky power delivery if tuned for maximum performance. That timing would be to have a higher roof of the exhaust port to open sooner and close later giving the exhaust pulse time to exit then bounce off the back of the pipe and return in time stuff escaping fuel/air charge back into the cylinder just before the piston closes the port back up. At lower than peck rpm the pulse (which travels at a fixed speed) will get back to early (since the piston is traveling slower) to be effective. At lower RPM the power valve lowers the roof of the exhaust port so the port opens later and closes sooner.
The lower port delays the commencement time of the pulse on its journey there fore it comes back at the optimal time for a slower moving piston every revolution.
The same effect could be achieved if the pipe itself was motorized to shorten as the rpm goes up. Therefore shortening the journey as the pistons journey is also quicker at higher rpm.
Makes me miss my old RGV250!! That bike was so much fun at the race track. I was stationed in Japan when bikes like the RGV250 and NSR250 were all the rage
Lucky man
Can almost smell the 2-stroke exhaust from here.
The good old 2T oil smell.
I never used to wash my jeans.
You can buy 2stroke scented candles if you miss the smell that much. Unfortunately I haven’t found Blendzall Gold Label scented candles yet.
I prefer Golden Spectro!
@@tedecker3792 Holy shlt it's actually REAL.
Really enjoyed this episode! I was lucky enough to work in a Yamaha dealership in the early 90s (In the UK) and we still had the swan-song version of the RD350. She had become a little too weighty, a little bloated. Sat as she was next to the likes of the svelte TZR250s, RGV250s and KR1S. It always made me feel a little sad for them. As a bike-mad teen in the 80s. The 350 "valve" was almost worshipped like a deity by my friends and I. You could hear one coming a mile off. Somewhere off the edge of the city, where the roads were verdant and flowing. On the pipe in every gear, barking those down changes. Eventually they'd reach the bus stop that we called home and we would grin the biggest grins and breathe in the intoxicating fumes. If were were really lucky, they'd be using Castrol R and that would make our night! Fast forward to the late nineties. I'm in a position to finally get my bike test passed. What's the first bike I buy? An RD350. I went to those same verdant, flowing roads and I put her on the pipe, barked those down changes and blew her up two days later. -_- Oil pump had seized... Pre-mixed after the rebuild and had a really happy two years having unrequested 2-up wheelies at every set of lights. At the time I remember thinking I was the only 2-stroke fan left, but then I'd go on organised ride outs and realised that everyone one was trying to position themselves behind me! That's the allure of Castrol R. I can tell you, I wish my channel had videos of me on my RD over any of my R1s or Fireblades. Thanks again, really nostalgic ride. Also, you had a 350 on the pipe and you didn't have one hand covering the clutch? Bruh, do you even 2-stroke? :P
I had an '84 RZ I bought new up here in Canada, I had a stage 1 engine build (welded and balanced crank, port, polish and milled head, hand made expansion chambers), gave the bike a diet, got it down to almost 300 lbs, HP was up to 75-80, played with gearing, etc, etc, etc......serious fun, it would wheelie like a motherf*#%@r, and topped out at 140 MPH
The only bike I ever got a speeding ticket on before or since. 160km going up the Bombay hills out of Auckland, NZ. In my defense I had just cleaned the baffles and wanted to be sure it was all good. My brother had a newer RZ RR250 that he raced. It was a nice ride too. A great assessment and completely accurate.
OMG i had one of those back in the 80's, had to sell it when i got married (sigh),
will never forget it, thanks for bringing back good memories.
You should not have sold it.
When I got married, my wife told me to get rid of my 1988 GSXR 750. I told her I choose the bike over her anytime. That was the end of the discussion.
I still have it to this day. Unfortunately it is not running, due to sitting for a long period of time.
I have a 2005 GSXR 1000 that I ride currently.
Sold mine in December 1990 when my wife became pregnant and I bowed to the presure from family members to stop riding. I did vow that I would take up street riding again some day, and I did! My RZ was a Yellow/Black 85' with full Toomey kit. I do miss it dearly!
Yamaha RD 350 YPVS, first bike that tried to kill me. I knew it was mean, so I took it easy thru 1 and 2:nd and then gave full throttle in third. That was the first time I did a wheelie, and so far the only time. But I did manage to save it.
Yesssss... I cracked wheelies in 2nd and 3rd all the time. What a bike.
@@robertsothmann8110 It might be fun when you do it on purpose, not so fun when you're not prepared for it.
89 rz350 killed my buddies uncle. He thought he could ride, lost it in a turn at over 100 mph.
@@endurotruckererniedesjardins Same with my highschool classmate. Exact same.
In Greece we called them Real Death (RD)
The sound that you can hear all day long. Eargasm
So my Dad ordered one in November 1983 and picked it up in March 1984. Serial number 100000001. It was not a starter or beginner bike like a Ninja 400 is now. The “R Zed” had a power valve and about 6000ish RPM Vtec would kick in and pick the front tire mid corner.
First bike I ever sat on, and rode on. First bike I ever found out what the throttle did on, my mom also fell off the back before I was born.
I have a picture of my Dad doing a dank wheelie on it. Thank you for the memories revzilla. I know where it is and it will be brought home eventually.
Brakes were soft on my 75, but what a blast it was to ride
Aah that was good! Thanks for making my Saturday afternoon. I respect your ability to speak in somewhat reasonable terms while riding this bike. I would mostly make strsnge sounds.
It is so refreshing to see reviews on older bikes. Makes it much more credible too. Keep them coming please!
Zack yeay !! Positivity in a gone crazy negative world.
This reminded me of ripping about the the B roads around Silverstone on my Aprillia RS125 when i was a kid, grinning like a mad man
I purchased this bike new in 1985 on an impulse. I was 18 and had never riden a bike before so I had nothing to compare it to. I taught myself how to ride this beautiful machine. I fell in love. Although it was state of the art for it's time, it was definatley dangerous. But I was young and fearless. I can still tast the adrenaline in my mouth. It taught me so much about how to handle myself on the road. It was my daily ride for about three years until I destroyed it in a very nasty accident. Every bike that i've owned since seems tamer/safer in comparison. I miss it Sooooooo much. Thank you so much for taking me on the ride down memory lane.
Had had one for 13 years (from 2020 to 23). I bought if for my love of the old RDs. I did all the mods to it after it melted down one day. It was a blast and an eye catcher too. It produced around 69 hp and went around 112 mph. The full air tech ferring helped at the hi end. Power wheelies shifting into 2nd gear. What a blast it was. I miss it.
Whomever is the sorry SOB that gave this bike a thumbs down. I will find you!
Sure
Probably the guys from Motorcyclist online because they lost the best moto journalist.
Surround the heathen in clouds of blue smoke!
extinction rebellion woke millenial vegan hipster
That was the penalty buzzer for the YPVS explanation.
Time for an update Yamaha, that engine with direct injection and updated variable ports, same frame with updated suspension..... 👍
Brian Hanson What is wrong with manufacturers they could do better. If I had the cash I have been dreaming of buying a KTM RC390 and putting a 300 TPI engine from the XCW in it.
Yamaha needs to build an RZ 350RR, 500RR, RZ1000! But i'm just biased.
European emission standards are bitches
$20,000
@@sivvinod3187 fuck the european market anyway
That was awesome!
The laughter at 7k on the tac or above!! 😂😂😂
It’s been a year since I watched this but man the dash is so perfect and I love the giggles as you wheelie everywhere.
I grew up racing RD250,350 and 400 bikes then moved on to SECA 550 and then a 900. I missed out on the RZ and really regret that I didn’t pick one up and hang on to it. Those two stroke twins from Yamaha were the best smiles per miles I’ve ever experienced. Great video.
Definitely one of the coolest bikes of all time. Lucky you.
Zack you have to remember that this motorcycle is 35 years old! The rds were awesome motorcycles also! Minus the water cooling. I enjoyed your ride!
Yes people need to remember that the bike is 35 years old in its day the RZ or RD 350 was a brilliant small sports bike. I live in the UK and the RD350 ypvs had a cult following and a cottage industry supplying go faster goodies and tuning for them . When they were launched top litre sports bikes didn’t do 140mph so a light 350 that did 115 to 120 stock was very competitive and with the right bits and work the RD would do 130. Sadly two strokes have been killed by emission regulation but the feel /sound of one when they hit the power-band is something every motorcyclist should experience.
@@johnludmon7419 when the 400/4 4 strokes came out revving to 14k and making the same horsepower cbr400r vfr400f gsxr400 fzr400 zxr400 thats when they got fazed out. Not really emissions. Remember there are still 2 strokes now and they never really went away.
Chris Hart yes there are still two strokes but mainly moto cross bikes and some trail bikes. I haven’t seen a road bike of any capacity that is a two stroke in the UK for years we don’t even get scooters these days.
@@johnludmon7419 you can still buy a 2 stroke aprilia sx50 in the UK. De restricted it has 12hp 6.5hp stock
@@johnludmon7419 I ride a dt125x on the road everyday as my only source of transport and it always gets a good thrashing 😂 at 20,000 miles it's lasting me pretty well although I did do a piston and reborn somewhere in there 😬 easy fix though
The best one yet... maaaaan this takes me back. You just made me lust after an RZ so hard right now!
I owned one of these back in the early 90's. Loved it. Biggest problem was not wheeling every time I twisted the throttle. Frikin' awesome. Totally impractical, but still Frikin awesome! Thanks for the ride down memory lane. What a treat.
Me and my wife miss that bike.... we have to sell it before we could come to US. Nostalgic boie♥️♥️♥️. It was my daily ride....
I fell in love with these because of my obsession with the Yamaha Banshee 350, pretty much the same engine as an RZ350 minus the YPVS power valves
I was smiling through many parts of this presentation. It became especially so much more fun from about the point of your entry into Lover's Lane. Well done on the metaphors for the exotic nature of the riding experience.
Gorgeous bike !
Remember for 50% of the time, a four stroke, is basically a “Wasteful Pump” !
I know right? I have thought about it a lot. The best I can come up with is that the 4 stroke allows much more of the power to be utilised through the entire length of the power stroke whereas the 2 stroke has the exhaust and then intake ports open on the bottom half of the stroke.
@@ruthmoreton6975 you are correct !
I had two one that was stolen twice in NYC and a Kenny Roberts yellow version that seized up at about 60 mph! But they were the best and way faster than most bikes on the road when in the powerband! Truly an epic and exhilarating ride every time!
These were plentiful at the track in the early and middle eighties. I can still smell them going by as we were marshalling the corners, nice and near!
R - Zed 350, that's how you say it!
Had a friend with a RD400 and it had the same light front end feel to it compared to my CB400F which felt a lot more planted, maybe heavy even for back then. But those two strokes did feel really exciting when rev'd up and the front end got light. The lack of engine braking takes some getting used to if you've been riding four strokes though.
My cousin jumped on my RZ350 from a KZ 400 🙄 about the time he said this thing doesn’t have any power it came on the pipe and scared him 😂 he 12 o clocked it but didn’t wreck it. That was his 1st and last time on my bike.
I had a 76’ CB400 SS as well, cool bikes aren’t they ? Shit I wish I had all the bikes I’ve had just to have something to tinker with
My buddy with a Honda CB350 jumped on my RD250 and made it about 50 feet. I told him not to hit it hard in first, I should have said the first three but wasn’t thinking because I was used to it and I thought HE was a motorcycle rider. Broke his leg and got a slight case of road rash. You better respect the RD or you WILL regret it.
Emissions signaled the end for 2 strokes. I had a A2 350 Avenger rotary valve and an H1 500 and a H2 750. Still dream about the H2.
@@justdad53 You're right JD. I was confusing it with my 650 Commander W2TT. Got to get out the Emory cloth and dust down my brain. My 68 A7 was a candy red 'scrambler'. First bike. Taught me how to clear the engine after fouling the spark plugs. 😂 Man. That bike could scoot! But you know I never did find out what the A7 meant?
I still have my 72 bighorn 350 flattracker..... and a re5 rotary Suzuki...from Wyoming USA 🔫🤠🇺🇸p.s stay safe
@@justdad53 I had the same plugs in my charcoal grey H1. I bought my Avenger used and it had regular NGK. You're so right about the H2 (mine was the Blue) even though it wasn't the fastest it was quick and dependable with such a great engine. Unforgettable. My father had a gold '73. Mine had S&W shocks, bronze bushing swing arm, 3 into 1 expansion chamber, K&N air filter pods and was rejetted. Dads 73 was bone stock and I still couldn't lose him. He worked for Indian in Spfld. Ma. Great times.
We're gonna need more classic bike reviews now. You've opened the can of worms. I vote the MC22 cbr250rr next!
Yeaaappp.. much needed 😊
I've had a dozen Banshees in various states of mod and tune and a Quadzilla. I love 2 strokes. I can't imagine a single narrow tire handling that power when it comes on the pipe.
My dad bought one as a kid, still has it, still rides it. still loves it. Still has the stock pipes, but aftermarkets installed.
Parts are no problem, performance parts are still made to this day, that motor went on to power the Yamaha Banshee for 20 more years and people still build them
I really miss the classic analogue instrument clusters. Perhaps you get more info on the digital screens, and they probably weigh a lot less than the three instruments we see on this RZ, but the old instruments just look so good!
Other thing with analogue instruments? Read somewhere that psychologically you can easily read an analogue needle almost subconsciously in your peripheral vision. Digital you have to look at and actually read.
But hey - gizmos sell.
@@duncanjowett5575 The problem I find with digital speedometers is the quoted speed has no reference, on a gauge you know where fast is based on where the needle is on the dial, seeing 68 mph on the digital display doesn't give you as much information. It's also hard to hold a constant speed when a police car is behind you, or you are just trying to observe a speed limit as you cannot see when you are speeding up, or slowing down as clearly as you do with a needle on a dial. I'm all for technology when it serves a purpose, but on a speedometer I just don't find it works for me.
Yes love the dials on my zx14r!
Only one gauge is needed tach, but i started life on 2 stroke dirt bikes, i could feel when to shift. Ridden bikes for 40 plus yrs, 99.9999 percent of time i never looked at guages. Eyes on road and rode by feel. Gauge clusters today are just distracting from The ride.
Nice video, it brought back a lot of memories! The Power valve only adjusts the 'effective' height of the exhaust port, it does not make any changes to the inlet side of the engine or anything like that. The exhaust timing has a major effect on how a 2 stroke delivers power. A low port gives good bottom end power and response but kills the top and and won't allow the engine to rev. A high port does the opposite so having a port that effectively goes up and down along with the engine revs gives you the best of both worlds. I guess in some small way the exhaust is having an effect on the inlet as it is chancing the amount of fresh charge that is getting trapped in the cylinder.
Good explanation. My 1982 YZ125 had a YPVS and i hand machined it after boring the bike right out. Works on the exhaust side and continuously adjusts depending on RPM. no servos involved. all mechanical.
Aside from this bike... the original styling of the 250/350 Yammies were spankin nice... personally though, I always went the Kawasaki rotary valve bike path... rotary valve are quite interesting.
Great video! I had a 1985 RZ350 in the early 90s that looked just like this one. Of all my bikes, it's the one I wish I could have back. I rode mine on many long trips and loved it on the highway and twisty roads as well. I spent a month riding around the west US, starting with the 870-mile ride from St. Louis, MO to Boulder, CO, then all over Colorado, down to Albuquerque and then back to St. Louis. I would just lay down on the tank behind the bikini fairing and jam for hours, once keeping it above 100 for over an hour on the sweeping roads near Denver. I love how he's laughing all the time when accelerating. That's exactly how it felt to ride the RZ. This video is a really great tribute to the RZ.
I grew up with these Yamahas. I had a YDS2, Big Bear Scrambler and an RD350B (not all at once but all bought brand new). I loved every one of them! TOO much fun!
Just finished watching this, entertaining! When you stalled it, why didn't you just drop it in 3rd and let out the clutch? My first street bike was a '77 RD400 in 1979. LOVED IT! Keep up the great work Zack!
The RZ was no where near the end of the 2 stroke era. KR1s, the RGV 250, RS250, TZR 250, were tearing up well into the late 90s. The RS/RGV 250% were some of the best bikes ever made.
How many of them were commonly seen on the streets?
Zack always press that indicator button every 5 second, so im not alone here...
I ALWAYS do that too....some form of OCD or sumthin.
The old Suzuki 380 GT was an excellent two stroke for street use. I discovered that no lead fuel kept the spark plugs clean, and the three cylinder engine would ride a low RPM. The old Suzuki X6 250 hustler was definitely an on the can engine. The Yamaha two stroke is more top end power than low end. Good review. Yeah, I had two ring ding two strokes. GT 380 and GT 750 Suzukis.