Yamaha R1M and RZV500R 2-Stroke

Yamaha's R1M is about as close to a MotoGP race replica as you could wish to get but it's not the first time Yamaha has gone down the race replica route. The last time it happened, it resulted in the glorious RZV500R, two-stroke V4. Donovan, the lucky so-and-so, gets to fulfill a childhood dream and pretends he's Kenny Roberts!

[@peterdoe2617]

I really enjoyed, watching this one! Now:here's my story: a few years ago. I got an old pal of mine to take a ride on my Yamaha RD 125LC 10W. He had been riding 850cc Moto Guzzi and later on Harley Twin cam for decades. That one evening: you couldn't wash the smile off his face! Even a 125 did that trick! Most younger folks don't know what a difference a 2-stroke makes. Thanks for sharing!

[@jaspalsinghbhui]

Today's generation just can't imagine what fun we had riding two strokes bikes...light weight and extremely responsive 👍🏻👍🏻

[@rsajay6256]

Jaspal Singh Bhui 👍 you're right about that. To be fair modern 600s give quite a similar feeling, like a 250 with a very petite girl on the back and better power to weight. The 600's handling is far more precise and stable at all speeds on the road though. I'd never ridden a 600 before my 2010 CBR600RR was delivered (the day of the World Cup final Spain vs Germany), and my previous bike while living in the UK was a Ducati 916 SP. That Honda bro... Incredible! made my happy NSR250 and 916 memories go very dull very fast 😉 That said I'll still love 2 strokes until I'm parked in the ground

[@touristguy87]

shut up, idiot I'm sure they've got a much better imagination than you have

[@rockbandgamer]

I own a YZ250 2 stroke. I actually can imagine what fun you had. GET OFF MY LAWN.

[@pramathewyayawar6934]

Fuck two strokes. Always hated their sound and smoke. My CBR>> All two strokes.

[@El-Villano-De-La-Pelicula]

I got a Yamaha RD 400 i have nothing to envy to any hayley or KTM. Even my Wr Its newer i ll never sell my RD.

[@pedroferrr1412]

Sorry, but that bike in stock configuration did 88 PS or 64,2 KW @ 9500, and in my country it was called RD 500 LC

[@RottenAnimal]

I have a Yamaha RZ500 I bought new in 1985. I still have it and it's in near mint condition.

[@robintaylor-mockingeemill8223]

I almost bought one as a teenager .

[@RottenAnimal]

@@robintaylor-mockingeemill8223 It's a great bike and it's very high strung.

[@Balomis]

As someone who still drives an RD350LC, there's nothing like riding a 2-stroke on the pipe! For car-people I would say it's like a turbo coming on the boost but the sound is next to none. What a riot, great bikes

[@michaelgoodwin4083]

I want to turbo my 125 2 stroke but people laugh at me when I say it. I will do it possibly via the Reed system.

[@rodanderson1922]

I am 60 years old, been riding since I was 15, and have never ridden an R1, let alone an R1M? I have owned numerous "Superbikes", 1100 Suzuki Katana, GSXR 1100, ZZR 1100, and the last one, a 2nd Generation Hayabusa. Years ago a friend owned an RZ500, and was generous enough to let me ride it on several occassions, including on one occassion, several laps of a Race Track. From memory, back then I was the proud owner of a Yamaha XJ650 Turbo, which in it's day was a quick machine, but the RZ was something completely different and amazing to ride.

[@jackylimaiksiang]

Absolutely insane pure power 2 stroke machine. I can imagine that as I own an NSR250R back in the 90.

[@El-Villano-De-La-Pelicula]

The sound of 2 strokes it music to my ears and the smoke its a scence and droug for my brain. Just true olf schoold bikers will know what im talking about.

[@syby1112]

I've had one for over 30 years me and my wife have ridden it all over Texas. Most people don't know that they're a damn good street bike. A Canadian RZ model with jolly Moto pipes make 90 horse power 25 more than the Japanese RZV

[@sfixtis.gr1]

i had this bike 1991-2003 and i miss it.....now i have fzr 1000r 1992...

[@siraff4461]

One of the best bikes you've had on the show. The R1M wasn't bad either.

[@luckharold]

Thanks for posting, i love RZV500R. Congratulations.

[@cheesenoodles8316]

My ride was a 1976 Yamaha RD400, had TZ 750 reeds n 36 mikuni carbs worked over by Spec II. Nothing like winding up a two stroke

[@RMK67]

Great to see the 500cc V4, shame those days have now passed into history...

[@TheKRU251]

I am lucky enough to own an RZV500R and love the enthusiasm someone else gets (as I do) from riding a two stroke 500 V 4 with handbuilt frame. Just makes you smile.............and the smell? Oh boy ya can't beat it!!! Only 900 left? Shame.

[@touristguy87]

OH MY GOD THE FRAME IS FUCKING HANDBUILT HOLY SHIT

[@dannyhughes8187]

You lucky basterd........ More power to you take care of that girl.. lucky dog..

[@dannyhughes8187]

That was supposed to go to someone else on here

[@timmason7430]

I get similar responses when I ride my RD400.

[@davidhitchen7122]

You lucky lucky boy...

[@waynegargan7884]

In the UK it was known as the RD500LC. mine was custom painted in Gauloise racing team colours and remains to this day, one of my very favourite

[@brucekendall52]

Great memories,never to be repeated.

[@da72ma]

I had a Yamaha RD500 YPVS. It had 88hp unless you had the engine tuned by the local 2 stroke specialist to 120hp. I also had the RD350 with the original 63hp, which was within its powerband more controllable and a hoot. When f I got my hands on one I couldn't resist... not in the past and not now... lol. However unless you have an expert dealer with lots of knowledge one is hard to find and a good one almost impossible to obtain. Always will love that bike though. Btw I always used the spendy two stroke oil so the guys on the Yamaha FZRs, GSX-Rs, and CBRs would get a healthy dose of that race smell from my back pipes... and they saw them alot... ;-)

[@patrickcallahan2885]

Marc Daniel , I owned an RD 350 74’ loved it! Just barely hit 100mph but it was a blast

[@dennisyoung4631]

Injector-grade Blendzall - or the same in Maxima K2?

[@EvilUnderTone]

I use to sell the RXV500 new many moons ago. Here in the UK it was known as the RD500LC (Race Developed - Liquid Cooled). They were the second most expensive bike we offered at that time in our shop at £3,295. Never knew about the R version though. Super cool. The Japanese are great at doing that shenanigans! Keeping the best for themselves. Now I am a watchmaker by trade, how times change! and it's the same deal with Seiko watches. If you want the highest spec Seiko's they are Japanese Destination Market only. Sneaky gits!

[@AkatarawaJapan]

If you ride snowmobiles you still get to rip two-strokes: modern 800+cc injected twins with north of 160 HP and a whole lot more if turbo. Still can’t beat the sound or the power delivery.

[@wackedoutdude]

What a guy for letting you ride that 500.

[@angelocardoc]

At 3:00 I bet those cyclists enjoyed breathing in that lovely 2 stroke exhaust as much as we enthusiasts do. :-)

[@streetwiseburger]

Review Guru I thought the same thing haha

[@DamianDeEu]

Review Guru Now, you got me some proper craving for a 2 stroke!

[@angelocardoc]

2 strokes are wicked!!!!

[@slcontent9465]

best smell in the world !! yes it is better trust me

[@GrrMeister]

I have used Castrol 'R' on occasions - just for the hell of it !

[@CyberEditing]

Greetings from an Expat South African in Taiwan for 20 years. Used to ride the RZ350 YVPS from 83 till 2000 and the Hyabusa since....stay safe Are you.leaving SA soon?

[@ChrisBrideauMedia]

King of the 2 strokes.

[@bikesbees9392]

Oh man, I had one , new in 1984! All my mates had 1000 cc monsters and I could smocked them ?!!! Why did I got rid off it??? Thanks for this video,

[@Dave.S.TT600]

fantastic! thanks to the host, and Rob the owner. great vid

[@LambChopRides]

my uncle had one rd500, wish I bought it off him as ended up as a prop for the lawn mower in his shed

[@susheergovindaraj5842]

Thoroughly enjoyed watching this episode.

[@reddleman7978]

I bought an RD400C back the seventies. Happy days!

[@woooster17]

Ah heady days and smells.. owned a Kawasaki KR-1 back in 1990, and purchased a new 1993 Suzuki RGV 250P.. power bands that never failed to make you smile :)

[@streetwiseburger]

Another awesome video. Thanks Donovan. Nothing like a 500 stroker!

[@signsofthetimes7034]

OK, so I only had the rd 350. But I had a lotta fun.

[@motorcyclegarage2307]

Yes you are totally right. I loved my Suzuki GT550 triple 2 stroke

[@michaelsparkes6950]

Back in the 80's and 90's I owned a RD350 YPVS (often called the RZ) then I had a TZR250 and then an NSR400. The bang per buck was outrageous. So much fun and affordable even from 18 years old until my early 20's. I dreamed of owning an RD500 as they were called here in the UK.

[@alpine1600s]

Thanks to Government Motors in the US, mass transit systems are unheard of and due to increased Hummer usage, the US never saw engineering wonders of this kind.

[@abyssmanur3965]

Im sure the Australian version was quoted at 90 BHP ...My 350LC was 47

[@duncandmcgrath6290]

I had an 86’ RZ500 which was fun and reliable but , like a sucker I sold it and got a new 89’ FZR600 that handled worlds better than the old bike . I miss the old smoker tho.

[@onfin3al6]

My Yamaha RD400E at 20 MPH in second with just a roll on would lift the front and carry it through 5th . Top was about 118 MPH and would stay with my driend on her XS1100 to about 60 MPH . It was a stock street bike .

[@1DoctorMoo]

Loved this video mate. Your enthusiasm is great to see. The interview with the owner at the end was very interesting. Keep the good work up mate :)

[@georgecunningham7916]

I don't know why perhaps non availability but it seems every road test is of a fxr 500 . If you like that you would love the rd 500 . 20 or so more horse power . If you think you would then think of this mine is stan Steven's stage 3 tuned . Harpower reeds . And tzr 125 pistons. Was fitted with a Swarbrick exhaust but not now as its in semi retirement like me ?

[@darringoodbrand6603]

There's Yamaha rd500 bikes going for up to 25,000 pounds in the uk

[@TXLorenzo]

Two strokes, high power, light weight and as about dirt simple to maintain, no valves, cams or chains to mess with. You just pop the head off and swap out the piston. As a 13 year old with a Yamaha 125 two stroke, I never had to take my bike to the shop.

[@chrisbutcher613]

You can't beat the old bikes on feel.

[@chrisb9156]

It was sold in Australia 🇦🇺

[@robertsothmann8110]

Nice review bru!!!! 2 strokes are so much fun.

[@staticage]

When did Riaan Cruiwagen get a RZV?

[@osvaldostea9225]

Hi, what is the brand of tires please ?

[@i5xrv221]

rg 250 walter wolf and 17 years oold when i bought , oh boy i am very luvky to be alive & rgv 250 later

[@c4lif4]

Oh yes RGV250. Kevin Schwartz Pepsi version

[@kashifminhaj2707]

2stroke yamaha bloody hell

[@vladimirkavalic3998]

I am 53 and still love my rd350 and 500

[@hackd6959]

Love the Yamaha R1

[@enduronorthnz6437]

there will be more than 900 , i have had 7 and they sell every week in japan

[@casualguy3938]

I just passed (or was passed) by one yesterday on my bike ride in Tokyo

[@Land-Shark]

@2:18 is priceless! :-) Lucky you, Donovan!

[@arissumarno1744]

That's 2 stroke man... It's never die....

[@giff74]

Great episode Don, you could really tell how much fun you were having! Even in the 80's Yamaha used over-sized, ugly turn indicators. LOL! I'm fat also, what jacket was he wearing. I need one!

[@nicolinobovieri7575]

Very amusing the two strokes ! True ! Thanks.

[@piraltas]

Bike factories think driver's heads are getting smaller thru the years What the hell and why are they decreasing front bubble windshield's sizes?

[@bulishfx]

I love the sound of 2 strokes bikes.

[@nealefrazer4247]

nearly a lifetime ago...but the memories are vivid and etched hardy, the YZR 500 and the RG500 gamma...they were fun and the absolute ducks guts,I can almost smell the acrid aroma of the mixed blend fuel and the oil ,the small narrow band of power and the bullshitish sigh of "holy shit hold on", the near plummeting of fuel from the tank out the exhaust,the heart in your chest straining nearly as much as that small two stroke mill under you startling its way to the stratospheric red line and some ...Some will never know ...some will never be that fortunate,and some are just lucky to experiance what was once just sheer Motorcycling Pleasure ...I feel sorry for those who can only wonder what it was like ....simply put it was "high pitched heaven "

[@amardeep851]

3:45 "WHAAAAT A LOVELAY DAYEE !!!!"

[@ORIGINAL-ou3iw]

Respect RGV 500 ever

[@lr882027]

The RZ500 is OK but is not a patch on the 500 Gamma (I have both). Unless you go to town on tuning the RZ500, it's pretty tame. Lectron carbs, pipes and porting would make quite a lot of difference. The stock carbs have no mixture screw adjustment, you can only dial it in on the pilot jet. Don't get me wrong, it's still a 4 cyl 2 stroke but you really need to spend some time and money to get the genie out of the bottle.

[@FPSdaybreaK]

someone needs to build a vtwin 1100cc 2stroke out of 2 cr500 engines

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Close. thekneeslider.com/diy-1000cc-v-twin-2-stroke-project/

[@billallen4793]

daybreaK I can't remember the name of the people but someone else makes a kx 1000 and cr 1000 twins side by side...

[@jr.fiebre3590]

I wish I will have some CNC abilities because I will love to create a 4 cylinder 1200 or maybe 1500 CC 2 stroke engine on a best sportbike frame✌

[@mikeskidmore6754]

Kenny Roberts Proton two stroke 500 CC's and the new Swiss two stroke think of the name later but very expensive ..

[@sachsgs2509]

Millard

[@jarnosaarinen4583]

Those forks are nowhere near top of the range Ohlins. Even the FGR series at $14000 aus per set .aren't any near the top of the range. Go and try buy a set of forks same as Vale's, now there top of the range! You could buy a very nice house with the money you need to (if you could) buy a set of Motogp spec forks

[@jasonalgar8070]

Sounded like you really enjoyed that but it sounded to me that you were changing gear to early

[@stopspin]

Maybe test the latest Suter 500 two stroke race bike?

[@mrthiem1627]

Any chance Donovan is related to Dennis Fourie?

[@KX-500]

I found a brand new Yamaha RZV500R for sale in Japan🇯🇵 asking price yen 4,000,000 = £28,360 but if I bought it I couldn't ride it as it would lose value!! would look nice in my living room...

[@tomasnokechtesledger1786]

Wow, that's a crazy high price for a fabulous bike.

[@KathrynLiz1]

I so very much miss the two strokes.... Cut my riding teeth on them back in the 60s....

[@screaminglc9833]

Back then you served a biking apprenticeship, if you haven't owned a stroker - buy one as its such an experience the modern "fast plastic" cannot give - had R1s, Blades etc but give me analogue any day for fun and a talking point when out and about.

[@mikeyerke3920]

They both sound great. 🏁

[@rahan9886]

Robert Gutzgreat?

[@subaruwrx3381]

I replaced a front left hand crank seal on my RZ .....it took me 9 hours to get the engine on to the bench .,..4 of everything pipes ypvs and throttle cables 4 separate carbies airboxes what a nightmare ....

[@rtempler7]

I Had a RG500 and a RG500 back in the late 80s. It would be cool if they could make a modern version with all the latest technology but i guess thats out with the emission laws...

[@johncunningham4820]

The R-1 is a " Big Bang " Engine . And yes , they go V E R Y well indeed . With a V-4 sound . And the RZV opened up would probably actually become more Rideable , not Peakier . Those Power-Valve exhausts would start to Function .

[@keeprollinmaverick]

You just need to get a better camera and sound crew to make this into a legit TV show

[@jeffdarnell7942]

I had one in the early 90's. It was a BLAST...but although it's a V-4, 500cc, SEMI-replica...it has less than HALF the horsepower, and less than a 3rd the Torque per square ft. Rainey's 1993 500cc he raced, was 180hp., with 300ft. Lbs. per square foot.

[@johanolsson9146]

Realy confused the RD500 lc made about 80-88 hp? Whats the differens?

[@KensGarage1]

This is a JDM model with alu frame, shifter and brake lever, and a few other small difference. It is detuned for their market bring the HP down. Very easy to undo this and bring it to RZ/RD500 specs.

[@renatooliveira6346]

2 tempo é 2 tempos. Incrível

[@goldilocks913]

Thank you so much for this video! Back to my childhood dreams! And seeing how happy it made him- awesome! Where's the bikes that are fun? Not talking about numbers,or the obvious improvement in spec,but the ' l want to get one,and just go ride it,without all the ' that other one is three hundredths of a second better on track? Oh dear,l really am old now!!😆

[@Duci66]

2 Stroke !!!!!

[@marvinmedina966]

2stroke is the very powerful motorcycle

[@Larry_Mott]

64 HP?? They were supposed to deliver 84 as far as i remember. Then again i am 60 years old so no guarantee : ) I am quite sure the RD 500's delivered to Sweden had 84 HP though.

[@armandogonzales9304]

Pull a 2d gear wheelie and leave everything behind. 👍

[@Fred-mx6cu]

You really enjoyed

[@subaruwrx3381]

I used to own one about 20 bikes ago . Of all of them the RZ still stands as one of the most buzz for bucks motorcycles Japan has ever produced I wish I never sold it. It ended up being written off by some clown 4 owners later

[@karlwalker1771]

My heart is broken as the 2 stroke is no longer made:(

[@KensGarage1]

You made a nice entertaining video. Thanks! I have both bikes, although my R1 is an 06 LE and "only" makes about 180 HP. It is thrilling to ride but I get more enjoyment out of my one off custom RZV500 and even my hot rodded little RZ350's. Tons of smoky videos on my YT channel.

[@paulthorpe766]

Two strokes pull best in 3rd at 20mph as the power band kicks in - I had a 94bhp Tuned KH750 H2 even more bonkers than Yammy !

[@HyusKays]

The sound must be confusing.. 2 stroke exhust sound and 4 cylinder sound

[@thesuperjank6109]

but that's detuned for the public. if I'm right the 1998 nsr500r made 185hp and weighed 286lbs. R1M makes 197hp and weighs 440lbs. the r1m has waaaaay more tech but the power to weight is much lower. makes me want to see a comparison between the big ol 500s and new superbikes.

[@Sonoknow]

The RD500 has 88 bhp stock. Didrik the RZ500 have less?

[@tomasnokechtesledger1786]

You can get 120hp from a 500...

[@theoriginaldjswitch]

I do like the look of an RZV 500.. Shame they don't go as well as they look, I ruined one on the way to the ACE CAFE on my RG 500! Still a cool bike though.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

only 65 HP yet the last GP 500 CC's Yamahas were 150 HP and very light .. I am sure it would not take much to boost that 65 HP can get more than that out of an RZ-350

[@trickym5748]

Mike Skidmore rd 350 f2 ypvs 59 bhp I used to get 125 mph on mine easy

[@damaicai1325]

3:39

[@ragecage2011]

i thought the cross plane crankshaft firing order came from V8 engine i was just on the yamaha r1m website they said NOTHING about Rossi and motogp.

[@donovanfourie9883]

Rage Cage07 it probably did originally come from V8s and whatnot, but the first Yamaha to use the Crossplane engine was Rossi's M1 in 2004, the year Rossi moved to Yamaha from Honda and made the big turn around for Yamaha. All other subsequent Yamahas with an irregular firing order (MT-09, Super Tenere, R1, R1M) were descended from that. I'm not sure why they don't make more fuss about it on their site. I would.

[@TheDervMan]

Great.

[@penunka]

I loved mine

[@darringoodbrand6603]

Would see how much power you could squeeze out of that 500 done no if you get big bore kits I no with a big bore kit on the rd350 u can get about 100BHP crazy

[@douglassgrannis6591]

Why dont you try exploiting a CR500?