YAMAHA RD350 THE BEST TWO STROKE STREET BIKE OF THE 70'S 1974 Yamaha RD350

[@johnnycash2238]

People walking and driving by have no idea how lucky they are to live so close to bike heaven. It’s on my bucket list to make a trip there on my bike.

[@davestrain9529]

me too. I would have to truck my 74 Rd 350 there... from Boulder CO// Killing all My Carbon Footprint..

[@davestrain9529]

but is my DREAM to meet them and the staff at new England!!

[@BibtheBoulder]

Me too....it's just a hop across the Atlantic then a long ride.....

[@54macdog]

Seventies two-strokes, just awesome. And this one is at the top of the tree.

[@susheergovindaraj5842]

Here in India, Yamaha jointly manufactured this bike with local bike company Rajdoot from 1983 to 1990 and called it Rajdoot 350. Offered in 2 variants, HT and LT. HT was 30 bhp and LT 27 Bhp. I have a 1986 LT model in stock condition. The craze for 2 strokes here is too much.

[@BigEbikesports]

This is my dream bike! Man you talk about a blast on 2 wheels, these old RD's were the ticket to fun back in the day! If I could go back 40 years, I would buy 3 or 4 of these and smoke up the town lol

[@davedenny6814]

Got to ride an RD400 for a day in 1983, through Mulholland, PCH and Decker Canyon. Up the 33 through Ojai and back down the 101 FWY. Went through 6 tanks of gas and 2 bottles of Maxima 2stroke oil.. One of the best days of my life.

[@HSJ1076]

I am a big fan of the RD350, was my dream, first rode and wrecked at 17yrs of age, still have the road rash, scars and aching bones from back in 1995.. 1996 I got my second RD350 stock and it was the love of my life, sold it for peanuts in 1998, when I moved away from home, then I just longed for another, finally after years of looking found an immaculately built 1973 RD250 converted to a 350, top end, crank, rods, aluminium heads and if it's just mind blowing to how content I am with my purchase, though I have a couple of gixers, 636 and a S1000RR, but I keep jumping on the smoker for a smile 😃

[@skylargreer6571]

My grandpa owned a Honda shop in the 70s-80s here in GA I've been riding bikes since I was 3 your videos make my day Mr. Kaplan I'm 17 now and rip a 03 yz250 2 strokes for life!!! Your badass Mann!!!

[@roberthart5542]

I just started watching these Kaplan videos. I'm retired now, and they got me itching to get my fingers back into some rice burners like the ones I used to love in my teens.

[@sydphyllis2998]

Beautiful. I’m currently restoring a mint shape 1974 RD 350 that my dad bought new. ✌️

[@fidelcatsro6948]

congratulations!!

[@briancrull8678]

Excellent bike My 350 / 400 hybrid was a white wheelie machine Sounded identical and race built stock components Exhaust is freaking harmonic joy 🥲 I love Kaplan videos as you keep dredging up my ride history

[@SaberToothLawnTigers]

Great looking bike, they rip for sure. My brother bought a RD400 this year and its so much fun.

[@sheridenboord7853]

Thanks Kaplan. That's awesome. I started on lc's. Didn't have much appreciation of pre lc's. Looks like they were just as much fun.

[@seather863]

Definetely one of the best for sure!

[@rizwanmuhamed8280]

Yamaha RD350 is my all time favourite❤

[@Kickstart500]

My buddy had the 400 Daytona model.. those are such cool bikes!

[@planeandsimple431]

RD's are where the term "Rice Rocket" came from. Super sick!

[@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443]

Had one in high school that I turned into a dirt dragster with very heavily ported cylinders. Traded away decades ago. One of the longest-produced Yamaha engines ever. Would love to put the engine in a Aprilia RS250 frame to enjoy old-school smoker power with modern handling. The RZ engine is a popular swap in the RS frame.

[@gleanerman2195]

I have a '72 and a 73'....both in great condition and run like new , both are for sale.

[@danielfrank10105]

One of the best rd350 vdos I’ve ever seen #goosebumps

[@barryblanchard7852]

Loved my burgundy RD350. Bought it new in 1973. Wheelies on demand!

[@FestusBro]

I had one in the early 90's. Lucky to have survived!

[@apongjamir4972]

Wooooooooo hooooo that's Gold and to have it in mint condition is unreal.❤️❤️❤️

[@justinharris1299]

I love the 2 strokes. List of bikes. 77 rd400 blue complete, 75 rd250, 78 dt400 with full paperwork, my favorite 71 r5 350 with 3500 original miles, my 71 g4tr 100 is a blast as well, 71 cl350 not a 2 stroke but still awesome

[@mikebaird3867]

It's been two years since I have owned my Rd and two years since I had blown up. Motor rebuild. Everything. I just for the last few parts in my basement . Taking some time off work soon hoping to put some more time into it and here it run

[@richardmorris7063]

Motorcycle perfection, a friend had 1,I had a dt 250 Yamaha & we used to trade for a day.So much fun,I want it.

[@cajuncycleresto8738]

LOL KEN IS CAUTIOUS ABOUT GRABBING The Mic with his bad shoulder Than RIDES A WHEELIE almost into the building lol stay safe keep em coming!

[@kenh6009]

When I was 15 years old in the mid 70s I rode a cb360 these RDs would pass me like I was setting still

[@kriswright1022]

17, owned a Kawasaki 350 Avenger, too much power for my age. Wish I still had it!

[@fidelcatsro6948]

2 strokes ruled!!

[@stevedonohoe9427]

I bought a '74 new for $1200 Canadian. Sold it 5 years later for $800 with 30,000 miles. Two dollars to fill the tank, $2.50 if it was on reserve. I got a ticket for 108 m.p.h. Crazy fast for something you can lift up.

[@kevinshea2097]

Eye candy from Kaplan America 😊

[@mattjones4581]

I had a late 70s rd400 in 93-94. It was so much fun

[@tommyboy1964]

You always have the best bikes.!! Sweeeeet bike.!!

[@sonnyseabury4051]

Sharp looking bike. Love that gold color!

[@MikeyStayBrutal]

beautiful RD, would love to add one of these to the collection

[@kevinroberts361]

You sure have a beautiful place there sir !!! And lotsa killer bikes, I DIG !!!

[@thepianist7084]

I had one as a highschooler in 1993-1994; exactly like this one. I raced against Suzuki Bandits etc and I kept up with those bikes! Until about 60 mph and then they would walk away from me but man that little bike was quick and fun!! I had paid $500 for it. Wish I had kept it.

[@stephengroeschel6898]

Stirs up old fond memories

[@davidwood1923]

GEEZ!... Super Nice. You know Sooo Much about them. Thanks for Sharing

[@andrewcummings267]

Now you're talking my language, Yamaha RDs are legendary, these are very strong bikes, you need to find The RXs, those rd 135, 350,

[@kevinhill4012]

I'd put that in my living room. Cool bike

[@robbieporter1612]

I agree with you everyone wanted the Rd they were fast you could hear them coming sounded like angry wasps people still love them in the uk

[@dwayneabsolutelydribblin3903]

Sound and smell above anything else

[@earl6969]

I had a set of carbs, clip ons and chambers built by Ace and could absolutely smoke any car on the street.made all my Levi's and cigarettes money in high school on one of those. Kicked a mustangs ass riding three up on the way to school for a hundred bucks and was king for a day.

[@tonyrappa4611]

He's like a little kid love it

[@martinrincon8954]

That's a beautiful RD cool 😊🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🖒🖒🖒🖒👏👏👏💣

[@bembemkh6778]

I love RD350 the Beast

[@Kevinbmxshred]

Would love to see you own an rd500!

[@colbraddock9913]

Back in 1983 I bought a rd400 1976 for $300 cash it was Green still have the bike to this day just a fun ride and I also have a 76 H2 750 Kawasaki expansion Chambers fun bikes these were the good days nobody could look you up and track you and hunt you down and find you on the computer and you weren't in front of the camera every 5 ft although I can say if it wasn't for the internet I couldn't get in and look this up

[@leebatt7964]

My brother Geof built a few of these, his rider Pete won the vintage class at Laconia on one of them in the 90’s. I wonder if Billy ever went up against one of his bikes? Blue smoke and good times.

[@maxdavies5776]

If we swapped out piston & bearings for ceramics it could go oiless. & If we put a sprung cam card valve before the reed valve we can lift by cable the card off the cam & run in 2 stroke or 4 stroke oiless.

[@emeraldviking3637]

This is what you call a head Turner, beautiful colour too

[@tomearly111]

First road bike I ever owned was a new1974 RD 350A. Back in the day this was one of the faster bikes around 0 to 60 and cornered extremely well also. I loved the brandy red original color. Kept it for a few years. Road it hard but never laid it down. New owner wrecked it the second week he had it. Lost control under full throttle because the front wheel would be off the ground until you hit fourth gear. Went right into a parked car. I warned him.

[@consv]

Those things had a wicked power band.

[@davidconley3610]

Best 350 bike ever made!

[@gleanerman2195]

To me the '73 was the best looking of all 350's.

[@keithtrent4446]

Love those bikes. Had a 74 model would blow a Honda 750-4 away.

[@talltimbot]

I had the 350 high pipe 5 speed, my buddy had this. We would each chow down on a bag of Doritos and slurp a quart of Dr. Pepper while we polished them. Yet another Bitchin video by you folks!!!

[@rhyshoare87]

Great bikes, I have a '73. This example has a drum front from an R5, not and RD though.

[@brianoreilly1866]

Right, drum is not RD 350 Were primary drive ratios different on 250s?

[@gregnichols6803]

...yep NOT 100% correct. Rd350 had front disk not drum. R5s had the front drum. You'd think these guys would research yhese classics better. Smh

[@johnguilbert1349]

Looks bad ass! Really cook bikes!

[@timothythomas1737]

Love those Yamaha twins.

[@sentiamongjamir1294]

This bike won't get u older.... Freaking wild!

[@kennethkowalchuk7868]

My second bike was a '74 RD350 bought in '77. Wow..

[@barryblack5562]

I had 2 and half RD 350:s loved them I built one out of rolling chassis I got and a wrecked bike but never had the speedo tacho just had the globes hanging of the triple clamp like a Xmas tree. And my other one was black full fairing clip ons and a fibreglass cafe racer seat. Can't believe the price for parts now thanks great memories. My lil KTM duke is like a 4 stroke version with better suspension but I'd still trade it for a good RD 400.

[@marjanboo4196]

My mate has a white one these are cool from the old days air cooled twogrunt

[@jcaptnnitro1]

I had a DS7 250 for years…..wish I still had it

[@OnfloorAudio]

Cool Bike , sounds bad ass !!!!

[@francoismoreira1583]

Beautiful 👌💪🏻🙏

[@Cezhiyan07]

1983 - 1989 rd350 production period in India. Still a dream to get one of these👑

[@fidelcatsro6948]

plenty of those still in India i think? theyre collectors item there too!

[@Cezhiyan07]

@@fidelcatsro6948 Yes, Indian people during those days were more interested in high mileage bikes. But rd350 is more of a performance oriented bike right. So, the sales were not as high as the company expected but now youngster's in India are ready to get Rd350 at any cost.

[@fidelcatsro6948]

@@Cezhiyan07 you should buy and keep rx100's as well, highly sought after by collectors there too

[@Cezhiyan07]

@@fidelcatsro6948 I have rx100. My dad bought in 1989.

[@fidelcatsro6948]

@@Cezhiyan07 i still ride an 83 rx115 made in japan

[@frankwilliams2198]

Is the Yamaha rd 350 motor basically the same motor they put in the Banshee later on.

[@mikek2258]

Looks n sounds similar to my banshee motor

[@cajuncycleresto8738]

yrs but air cooled , the rz350 ( about 1985 ) was the banshee motor liquid cooled and many eng parts interchanged

[@fidelcatsro6948]

i think they were called rd350LC in my part of the world.. liquid cooled and some even had YPVS power valve versions

[@superzuki5831]

I had an Orange '75. Sure wish I still had it.

[@gleanerman2195]

I have a mint 1973 in mint condition for sale.

[@murrayofparton]

You can keep your Indians and Harley’s. Nothing beats British Iron. Norton, Triumph, Yamaha - we ruled the world.

[@stephenbatdorf8928]

Golden nugget

[@hottinroof7159]

You are an influencer man . I'm from India and watch your every vlog. But where is your helmet man ,be safe always.

[@narsinghkumar8395]

Hello kaplan bro main india se

[@brianray2614]

Super sweet

[@markherbert1343]

Now your talking, way hey love these and the 250 rd sound and smell good too .

[@tat2dpom]

Ill have ya seat cover mate 😝 ive just bought one in austrailia 🤙 73

[@snowxxxxx]

I'm 15 I got time, I don't need one at this moment. ( even though I would love one ) 2 strokes are awesome

[@kenh6009]

I am 58 years old I remember those bikes being very fast

[@fidelcatsro6948]

i hit 120mph on an 1983 rd350LC before and that was when i bought it old in 1990s!

[@ericdurae5085]

Beep beep lol love it!

[@davestrain9529]

as we would yell in Shop: HORN WORKS LOL!

[@autoescolauruguai9154]

Fantástica essa moto❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@skeeskeeter6994]

I know a lot of club racers loved them...

[@Wrong_gear-3411]

Why da drum on front Kap?

[@bryanworth8292]

Pretty bike . Are those brass knuckles on your right side Ken ?

[@KaplanCycles]

No its a harley footpeg

[@jered2177]

Yes it is

[@danieljordannicol9937]

Could you get a 1981 white and blue rd350 my Dads favourite bike of all time

[@benkrom2737]

Awesome bikes, but I believe this is a Frankenstein. RDs had front disc brakes. That front drum brake I believe was from an R5. I also believe that paint color was on a 250cc. I used to take 250cc and put 350 cylinders and pistons on it and keep 250cc emblems. I bought a new R5 back in 71, was 5sd without the reeds and would wheelie first 3 gears. Basically any twin cylinder bikes didn't stand a chance against it. Kawasaki H1 and H2 killed anything on the road. In the windies the yamahas were #1.

[@KaplanCycles]

Its an rd250 with a 350 top end i explain it in the video

[@benkrom2737]

@@KaplanCycles Yeah, I was too busy looking at bike than listening. Was flashing back in time. I used to run my bikes on Baldwin Dr through westrock park new haven/hamden ct. Road is closed to traffic now, probably we were a factor in that happening. LOL , many bikes later I still miss it.

[@adamgrebenc9705]

Vintage days this year?

[@davestrain9529]

@ 4: 05 CLEAR it Out KEN! luv yah guys and gals

[@lilobraw9424]

A verdadeira viúva Negra

[@Smarterthanyou-mthrfkr]

I miss my rd350lc stroker☠️

[@advaith540]

0:52 now thats cool

[@billsmith3543]

Is this the one that got cut coming out of the box

[@derbimac]

RD 350 should have a disc brake,is that an R5 front end?

[@disyokerr]

I had the same one in 125 twin cylinder. I sold it year ago.$3500

[@davestrain9529]

R5 / Ds7 Drums up front ??

[@davestrain9529]

@ 2'50" : answered my question. Yes. i did a 250 Cheater 347 cc Top end in 1986. my 250 had disk Front.

[@CYfan98]

HVC cycle in Nebraska has a lot of nos parts, I know cause I have a 75 orange rd 350 with 4k miles

[@martycech5844]

The Giant Killer!

[@duncang01]

I have a 1982 Goldwing Interstate with under 35K miles and I have decided to make it a naked bike. I need turn signals both front a rear and an upper pilot cover assembly Honda part# 37610-463-741, they are fragile it seems. Do you have a good source for those parts. I've tried the following, EBAY, Partzilla, and most every other Goldwing site I can search. Thanks for the help in advance.

[@fidelcatsro6948]

good luck and best wishes finding them!

[@ragazzi25]

Is this wolverine on the bike?

[@fjp3305]

My brother had one. It was fast when it was well tuned. Got out of tune easily.