Before its time. Review on Rajdoot Yamaha RD350

I bought a Yamaha RD350 Brand new in 1984. I wanted a powerful bike and the choice was between Yamaha, Bullet and Yezdi 250. I decided against a bullet as it was already in the market for two decades and Yezdi was only 250 cc.

Hence my choice was RD350. It was a bike to be seen with.

It had two engines with two Mikuni Carburettors. I presume till date no Indian Bike has two carburettors.

It delivered 31.5 BHP which is the highest till date amongst two wheelers on Indian roads.

The chamber was excellent and the bike would go straight even at 100 KMPH with hands off the handle while jumping a speed breaker.

At 60 KMPH on a long drive I could get 36 KMPL mileage but with RD 350 who can drive at only 60 KMPH. On long drives on high speed I could get a mileage of 28 KMPL.

In the city I could get 24 KMPL.

The best part was zooming after the traffic signal turns green.

The RD 350 would offer the same pick up from 80 to 120 KMPH as it would offer from 0 to 40 KMPH. Had tremendous pulling power even at very high speeds.

Even today, four wheelers do not match that kind of pick up.

The only thing wrong with it was that it came in the market much before its time. Had it come today it would leave all two wheelers behind.

At that time Ind Suzuki was the 100 cc motorbike in the market at 11000 while RD350 cost 24000.