The Yamaha RD 350 is perhaps still the best bike-Two Stroke and Four stroke bikes included that ever hit the Indian two-wheeler market.
This was a genuine performance bike and is the only Indian made bike that could make into the prestigious ?super bike? category.
The bike was introduced way back in 1983 and more than 21 years since she could give any bike Pulsars, Fieros as well as the CBZs included a run for its money.
The Rajdoot Yamaha RD 350 was essentially the RD 350B that was launched in the US in 1974.
The engine though was the heart of this power plant.
The bike employed a two stroke twin cylinder twin carburetor engine that pumped out a massive 36 PS in its first version which was later reduced to 31 PS for emission norms.
There was something magical with the high-pitched two-stroke exhaust growl and the power delivery of the two stroke.
Quick acceleration is available at 5000rpms plus and revs redline near the 8500 rpm mark.
Acceleration or in easier terms the bike pick up is phenomenal even by today?s standards.
But then considering the fact that the RD was alive 20 years ago the pick up was practically unheard of.
The RD was the first Indian Bike top sport a tachometer. The Speedo was calibrated to the 200kmph mark and it was pure thrill to see the Speedo needle go all the way to the 135 kmph (160kmph considering the Speedo error).
The RD was capable of a cruising speed of 110 kmph without any fuss.
The 145 kg dry weight of the bike gave it balance and it breathed through a Twin Mikuni Carburetor.
The 16 liters fuel tank was adequate for long drives and the instrumentation was a revelation with the speedometer, tachometer (a first in the bike segment at that time), tell tale lights for turn signals, neutral and high beam.
If even now you aspire for a bike that gives you goose bumps, sends shivers down the spine and lets your hair waft through the air and you are unconcerned about the rising fuel prices then there is no parallel for this RD of the road!!!