Flashback, 1988: I saw brand new RD 350 in a showroom first when I was in fourth std, it had no much difference from my dad’s Rajdoot Super D. All escorts models at that time had the same design like the RD 350. I just asked my dad what bike is that, he said ’’son it is powerful racing bike’’; for me it was not understandable.
2001: When I got my first job, I thought of buying a speedster. I inherited my dad’s Rajdoot 175, which gives immense pleasure while riding. Gives me 54 kmpl in the Hyderabad traffic so never thought of buying any bike in its class. Then I went and arranged for a bank loan to buy a bullet because I thought that was good. I had a test ride, the bike makes lots of ’’thud thud’’ sound but is not moving forward. The plan got dropped immediately. The same day while coming back home I saw a green colored RD 350 lying at my mechs place. I just asked for a test ride and believe me or not it did a 90degree wheelie. I was so afraid but did not fall down. Then I decided, ’’this is my bike’’. I wanted the same bike but was quoted a very high price. I started saving money thereafter.
2003: picked up a RD 350 as scrap bike, with no idea from where to start, but referred internet and books and could figure out the bikes details. Had to spend Rs. 20 K for restoration but it came out very well. With all original parts and a michelin tyre the bike is now my favorite. I ride to office everyday, have gone on long rides, did wheelies without any effort, gives a mileage of 22-26kmpl; cant describe the love for my bike. I swear that I have not touched my favorite Rajdoot 175 or my dads splendor from then. The RD 350 is very simple with the technology that is 30 year old. But it can give a run for any bike in the market. It is a genuine speedster which is not one among our new new bikes which performs only under the ’’Standard Test Conditions’’ Will my love for the RD fade? No, I don’t think so............. 32bhp@7000 rpm, twin cylinder is more like a value for money bike since it is impossible to get any bike above 20 bhp under 40000. I have the original RD 350 ad with me that says ’’Stop dreaming. Its Here’’, the same feeling I had when I rode my bike for the first time after restoration...