I have a penchant for the speed and wheels right from childhood so it was my duty to observe every two wheeler in detail.
I was in my 7th std in the second half of the 80s when one of my uncles friend came with a pretty new bike. Now what was this. The headlamp was BIG and ROUND and on top of it were a pair of round meters. The moment I saw it, I knew this is no ordinary bike. Like the other bikes it also had two wheels but when I went to its left side there was another exhaust pipe but yet it was not a Yezdi and then I asked my uncles friend - What bike is this... he said - Beta Yeh Yamaha RD350 hai aur India main agar issi fast koi jaata hai to woh hai Aeroplane. I asked him Uncle is it really so fast... with a big smile he said yes Beta... but for the roads here I have touched 120kmph quiet a few times and b4 he left that day he gave me a ride on his lovely red machine something I can never forget. After dropping me at the gate he said... hey see this... and vrrrrr the front wheel said bye bye to the tarmac for some few seconds before they said Hi to each other some 100mts ahead. He turned back, waved me good bye and disappeared into the horizon and I was still standing there only to realise that it has been more than 10mins since he left(by then I am sure he must have reached home too.) From that day onwards I used to call him the 350wale uncle :)
A decade later while I had grown up bigger and stronger just having a rare glimpse of the RD350s one of my cousin (was is also as crazy about bikes) got a second hand RD350 and for obvious reasons never used to give the keys to anyone else but if perstered would give you a ride. I was big enough now to ride a bike legally but never really owned one but never missed a chance to ride any bike and a time had come when I had ridden EVERY bike available but for the RD350. The RXs and the KBs were becoming like toys to me and I had a dream that I will ride a 350 some day and probably own one some day. I used to read a lot about bikes, their engines etc etc and one day while with my cousin at his home I started asking him so many things about his bike and came to know that he has got a new set of pistons and the whole engine overhauled and after getting a hint of my knowledge about bikes and riding skills he agreed to give me a CHANCE to ride his machine.
He gave me the keys and hopped on behind me. First I went around the bike looking at its tyres, the exhaust etc etc. The bike had no modifications at all. It was just simple but its age was showing in a few palces. Turning the ignition ON, I kicked it and vrooom it started and a few seconds I was just there giving it a nice throttle and trying to understand its language... this bike was from a different planet comapred to all the other bikes I have ridden. The first couple of kilometers I was just learning the bike, checking its brakes, gears etc etc... and my cousin told me - hey! this is a RD350 and not a LUNA its not meant to be ridden like this but I was patient and excited and nervous (feeling all those 30horses pushing me) until I reached the main road. Stopping in the center I looked behind(no traffic - wow - no body in front as far as my eyes could see). I was afraid to have the front wheel going up so started accelerating it as fast as I could being in control and since I had ridden on 4 gears till now, I had to count while I shifted through these 6 speeds and was shocked to see the speedo pointing at 120kmph when I just finished counting upto 6. I had never crossed 100kmph b4 and seeing the needle at 120+ my heart started pounding and I had to slow it down. My cousin took over the reins and told me - now look how U should ride a RD350 and within no time we were close to 140kmph. He had lovely control over this bike. After returning home I just sat beside the bike looking at it with the same amazment that I had stared at if after my first ride on it by the 350wale uncle.
I dont own a RD350 yet but someday might and this bike is not meant for daily use. If you know how to talk with bikes then this bike is for you. Spares are a nightmare in Hyderabad but if U know about its mechanics and know some good mechanic who knows this machine inside out and wont mind going to Banglore for the spares(or may be if U know someone in Banglore who has another RD350 and can send you the required spares) + the money then go for it or you might just have it rusting in ur backyard.
If you have the motorcylcing bug in you and the art and patience of talking to a bike then you can search for a RD350 and get one for as less as 15k depending on the condition.
I have a KB now which is quiet sufficient for the city roads but have plans to get hold of an RD350 in the near future which obviously will come out only on a weekend to burst out on the highway at 3digit speeds.
Will let U know if I get my own RD....
till then happy riding... I mean dreaming...
Bye.