The RD 350 has been & will continue to be (for sometime to come) the bike that any Indian biker would dream of owning.
The RD can never be compared to the puny 100 & 150 cc motorcycles currently available in India. It has been way ahead of its time right from the time it was launched in India . I bought my 350, 1 & ½ years back & to this day I have not found another Indian bike that gives me greater pleasure to ride. Ask any 350 rider & he’ll agree that once you ride the 350, you’re hooked & no other Indian bike can even compare to it.
When you make the decision to buy a 350 there are many concerns that you need to address.
Firstly, are there any RDs out there that are actually worth buying?
SPARES??? Will I ever find any?
How much does an RD in good condition sell for?
Good RD mechanics, do they really exist? Will they fleece me?
Papers, manuals, battery, points or CDI?
To redo or not? How much will it cost?
Is it all worth it in the end?
To begin with although I’ve owned an RD for more than 1 & ½ years I’m still not technically sound as far as the bike is concerned. Please don’t expect answers to those kinds of questions. What I do have in excess is a passion for the bike. I love and revere her.
There are RDs out there that are definitely worth your money. Except in most cases they are not up for sale. Just remember no one is willing to sell his RD350. Except if he’s badly broke or in extreme cases is a CONMAN who originally bought the bike to strip her of all her original parts & components. These he will separately sell for a good price. In the bargain he’ll do her up, load her with local sh*t & sell it to you saying she’s as good as new. We have some dudes like that in Bangalore.
That brings us to HOW MUCH? Honestly that depends on you. How much are you willing to shell out? How good is the bike? Are the papers in order? How desperate is the owner to sell her (which raises the question why?)? I’ve heard of RD being sold for as low as Rs.15, 000/- & as high as Rs.50, 000/-
So in the process of trying to answer one question you’ll have to ask yourself a million. But one thing I will say: in your eagerness to buy a 350 don’t jump at the first one you lay your eyes on.
Spares are available. New ones will make you a lot poorer & second hand ones are just that…. They’ll never be good enough. In fact if you come across any sort of spares BUY THEM EVEN IF YOU DON’T NEED THEM. Cause the only way prices are going is UP ^
As far as the maintenance is concerned be ready to get your hands greasy from time to time. No 350 is maintenance-free. Truth is the sooner you accept this the greater will be your satisfaction.
Good mechanics specializing in RDs are definitely available. They will fleece you in the beginning, but as you get to know them things will improve. Not cause they feel bad about fleecing you, but cause you get a lot smarter when you buy an RD 350!!
Papers, manuals.
Again I don’t know much but obviously everything needs to be in order.
Battery, points or CDI?
Battery & points go hand in hand. Also try to find out if the points are original or local. For bikes which run on CDI check the kits.
To redo or not? How much will it cost?
Depends solely on the condition of the bike & your whims & fancies.
Honestly speaking if you buy a bike that is in original condition…………..KEEP IT THAT WAY. Doesn’t matter if the paint is peeling off, its still in ORIGINAL CONDITION.
Is it all worth it in the end?
DEFINITELY YES. Its an RD, don’t even compare it with anything else…
Also be prepared to put up with the PUNY 100 cc riders & Bulleteers(or whatever they call themselves). Everyone wants to beat an RD, few succeed and most are in awe.
If you already own an RD, are planning to buy one or simply love the bike………then on my behalf WELCOME TO THE RDOM(RD kingdom)