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Page 2 of 2
R5
When
the R5 was introduced in 1970, it was a revelation. The racing RD56
produced the frame layout; racing also dictated the engine's design. And
yet compared to contemporary two-strokes, the primitive (pre-reed
valve), peaky, vibrating, plug-fouling R5 seemed to be the model of
docility, praised by many for its wide power-band. Only the drum brakes
were regarded as sub-par.
The
"American Wurlitzer" styling with its jukebox detailing did raise a few
eyebrows, however, as did the pearl-and-lavender paint. Even so, the
bike seemed as sleek as any GP racer of the time. |
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Category |
street |
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Suggested retail price' |
$779 |
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Engine type |
two-stroke vertical twin |
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Port arrangement |
one piston-controlled intake, four transfers,
one exhaust |
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Bore and stroke |
64.0mm x 54.0mm |
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Displacement |
347.4cc |
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Carburetion |
two 28mm Mikuni slide/needle |
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Gearbox |
5-speed |
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Front fork /wheel travel |
34mm stanchion tube diameter |
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Rear shocks /wheel travel |
3-way adjustable |
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spring preload |
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Wheelbase |
52.8 in. (1341mm) |
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Seat height |
31.1 in. (790mm) |
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Weight |
326 lbs. ( 147kg) |
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Best 1/4-mile acceleration |
15.49 sec., 81.08 mph ( 130 kph) |
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Available colors |
white with lavender |
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RD350B
In
1975, the RD350B represented the apogee of the RD's development as a
performance bike. Reed-valve induction and a six-speed gearbox permitted
the use of more radical port timing and a redline of 8500 rpm, 1500 rpm
higher than before. A fixed hydraulic damper had been fitted to slow
handling somewhat, but the bike still had a reputation for hair-trigger
responses. A supremely powerful front disc brake was designed to keep
you out of trouble, though.
Unfortunately, the RD35OB arrived just in time for a fuel crisis and an
emphasis on commuter bikes, which made it the wrong bike at the wrong
time. |
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Category |
street |
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Suggested retail price* |
$1211 |
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Engine type |
two-stroke vertical twin |
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Port arrangement |
one reed-valve-controlled intake, four
transfer, one booster transfer, one exhaust |
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Bore and stroke |
64.0mm x 54.0mm |
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Displacement |
347.4cc |
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Carburetion |
two 28mm Mikuni slide/needle |
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Gearbox |
6-speed |
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Front fork / wheel travel |
34mm stanchion tube diameter/4.6 in. ( 117mm) |
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Rear shocks /wheel travel |
3-way adjustable spring preload/2.7 in.
(69mm) |
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Wheelbase |
52.1 to 53.2 in. ( 1323 to 1351mm) |
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Seat height |
31.1 in. (790mm) |
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Weight |
327 lbs. ( 149kg) |
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Best 1/4-mile acceleration |
14.5 sec., 90.0 mph ( 145 kph) |
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Available colors |
orange with white |
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RD350C
With
the 1976 C-model, Yamaha hoped to make the two-stroke acceptable to
everybody. The larger, longer-stroke engine with reduced compression
produced more tractable power and better fuel mileage, but at the price
of a 1000-rpm lower rev limit and a slower quarter-mile time.
There were also many changes made to the chassis. First, the engine was
moved forward to reduce a tendency toward wheelies. Then came cast
wheels and disc brakes fore and aft. Softer suspension and anti-stiction
bushings for the fork were part of the package. Most important to the RD
were a new soft seat and rubber engine mounting. |
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Category |
street |
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Suggested retail price' |
$1219 |
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Engine type |
two-stroke vertical twin |
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Port arrangement |
.one reed-valve-controlled intake, four
transfers, one booster transfer, one exhaust |
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Bore and stroke |
64.0mm x 62.0mm |
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Displacement |
398.9cc |
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Carburetion |
two 28mm Mikuni slide/needle |
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Gearbox |
6-speed |
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Front fork /wheel travel |
34mm stanchion tube diameter/4.8 in. ( 122mm) |
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Rear shocks /wheel travel |
5-way adjustable spring preload /3.4 in.
(86mm) |
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Wheelbase |
52.4 to 53.4 in. ( 1331 to 1356mm) |
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Seat height |
32.1 in. (815mm) |
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Weight |
357 lbs. ( 162kg) |
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Best 1/4-mile acceleration |
14.31 sec., 89.3 mph ( 144 kph) |
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Available colors |
red and green |
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RD400F
Kenny Roberts rode the Daytona Special onto the stage at Yamaha's 1979
dealer convention, indicating that at last the RD had rediscovered its
natural audience. Besides the styling and flex-free fork from the XS400,
the strongest indication of its new performance aspirations was the
relocation of the footpegs from a bracket beneath the pipes—which often
levered the rear wheel off the ground in a corner—to a conventional
mount.
Yet
even with a new, torquier, more powerful engine came a harbinger of the
RD's demise: A complicated air emissions linkage on carburetors and
exhaust ports. |
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Category |
street |
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Suggested retail price |
$1696 |
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Engine type |
two-stroke vertical twin |
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Port arrangement |
four transfers, one booster transfer, one
exhaust |
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Bore and stroke |
64.0mm x 62.0mm |
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Displacement |
398.9cc |
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Carburetion |
two 28mm Mikuni slide /needle |
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Gearbox |
6-speed |
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Front fork /wheel travel |
35mm stanchion tube diameter/5.2 in. ( 132mm) |
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Rear shocks /wheel travel |
5-way adjustable spring preload /3.8 in. (
96mm) |
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Wheelbase |
52.2 to 53.4 in. ( 1326 to 1356mm) |
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Seat height |
31.7 in. (806mm) |
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Weight |
355 lbs. (161kg) |
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Best 1/4-mile acceleration |
14.16 sec., 90.2 mph ( 145 kph) |
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Available colors |
white with red |
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