Menus
- Two-Temperaments !
- Discovery
- In the saddle
- Start-up
- In the city
- On the road
- On the highway
- In duet
- Braking
- The consumption
- Maintenance
- Chronology
- Evolutions
- Coast side
- Conclusion
Two-Temperaments !
At the end of the 1970s, when motorcycles with large-capacity multicylinder engines weighing a dead donkey have been in vogue for a short decade, Yamaha presented, in October 1979, a sport-type road machine of only 350 cm3. While everyone thought the smoky, smelly two-stroke engine was dying, the Yamaha RD350LC is bringing its resurrection ….
We will even see her in a beautiful yellow dress, a replica of Kenny Roberts’ motorcycle intended only for the American market..
Discovery
The brand with three tuning forks has always strived to put competition techniques into practice on touring models. The best example is undoubtedly the RD 350 LC on which the engineers have been able to bring together a maximum of solutions already proven on racing machines. The figures speak for themselves: 350 cc, 47 horsepower (135 per liter!) For 160 kilos…
In fact, and unlike other brands, Yamaha is making headlines by releasing, to everyone’s surprise, a two-stroke motor road motorcycle..
The two Mikuni VM26 require perfect tuning to force-feed the twin.
At the cycle part level, its Cantilever-type rear suspension borrowed from the brand’s cross-country motorcycles, its branched wheels, its double front disc brakes and its "trigger" -shaped pots, leave no room for doubt. her type: she’s a sportswoman, even a super sportswoman. She still seduces today as yesterday ….
In the saddle
Installed on board, it immediately appears as a compact, low and light machine. The handlebars fall well to hand, the levers are precise and the tank does not interfere with the knees. Rearsets placed high enough provide an ideal position.
A red zone of 9,500 to 12,000 rpm means a two-stroke engine that keeps climbing the revs.
Start-up
To kick, it is necessary to raise the right footrest to allow the maximum travel of the kicker. The two-stroke twin starts with surprising ease, without the slightest effort. At idle, the exhaust noise is surprisingly muted, but with a slightly metallic sound ….
The magnificent flute exhausts, which have become rare, are now often replaced by cartridge-type silencers, less pretty.
In the city
Aside from the fragrant aroma released by the exhaust pipes, the Yamaha 350 RDLC behaves quite well in the city. Its very playful character is also pleasant in a city space. She sneaks around with agility and ease. Its engine, so explosive at high revs, is however usable without the need to constantly play the selector. Especially the models equipped with the YPVS system (Yamaha Power Valve System), providing real flexibility from low revs ….
On the road
The vibrations create a tickling effect in the soles of the feet, invading the whole body on acceleration. Up to 6000 rpm, this engine is flexible, linear, without real power, but beyond that, from 6500 rpm the cavalry is let loose. In a mind-boggling high-pitched din, the acceleration is demonic with lightning-fast revving up to 10,000 rpm. We start to investigate the six precise and short reports with disconcerting rapidity. Devilish! This engine with a strong personality, combined with the featherweight of the chassis, make the RDLC a formidably efficient machine.
Large curves are swallowed with ease and precision thanks to the relatively firm suspensions as well as the rigidity of the chassis. But the small winding departmental roads, as long as they are not too bumpy, are the ideal playground for the RDLC. The sequence of turns, with lightning acceleration between each of them, is done with surprising ease. The maneuverability, lightness and power make this bike a terrifying devil on funny little roads, to be left far behind all the big heavy cubes ….
Light, powerful, manoeuvrable, the RD 350 has serious advantages on winding roads.
On the highway
The excellent performance of the Yamaha 350 RDLC tends to make you forget that it is not really designed for the highway. Its consumption rises and we get bored on the long greyish roll. However, on a short trip, the rigor of its cycle part and the optimism of its cylinders, draw the pilot’s eyes towards the needle of the speedometer approaching 200 km / h ….
The 350 RDLC with the raging engine is quite comfortable on the road thanks to an ideal driving position.
In duet
Another surprise, the Yamaha does not balk at having a couple on its back. All in very respectable comfort, mainly due to the good driving position, a perfectly designed saddle and a support bar for the passenger ….
Braking
Without comparison with ceramic brakes, the braking, provided by two discs with floating calipers at the front, remains quite effective and enduring even if it lacks a bit of bite. The rear drum fulfills its role of stabilizer in emergency situations ….
The rear drum brake of 4LO is replaced by a disc on the 31K from 1983.
The consumption
Civilized, the Yamaha 350 RDLC manages to be satisfied with six liters of fuel to cover a hundred kilometers…. At moderate pace. The less wise will consume a little more than 10 liters for the same journey !
The engine oil tank, next to the coolant tank, has sufficient capacity to empty a few refills.
Maintenance
Like all motorcycles with two-stroke engines, special care must be taken on the RDLCs. Respecting the warm-up time, careful maintenance and the quality of the oil will contribute to the reliability of the engine. This needs very good and frequent carburetion adjustments in order to avoid breakage or tightening. The engine of the 350 RDLC is nevertheless recognized as one of the most reliable, despite some minor problems of youth, especially with the exhaust flanges on the first models. For the cycle part, a meticulous inspection is required to track down any cracks in the frame welds. The swingarm axle needs good periodic lubrication to prevent wear or seizure. Mistrust, some pieces of clothing have become very difficult to find ….
The new RD350LC is so close to racing machines that Yamaha boasts its "Yamaha" cut reserved for the lucky owners of this bike..
Chronology
The RD350LC replaces the RD models of the Yamaha brand. Presented at the 1979 Paris Motor Show, approved by the mining department in May 1980 and then marketed in June of that same year, the RD350LC brought a replica of a racing motorcycle down to the streets. Indeed, this machine, although on the road, has all the characteristics of a speed bike. It was an immediate success since it was sold in France in 9212 units between 1980 and 1985 for the 4LO and 31K models and 1513 units from 1986 to 1991, the year in which she ended her career in France..
Evolutions
- In 1981, the RD350LC (type 4LO-01) was already evolving with new cylinders, carburetor settings and intake valves. It is available in white and black.
- The 1982 model is identical to previous years and is also available in blue with three decorative stripes instead of two.
- For 1983, the RD350LC2 (type 31K) offered more than a facelift, a redesign, because few parts remained common to the previous model. She adopted the YPVS (Yamaha Power Valve System), a rotary exhaust valve that will remain the main development of her career. New frame, fork, variable-progressive motocross-type suspension, rear disc (against drum), wheels, mudguard and front headlight complete the list of developments. Easier to operate thanks to the torque provided by the YPVS, this RD350LC also gains in power (59 hp).
- The RD350LC will take the name of RD350N from 1985 and join the catalog with a streamlined version (RD350F). The latter will evolve again in 1986 with the RD350F2 (type 1WT). The filiation will continue until 1995 in Great Britain with the RD350R.
The 350 alongside its big sister, the 500. The range of racehorses is always a dream.
Coast side
Listed at a price of 12,950 Frs (or 1,975 €) in 1980, the Yamaha RD350LC has (also) passed the euro mark. It may have been a huge success with 10,725 sales in France, a good number of RD ended up on the track (in the best case) or in fields, embankments, undergrowth or any other hostile environment. The rare fine copies have fallen into the hands of collectors, which has the effect of increasing the price. Do not count less than 5,000 € for a machine in perfect original condition and 3,000 € for a model in good condition and maintained.
Tamiya model of the Yamaha RZ350 (name in Japan), kit to assemble yourself with decal, scale 1 / 12th, at a price of 32.30 € at Hobby Maquettes
Conclusion
Finally, the RDLC is not exclusively used for sports, the duo can even be considered for pleasant walks as soon as you move away from the main highways. Without speaking of versatility, the Yamaha 350 RDLC knows how to be at the same time sporty, formidable, road, docile, mythical, usable on a daily basis and has its place in the garage of the amateurs of machines with strong personality ….
Strong points
- Mythical two-stroke motorcycle
- Amazing performance
- Motor character
- Handling
- Lightness
Weak points
- Sharp motor
- Autonomy
- Odorous and polluting fumes
- Uncommon in classifieds
- Price
The technical sheet of the Yamaha 350 RDLC
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