|
|
Post by aeroxbud on Oct 19, 2016 4:51:39 GMT -5
The Yamaha 2 stroke RD 350 was faster than the Kawi 2 stroke 500 (at least here in the USA) and the Yamaha had excellent handling for the day.  You're right. Kawasaki was not familiar with braking and handling engineering back in those days. Come on, being able to turn and stop is over rated, ha ha.  Bill I don't think it was really till the 90's that the handling caught up to the power output of some big bikes. Even the old 70's stuff must have way better handling today with modern tyres. I loved my first RD350 F2, but to ride one today I think it would be horrible. And people are tuning these with 80-90bhp now  |
|
|
|
Post by Chris Cristini on Oct 19, 2016 9:05:14 GMT -5
I just wish it didn't weigh 500+LBS lol but twin rotors on the front comfort's me.
|
|
|
|
Post by humanshield on Oct 19, 2016 9:31:36 GMT -5
Come on, being able to turn and stop is over rated, ha ha. Bill I don't think it was really till the 90's that the handling caught up to the power output of some big bikes. Even the old 70's stuff must have way better handling today with modern tyres. I loved my first RD350 F2, but to ride one today I think it would be horrible. And people are tuning these with 80-90bhp now Oh there's def no comparison of the handling on modern bikes with the old stuff. Agreed. I was meaning that relative to other bikes of the time  I can't tell you how any times I watch guys on Kawis and Zukis wipe out trying to keep up with me on the RD350. The RD350 was based on the same frame that Yamaha kept winning with in the race circuits back then  I recently sold a RD400 and was riding it on the highway up until a year or so ago. It was ok....but when I rode it after being on the modern Yamaha sportbike....whoa.....scary. |
|
|
|
Yo.
Oct 20, 2016 5:06:23 GMT -5
spaz12 likes this
Post by aeroxbud on Oct 20, 2016 5:06:23 GMT -5
I don't think it was really till the 90's that the handling caught up to the power output of some big bikes. Even the old 70's stuff must have way better handling today with modern tyres. I loved my first RD350 F2, but to ride one today I think it would be horrible. And people are tuning these with 80-90bhp now Oh there's def no comparison of the handling on modern bikes with the old stuff. Agreed. I was meaning that relative to other bikes of the time I can't tell you how any times I watch guys on Kawis and Zukis wipe out trying to keep up with me on the RD350. The RD350 was based on the same frame that Yamaha kept winning with in the race circuits back then I recently sold a RD400 and was riding it on the highway up until a year or so ago. It was ok....but when I rode it after being on the modern Yamaha sportbike....whoa.....scary. That's why some things are better left as good memories. I do remember riding my mates GS1000 for the first time. When I got back on the RD it felt as light as a mountain bike! Would still like one but I think it would feel very slow now. But the sound and the smell.  |
|
