Yamaha RD 250 Twin - [1972] Review and Comparison including Similar Bikes, Alternative Bikes, Performance Specs and Technical Information.
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Performance Review: Yamaha RD 250 Twin - [1972]

Yamaha RD 250 Twin - [1972] image

Yamaha RD 250 Twin - [1972]

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Figures & Specs Summary:

  • Edition: Yamaha RD 250 Twin
  • Year: 1972 | Type: Standard
  • Engine: 247 cc (15.0 ci) 10 Valve
  • Engine Type: Wankel | Cylinders: 2
  • Engine Stroke: Four | Valve Config: Reed Valve
  • Fuel Delivery: Carburettor
  • Cooling: Air | Fuel Type: Petrol
  • Transmission: 0 speed / Manual
  • Drive: Chain
  • Wet Weight: 0 kgs (0 lbs)
  • Dry Weight: 152 kgs (335 lbs)
  • Power: 30 bhp (22 kW) @ 7500 rpm
  • Torque: 21.0 lb-ft (28.4 Nm) @ 7000 rpm
  • BHP Per Ton: 174.4 bhp
  • Torque Per Ton: 122.0 lb-ft
  • 0-60 mph (96.6 kph): 21.2 secs
  • 0-100 kph (0-62 mph): 21.7 secs
  • Top Speed: 95 mph (152.8 kph)
  • 1/4 Mile (Est.): 0 secs @ 0 mph
  • Frame: Steel
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Yamaha RD 250 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Yamaha RD 250 Twin is the 0 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1972. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1973 Kawasaki H2 750 Mach IV and the 1972 Kawasaki H2 750 Mach IV.This particular Yamaha RD 250 has a 247cc Air cooled, Four stroke, Wankel Petrol powerplant with 2 cylinders and Carburettor.

Suzuki GS 500 E - [1989] image

An alternative Wankel engine, Standard style motorbike includes the Suzuki GS 500 E - [1989]

The 1972 RD 250 shares its Wankel engine and Standard style configuration with the likes of the 1989 Suzuki GS 500 E and the 1966 Norton Dunstall 750. Alternatively, if you're looking for other bikes which share the RD 250's Standard style with a similar size of engine then how about the 1988 Suzuki TV 250 Wolf | 1988cc.1978 Suzuki GT 250 Two Stroke | 1978cc.

Power and Torque:

Weighing in at 0 kgs (0 lbs) this makes the Yamaha RD 250 Twin in the same weight category as the 2024 Honda CBR 650 R or the 2024 Kawasaki Z7 Hybrid, give or take 50kg.

Yamaha WR 250 F - [2025] image

The 1972 Yamaha RD 250 shares the same bhp with the Yamaha WR 250 F - [2025]

In terms of power the 247cc 10 valve Wankel 2 cylinder engine produces 30 bhp (22 kW) @ 7500 rpm similar to the 2025 Yamaha WR 250 F [36.1 bhp (26 kW) @ 12000 rpm] or the 2025 Honda MSX 125 Grom [9.6 bhp (7 kW) @ 7250 rpm].

The Reed Valve Four stroke unit throws out torque of 21.0 lb-ft (28.4 Nm) @ 7000 rpm placing it alongside motorbikes of similar performance figures such as the 2025 Honda MSX 125 Grom [7.6 lb-ft (10.4 Nm) @ 5500 rpm] and the 2024 Kawasaki Eliminator 500 Twin [31.7 lb-ft (42.9 Nm) @ 7500 rpm].

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Yamaha RD 250 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

Kawasaki VN 1500 Vulcan Drifter - [2002] image

The 2002 Kawasaki VN 1500 Vulcan Drifter has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the 1972 Yamaha RD 250 Twin.

The 1972 Yamaha RD 250 Twin has a Power to weight ratio of 174.4 bhp per ton and 122.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1972 RD 250 competing with the 2002 Kawasaki VN 1500 Vulcan Drifter [198.7 bhp\ton] and the 1999 Kawasaki VN 1500 Vulcan Drifter [198.7 bhp\ton].


Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby, then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque. Factor weight into the equation and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Yamaha RD 250 generating around 122.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other motorbikes have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1988 Kawasaki ZX-4 F3 [146.8 lb-ft per ton] and the 1999 Kawasaki KL 250 Super Sherpa [146.8 lb-ft per ton].

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 21.2 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 21.7 secs, this makes the Yamaha RD 250 Twin similar in acceleration to the 1979 Yamaha RD 250 Twin (21.2 secs) and the 1978 Yamaha RD 250 Twin (21.2 secs). This Yamaha RD 250 Twin also competes in terms of 0-60 mph and 0-100km/h with the 2018 Honda CB 250 R Neo Sports Cafe (0.0 secs) and the 2020 Norton Superlight SS (0.4 secs).

Yamaha NMAX 125 SOHC - [2015] image

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 1972 Yamaha RD 250 Twin and the 2015 Yamaha NMAX 125 SOHC

When talking about the performance of the 1972 Yamaha RD 250 Twin on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 0 secs @ 0 mph. Bikes with a similar performance down the quarter mile can be found in the 2015 Yamaha NMAX 125 SOHC (0 secs) and the 2001 Honda CB 250 SC Nighthawk (0 secs).

Top Speed:

The 1972 version of the Yamaha RD 250 Twin has a maximum speed of 95mph.

Yamaha XVS 950 V-Star Bolt R Spec - [2020] image

Top Speed of the 1972 RD 250 equals the 2020 Yamaha XVS 950 V-Star Bolt R Spec

If maxing out your bike on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster at the top end than the 1972 Yamaha RD 250 Twin then how about a 2020 Yamaha XVS 950 V-Star Bolt R Spec (106 mph) and the 2018 Yamaha XVS 950 V-Star Bolt R Spec (106 mph).

Related Links:

1972 Yamaha RD 250 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Yamaha

Bike Comparison


Performance Figures & Specs:

Choose a Bike Make for a List of More Performance Figures and Specs.




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More Yamaha Models:

Edition:

AG

BT 100

CS 200

DT 125

DT 175

DT 200

DT 230

DT 250

DT 360

DT 400

DT-1

DT-2

DT-3

DX 250

FJ

FJ-09

FJR

FZ

FZ 150i

FZ 16

FZ 400

FZ 600

FZ 700

FZ 750

FZ-03

FZ-07

FZ-09

FZ-10

FZ-S

FZ1

FZ6

FZ8

FZR 1000

FZR 250

FZR 400

FZR 600

FZR 750

FZS 1000

FZS 600

FZX 250

FZX 700

FZX 750

GTS 1000

GX 250

GX 400

GX 750

IT 125

IT 175

IT 200

IT 250

IT 400

IT 425

IT 465

IT 490

MT-01

MT-03

MT-07

MT-09

MT-10

MT-125

MT-25

MXT 850

MXT 890

NMAX

R1-Z

R5

RD 125

RD 200

RD 250

RD 350

RD 400

RD 500

RS 100

RS 200

RT-1

RX 350

RZ 125

RZ 250

RZ 350

RZ 500

SDR 200

SR 125

SR 250

SR 400

SR 500

SRV 250

SRX 250

SRX 400

SRX 600

Star Raider

SZR 150

SZR 600

T-150

TDM 850

TDM 900

TDR 125

TDR 250

T�n�r�

Tracer

Tracer 7

Tracer 9

Tracer 900

Tricity 125

Tricity 155

Tricity 300

TRX 850

TT 225

TT 250

TT 350

TT 500

TT 600

TT-R 225

TT-R 250

TW 125

TW 200

TW 225

TX 500

TX 650

TX 750

TZR 125

TZR 250

V-Max

V-Star 250

Vixion

VR 300

WR 125

WR 200

WR 250

WR 400

WR 426

WR 450

XJ 1100

XJ 400

XJ 550

XJ 6

XJ 600

XJ 650

XJ 700

XJ 750

XJ 900

XJR 1200

XJR 1300

XJR 400

XMAX 125

XMAX 250

XMAX 300

XMAX 400

XP 500

XP 530

XP 560

XS 1100

XS 250

XS 360

XS 400

XS 500

XS 650

XS 750

XS 850

XS1

XS2

XSR 125

XSR 155

XSR 700

XSR 900

XT 1200

XT 125

XT 200

XT 225

XT 250

XT 350

XT 400

XT 500

XT 550

XT 600

XT 660

XTZ 125

XTZ 250

XTZ 660

XTZ 750

XV 1000

XV 1100

XV 125

XV 1600

XV 1700

XV 1900

XV 250

XV 400

XV 500

XV 535

XV 700

XV 750

XV 920

XV 950

XVS 1100

XVS 125

XVS 1300

XVS 250

XVS 400

XVS 650

XVS 950

XVZ 1200

XVZ 1300

XZ 400

XZ 550

YZF-600

YZF-R125

YZF-R15

YZF-R25

YZF-R3

YZF-R7

YZF-R9

YZF1000

YZF750


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Honda CB 1000 T2 Super Four

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Top Speed: 141 mph
Quarter Mile: 12.3 secs @ 0 mph


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