Yamaha RD 350 Twin - [1973] Review and Comparison including Similar Bikes, Alternative Bikes, Performance Specs and Technical Information.
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Performance Review: Yamaha RD 350 Twin - [1973]

Yamaha RD 350 Twin - [1973] image

Yamaha RD 350 Twin - [1973]

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Figures & Specs Summary:

  • Edition: Yamaha RD 350 Twin
  • Year: 1973 | Type: Standard
  • Engine: 347 cc (21.1 ci) 10 Valve
  • Engine Type: Wankel | Cylinders: 2
  • Engine Stroke: Four | Valve Config: Reed Valve
  • Fuel Delivery: Carburettor
  • Cooling: Air | Fuel Type: Petrol
  • Transmission: 6 speed / Manual
  • Drive: Chain
  • Wet Weight: 155 kgs (341 lbs)
  • Dry Weight: 0 kgs (0 lbs)
  • Power: 39 bhp (29 kW) @ 7500 rpm
  • Torque: 24.1 lb-ft (32.6 Nm) @ 7000 rpm
  • BHP Per Ton: 251.6 bhp
  • Torque Per Ton: 155.4 lb-ft
  • 0-60 mph (96.6 kph): 14.7 secs
  • 0-100 kph (0-62 mph): 15.0 secs
  • Top Speed: 102 mph (164.1 kph)
  • 1/4 Mile (Est.): 14.27 secs @ 90 mph
  • Frame: Steel
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Yamaha RD 350 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Yamaha RD 350 Twin is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1973. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1974 Kawasaki H2 750 Mach IV and the 1973 Kawasaki H2 750 Mach IV.This particular Yamaha RD 350 has a 347cc 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 1973 RD 350 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 350'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 155 kgs (341 lbs) this makes the Yamaha RD 350 Twin in the same weight category as the 2025 Suzuki SV 650 ABS or the 2024 Honda SH 125 I, give or take 50kg.

Yamaha WR 250 F - [2025] image

The 1973 Yamaha RD 350 shares the same bhp with the Yamaha WR 250 F - [2025]

In terms of power the 347cc 10 valve Wankel 2 cylinder engine produces 39 bhp (29 kW) @ 7500 rpm similar to the 2025 Yamaha WR 250 F [36.1 bhp (26 kW) @ 12000 rpm] or the 2025 Honda X-ADV 745 [57.8 bhp (43 kW) @ 6750 rpm].

The Reed Valve Four stroke unit throws out torque of 24.1 lb-ft (32.6 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 2025 Suzuki SV 650 ABS [47.2 lb-ft (63.9 Nm) @ 8100 rpm].

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Yamaha RD 350 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

Norton Commando 750 Fastback - [1971] image

The 1971 Norton Commando 750 Fastback has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the 1973 Yamaha RD 350 Twin.

The 1973 Yamaha RD 350 Twin has a Power to weight ratio of 251.6 bhp per ton and 155.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1973 RD 350 competing with the 1971 Norton Commando 750 Fastback [276.1 bhp\ton] and the 1981 Kawasaki GPZ 550 DOHC [276.1 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 350 generating around 155.4 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 1981 Suzuki GS 650 GT [180.4 lb-ft per ton] and the 1981 Suzuki GS 650 GX [180.4 lb-ft per ton].

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 14.7 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 15.0 secs, this makes the Yamaha RD 350 Twin similar in acceleration to the 1993 Suzuki Across DOHC (14.7 secs) and the 1993 Honda NT 650 V Revere (14.7 secs). This Yamaha RD 350 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).

Suzuki GSX 250 S Katana - [1991] image

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 1973 Yamaha RD 350 Twin and the 1991 Suzuki GSX 250 S Katana

When talking about the performance of the 1973 Yamaha RD 350 Twin on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.5 secs @ 90 mph. Bikes with a similar performance down the quarter mile can be found in the 1991 Suzuki GSX 250 S Katana (14.5 secs) and the 1970 Suzuki T 250 Hustler (14.5 secs).

Top Speed:

The 1973 version of the Yamaha RD 350 Twin has a maximum speed of 102mph.

Kawasaki Z 300 Twin Cylinder - [2019] image

Top Speed of the 1973 RD 350 equals the 2019 Kawasaki Z 300 Twin Cylinder

If maxing out your bike on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster at the top end than the 1973 Yamaha RD 350 Twin then how about a 2019 Kawasaki Z 300 Twin Cylinder (113 mph) and the 2017 Kawasaki Z 300 Twin Cylinder (113 mph).

Related Links:

1973 Yamaha RD 350 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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Engine Capacity: 296cc
Top Speed: 100 mph
Power: 40 bhp


Yamaha RD 125 Twin

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Engine Capacity: 124 cc
Top Speed: 81 mph
Quarter Mile: 18.3 secs @ 0 mph


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