YAMAHA RZ 350 (1983-1995) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Yamaha RZ 350 was a two-stroke engined motorcycle that debuted in 1983, replacing the Yamaha RD 350LC, and continued production until 1995. The bike was available in the American market from 1983 to 1985, until 1990 in the Canadian market, and until 1996 in the Brazilian market.

The RZ model was the final evolution of the well-known and popular RD series in Yamaha's range. For that matter, the RZ 350 model was also known as the RD 350LC II or RD 350 YPVS (Yamaha Power Valve System).

In 1983, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer launched the Yamaha RZ 350, a standard model in Yamaha's range with a Yamaha Power Valve System (YPVS) controlled by a basic computer.

In the aesthetic department, the RZ 350 had standard features, such as a round headlight integrated into a small front cowl, a small windscreen for some wind protection, a one-piece dual seat with a passenger grab rail, a dual exhaust system with a silencer on each side, and three-spoke lightweight aluminum wheels.

Underneath its fuel tank, the 1983 Yamaha RZ 350 had installed a 347cc two-stroke parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine that delivered 59 hp with a peak force at 9,000 rpm and 41 Nm (30 lb-ft) torque at 8,000 rpm.

The power produced by the engine was transferred to a six-speed manual transmission with a wet multi-plate clutch and sent to the rear wheel through a final chain drive.