1985 Yamaha RD350F
Miles: 27,253 [43,860km]
Clean Montana Title
Listed Price: $9,950
Listing Ends: January 26th, 2026
While two-stroke engines have many characteristics to recommend them, “environmental friendliness” isn’t one of them. Here in the US, road-legal two-strokes were gone by the mid-1980s, making bikes like the Yamaha RZ350 the very last of a dying breed. That bike’s predecessor, the RD350LC and its fully-faired sibling, the Yamaha RD350F seen here, never even made it to our shores. Given America’s later fascination with fully faired sportbikes, it’s interesting this model never found its way here. The RD350 platform was a follow up to the very popular and successful RD400 and featured slightly less displacement, with a bump in performance from the addition of liquid cooling. The new 347cc engine produced 47hp, an increase from the 44hp produced by the 400, and the new bike was lighter as well, weighing in at just 340lbs dry, down from the 364lbs of the RD400. Both the RD350 and the RZ350 more familiar to riders here in the US are considered some of the best sportbikes of the era and, if you’re able to actually register this thing for road use, would make a fun backroad tool.
The bike for sale here is the European version of the popular RZ350 sold here in the United States. The European edition is distinguished in looks by the full race fairing, and in performance with the higher HP engine.This RD350F has 43,860 km on the clock, which translates to 27,253 miles. The bike is a very original example of the bike sold throughout Europe and was thought to have been originally sold in Germany. It was brought to the United States and initially titled in the State of Tennessee. I later titled the bike in the name of my LLC in the State of Montana. Transferring the title will be straight forward, but some states are more strict than others with the registration for street use. There are no Federal certification labels on this bike. Check with your department of motor vehicles.The bike was most recently serviced in July 2025 and I have receipts for $1,532. This work was done to ensure the bike is road ready. The work done includes a gearbox oil change, chain service, replacement of coolant, flush of both brake lines, cleaning the carbs, new plugs, new battery, check charging system, and new Avon MKII RoadRider tires.Cosmetically, the bike is really nice. There are some small blemishes, but overall, the original finishes are in really great condition.
This Yamaha RD350F is certainly a rare sight here in the US, and I can’t remember if I’ve ever even seen one for sale here before. Miles on this example are reasonable, and the bike appears to be in good condition, with recent service history. You could certainly find yourself a nice RZ350 for less money, but this is obviously much rarer. The biggest question is: can you finagle yourself a title and registration in your home state?
-tad
Nice looking bike, should do the ton no problem. A cali title is doable
Nice shape for a 40 year old bike. He doesn’t show the frame VIN. Assuming it matches the engine VIN the bike is a 1985 German spec model. That means it is limited to 50 HP as per German restrictions at the time.
RD 350 N
1JG
50 HP
31K – 085 101 ~ 088 000
Germany
FEB. ’85 – ’86
The mirrors are incorrect. Correct aftermarket copies are available cheap online. The 85 RD/RZ350 used the same mirrors as the RD/RZ500, meaning your chances of finding the correct 1985 mirrors are somewhere between slim and none. Expect to pay $500 or more if you do find correct 1985 OEM mirrors. Consider that if making an offer.
This bike is remarkably clean for having near 44000 KM on it. It has likely been restored at some recent point, or the speedometer has been replaced with one having more kms. The frame is very clean for a 40 year old machine. Overall the bike looks very complete.
Unrestricted 1985 Canadian RZ350s will hit 200 KPH (125 MPH). Not sure this restricted model will get you there, but fining out should be fun.
Nice to see a seller include many photos and a video. Well done.
Another, oft not meantioned difference with this engine is the addition of the YPVS exhaust power valves in addition to the liquid cooling. Yamaha continued to produce the engine for a very long time after retiring the RZ motorcycles. It was used in the Banshee 4-wheeler. However the Bansee did NOT have the YPVS exhaust powervalve. So there is that element that makes the RZ a little more special and a better performer overall.