Yamaha RD250 explained

Yamaha RD250
Aka:Yamaha RZ250
Manufacturer:Yamaha Motor Company
Production:1973–1987
Predecessor:Yamaha DS7
Successor:Yamaha TZR250
Class:standard
Engine:, two-stroke
Bore Stroke:54×
Compression:6.7:1
Related:Yamaha RD350, Yamaha RD350LC, Yamaha RZ350

The Yamaha RD250 is a two-stroke motorcycle produced by Yamaha Motor Corporation between 1973 and 1987.

Four generations of RD (also known as the RZ250 in the Japanese and Australian markets) were produced: the air-cooled models from 1973 up to 1979, and from 1980 until 1987 the liquid cooled models; known as the RD250LC, RD250LC-II and RD250 YPVS. The name RD stood for Race Developed.

The standard bike weighed 152 kg dry and had a 247cc 2-stroke twin engine that produced 30 hp.[1] It had a 5 speed gearbox. There were 6 speeds, 6th was blocked off but very simple to reinstate by removing a blanking plate on the gear selector drum. The motorcycle had chain final drive.

In 1983 the UK government reduced the maximum cc for learners to 125,[2] killing off the 250 cc motorcycle class in a stroke. At the time, it was considered that the reason for the sudden change in the law was the RD250 which put a high-speed vehicle into the hands of inexperienced users.

References

  1. News: The RD 250. This is what the fuss was about Biker and Bike. 2017-02-14. Biker and Bike. 2018-11-30. en-GB.
  2. Web site: History of road safety, The Highway Code and the driving test. GOV.UK. en. 2018-11-30.