Yamaha RD350 vs. Kawasaki S2 350 Drag Race

Kawasaki released the S2 to compete with the RD's and this is what happened

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Yamaha
• RD350
• Kawasaki
• S2
• 350
• two
• stroke
• motorcycle
• of
• death

[dinosoreis1]

After reading all the comments and watching the video I'm wondering why the RD was so much more popular in the states? I've read that the RD had some of the best brakes and handling of its era. Looking at the specs you would think the S2 would have similar braking & handling, they weight about the same there both disk up front drum rear, I know the RD was cheap under $1000 is that it? Or was it a better road racer? All I know is it is harder to find any triple than it is to find an RD.

[2wheelmonster]

@dinosoreis1 I find these all to be valid factors, I would also like to add that the triples really weren't for cornering they seem to be engine heavy. No pun intended. I found myself more versatile on the rd

[2wheelmonster]

Well thank you very much

[rjteeter]

kawi cheated ;)

[2wheelmonster]

how did it cheat?

[2wheelmonster]

it's the type of two stroke oil we use, which is polaris ves II gold full synthetic, when I first start it up after a couple of days of sitting they smoke, but then it goes away after awhile, it smells great when it burns also

[toilit]

both fantastic bikes! thanks for the video

[73kawasakis2]

i can also find an rd just about any day of the week for sale around portland or.  but triples only are for sale a couple times a year & usually twice the price!

[73kawasakis2]

also the rd had 39 hp vs the 45 of the s2. extra piston= extra pop.

[73kawasakis2]

industry history- yamaha made guitars and pianos until after ww2. kawasaki was a heavy machine company hence the name kawasaki heavy industries printed on the labels. my friend has an rd and i have a 73 s2. both have expansion chambers. both are fast. but who really cares which is faster.. go buy a zx10 if you want to go fast. but for all you rd guys out there my s2 sounds a like a french horn and his rd sounds like a glorified moped.

[VincentGreece]

I prefer Yamaha

[snotmale]

In UK the RD 350 was much quicker - hell even my RD200 could keep up with a S2 or RD250 up to 75mph... The RD gets a poor start in this clip - is bogged right down...

[999firemonkie]

My brother had an 71 A7 with super mods. Too fast if you ask me. Dyno tested at TSTC in Texas at 68 hp. Killed even the H1s . Low tens in the qrt.

[noblepuker]

looks like it came down to the launch,you two shoulda traded bikes and ran again.The RD rider shoulda been a tad more aggressive,and the kaw pilot alittle less.A long,low,straight wheelie while maintaining high R's is a good launch.... maybe the RD's clutch was slippin abit.Good run,i enjoy these old rides.

[farmertull]

Oh I meant the S2 always beat the RD's but the early road racer Don Vesco won with RD's against 750's. The older A7 Avenger was faster then the S2.

[twostrokeornill1]

@farmertull These two bikes were raced flat out, fair and square. You say "it was never close in a drag race" . The RD's or the S3 ???-- A good running S3 Should beat an RD every time.