Originally Posted By: grampi
Originally Posted By: Spazdog
Originally Posted By: WobblyElvis
I had a few Japanese bikes in the 60's. Yamaha 305, Yamaha 100, Yamaha 180, Honda 150 dream, Suzuki 80 and a 72 CB350 that was similar to the 305 scrambler above.
The most impressive bike I had was a 74 Suzuki GT550. So smooth it felt like it was electrically powered, should have never sold it.
A kid I went to high school with had a metallic green CB350 Four. It was in better condition than my similar year model RD350.....The RD would thrash the little SOHC 4 in acceleration but the Honda was smoother and a lot quieter. (250 Ninja would probably walk away from both of them in stock form)
I really coveted the Suzuki GT380. I loved the way the triple looked and struggled to figure out how a 3 cylinder had 4 exhaust pipes. But used RD350s were availiable. GT380s were not. The GT380s were just in back issues of motorcycle magazines at the library.
Plus, I was already acquainted with the Yamaha two-stroke from riding a GT80 for years
The Honda CB350 four was a neat bike. Not real fast (it made plenty of power, but it was heavy), and the 4 strokes really didn't compare to the 2 strokes of the day in terms of acceleration. How did the RD350 compare to the Kawasaki 350 in terms of acceleration? I would guess the Kaw made more power considering that it was a triple (vs a twin for the RD), but then again the RD was probably lighter, so I'd guess they were probably pretty close.
The RD350 wasn't a drag racer but from 0-60 it was dam quick. The RD350 was king of the twisty roads and it would kill any stock bike back in those days. The RD350 ruled Arizona's famed Highway 89, you needed a modified Norton Commando to beat one.