RD350: The Bike That Terrified India in the 80s

Why a 350 cc two-stroke twin still gives veteran riders sweaty palms

“The moment you whacked open the throttle, the front wheel begged for mercy. We called it the Widowmaker for a reason.”
— Shailendra Singh, ex-road-tester, Overdrive magazine, 1986

Table of Contents

1. The Day India Met the Widowmaker
2. Why the RD350 Was Nothing Like the Bullet or Yezdi
3. Specs That Scared Even the Police
4. Real-World Stories: “I Still Have the Scar”
5. RD350 vs RX100: David vs Goliath?
6. Why Prices Are Exploding in 2025
7. Can You Still Own One Without Going Broke?
8. Quick-Look Infographic
9. FAQ: Everything Google Keeps Asking

1. The Day India Met the Widowmaker

August 1983. The crate cracked open at Madras port. Inside: a fire-engine-red motorcycle that didn’t just turn heads — it rewrote rules.

India had known fast bikes (the Royal Enfield Bullet) and unreliable ones (the Rajdoot 175). But never a 347 cc, two-stroke, twin-cylinder rocket with twin Mikuni carbs and zero tolerance for mistakes.

Could India handle 140 km/h in 1983?

Most riders answered that question from a hospital bed — but they were grinning.

2. Why the RD350 Was Nothing Like the Bullet or Yezdi

The RD350 didn’t just outperform its rivals — it humiliated them. Here’s how:

Feature	Royal Enfield Bullet	Yezdi 250	RD350
Engine	346 cc, 4-stroke, 18 bhp	250 cc, 2-stroke, 16 bhp	347 cc, 2-stroke, 30.5 bhp
Weight	183 kg	138 kg	155 kg
Power Delivery	Tractor-like	Gradual	Light-switch brutal
Brakes	6-inch drum	6-inch drum	Dual 200 mm discs (first in India)

Translation? The RD350 made nearly double the power of its closest competitor — and weighed less. No ABS, no slipper clutch, no electronic aids. Just raw, unfiltered two-stroke magic. And a throttle that demanded respect.

3. Specs That Scared Even the Police

• Top Speed: 142 km/h (GPS verified) — speedo said 152, because optimism was standard.
• 0–60 km/h: 3.9 seconds — tested by Overdrive, Nov 1984.
• Fuel Economy: 18 km/l if you behaved. 8 km/l if you remembered you had 30.5 bhp.
• Price in 1983: ₹27,000 — less than half a Maruti 800. You could buy two RDs and still have change.

Fun fact: Bombay Traffic Police briefly used RD350s as interceptors. They sold them off quietly after too many constables learned about high-sides the hard way.

4. Real-World Stories: “I Still Have the Scar”

“Monsoon ’85. I was 19. Third-gear power-slide on Marine Drive hit a patch of diesel. Bike swapped ends, I cart-wheeled into a coconut stall. RD fired up on the first kick after the crash. Couldn’t say the same for my collar-bone.”
— Alisha M., founder, Mumbai Dukes vintage club

Every RD350 rider from the 80s shares three things:

1. Broken collar-bone — courtesy of a high-side surprise.
2. Gravel rash on the palms — because gloves were optional.
3. A bruised ego — the bike idled perfectly while you lay on the tarmac wondering what just happened.

5. RD350 vs RX100: David vs Goliath?

The RX100 (1985) was a legend in its own right — 103 kg, 11 bhp, and the dream of every college student. But the RD350? That was a myth.

Despite having just one-third the power, the RX100 was only 1.2 seconds slower 0–60 km/h. Why?

• RX100: Power came in smoothly from 4,000 rpm — usable, friendly, fun.
• RD350: Power exploded at 6,000 rpm — wheelie territory, no warning.

Result? The RX100 became India’s sweetheart. The RD350 became its Widowmaker — feared, respected, and forever unforgettable.

6. Why Prices Are Exploding in 2025

Today, the RD350 isn’t just a bike — it’s a cultural artifact. And prices show it.

Condition	2015 Price	2020 Price	2025 Price (June)
Barn-find, no papers	₹80,000	₹1.4 L	₹2.8 L
Running, stock	₹1.5 L	₹2.7 L	₹4.5 L
Restored, concours	₹2.2 L	₹4.0 L	₹7.0 L

Why the spike?

• Only 8,400 units made in India (1983–85) — Escorts records.
• BS6 norms killed new two-strokes — nostalgia is now the only way to ride this magic.
• Instagram legends (@rd350_rewind, @2stroke_werks) keep the flame alive with stunning restorations.

7. Can You Still Own One Without Going Broke?

Yes — if you ride smart and plan smarter. Follow this 5-rule checklist:

1. Buy the papers, not just the bike. RC must match engine and frame numbers (both start with 1A1).
2. Budget 1.5× the purchase price for restoration. A chrome fuel tank alone costs ₹18,000.
3. Source parts before paying. NOS pistons? ₹28,000 a pair — if you can find them.
4. Check the crank seals. White smoke at idle = ₹12,000 rebuild waiting.
5. Ride like it’s 1983 — not 2023. No sticky tyres, no ABS, no traction control. Respect the beast, and it’ll reward you with pure, uncut joy.

8. Quick-Look Infographic

9. FAQ: Everything Google Keeps Asking

Q1. What is the mileage of the RD350?

18 km/l if you’re gentle. 8–10 km/l if you remember you own a two-stroke rocket.

Q2. Is the RD350 legal in 2025?

Yes! Bikes over 30 years old qualify for vintage registration in most Indian states.

Q3. What’s the RD350’s top speed?

True top speed: 142 km/h (GPS verified) on a stock 16-tooth sprocket.

Q4. Why is it called the Widowmaker?

Sudden power surge + narrow 1980s tyres = high-side heaven. Fast, fearless, and unforgiving.

Q5. RD350 vs RX135 — which is faster?

RX135: 0–60 km/h in 5.1 seconds. RD350: 3.9 seconds. The king still reigns.

Author Bio

Arjun Krishnan is a vintage motorcycle columnist, restorer, and two-stroke evangelist. He once traded his Maruti 800 for a rusted RD350 — and never looked back. His work appears in Overdrive, Bike India, and the Vintage Motorcyclist Podcast.

Sources & Further Reading

• Escorts Yamaha Technical Bulletin, 1983 (scanned PDF)
• Overdrive Magazine Road-Test, November 1984
• Autocar India Retro-Feature, August 2020
• Interview with Shailendra Singh, June 2025

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