Classic Bike Trackdays August 3rd 2013, Unedited video from start to finish flat out chasing and passing my friend on his spare Ducati 748 as his VFR400 broke. Cheating LOL.
Ridden like a boss. The 748 might have the legs, but you ride way faster than your mate. Takes me back to my proddie racing days 30 years ago - happy memories! Thanks for sharing!
Really enjoyed watching the RD350LC being put through its paces. Im old enough to remenber when the RD250/350LC first came out, it was groundbreaking with the new monocoque design. I wanted one so bad! A mate of mine beat me to it and bought the 350LC, he took me on the back and were doing 80 when we passed a motorcycle cop parked in a lay by. We saw him grab his helmet so my mate decided to go for broke and opened her up. We pulled off down a narrow country lane after a blind bend, it was a white knuckle ride till we reached a country pub, hid the bike behind a wall and spent the next 2 hours in the pool room peering out under the curtains. Sure enough the cop appeared after overshooting the lane, cruising up & down. We called a taxi & picked up the bike next day.
What gets me is the comparative chassis technology: The LC had spindly tyres, not the best front forks in the world (remember the Micron "fork braces" advertised in the back of MCN?) and brakes that were OK for a 70s lightweight... I've got a '77 KH250 with a 350 lump in it, I've owned RD350YPVS, TDR, (still have) a derestricted DT125R, and for serious track/distance work I have a tuned Suzuki GSX-R 750... so I know that no matter what weight/power/ability you have, your tyres and suspension can only take so much lean, or shifts of centre of gravity before you literally run out of luck. I know that it's all very well saying "Yeah, well it's lighter, so of course it's going to catch him on the twisties" but the 748 has bags of lean, proper race spec suspension, and brakes that allow for deeper stopping and turn-in than anything built much before the mad 250s like RGV, TZR, Aprillia RS. I can't get my head around how effing well that LC is set up. I'm betting the forks and brakes are off something like a RGV, or even GSX-R, with modern wheels to match. Either that, or bike development really did peak at 1981...
I did the exact same thing on several occasions and always got away with it heh heh, some of the cops were really tenacious and were driving up and down and round and round for hours trying to spot my JPS painted Norton, I had a set of different coloured panels and tank at home which I used for weeks after these incidents in case the same cops spotted me, cops can really be dickheads at times
Love Cadwell, it's the perfect circuit for a David and Golliath contest like this; the straights are there but the technical sections will always separate the men from the boys. Looks like you both had an amazing day!
Awesome! You are a talented and patient rider and for those that cared to learn you have them a great lesson! I’m restoring an RZ350 currently and have a Ducati 851 for the track. Made my day!
RD350's were super fast!I had a cafe racer and it would chew anything up in the corners!That's why they won so many races because they had no weight.They made big bikes look stupid for years in races.
I remember getting a nasty surprise on my Magna racing an Rz 350 on the hwy, wish they still made them, perfect for track days when they had the series going here in Canada, cheap fast, easy to run, class was full of novice cowboys, lots of crashes, the guys would race each other on the warm up lap (we called it super ego class), and every rider to a tee claimed that he was a fast as Kenny Roberts if they had his equipment .. some good talent did come up , but ended up on 600's pretty quick if they were any good.. still great fun to watch
I used to run neck and neck and some times a head of my buddies CB750 with a pipe on it. He couldn't beat me in the first two gears, he'd pull on me after clicking 3rd thou. But most people would be like holy schite that thing's fast, as I carried the front wheel thru second gear. This made it great for light to light racing in town...
The 350 rider is better despite the speed disadvantage on the straights. I once raced an rd on the IOM over the mountain on a Gen 1 RSVR. No contest really…as nippy as the rd’s were they’re no match for a decent handling superbike with real performance. I rode that rd afterwards and it’s true what they say about not meeting your heroes. Was disappointed really. Handling was pretty average and brakes wooden; power was in a very narrow band . In standard trim I think around 110mph was about it but in context that was fast for a 1980’s sports two stroke. Tuned, they were quicker but their brakes needed seriously uprating and suspension if raced. Great fun though!
I had large capacity British bikes for years before getting my 350LC. I was not prepared for what happened on the A1 in Yorkshire. I was cruising along at 90mph and decided to overtake the car in front as a car was approaching from behind in the right hand lane. I opened the throttle without changing down a gear and the acceleration from that speed was incredible! None of my British bikes of any size would accelerate like that from 90mph. Awesome is the word.
I love this video, watch it several times and always share for the youngest see the power of a 2T and RD350.Obrigado to keep posted this wonderful video.
Thank you. I enjoyed watching that. I enjoyed it very much. I'm old and can't ride any more, but it was wonderful to feel those old moves again. Best of luck to you.
I'm 48. Around 20 years ago I ride a 350ypvs. Now I thinking about 4LO or air-cooled RD, depending on some circumstances because I'm Russian and I live in Moscow, Russian Federation.
@@Maddy1967Mundane totally agree, bro. I like RD400 very much. But I don't see it on sale in Russia. One of my mates own one, but he don't want to sale it.
You're very patient! I was at a track day several years ago on my very porky VFR800 and a bloke in a 999R did the same for several laps. I finally passed him in a technical part of the circuit and managed to enjoy the remainder of my session. I'm no roadracer, but do try to be polite when someone is obviously faster than I...
Thanks for the comment? Definitely a RD350LC YPVS (RZ350) and it was in the redline for most of the session and I used all 6 gears every lap more than once, poor quality sound from camera might make you think it wasn't an RZ and I wasn't using the gear's.
Awesome m8....I remember in the early 90s when I was about 15 year old and my dad always had bikes....he had a suzuki gt750 kettle (just got another not long ago ) and had a zzr1100 ....he 1 day turned up on this little yam 350 powervalve (after he sold his other 2 bikes) and I was like wtf is this ,it's only a 350 ....he was like son trust me these things are vicious little things and carve stuff up ...I was like yea yea whatever....so anyways I ended up going on the back ...I was fukin shocked (sorry for the language lol) I couldn't belive how quick they accelerated and just how angry they were lol....all that pull for a little 350 ....don't get me wrong I know about bikes etc but was just totally clueless on what they performed like....I always knew the early RD,S were quick even the aircooled ones but the ypvs totally made them more evil....end of an era with the 2 strokes and it's not fair that they don't make them now ....2 strokes rule and is real riding imo.....class vid m8 I enjoyed it loads
thank you for posting this ..😆it SOOOOO brought me back the th90s on the RZ...'' feather the brakes while passing them in the outside,...clear the way,...keep your speed up in the corners and never look back😜
What pristine conditions for a Track that lets the public use, nothing like that comes close in California. Enjoyed seeing the flat out speed comparison between the 748 and Yamaha, just purchased a 1985 RZ350.
Being somewhat older than many commenters here, I JUST escaped killing myself with LC's in my teens but still looked fondly at them as the slightly younger bikers were zooming around on them. What I did have aged-17 though, in the days of riding 100 mph+ bikes with no training, (just tie on the L-plates and go!!!), was an Air-cooled Yamaha yds7 that had been ported and tweaked a little. Unfortunately, it had been crashed, but once I'd fitted a set of forks and a set of RD clocks to it, mot'd it and attached the L-plates, I was way faster than all my mate's RD's, Suzi GT 250's, Kwaka kh 250's (all of which I subsequently owned). It would also keep up with the newly released Suzi x7 a year later and was way better on the road than it as well, (the x7's were nice and crisp though). However, once I was bored of that, I built an old Suzuki Super6 into a single-seat un-faired cafe racer, but fitted a very rare T 350 motor in the frame (hoping the local plod wouldn't notice as I was still on L-plates). That felt like it went like the clappers, and was quick by, the standard of the day. Now I ride an old man's bike, a Kawasaki ER5, wear a day/night-glo waistcoat with useful pockets (lol) and ride a little slower, especially with my wife on the back (but not tooooo strict when on my own!!) and try really hard not to land up on the road. It happened badly only twice. Firstly when I was a bloody pillion (never again), and then when a guy deliberately pushed me off the road from behind (long story). Trust me, it really fucks up your body when you fall off badly, and hurts like shit as your battered body gets older lol. I can still get on the bloody ER5, but shit, it hurts to get off and walk after 20 min's riding or so. Whole day journeys now see me with my NHS-issued collapsible walking-stick poking out of the top of my rucksack, and I bloody need it when I get to the other end. Enjoy the speed but stay-safe Gals and Guys so you can keep riding tomorrow, and of course, 'forever'. PS If you see me, as you overtake me, give me a 'wave'!
Funny you mentioned the super 6 because back in 82 when I was 17 I bought a 250 hustler. It was a bit of a dog to look at and a lot older than anything my mates had, they all had RD 250s, X7s or 400 fours but my 10 year old suzuki was a hell of a lot quicker than any of them. Back then I always assumed that someone must've had it tuned but actually the hustler was a seriously fast bike, lighter and faster than the GT250 that replaced it. I've often thought about buying one but they're very rare now and what I thought was fast in 1982 would probably be very disappointing by todays standards.
Cool, great preparation, one day my RD 350 will arrive in this pattern and I too want to fly as well as you. Hug and thanks for replying. I'll keep watching your great videos.
Fun video! I was cheering for you to pass the "Lame Duc" rider... I think he rides dirt bikes too as he rides his Duc like a dirt bike, he was dangerous a few moments there... I liked it when you buzzed your horn a few times! hahaha!!!
I remember in the 60's, at Roy Hesketh Circuit in Pietermaritzburg, watching the then new Yamaha 350 two strokes (with the 'funny exhausts') chewing up the larger capacity Brit Bikes and spitting out the pieces. The only time this did not happen was when Agostini raced there on the MV.
Superb !!! Made my night seeing that. You were obviously play or dogfighting but you sure are a good rider Mr parrott500 professional? I rekon you're as quick as me on a good day =) ... Bravo and thank you for the race & upload.
Fantastic.. Love the old RD 350 LC..Fast as fuk. Takes me back to the 80s.. Its either the RD 350 LC or the Suki X7..Best street bikes around in there day..Great vid Parrott
He might have you on the straights but your all over him like a rash in the corners.fantastic riding.Reminds me of my Suzuki x7 ah the sweet smell of a stroker. Ride safe mate
Oooh X7 I loved mine to. Went on to have a TZR 250 that was one for embarrassing the big bikes to. Caldwell park I love it. Only been round in cars tho.
You had much better lines but as soon as a straight came up he out-stonked you by a mile! Props for giving the novice enough space in the turns when you were clearly getting balked.
Need to give the novices space or you`ll put them off trackdays the groups where mixed with all riding levels, later that day I sadly hit one that sat up going into the gooseneck he went from the inside across to the outside causing an end to my weekend my bike was not too badly damaged and I had a good selection of spares, it also ruined his weekend.
well done pal,a genuine David and Goliath battle, on paper the the Duke should stomp the Elsie with well over double the power and 30 years development advantage. you done us old stroker lovers proud (sadly I now ride a 2013 blade) back in 88 i had a Gauloise F2 two pals who had a brand new CB900F and a Gpz750, after our regular sunday morning thrash i would have fly covered teeth due to the permanent wide smile which was OE with the power valve. as for the lads on the big capacity 4 strokes,their friends and relatives were told not to let them near anythink sharp and hide ropes and belts! LOL but seriously, their bikes were dead and buried on any road apart from motorways and dual carriageways.
Damn, your´re really good!! it might be not exactly the first time you ran on this track.....but, anyway you brake very late and on the spot! what the heel brakes did you install?? cheers !!
Yamaha RD 350 LC’s were based on a much older British design of bike, the Scott Squirrel (known as the yowling 2 stroke), also a superb racer, capable, in the right hands of embarrassing much bigger machines. Have ridden and worked on both, very similar if decades apart.
Very enjoyable. 8:10 the Ducati just slightly misjudges his line and one has the feeling you were rolling the throttle off to avoid passing him. Actually, it appears it was only on the long straights that the Duke had the advantage.
Great vid! By the way did you film the bikes in the paddock that day? Looks like a few grey market bikes(400's) and a few 250 two strokes... And what does your bike look like...?
Lc 's Yamahas B4 RDS WERE FAST as old mate had one I had k2 CB 750K2. Boyer Branson ignition Reynolds Chain & sprockets CAPETOWN 76' ..good rider on that bike FULL respect..2 guy following to ...hope all mentioned are still with US 31st October 2022..
Don't know why people in the comments are acting like this is impossible, because the RD350 has 60bhp and 140kg vs the 748 with around 90bhp and 200kg. I used to have an LC2 back in the 90s and a decent rider would have no problem keeping up as long as there isn't too many long straights.
Donald Duc was not happy! I had a 350LC 350N and a 350F2. Just goes to show what the old strokers can do in the right hands! Sweating watching that one, well done!
...continuation.... Also passed a TZR white and red to 10:20 m. At 14:15 you used the experience and exceeded the Ducati 748 to reach that group of bikes ahead. I heard several times the pedal scraping the asphalt. I love two-stroke bike.
Great vid, I've ridden around Caddie, it's a lot bumpier than it appears in the video. If the riders had switched bikes.... The duke would have been off into the distance.
Great riding. A good well ridden 350 LC will stick with most things around Caddy. The 748 only had the legs on the start finish straight, All the rest of the circuit he was holding you up ;)
I had a 1986 Suzuki RG 500 Gamma. Of all the bikes I have had, I am sorry I sold it and my 1975 Honda CB 400 Super Sport. The Gamma was so much more bike than the Yamaha RZ 500 or the Honda NS 400 that I also considered.
You were very patient and I understand why, the guy on the Ducati is Dangerous. Talk about zero riding skills. I also appreciate the way you didn’t hammer your Yamaha, just riding it hard enough. Excellent on the brakes also.
Plac, plac, plac ... congratulations ... I'm clapping until now. An exemplary pilot. A great pilot in a great bike. Can I ask what is in your preparation RD350? I have 88 original one year. I watched the whole video and I will share here in Brazil. At 1:37 I saw some two-stroke bikes charts to your right, a green and white Suzuki RG500, RGV250 one with the rider mounted, another RGV250 Telefonica Movistar ago and one green Kawasaki KR500 I think. I love two-stroke bike.continues...
My neighbor had a rd350 with some kine of kick ass pipes, wheeles everywhere, and a super cool baja bug with a stinger. Another neighbor had a RD400, red maybe 1997? don't know the years, then bought a newer 1999 white datona special rd400. I bought one (the redish one) for I think 1200 bucks, with pipes and leaking fork seals ... about the most fun you could have ... loved it. Then RD350 and then FZR1000 and now ... well, the horses grow and the batteries die ... about 6 bike herd ... but the only real street bike is a GSXR1100 last of the air cooled ... but got a Stratoliner too ... and I'm old and it isn't too slow 1900 cc and farings to keep me warm heh heh ... love machines ...
Ducati rider’s line into Mansfield was rubbish - right in the middle of the track every single lap, was he trying to deliberately block you? Great vid though, took me right back 👍🏼😉😎
It's obvious the RD350 rider was more experienced, knew the track and was a faster rider. I would have liked to see him on a hot lap with no space junk in the way. It was fun to ride on board with you!
I loved that bit fun round the track my kidney my breathing as all out of sink lol was like back in the day playing with an 350ypvs when they where new (am older now) under estimated bike lol wish stil had it lol Great video hope boy on ducati wasn't sore lol 👍👍👍😜🏴🦄🦕😁✌️🤞
Low-sided my RD350 at about 70 coming out of a corner one beautiful summer morning in 1977. Bike flew off the road into a big oak tree. I walked away with ruined leathers and a ruined helmet and some road rash. Bike was totaled. Sold it for parts the next week and haven’t been on a bike since. I’m just easily seduced by the speed and not smart enough to resist. Miss the bike still…
What track is this? Where is it? And what's the track association? I've seen the British Superbikes running here can't remember the name, is it Cadwell..?
Don't get me wrong, the RD350 was an incredible bike. It was my first bike! Although, he had you in the straight aways. This seemed like a test of riding skill and nerve. He wod break sooner at the end if the straight and you stayed on it longer. You were better in traffic as well. A better test might be 1/8 mile drag for time. Less about your skill and more about the bike. I had a 1973 RD350 in 1989, from light to light nothing could touch me, new hurricanes and ninjas of all sizes included.
One of the best class races of all time was the rdlc pro-am. Identical bikes straight out the showroom, basically pick a key out of a hat and wait for the flag to drop.
I was looking forward to watching this as my older brother used to own RD 350. Then I realised he's only using a 'wobbly' camera...why do people bother? I guess it was all he had back then.
