Rz350 - Styling

Styling

The two 1984 USA models were yellow and black (Kenny Roberts Special) and a sparkle red-white and blue model that had different graphics and no Kenny Roberts signature on the upper cowl. In 1985, the red-white-and blue versions had identical graphics to the yellow and black "bumble bee" Kenny Roberts version, complete with signature, but they had a red frame. There were also the leftover models with revised graphics that somewhat resembled the 1983 UK versions, but had gold rims and a Kenny Roberts signature, that were sold as RZ350NC2 in California only from late 1985-6. Estimated RZ350 production for the USA is about 20,000 motorcycles.

The RZ350 had a variable exhaust port valve called the Yamaha Power Valve System (YPVS) that was controlled by a basic computer. The YPVS could adjust the height of the exhaust port and thus affect the exhaust port timing. This provided lower RPM torque while retaining high RPM power. Many of these bikes were salvaged because of the interchangeability of many of the major engine components with the Banshee ATV. There was a 500 cc version called the RZ500. It came in a red-on-white color scheme. It was a twin-crank V4 version (much like the GP bikes of the era) and was a quite different bike. Some distributors and dealers sold these bikes with custom paint jobs, causing confusion about OEM paint schemes.

In many countries, these bikes were known as RDs, but in North America and Australia they were called the RZs. In Australia, England, Canada, and the USA the Yamaha RD series (RD-60, RD125, RD-200, RD250, RD350, RD400) from which the later RZ/RD were descended, were first released in the 1970s as air-cooled two-strokes. In 1980 the bikes had a redesign using ideas Yamaha gained from two-stroke Grand Prix and production race experiences. They also became liquid-cooled and had an 'LC' appended to the name to designate this e.g.: RD350LC - some people referred to them as "Elsie". The Elsie is the link between the earlier air-cooled RDs, and the later power valve (YPVS) equipped RZ series. The most common capacities sold in Australia were 250 cc (maximum capacity allowed for new road riders) and 350 cc.

The name changed to RZ in (Australia at least), with the introduction of the variable exhaust valve design in 1983 on the 'K' model. This was a whole new bike and although similar in concept, did not share any parts of the earlier LC series.