Zooming away to glory

Though its production has long ceased, the Rajdoot (RD) 350 has remained an iconic and desirable motorcycle for Indian riding enthusiasts.

Nearly 150 bikes had registered for the event, which included aged people and women riders. “The meet was planned to bring the RD 350 riding community together and share the experiences of owning the legendary motorcycle. Later, we rode out to a farm on Kanakpura road for a small get-together,’’ informed Karthik, one of the organisers.  
The Rajdoot 350 was a two-stroke motorcycle made in India by Escorts group from 1983 to 1990.

Many Indian motorcycle connoisseurs consider it to be the best two-stroke ever made in India. By the time the production ended in 1990, the bike was completely indigenised with very little Japanese part content.

There were many young-hearted old people who joined the youngsters at the meet. S S Ranganathan, Fernandes and Chakravarthi were a few among the loyals who have been owning RDs for two decades.

Chakravarthi, who is 75-years-old, described RD350 as the finest bike. “I have been riding the bike for many years and obviously, I am very proud of it. Riding a bike with the youngsters is a different experience,” he says.

S S Ranganathan has been part of RD forum for many years and had gone for several weekend trips on the bike.

“I am very passionate about my vehicle and it is a part and parcel of my life. Riding RDs is an iconic status and at the same time, fun too. Whenever I park my bike, people gather and look at it with curiosity. They are surprised when they came to know that an old man like me rides it,” he beams. Fernandes has owned it for 26 years and rides it daily.
There were women riders too who were elated to participate in this event. Sangeetha, a housewife and a proud owner of RD350 for nine years, says, “Yamaha’s RD350 is definitely intoxicating and definitely delivers a riding experience unique to it. As it is a two-stroke bike, it has awesome power.”

“Maintenance of an RD350 is not an easy task as there are not enough trained mechanics who can handle its twin-cylinder engine. Spare parts are neither readily available nor very affordable,” added Sumanth.