GS1000-v-Yamaha RZ350

[feelergaugephil]

Many years ago, I had a race with my GS1000 against a Yamaha YPVS 350 (RZ350) Man! that RZ blew my GS everywhere, I used to beat him on the motorways, but as soon as we got off onto back streets he would waste me......

So, 20 years on, I own both the above mentioned bikes, and you know what, the RZ still holds it's own, the RZ blows my GS everytime, it's like 200lbs lighter and 2 stroke and flys!

I got a mate to ride the RZ and he just walked past me, Man I just love my RZ, BUT! I'm the idiot that's got $7K in it, but, I love it, and GS still holds a warm spot in my heart......

PIX to follow.......................

 

[feelergaugephil]

 

[feelergaugephil]

 

[feelergaugephil]

 

[80GS1000]

I like the chin scoop on your 1000 - what kind is it and how'd you mount it?

 

[feelergaugephil]

I like the chin scoop on your 1000 - what kind is it and how'd you mount it?

Dennis kirk sells them, very, very easy to fit, 2 bolts up front (engine mounts) and 2 below to the lower bolt area, where the engine crash bars locate to the frame.

 

[steve murdoch]

A guy near me has a yellow KR special like yours. With Toomey or Spec II pipes and port job. It is a rocket and wail of the pipes in the upper range is great.
Nice pics, especially the grass and sunshine.

 

[heathen]

back in the late 70's i had a friend the had an rd350 that would stay up with my 77 gs750. those things are amazing.

 

[trippivot]

I owned both of those motorcycles as well. my RZ was yellow and black . many telefix parts and such. the gs 1000 I have now is not very streetable. but is very tough in it's own. getting a 400++ pound bike to get on the honk takes so much more time and energy!!- the little 2 stroke just leaves the line and the heavy GS it in a cloud.. just very sad to have it peter out at 80 mph and above..that is when 4 cylinder torque kicks in as you pass th RZ back up blinking off 135mph all the way up to a ton and a half or more fading off into the sunset.


I do know from 30 mph to 70 mph the RZ is a G pulling sling shot.!!
there just aint much up top.

4 cylinder torque
4 cylinder smoothness
oh but the fun of 2 cycles... nice pair to have..

 

[feelergaugephil]

RZ is good for 130, I dropped the back sprocket one tooth..... but! 130 for a split second then bring it back down to lower speeds.

 

[courier11sec]

That RZ is awesome!!!
I want one!

 

[Guest]

I would love to hear a recording of the sound from the RZ going through the gears!!! Maybe a link to a sound file? My brother had a GT550 in the 70s and man was the sound sweet when he opened it up.

 

[feelergaugephil]

 

[feelergaugephil]

Hope this helps ya.........

 

[Road_Clam]

RZ is good for 130, I dropped the back sprocket one tooth..... but! 130 for a split second then bring it back down to lower speeds.

I had an '85 RZ350 for a while as well. Definately "barely" streetable, especially up here is colder weather. My RZ always had a cold weather stumble at low end, and I wasn't very savvy about re-jetting back in the 80's like I am now. The RZ's didn't have a choke system. My bike had the performance DG exhaust chambers. What a sweet and unique scream that would exit those pipes. Power was pi$$ poor until about 8000 rpm's then you better be holding on to the bars tight, the RZ's powerband was a wicked abrupt hit. RZ's were amazingly agile and precise as far as handleing. Yours is absolutely SWEET! RZ's also had that screwy TORS unit attatched to the carbs? I never really did understand exactly what that did ? I remember hearing they fail a lot?

 

[doctorgonzo]

Next on my agenda is a stroker, I want one bad. They made a 750 in the mid 70's didn't they (Kawasaki). The ultimate death machine, retarded fast with poor handling and crappy brakes, heck yes!

 

[rustybronco]

Next on my agenda is a stroker, I want one bad. They made a 750 in the mid 70's didn't they (Kawasaki). The ultimate death machine, retarded fast with poor handling and crappy brakes, heck yes!

I had a couple of H-1 Kaw's. my cousin has a 1972 h-2, ported and troughed, basanni pipes, larger mikuni's... I rode it years ago... SCARY! (80+mph, crack the throttle and up she goes!)
about a year ago he asked me if I wanted it. I told him no thanks.
but I want his 84 Ninja... http://vstarrider.com/images/OrlandaBikeMuseum2006073.jpg (as an example)

 

[Road_Clam]

As if the RZ350 wasn't sick enough as far as power to weight, Yamaha actually produced these V4 engine RZ500's in limited builds to racers. Too bad these bikes were never manufactured for sale stateside. Also too bad, was the short lived life of the RZ350.

http://www.rzrd500.com/rzstory.html

 

[Billy Ricks]

As if the RZ350 wasn't sick enough as far as power to weight, Yamaha actually produced these V4 engine RZ500's in limited builds to racers. Too bad these bikes were never manufactured for sale stateside. Also too bad, was the short lived life of the RZ350.

http://www.rzrd500.com/rzstory.html

I've seen one or two of the 500's in these parts. I came close to buying a race prepped Gamma back in about '88.