Yamaha RD250

The Yamaha RD250 is a 250 cc two-stroke motorcycle produced by Yamaha Motor Corporation between 1973 and 1987.

Four generations of RD (also known as the RZ250 in the Japanese and Australian markets) were produced: the air-cooled models from 1973 up to 1979, and from 1980 until 1987 the liquid cooled models; known as the RD250LC, RD250LC-II and RD250 YPVS. The name RD stood for Race Developed.

The standard bike weighed 152 kg dry and had a 247cc 2-stroke twin engine that produced 30 hp. It had a 5 speed gearbox. There were 6 speeds, 6th was blocked off but very simple to reinstate by removing a blanking plate on the gear selector drum. The motorcycle had chain final drive.

In 1983 the UK government reduced the maximum cc for learners to 125, killing off the 250 cc motorcycle class in a stroke. At the time, it was considered that the reason for the sudden change in the law was the RD250 which put a high-speed vehicle into the hands of inexperienced users.