Man, when I was a teenager the RZ500, RG500, NS500 were all dreams! Fantastic bike 🤘🤘
@Smarterthanyou-mthrfkr Жыл бұрын
My lc350 was tuned!it had a 485 kit!.
@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443 Жыл бұрын
You couldn't get the NSR500. That was their MotoGP works machine. We could only get the V-3 NS400.
@mikeholland1031 Жыл бұрын
No NS500 street bike. NS400
@kevinprokopenko7023 Жыл бұрын
I had the RG500 Walter Wolf edition in '86 . My most comfortable bike, very smooth engine too. Re-jetted leaner the carbs and gained a few HP and much smoother acceleration. Had a speed wobble over 130 mph , that could be remedied with after market braced swing arms.
@Smarterthanyou-mthrfkr Жыл бұрын
@@kevinprokopenko7023 the Walter wolf was the shit!.
@MarcS4R Жыл бұрын
Two strokes forever !
@TheRacingGenius88 Жыл бұрын
You know it!
@Davido50 Жыл бұрын
Be sure to buy a new bike or we won't have new tech 2-strokes! More selection the better for us all. #Ride
@59plexi Жыл бұрын
i love em both
@mikeholland1031 Жыл бұрын
@@Davido50 new bikes suck and 2 strokes haven't been emissions legal here since about 1990. 1985 in US I think. That was the last year there for the RZ350 that was choked with cats in the exhaust.
@marekzulix6048 Жыл бұрын
Together 🤠
@markserpa9066 Жыл бұрын
This guy has been 35 years old twice. Proving it with bike choice.Respect.
@bones1492 Жыл бұрын
Feeding competitors parts - what more could you say about this man’s character. Thanks for mentioning that Billy - always restores faith in humanity when you hear something like that.
@FarmerDrew Жыл бұрын
I'm a farmer and a contractor and I hear a lot of the Oldtimers tell me that they remember when they could move as fast as me and work as hard, and it motivates me alright to stay fit and limber, but then the Captain uploads a video of these Jack LaLanne types and I'm set in my goal to either 1) stay fit forever or 2) install wheels and motors where my legs once were
@johngregware9073 Жыл бұрын
Same here been a farmer most my life. At 50yrs old now I need both knees replaced, it's getting harder to stay limber but i'm still riding.
@FarmerDrew Жыл бұрын
@@johngregware9073 I put myself on a supplement regimen when my knees started hurting in my twenties, and with the omega-3s, glucosamine, packing in the protein from high collagen sources like chicken, and herbal salves, hopefully I won't have to resort to go go gadget motorcycle legs.
@Smarterthanyou-mthrfkr Жыл бұрын
@@johngregware9073 ride or die brother!. God bless America.
@rckwales Жыл бұрын
Just yesterday i started the process of trying to buy an old honda off an old fella i met. He told me he was 96 and stopped riding at 90. He was my age now in 1966. I drove off thinking wow what a cool fella, i hope i get the bike and man i need to quit smoking!
@chriscadman6379 Жыл бұрын
I have had my 500 for twenty years and it still makes me grin. Love that rush when it comes onto the pipes.
@EinarLerschen Жыл бұрын
That is one cool Marlboro jacket! Takes me back to more relaxed days.
@richardmorris7063 Жыл бұрын
Stylin & profylin !
@danielnelson8304 Жыл бұрын
What a rare piece. Really amazing. Now we have electric bicycles and all sorts of goofy battery powered junk that will never replace the sights and sounds of a two-stroke motorcycle.
@MichaelandCathy1999 Жыл бұрын
I still get chills when I remember the day I bought my first new motorcycle, the 1976 Yamaha RD 400. In Canadian colours of Black,White and Gold. Beautiful machine. Really miss it. 😢
@rayninness6303 Жыл бұрын
I had a 1979 RD-400, what a hoot to ride😮!!😍😍
@danielfranklin7179 Жыл бұрын
Had a 77rd 400. What a fun bike! Went through a lot of fouled plugs but didn't care. Never lost a drag race on that thing.
@bradleyyounger8499 Жыл бұрын
Man.. I absolutely love 2 stroke street bikes. Even the 125s are a blast to ride
@E1320_ Жыл бұрын
Back in the summer of 1990 I was hauling ass up a curvy mountain road in Northern Maine heading to Moncton New Brunswick for our summer vacation on my 1988 BMW R100GS at a pace I thought could not be matched. I heard a screeching two-stroke coming and pass us like we were sitting still. A Canadian couple on an RZ500 passed at unimaginable speed. I continued for miles hammering the GS occasionally smelling two stroke oil and catching the occasional glimpse of the screeching RZ, but we never caught up. Bucket list bike 10 out of 10. Great memories thanks for sharing.
@Eric--zs6um Жыл бұрын
I remember the shoot-out between RZ 500 and the RG 500 Gama back in the day. Love them 2 strokes. Holy grail
@mikeholland1031 Жыл бұрын
Gamma smoked the RZ but cost quite a bit more and had tranny issues.
@stevenmcmullen2844 Жыл бұрын
I'm a RZ ex owner and yeah the susuki was the better bike, much lighter and more HP.
@joshuaross4644 Жыл бұрын
I remember drooling 🤤 over these back in 84 & 85 at my local YAMAHA dealers
@eastonsailer2223 Жыл бұрын
As a 19 year old it’s cool to see someone making videos of the older bikes so younger people like me can learn about bikes we never knew existed!
@jamesrindley6215 Жыл бұрын
Great thing about these 2 strokers is they feel faster than they are which is actually what you want on the road. I had a RD350 which was simply awesome, it felt like a 125 below 5000 revs, then at that point the exhaust note would change into a mad wail and it would take off like a thing posessed. Every time that happened it'd make me grin, it never got old.
@metalgeniusjoe5602 Жыл бұрын
Incredible, Ken. There is no debating you have the best job on the planet!
@TheRacingGenius88 Жыл бұрын
The Motorcycle business is booming post pandemic so that's a huge plus.
@spartan7042 Жыл бұрын
The rz 500 was one of my favorites and one of the fastest 500 bikes of its time and I hope this guy rides another 20 years God bless
@queenslander954 Жыл бұрын
RZ500 won the 6 Hour Production Race in Australia , 1983/84 against all the big 1000’cc bikes. I think Mick Doohan was riding.
@stevenmcmullen2844 Жыл бұрын
Remember that well ,the castrol 6 hour. I had the earlier RD upto the RZ back then,fun bikes.
@wayno23 Жыл бұрын
I've spent a few hours on one , back in the day they had the same acceleration as the 1000cc 4 stroke sport bikes. Great video captain 👍
@mikeholland1031 Жыл бұрын
Probably better. I humbled a few 750's on my RZ350 back in the day.
@wayno23 Жыл бұрын
@@mikeholland1031 True i had a Rd 350 that beat many 750s, a lot of it is rider too.
@crf80fdarkdays Жыл бұрын
No
@isaachunt5799 Жыл бұрын
nope. gpz900r would destroy one of these. they wernt that quick. the rg500 was much quicker. in fact a tuned rd350 ypvs would nigh on hang with one of these. they were just too heavy with just 80 bhp.
@Kickstart500 Жыл бұрын
A crisp sunny fall day and the music of a vintage two stroke.. that’s a life’s good kinda day!
@pc2150 Жыл бұрын
This dude would definitely smoke any unsuspecting rider on the road, keep it SMOKIN! 🤘
@bakkusmgr5 ай бұрын
That puts a smile on my face! Had a mini poster of Kenny’s yellow and black monster on the bedroom wall as a kid…absolutely beautiful bike! Love that sound
@richardmorris7063 Жыл бұрын
That old boy sure has a cool racer. Back in the day Kenny Roberts ruled the world.
@minibikemadman Жыл бұрын
another dream bike.. my buddy has a gt750 but the v4 rz is sickkk.
@youareright5431 Жыл бұрын
That is the most impressive bike you've ever had on👍👍👍
@leslieharding7514 Жыл бұрын
Ohhh dunno, tz750 is pretty special
@bryanworth8292 Жыл бұрын
Yamaha has always been at the forefront of new designs . I had a 1986 FZ750 and that bike had the screaming 5 valve per cylinder Genesis engine . I think it redlined around 11,000 rpm . It was a red , white and blue beauty that I bought new in Kalamazoo , Mi. The bike in your video is a true beauty and pretty rare I'm sure . I'll bet the 500 v4 really screams full throttle !
@markgreenhow7953 Жыл бұрын
And people say the Japanese only ever stole other people's ideas and never came up with anything new.
@mikeholland1031 Жыл бұрын
Came out in 85. First 750 with 100hp I seem to recall. Yamaha had good stuff and it was made well and perfected. Honda had a bad habit of putting crap out before it was perfected and didn't work well.
@GoldenCroc Жыл бұрын
@@mikeholland1031 Honda really upped their sport bike level in the very late 1980s with the CBR 600 and from there on were really good. They never made a "normal" 750 for the popular superbike replica class though.
@andrewSUN17 Жыл бұрын
Sik! Another fave of mine!!! V4 and the suspension! 2 strokes forever!!! Let the smell live on!!!
@markwinchester3005 Жыл бұрын
I remember back in '91 in Tempe, AZ. hearing the Yamahas & Kawas screaming up & down Baseline Road on Saturday night. You could hear those pipes for miles. Good days back then.
@downlowsyndrome3163 Жыл бұрын
I know Tim. Great guy, always had bikes I drooled over.
@richardcarr7557 Жыл бұрын
Beautiful bike Ken. Had a RG 500 gamma in Pepsi colours, I loved that bike but has to sell it when my kids came along. In the UK a good one easily fetches £30,000
@1991enduro Жыл бұрын
All day long here in Britain I honestly watch dribbling almost
@xipingpooh5783 Жыл бұрын
Nothing more fun than 2 stroke sportbikes. That’s why I have 3 RGV 250’s in my stable 👍🏼
@BraapEffex Жыл бұрын
80s & 90s were prime for 2 smokes. These 2 stroke sport bikes were golden! I would love to get/import a 90s Honda NSR 250. Thx for sharing this classic 500 2 stroke sport Yamaha!
@mikeholland1031 Жыл бұрын
Pretty sure they recalled all the 250's and gave ppl their money back. Maybe an NSR400
@GoldenCroc Жыл бұрын
@@mikeholland1031 Maybe they did, but there are still NSR 250s abroad that werent recalled that I guess could be imported. Or Yamaha TZR 250, RGV 250, Aprilia Rs 250 etc.
@mikeholland1031 Жыл бұрын
@@GoldenCroc ya. I know about them all, I just heard honda bought all the 250's back. They had major issues. Might have only been certain years. I dunno. I guess some ppl kept em knowing they'd be rare when the news was out.
@bigdogbulldog9912 Жыл бұрын
My first bike was a 84 RZ 350 ,good times 🎉
@bugtecpestcontrol7634 Жыл бұрын
Nice...mine was RD250LC
@Damush1 Жыл бұрын
Ive had 5 rd 350 ypvs. But my dream bike is the rd 500. Masterpiece. Big up kaplan crew ☠️
@richardmorris7063 Жыл бұрын
Rds were the shit ,my favorite street bike all time.
@miljenkobosnjak8393 Жыл бұрын
Also had one rd 350 from 87' . In Europe they where rd in America rz i think.
@UncleMeatMan Жыл бұрын
I love the sound of that RZ500, it just doesn't hold a candle to the sound of that TZ750 you have at the museum.
@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443 Жыл бұрын
Similar DNA
@UncleMeatMan Жыл бұрын
@@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443 Yep! That inline 4 though.... it sounds so sick compared to the V4 500.
@jjssousa81 Жыл бұрын
That is definitely a dream bike of mine.
@tomn1026 Жыл бұрын
O.M.G. THAT BIKE IS AWSOME !!! AND THE SOUND WHEN ON THE PIPE JUST OLD SCHOOL SWEET !!!
@WreckedRevival Жыл бұрын
Hearing & seeing a beast like that is a great way to start the day, now off to work on our newest additions a 72' YDS7 250 and 75' rd250! 😎🤙
@duncandmcgrath6290 Жыл бұрын
Oh man , my first street bike was a rd250
@WreckedRevival Жыл бұрын
@@duncandmcgrath6290 Heck of a bike for a first street bike! I just got our rd250 running and took it for a test rip yesterday. Awesome bike, love the sound even with stock pipes! Will have a video of ours posted later today. 🤘
@sveneklund6775 Жыл бұрын
Another legend from the world of Yamaha 2-strokes... 🥰 .. Big thanks for sharing that with us Ken ...👍
@MegaSkypes Жыл бұрын
Oh wow the beautiful memories of my days on my RD350 YPVS and my best mate on his RD500 YPVS smoking and scratching the country roads of Kent in the U.K. fantastic times!! Thanks for sharing this video Awesome 😊
@mikemacdude Жыл бұрын
I'm 50, when I was 16, my buddy got an RZ 350. man we could wheelie that thing! It was one of the most fun bikes to ride. Could you ever handle it well. We had a ball back then
@CarsandCats Жыл бұрын
Kaplan, I rode my '85 RZ350 to work back in 1988 and one of the mechanics had an '85 RZ500. He wanted to trade me straight up because my ran perfectly and his didn't. I still kick myself for not doing it!
@Onlybhstrpes Жыл бұрын
Dude is freaking ripped. Ain't easy to have a waist like that at 70 years young!! 👊
@BobSmith-cb5xr Жыл бұрын
We here to look at the bike and you looking at the rider. You know how I know you're gay?
@dirkvandermerwe6027 Жыл бұрын
A guy I knew back in the early 90's had a RZ350 YPVS 31K LCII with Wildcat aftermarket expansions on it ( matt black ) with racing reed valves and boy did that thing go! The 500 RD/Z was already back then regarded as a collector's item... Today they both are very collectable and the price you'd pay for a stock restored one would be like an arm n a leg... Awesome bike right there...
@nathanamann3218 Жыл бұрын
Timmy O’ is the man!! Awesome guy, on and off the track! Glad to see he’s still at it braaaaaaping away✊🏻
@charlesflynn4213 Жыл бұрын
We just picked up an 85 rz500 and it is absolutely amazing! Same color scheme 2
@michaelschneider54073 ай бұрын
I still have two of them. Here in Germany i can take it to the Autobahn und speed up to 140mph. Much Fun. But also the ride on curvy backroads in the Black Forest is always a pleasure. Every ride is still a thrill.🙂
@JW-zs1pz Жыл бұрын
You sir got a rz500, fkn awesome bike!!! I rode the rz350, what a rocket, wheelie monster and over 100 mph in 4 gear! Adrenaline freek machine!!! Lov it!!
@scottd8938 Жыл бұрын
I owned an RZ500N in '85. Absolute weapon...
@rexgratteaux8655 Жыл бұрын
Wow ! I remember the old RZ 350s they were sick , can't imagine how quick that 500 V4 is
@stugatz2664 Жыл бұрын
i love the old 2 stroke street bikes.. that RZ is beautiful! and the noise!!! my first bike was a 1977 yamaha RD400 my brother had a 1976 RD400 at the same time.. he blew it up so i rebuilt it for him with wiesco .030 over pistons and did a little porting and polishing on her she was a badass wheelie machine after that!! i had no chance against him ! he left me in a trail of blue smoke lol fun times indeed
@petersbuilds4096 Жыл бұрын
I owned one of these back in the day. Small front wheel and all. Once you sorted out the front end, oil weight and quantity, tire pressure, etc these things were rockets. If only i didn't sell it. Thanks guys for the memories. Two strokes rule.
@giraffeapproved Жыл бұрын
It sounds like a mini banshee. BEAUTIFUL.
@derekgardin15126 ай бұрын
Mini banshee? It's like a double banshee.
@OzTwanger Жыл бұрын
Awesome guy. Awesome jacket. Awesome bike
@hammerdownfabrication Жыл бұрын
Restored a 400 yam years ago ,one of the best sounding bikes I've heard rz's are bad ass
@Rlip Жыл бұрын
Dude I love your videos. I used to have an a derbi replica . It was only a 50cc 2 stroke but it was all built . It would do freaking100. I wish I never sold it but i needed money for rent to finish college 10 years ago. Im forever on look out for another true bike. 250 is my dream. Appreciate the content
@motorsportsguy5120 Жыл бұрын
What a awesome bike ! Love the two stroke !
@secretivescorpio891 Жыл бұрын
Awesome thanks A friend of mine that I was in Army training with had the RD350 ypvs back in 1986 Despite being 6' 4" I rode pillion a few times, didn't stop my man Fowler from doing crazy wheelies A viewer from England
@stephenkennedy3145 Жыл бұрын
their is just something about the small of a two stroke 💖
@gregconcepcion2833 Жыл бұрын
Rz 350 & 500 both are on my bucket list
@PETERNESS Жыл бұрын
1988 i just got off my learners in Australia and i was legally allowed to ride a bigger motorcycle ,i went to my local dealer and had my RGV250 all detailed lookin near brand new ready to trade up to a bigger bike ,i had my eye on a GPZ900 Ninja but a buddy at work said go try a few different bikes 1st ,i test rode a demo RGV500 Suzuki with Pepsi decals all over it and INSTANTLY rode it back as it was near unrideable for a novice like myself ,i actually paid a lil extra for a Yamaha Vmax and adored that bike ,those 500cc two stroke sports bikes are crazy fast
@jerrycoon3369 Жыл бұрын
Wow! I always wanted to ride one of those when they came out! Sweet machine!
@mmmx5109 Жыл бұрын
Awesome motorcycle. Hopefully one day I will be blessed enough to have a chance to ride a classic like that! So cool he’s still out racing and living his best life. Great video as always, y’all ride safe 🤙
@mikeholland1031 Жыл бұрын
Cost you 20 grand for a good one these days.
@douglasgrosch228 Жыл бұрын
keep them in museum there iconic ultamet 2 stroke s... keep buying all the 750 2 stroke H2 kawi too
@keithmackenzie9719 Жыл бұрын
Raced an RZ350 for four years, fun bikes.
@steveperez324 Жыл бұрын
Cool bro, man Cap you get the nicest bikes at your shop always. I really enjoy the history and evolution of motorcycles you guys show and teach
@duncandmcgrath6290 Жыл бұрын
Had my 86' 500 (canadian)till 91'...it was fun . It had toomey's that made fans of the local cops . I used to ride with a couple Gammas and an NSR ...had no idea they'd be legends some day . Met a guy who put this mill in an fzr400 chassis ...then it could handle .
@martinscopes3914 Жыл бұрын
I had a go on one of these in 1984 .I had the 350cc rd did 123mph. I was offered one of these when I had a go on one for two grand same colour as your one but I never had the money at that time to buy one.
@criscross572 Жыл бұрын
My brother has a rg500 in a cupboard under the stairs, and 5 rgv 250, 2 x7, yz 50, rm50, 2 stroke mad, not to mention the 3, 4 strokes, i road and crashed all mine he loved and cuddled his.
@audaciouscitizen.9313 Жыл бұрын
1st street bike was an 86 NS400R. What a time be alive. RG Gammas, RSV4 500’s, on the roads everywhere.
@flatcapcaferacer Жыл бұрын
It must something in the water back in the early 1950s that keeps riding and racing. 👍👍
@greatestytcommentator11 ай бұрын
The ost environmentally sound bike... THE FRONT TYRE NEVER WEARS OUT
@JukeboxGothic Жыл бұрын
I bought the steel framed version back in the 90s. Used it as my daily ride. It was actually pretty horrible. No one wanted them back then and I was happy to offload it when I could. The Japanese market ones were massively detuned down to about 40 horse. I think mine would have been lucky to make 80. I was constantly worried it would destroy itself and I would have to rebuild it with unobatainium parts. Very happy to off load it to a Russian guy that came back from the test ride white and shaking. I now have an RD400 that is lovely.
@darknoise9 Жыл бұрын
that is my all time favorite street motorcycle they ever sold to the public..couldn't get them in the states had to go to canada or overseas and bring it here..i sat on 1 but never had the chance to actually ride it. that bike is legendary!!
@mikeholland1031 Жыл бұрын
No aluminum framed ones sold in Canada. Steel only
@RA31A5 ай бұрын
I restored a Canadian model that had a legit PA title back in 2008...no expense spared original resto except for Lomas pipes & Yamaha TSR spec porting. Hated the bike and always hoped it wouldn't break because USA Yamaha dealers didn't recognize One Single part #. Sold the silly thing to a mortician who keeps it in a museum & I now daily enjoy the real Kenny Roberts bike ..the RZ350🏁.
@azerator1819 Жыл бұрын
That Yamaha jacket reminds me of my dad`s TZR125R Belgarda Red Rocket.
@NicChap Жыл бұрын
My first bike: rz350, second bike RZ500. The 500 was a monster!
@dobberaaron6658 Жыл бұрын
That's a sweet piece I'd love to ride that. I got a 96 CR 80 big wheel do you know much about them let me know I'd appreciate it can't wait to see more of awesome bikes out there take care and God bless
@spoolyboi9434 Жыл бұрын
I love the way 2 strokes sound can't wait until I'm in a position to buy a nice dirt bike and then a street bike, just have a cheap apollo pit bike that I got used to learn how to ride a bike with and fell in love but probably gonna be some years before I can upgrade
@donnysarian Жыл бұрын
He actually looks a little like Eddie Lawson and has similar mannerisms! Perfect bike choice. Oh, how I miss the 2 strokes!
@shonbratton1906 Жыл бұрын
Amazingly preserved. Aluminum frame is on JDM models, thanks for content
@jamesdavid5997 Жыл бұрын
it's 830 am in Cheshire CT, hell ya I wanna see this before work! lol
@normansmith2977 Жыл бұрын
I had one of these, a mint RD 500Lc in the UK in the 80’s and I can honestly say it was one of the worst bikes I’ve ever owned. Good luck with it. Really hope you enjoy it more than I did.
@zackywacky1621 Жыл бұрын
My dream bike since I was young...love these bikes forever...
@brada.7248 Жыл бұрын
Have a 1985 RZ350 Kenny Roberts yellow and black with standard upgrades. Love it it,love it, 💕 LOVE IT. Although I'd also like the V4 500 & the gamma. All r Wett dreams. Love you guys. All of you & your museum are Too Cool 😎. Keep it up 🤙✌️👌👍
@TheDe1deonly Жыл бұрын
Badass bike, badass owner, badass rider; hell yeah!
@watsisbuttndo829 Жыл бұрын
Mint example, glad it has later forks and brakes on it though, ive had some serious slappers on those things.
@lancerains4185 Жыл бұрын
Cool bike... Definitely on the want list back in the day.
@sonnyseabury4051 Жыл бұрын
😲😲😲😲.....That is one super fine bike! Bet it's Scary Fast.
@timothysauder8233 Жыл бұрын
Hey! that's my swingarm that I sold years ago. :) Nice to see it's still in use. :)
@ianmangham4570 Жыл бұрын
What a dude 🙏💪🤟🇺🇸
@ricardogomes3775 Жыл бұрын
Yamaha Perfeita ,Moto incrível, Um Sonho
@princesssolace4337 Жыл бұрын
I only saw these in the wild a long,long,long time ago. Haven't seen one since late 90s.
@pvflyer67 Жыл бұрын
😍 freaking beautiful. RD500 and the RG500 would rock either or happily 🚀
@hobbyenginerepair11 ай бұрын
My favorite bikes , also Honda nsr500, Suzuki rg500, Kawasaki kr500 , Yamaha tzr 500, Aprilia Rs 500 , bimota 500 cagiva500 four cylinders, two strokes, also 125cc and 250cc , 50cc rare bikes
@azurefirebluez Жыл бұрын
He ain’t lying kids it really is way better then coffee in the morning!!!!!! ❤2 strokes forever ❤
@atag512 Жыл бұрын
Just got me 350 ypvs f2....my kids love the 2 stroke smell.......
@garyk8285 Жыл бұрын
That is a ripper... Right up my alley. Love this sort of stuff.
@henriquejmsantos Жыл бұрын
Wow bringing the big guns. I would like to see some italian ones aswell. Aprilia rs 250/125. Cagiva mito 125. I think those bikes would be a money maker to sell in North America market.
@eddiespagetti8395 Жыл бұрын
Cool bike ken. These things are wicked o-60 and 1/4 mile I'm sure. Beautiful bike. Must be awesome to enjoy all the best motorcycles on earth and have that museum. Thanks for sharing ☺️
@Sleepy_Alligator Жыл бұрын
Unreal! He mentioned KR. Kenny Roberts Sr. and Bob Hannah are hero's from my younger days. Motorcycle gods, and this machine is mind bogglingly cool. My brother had a brand new RD350 back in 75 which to this day is a legend. THE pocket rocket.