Back in the 1980s, when motorcycles were raw and unfiltered, the Yamaha Rajdoot 350 burst onto the scene like a rebel with a cause. It wasn’t just a bike—it was India’s first taste of superbike power, a two-stroke screamer that turned heads, broke speed limits, and became folklore for a generation of riders who craved that visceral thrill. Built by Escorts under license from Yamaha, this 350cc parallel twin was the RD350’s Indian cousin, detuned for our dusty roads but still packing enough punch to make you feel invincible. Discontinued in 1989 after about 50,000 units, it’s now a collector’s dream, fetching anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 depending on condition. If you’re chasing nostalgia or a project bike that roars like thunder, the Rajdoot 350 is the one that still whispers secrets of speed.
A Design Born for the Streets
Picture this: a sleek, angular frame that’s all business, with a teardrop tank, clip-on bars, and twin chrome exhausts peeking out like mischievous grins. At 80 inches long and tipping the scales at just 340 pounds, it was light enough to flick through corners but stable for straight-line blasts. The 5.3-inch ground clearance let it tackle India’s pothole-riddled paths, while 18-inch alloys wrapped in skinny tires (3.00-18 front, 3.50-18 rear) gave it that classic roadster grip. Colors like Candy Red or Jet Black made it pop, and the solo seat (with optional pillion) sat low at 30 inches, inviting anyone to hop on and feel the vibe. It wasn’t pretty in a modern way—it was raw, purposeful, like a machine built to outrun the horizon.
No Frills, All Thrills: The Ride
Twist the throttle, and that 347cc two-stroke parallel twin comes alive with a banshee wail—38 bhp at 7,500 rpm in the early HT (High Torque) version, dropping to 31 bhp in the later LT for better low-end grunt. Paired with a slick 6-speed gearbox, it hit 100 km/h in under 10 seconds and topped out around 170 km/h, making it the fastest thing on Indian roads back then. The 2.4-gallon tank stretched 150-200 miles on a fill-up, sipping about 35 km/l if you kept it under 80 km/h. Suspension was basic—telescopic forks up front, twin shocks rear—but it soaked up bumps with surprising poise. Brakes? Twin leading shoe drums front and rear—adequate for the era, but today’s riders swear by aftermarket discs. It vibrated like a jackhammer at full chat, but that was part of the charm—the raw, unfiltered rush of a two-stroke symphony.
Safety in the Raw Era
By today’s standards, it was bare-bones: no ABS, no traction control, just mechanical drum brakes and a steel tubular frame that held together through thick and thin. The low center of gravity helped in corners, and the upright riding position kept you alert. No airbags or fancy electronics, but it taught a generation how to ride with respect for physics. Modern owners add LED lights and upgraded brakes to keep it safe for today’s roads.
Fuel and the Long Haul
With a 2.4-gallon tank, you’d stop every 150 miles or so, but at 35 km/l, it was thrifty for the power. Two-stroke oil mixing was a ritual—1:20 ratio for break-in, 1:40 after—but it ran clean enough for the time. Today, ethanol blends can be finicky, so purists stick to premium fuel.
Connectivity? What’s That?
This was the ’80s—no Bluetooth, no apps, just a simple analog speedo and tach. Riders connected through the roar and the wind. Modern resto-mods add digital clusters or GPS holders, but the original’s purity is part of its soul.
Price and Where to Find One
Used Rajdoot 350s go for $2,000 for a runner-up project to $10,000 for a pristine resto. Parts are scarce but available through enthusiast groups—expect $300-500/year in upkeep. Hunt on classic bike forums or auctions; they’re rare, but the hunt’s half the fun.
What Riders Say
Owners call it “the bike that started it all”—that addictive two-stroke scream, the way it pulls like a rubber band snapping. It’s not for the faint-hearted; maintenance is a labor of love, and it’s thirsty for oil. But once you’re hooked, nothing else feels quite the same.
How It Stacks Up
Against the Bullet 350? More revs, less torque. Vs the Yamaha RX100? Bigger, badder, but thirstier. It’s the OG superbike for India—raw, rare, and revered.
Wrapping It Up
The Yamaha Rajdoot 350 isn’t just a bike; it’s a time machine to when riding was pure adrenaline and every twist of the wrist felt like freedom. If you’re chasing that rush, find one, revive it, and let it sing. Just don’t blame me when you start collecting two-stroke tales.
