For motorcycle fans of a certain age, the Yamaha RD250 is something spoken of with a nostalgic fondness - not just for what it was, but also for what it stood for.
The 250cc two-stroke was one of the fastest motorcycles that you could buy before graduating to a full licence and was extremely popular with younger bikers right up until the government changed the rules around the size of engine you could ride on L-plates, which was revised down to 125cc in 1982.
Prior to that, the RD250 and its rivals from Kawasaki and Suzuki had transformed the global motorbike market, introducing affordable performance and Japanese reliability. RD, incidentally, stands for Race Developed - to a teenage biker of the late 1970s that gave it epic bragging rights.
This RD250 was acquired by its current owner a couple of years ago and it was very much a trip down Memory Lane for him.
He spent a lot of time fettling the bike and bringing it up to the best possible standard. However, he now wants to move on to something with a bigger engine so has decided to let the RD250 move on to a new home.
Prior to his ownership, the Yamaha was owned by an enthusiast who restored it in its original marine white with red details.
He spent over £1,300 in total on bits supplied via Yamparts, which is the best known supplier of classic Yamaha components in the UK.
He also had the engine rebuilt by a respected and well known specialist.
Supplied with the Yamaha are a comprehensive list of all of the many parts bought during its rebuild. There's also a letter from the specialist who rebuilt the two-stroke engine confirming that this was carried out during the bike's major overhaul in 2016.
It comes with a full UK V5 in the name of the vendor, a few other bills and receipts and a brand new MOT valid until August 2022.
This is a great looking bike that is in superb overall condition. It has been properly rebuilt and maintained by both its current owner and the one beforehand and thus is presented in absolutely spotless condition with no noticeable wear, no damage and no significant marks.
The handlebars and saddle are in excellent order, the frame is unmarked and the numbers all match, while the forks are in excellent condition, as are all of the brake components and visible engine parts.
The 250cc engine was given a full rebuild by a respected Yamaha specialist in 2017 and has covered less than 2,000 miles since.
We were able to hear it running and it's a sound that evokes many, many memories – that two stroke ‘phut, phut, phut’ accompanied by the customary cloud of smoke will stir the soul of any motorbike fan who lived through the RD250’s era.
The bike runs well and sounds fantastic, no doubt helped by a pair of performance stainless steel exhausts that were acquired for it – at some notable expense - during its rebuild.
40 years ago, the Yamaha RD250 was an object of desire but also a reasonably accessible one. As such, it's a bike that stirs many memories and is as well-loved today as it was back then.
This example is a really nice one. It has been sympathetically and beautifully revived and has since been owned by enthusiasts who have looked after it in the manner it has deserved.
You will struggle to find another RD250 as good as this, making this a terrific opportunity to acquire one of the most iconic bikes of its era.
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Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
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1979 Yamaha RD250
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