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!

[BlackandBlue]

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?