So
I bought a Yamaha RD200! What made me do that, I hear you ask!
Having
only been riding for just under seven years, I learnt to ride on a
YBR125 which, I have to say, was a really easy bike to learn on and I
did enjoy riding it but I wasn’t sure if that was because I was
finally learning to ride a motorbike, something which I had wanted to
do for a long time or whether it was the bike, probably a combination
of both.
My
first ‘big bike’ was a Honda Hornet 600 and now I have a Z900 and
a CB1000R, so I have only ever ridden ‘modern’ bikes.

So
I test rode the RD200. My immediate thought was ‘Where are the
brakes???’ The RD has a drum brake on the rear and a old style single disc on the front. From my experience of driving
classic cars with drum brakes, I know that normally you have to give
a week’s notice if you want to stop! It is surprising though how
quickly you adjust your riding style and anticipate when you would
appreciate coming to a stop!
It
is a completely different riding experience, I felt as though I was
sitting on the bike rather than in it like on my Z and the noise and
smell of the two stroke are just amazing.
Before setting off I was told about ‘finding’ the powerband at about 6,000 rpm when the speed kicks in. Whoa, they weren’t kidding. It was huge fun to ride and an absolute pleasure and I had a huge grin on my face.
Before setting off I was told about ‘finding’ the powerband at about 6,000 rpm when the speed kicks in. Whoa, they weren’t kidding. It was huge fun to ride and an absolute pleasure and I had a huge grin on my face.
By
the time I got back from my test ride, I knew I was going to buy it
and I couldn’t wait to get it home.
The
mechanical side of the RD has pretty much been done by the previous
owner – the engine, gearbox, front forks and rear shocks have been
sorted so really all it needs is tlc so for me, as someone who has
very limited mechanical knowledge, it is absolutely perfect as a
first bike to learn how to maintain.

My
first ‘job’ when I got the bike was polishing. I have to tell you
I really think I know how to polish a bike now and I don’t really
feel the need to do that part again! It definitely is much easier
when someone else polishes your bike for you.
When
I got the bike the brake lever was bent so I went on eBay and managed
to source an ‘old stock’ Yamaha replacement and when it arrived I
fitted it myself.
I am so chuffed that I was able
to do do the job myself and having never done anything like that
before, to me was an achievement, albeit a small achievement.


I then sprayed some primer on and then sprayed
it all in silver and then refitted it to the bike and put the number
plate back on.


Now
to decide what my next job is ….. I’ll keep you posted…..
BK
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