Yamaha RD 250 LC (4L1) 247cc

Owned a rd250lc for nearly four years. Had it stan stephens stripped and rebuilt, twin cibie full race fairing put on it and a solo race seat. RD stands for Rodney D ickhead because that is what most of us turned into when we rode these! Mental power band that left a silly grin on my face many times over and often car drivers would pull over in sheer fright at the sound of an RD overtaking them at full throttle. Remember taking the perfect line into a roundabout once with me mate as pillion on the back, opening throttle out of the roundabout and watching the front wheel gracefully lift skywards as I powered off into the sunset. Magical, mental and mayhem all in one.

I HAD ONE IN FOR 2 YEARS THEY WERE GREAT LITTLE BIKES . I WOULD HAVE ANOTHER TOMORROW. IF I COULD

I owned one of the first Yamaha RD250LC imported into the country in 1980, paid a deposit to secure my bike in January1980 Bike arrived at Barrie Cooper motorcycles july 1980 took ownership right away on a V reg. Was hooked right away,These little bikes could out accelerate the big 650's & the handling compaired to other bikes in its era was fantastic..Look at the design it really was ahead of it's time...I now own a fully restored 84 version (the last year of production) Totally original matching frame engine numbers(very important to the collectors) Looks better than new, just like it's come out of the box..Still a joy to ride & believe me whenever i take it out the admiration i get is unbelievable...The only thing not original is the exhaust (i have the originals) i have fitted Gibson All Speeds the sound is awesome & the chrome finish looks great..I also own a TZR2502MA & a Suzuki RGV250 VJ21 Both unmolested & original..

The LC i paid 1,700.00 for 2yrs ago finished off the cosmetics about £500.00

This LC is now prob worth £3,750.00 & the value is increasing..The 350LC in mint condition fetches near £5,000.00...Take my advice if looking for a restored LC make sure the Engine/Frame numbers match, there are plenty of bored up 250's now 350's steer clear of them...It seems the world has gone LC Crazy, but then i am not suprised for those of us who are old enough to remember them first time around know inside there really has not been a bike built that has ever matched the LC's looks.Yes it was a icon in the 80's & is still a true classic icon today..Long live the LC or as we call them the Elsie

Rode two years with it, gave it to a friend after (he pushed to 55000 kms with no problems, impressive).

First you have to change the handlebar for a racing one, otherwise the machine won't stay in its tracks. In the same spirit, do your tire-mating scrupulously (I had good luck with Metzeler back then).

Of course nothing comes close to such a machine nowadays, the liquid two stroke twin compares more to a rocket than a bike. Calm up to 5000 rpm, then choking up to 6000 rpm, then blast well into the redzone. I could never accustom to this, a race machine, legal.

But not too fast, you get the mood but not the insane speed modern bikes achieve with much less attitude.

I could kickstarting per hand, unbelievable. My next bike, an xt550, was such a nightmare in this department...

So, what I hear now is that the rd250lc is still reliable, and parts are still available. So if you can find one, just get it and you won't die ignorant.

The lower motor is common with the rd350lc, so it doesn't break, it's that simple.

On motorway I easily could cruise at 150 kmph, with 30 more at hand...

power is out of this world for a 250cc bike i have had in my time 16 motor bikes in 45 years big bikes all sorts i rate this one of the best one thing i do find a little problem is to not forget to raise foot rest on side of kick start great bike mine for keeps

The Yamaha RD 250 LC is streets ahead of its time

I owned an RD from new in 1984. Sold it in 1986. Since then I have owned many other [larger bikes]. Nothing has quite felt the same. I miss the noise, the lightness, the power valve; I even miss that distinctive 2-stroke aroma that used to linger on my clothes and hair!

I ride a 08" fz1-n. [1000cc] but if I could find a mint 250lc, 1984-on, I would buy that and probably use that more!

I owned a Yamaha RD250 from new and actually cried when I sold it... One day i will own a LC again!

very fast, good price relationship,a legend 2 stroke

The original hooligan machine, this is now a great icon of the early 80's and a very sought after Japanese Classic, once bitten by the powerband bug you will always crave this. Both this and the 350 version (4L0) have shed-loads of charisma and character and enough power to mix it with the big boys. Keeping the front down in the first 2 gears is the real challenge, powerband is much more prevelant on the early LC's compared to its later YPVS brethren which although more powerful, had the powerband "diluted" somewhat.

Many many parts are still available brand new, although the choice of aftermarket "add-ons" isnt as high as it used to be.

This bike and its bigger brother are responsible for putting huge smiles on the majority of now 40 +/- year olds all over the world and has been nominated for being bike of the century, well deserved.

If looked after properly this bike will give you decades of reliable and plentiful fun , if you park one of these at a bike show the crowd will gather round it rather than the other displays guaranteed.