In the colorful history of Indian motorcycling, few bikes have captured hearts and imaginations like the Rajdoot 350. This two-stroke marvel, affectionately known as “RD” by enthusiasts, wasn’t just a motorcycle—it was a revolution on two wheels that changed India’s relationship with motorcycling forever.
When the Rajdoot 350 roared onto Indian streets in 1983, it arrived in a market dominated by practical, fuel-efficient commuters. Based on the Yamaha RD350, this beast was manufactured under license by Escorts and brought something entirely new to Indian riders—pure, unbridled performance.
The heart of this machine was its 347cc air-cooled, two-stroke engine. While modest by today’s standards, its performance was nothing short of revolutionary for 1980s India. The Rajdoot came in two variants: the High Torque (HT) model produced around 30.5 horsepower, while the later Low Torque (LT) version was slightly detuned for better fuel efficiency.
What made the Rajdoot 350 truly special was how it connected with riders. The experience began with its distinctive sound—a sharp bark at idle that transformed into a deep, intoxicating growl as revs climbed. The motorcycle’s power delivery was equally dramatic. Docile at low speeds, it unleashed a surge of power when the tachometer needle swept past the midpoint, catching unprepared riders off guard.
This raw, unfiltered connection earned the bike its notorious nickname: “Rapid Death.” It could sprint from 0 to 60 km/h in under four seconds and reach speeds over 150 km/h—figures that were mind-blowing in an era when most Indian motorcycles struggled to break 100 km/h.
Despite its relatively short production run from 1983 to 1989 and limited sales (only around 7,000 units), the Rajdoot 350’s cultural impact far outweighed its commercial success. It introduced countless Indians to the concept of performance motorcycling and became the cornerstone of India’s motorcycle enthusiast culture.
The bike’s biggest challenge was its thirsty nature. In a market where fuel economy was paramount, the Rajdoot’s 20-25 km/liter consumption (for the HT variant) made it impractical for everyday use compared to competitors offering double that efficiency.
Today, finding an original, unmodified Rajdoot 350 is increasingly difficult. Well-preserved examples can fetch prices exceeding ₹3-4 lakh—many times their original cost. Most surviving bikes have either been meticulously restored or transformed into custom “Race RDs.”
The Rajdoot 350’s DNA lives on in subsequent generations of performance motorcycles in India. Yamaha later introduced smaller two-strokes like the iconic RX100, which built upon the foundation established by the pioneering RD.
More than just a motorcycle, the Rajdoot 350 represented a fundamental shift in Indian motorcycling—from viewing bikes as mere transportation to embracing them as sources of joy, excitement, and passion. For the lucky few who experienced it during its golden age, it opened a window to a new relationship with motorcycling based on emotion rather than utility.