Two RZ500

[teamvisegrip_imp]

My buddy has a 1984 RZ500. It sat unused in his garage for 10 plus years. He wanted me to get it running again. At the time I thought no problem... Stupid me. It ended up being a job between jobs as I did all the required maintenance. It took me the better part of a year due to my career as a sailor.

The end result was amazing. I held the bike for a few test runs. One of which I had to push it home. The Black Box would heat up and fail. Found a replacement and went for a number of what I said were shake-down rides. Yeah... I held on to it just to get as many rides as I could from it.

The bike was set for track use but still street legal. It had aftermarket chambers, jetted for them and tuned suspension for the track.

Now my impression of the ride... it was a bit cramped but that was to be expected. What I did not expect was how quite the engine was even with the performance pipes. I was very surprised at the sounds. The exhaust note was amazing but the engine noise was well, hard to hear anything. The ride was so much fun. great power and great acceleration once it got moving. The initial start was a bit sluggish without some throttle. Was it the possible mods to the trans I have no idea. All I can say was it was hard to give the bike back to the original owner.

[E11even_Hunnit]

in 1979 i bought new RD 400 Daytona Special rode it on cross country trips, then in 1985 bought new RZ 350, the red/white/blue with the gold wheels. loved those bikes. rode year round in Longmont, Colorado where i commuted on them and rode through the Colorado Rockies year after year. Never did ride the V4 500 model but remember them being a thing back then.

If you could buy one today, which one would you go with and why?

I'm very drawn to the RD400, but gotta admit don't know much about it's successor and how it compares

[GoldOxide_imp]

in 1979 i bought new RD 400 Daytona Special rode it on cross country trips, then in 1985 bought new RZ 350, the red/white/blue with the gold wheels. loved those bikes. rode year round in Longmont, Colorado where i commuted on them and rode through the Colorado Rockies year after year. Never did ride the V4 500 model but remember them being a thing back then.

If you could buy one today, which one would you go with and why?

I'm very drawn to the RD400, but gotta admit don't know much about it's successor and how it compares

I knew a guy who had both (RD350 and RZ350), and the RZ was the clear winner. However, the RD has the classic look appeal.

[GoldOxide_imp]

its funny.. the daytonas were the WORST of the RD400s but everybody wants em cause they are pretty. worst brakes, emissions on them (stock) and hollow pin in the crank which makes them much weaker. (and they do break when you put real HP through them). But stockish really nice bikes overall. the previous 400's and the later euro models are really good for playing around on.

RZs are a bunch of fun. I owned one for about 7 years, actually got bored with it. but def a really good bike overall. Prices have gotten way stupid but id def recommend one. All day reliable and comfortable.

Yeah, I did have to rebuild the RD400 mill from the crankshaft up. But after that, it ran real well.

[Vic_imp]

"If you could buy one today, which one would you go with and why?"

The Daytona Special had better footpeg mounting bracket design than the prior model RD400s. It also had self-canceling turn signals and a neat orange glow to the lighting of the instrument gauges. I remember the RZ 350 feeling so much more refined, even though less CCs displacement I don't remember thinking it had less power. Those 2 bikes were awesome and together provided a decade of riding adventure. I wouldn't buy one of them now because of how much things have changed. I do think it would be cool if someone would re-introduce 2 stroke engine for a modern street bike but realistically the electric motor will probably provide that whoosh of power in the future that we remember from the past.

[peterbaron]

Regardless of what was said, I missed them all!

[Vic_imp]

deals gap 1st week of may. be there see them all (and actually being ridden). Consider that an invite.

[GoldOxide_imp]

I recall in their mid-80's prime the RZ500 listing in the showroom for $4999.99 Cdn. It was a "big deal" bike back then, but yeah, only saw a few around.