Yamaha RD250

Yamaha RD250

RD250 1976
Manufacturer	Yamaha Motor Company
Also called	Yamaha RZ250
Production	1973–1987
Predecessor	Yamaha DS7
Successor	Yamaha TZR250
Class	standard
Engine	247 cc (15.1 cu in), two-stroke
Bore / stroke	54 mm × 54 mm (2.1 in × 2.1 in)
Compression ratio	6.7:1
Related	Yamaha RD350, Yamaha RD350LC, Yamaha RZ350

The Yamaha RD250 is a 250 cc (15 cu in) two-stroke motorcycle produced by Yamaha Motor Corporation between 1973 and 1987.

Four generations of RD (also known as the RZ250 in the Japanese and Australian markets) were produced: the air-cooled models from 1973 up to 1979, and from 1980 until 1987 the liquid cooled models; known as the RD250LC, RD250LC-II and RD250 YPVS. The name RD stood for Race Developed.

The standard bike weighed 152 kg dry and had a 247cc 2-stroke twin engine that produced 30 hp. It had a 6 speed gearbox, but on the first version 6th was disabled, but could be reinstated by removing a blanking plate on the gear selector drum. The motorcycle had chain final drive.

In 1983 the UK government reduced the maximum cc for learners to 125, killing off the 250 cc motorcycle class in a stroke. At the time, it was considered that the reason for the sudden change in the law was the RD250 which put a high-speed vehicle into the hands of inexperienced users.