The Yamaha R5 350cc twin punched way above its weight class and was one of the best bangs for the buck of any bike in the 70s. Though Honda had moved into the world of 4-strokes, Yamaha was making great strides in two-stroke technology. Unlike the Suzuki Titan, Yamaha was looking to get every last drop of power from their small displacement two-stroker – leading to a bike that had 36 hp and was capable of hitting 91 mph.
Being a ’71, this is the R5B – with the standard Mandarin Orange/White color scheme. Many confuse the R5 with the better-known RD350, though there are some slight differences: the R5 is piston ported, not reed valved. The R5 has a five speed transmission to the RD’s six, and the R5 has a drum front brake which frankly isn’t very good. Make sure to give it time to cool in between hard stops! Either way, these little 350s were giant-killers. Want to learn more? Check out Motorcycle Classic’s review on the R5 Twin.
This specific Yamaha R5 has 21,131 miles and looks great in the provided photos. It’s claimed to run well, and it’s been updated with the seat and tank from a RD350. The oil injector pump has been fully rebuilt, and it has brand new fuel lines and filters. Not a bad deal.
Find this Yamaha R5 for sale here on Craigslist in West Palm Beach, Florida for $2,400.
This bike-uriousity brought to you by Jim R!