Yamaha is planning to expand its retro motorcycle range with the launch of the XSR300. Based on the MT-03, this bike is rumoured to be a spiritual successor to the iconic RD350.
Based on reports and inside information, a Japanese media house has even prepared a rendering of how the bike might look. The styling cues draw inspiration from both the original RD350 as well as the current XSR range of modern classics. The bike is shown donning the blue/white livery which beautifully contrasts with the blacked-out frame, engine, wheels and the exhaust.
It will be built around the same diamond chassis as the MT-03, which encloses a 321cc parallel-twin powerplant. Delivering 40.5bhp and 29.6Nm of torque, this engine is mated to a six-speed transmission. We can expect the motorcycle to debut at the 2017 ECIMA Show in Italy as a 2018 model. There are no reports about the XSR300 being India-bound. However with the kind of cult following the Yamaha RD350 enjoys even today, we are sure the Indian enthusiasts would love to get their hands on the XSR300, especially if it carried the RD name.
