RZ350 vs. 500 Interceptor

• Larry Lawrence

This was always a good matchup in mid-1980s club racing. David Harman (No. 528 Yamaha RZ350) leads Ben Beasley (No. 371 Honda VF500 Interceptor) at the 1985 WERA Grand National Final in what is probably the C Production final. The Yamaha RZ350 and the Honda VF500 Interceptor seemed to be fairly evenly matched if I recall. The little Interceptor was a great handling bike and might have been able to pull a little harder out of the turns, while the RZ likely had the higher speed advantage. If you raced either one of these bikes leave a comment with your perspective comparing the two.

David Harman (No. 528) leads Ben Beasley (No. 371) at the 1985 WERA Grand National Final in what is probably the C Production final. The Yamaha RZ350 and the Honda VF500 Interceptor seemed to be fairly evenly matched bikes during this era. (Larry Lawrence photo)

David Harman (No. 528) leads Ben Beasley (No. 371) at the 1985 WERA Grand National Final in what is probably the C Production final. The Yamaha RZ350 and the Honda VF500 Interceptor seemed to be fairly evenly matched bikes during this era. (Larry Lawrence photo)

4 thoughts on “RZ350 vs. 500 Interceptor”

  1. Very good assesment. I raced both, very evenly matched.. The little ceptor was a great bike. I was at that GNF.#211 nov. Riding 600 Ninja

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  2. I started racing an RZ at Summit Point in the fall of 1988. 1989 was my first full year as a novice and my main competitor at the time rode a VF500. The season started off with him beating me all the time but as the season went on and I honed the little skill I had, it got to the point where I was beating him and winning most of my races. The last race of the 1989 season was the Race Of Champions at Daytona, we were both gridded close to the front and ready to let it all hang out. He was maybe a little too eager and crashed in turn one on the first lap. I ended up spending most of the race fighting for first place against an equally fast RZ350 but nipped him at the line for a win and an automatic bump to expert class. I still own a street and a race RZ350 to this day.

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    1. Thanks for that Dean. Great story to add to the RZ350 vs VF500 history. Do you think the RZ would have the advantage at Daytona because of how much time you spend at top speed?

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