Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Yamaha's RD250 was every 17 year-old's dream bike in the 1970s. But Kawasaki had an answer - the triple cylinder KH250. How do the two stack up in the latest of our 3Phils motorcycle shootouts?
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Subscribe for more classic bike history: youtube.com/@3Phils
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3Phils Beard Balm: Grab a pocket-sized tin here: etsy.com/uk/listing/1856690170/sandalwood-scented-beard-balm-handmade?sr_prefetch=1&pf_from=shop_home&ref=shop_home_active_3&logging_key=08357274ecafbf6dba49d988f524754db4162d39%3A1856690170
Let's Connect:
What was in your school bike shed back in the day? Let us know in the comments!
Credits and links:
Yamaha RD250. First run of spring. Pioneer run P1 - dave xs
youtube.com/watch?v=I3OgPwIlSbs&t=26s
Kawasaki kh250 higgspeeds - Mike Woodward
youtube.com/watch?v=G5QjHzwHD0w
KAWASAKI KH 250 FOR SALE Eddys Moto - Kieran Clarke
youtube.com/watch?v=wWHIyRV7Jro
Kawasaki KH250 Triple - Motorcycles Unlimited
youtube.com/watch?v=KNHjY110fUQ&t=140s
Aircooled RD Club Rally 2022 - Derek Freegard
youtube.com/watch?v=yyqtdHlUknc&t=37s
★ 1977 KAWASAKI KH 250 REVIEW ★ TWO STROKE HEAVEN - Mark Pulling
youtube.com/watch?v=z3QwBBkZGu0
Chapters:
0:00 - The schoolyard king vs the triple-cylinder challenger
1:00 - Memories of RD250s and the "exotic" Kawasaki triple
1:52 - Shootout methodology: Crunching the numbers
2:41 - Category 1: Number of years produced
3:10 - Category 2: Top speed comparison
3:30 - Category 3: Horsepower battle
3:51 - Category 4: Dry weight showdown
4:12 - Category 5: Original launch price
4:39 - Category 6: The "Wobbly Factor" (Subjective wow factor)
5:27 - Longevity check: How many are left on UK roads?
6:12 - Final Round: Current auction prices
7:18 - The final score: Which 250cc stroker wins?
Correction: 06:07 Wobbly Logic! As many have pointed out, 600 x 0 is indeed 0, not 600. I just couldn't leave the poor old KH with a final score of zero!
#YamahaRD250 #KawasakiKH250 #TwoStroke #ClassicMotorcycle #MotorcycleComparison #RD250vsKH250 #YamahaRD #KawasakiKH #KH250Triple #TripleCylinder #AirCooled #Stroker #YamahaClassic #KawasakiClassic #ClassicBikes #RetroMotorcycles #TwoStrokeTriple #70sBikes #VintageMotorcycles #3Phils
Yamaha's RD250 was every 17 year-old's dream bike in the 1970s. But Kawasaki had an answer - the triple cylinder KH250. How do the two stack up in the latest of our 3Phils motorcycle shootouts?
Support 3Phils:
Subscribe for more classic bike history: youtube.com/@3Phils
Join our Channel Membership: youtube.com/channel/UCZwqIv_kZu7FoKb_wqePPdw/join
Super Thanks: If you enjoyed the video, look for the 'Thanks' button under the player!
Send me a tip via Buy Me A Coffee:
buymeacoffee.com/3Phils
3Phils Beard Balm: Grab a pocket-sized tin here: etsy.com/uk/listing/1856690170/sandalwood-scented-beard-balm-handmade?sr_prefetch=1&pf_from=shop_home&ref=shop_home_active_3&logging_key=08357274ecafbf6dba49d988f524754db4162d39%3A1856690170
Let's Connect:
What was in your school bike shed back in the day? Let us know in the comments!
Credits and links:
Yamaha RD250. First run of spring. Pioneer run P1 - dave xs
youtube.com/watch?v=I3OgPwIlSbs&t=26s
Kawasaki kh250 higgspeeds - Mike Woodward
youtube.com/watch?v=G5QjHzwHD0w
KAWASAKI KH 250 FOR SALE Eddys Moto - Kieran Clarke
youtube.com/watch?v=wWHIyRV7Jro
Kawasaki KH250 Triple - Motorcycles Unlimited
youtube.com/watch?v=KNHjY110fUQ&t=140s
Aircooled RD Club Rally 2022 - Derek Freegard
youtube.com/watch?v=yyqtdHlUknc&t=37s
★ 1977 KAWASAKI KH 250 REVIEW ★ TWO STROKE HEAVEN - Mark Pulling
youtube.com/watch?v=z3QwBBkZGu0
Chapters:
0:00 - The schoolyard king vs the triple-cylinder challenger
1:00 - Memories of RD250s and the "exotic" Kawasaki triple
1:52 - Shootout methodology: Crunching the numbers
2:41 - Category 1: Number of years produced
3:10 - Category 2: Top speed comparison
3:30 - Category 3: Horsepower battle
3:51 - Category 4: Dry weight showdown
4:12 - Category 5: Original launch price
4:39 - Category 6: The "Wobbly Factor" (Subjective wow factor)
5:27 - Longevity check: How many are left on UK roads?
6:12 - Final Round: Current auction prices
7:18 - The final score: Which 250cc stroker wins?
Correction: 06:07 Wobbly Logic! As many have pointed out, 600 x 0 is indeed 0, not 600. I just couldn't leave the poor old KH with a final score of zero!
#YamahaRD250 #KawasakiKH250 #TwoStroke #ClassicMotorcycle #MotorcycleComparison #RD250vsKH250 #YamahaRD #KawasakiKH #KH250Triple #TripleCylinder #AirCooled #Stroker #YamahaClassic #KawasakiClassic #ClassicBikes #RetroMotorcycles #TwoStrokeTriple #70sBikes #VintageMotorcycles #3Phils
