The RZ was the final evolution of the popular and well-known series of RD Yamaha motorcycles, and as such is also known as the RD350LC II or RD350 YPVS.

It is powered by a twin-carburetted reed valve inducted, liquid-cooled, 347cc parallel-twin two-stroke engine, with a bore and stroke of 64mm x 54mm.

A different version of this motor with no YPVS was also used in the Yamaha Banshee 350 ATV, which was produced for some markets until 2012.

1983/4 - F1 model with a bikini fairing attached to the forks, separate side and tail panels, offset fuel filler and semi-italic wheels.

1992-1995 - RD350R model (made in Brazil) with FZR600 style twin light top fairing and various detail differences.

The interchangeability of many of the major engine components with the Yamaha Banshee ATV has allowed strong aftermarket support for the RZ350.

In Australia, England, Canada, and the USA the Yamaha RD series (RD60, RD125, RD200, RD250, RD350, RD400) from which the later RZ/RD were descended, were first released in the 1970s as air-cooled two-strokes.

In 1980 the bikes had a redesign using ideas Yamaha gained from two-stroke Grand Prix and production race experiences.

The LC is the link between the earlier air-cooled RDs, and the later power valve (YPVS) equipped RZ series.

The name changed to RZ (in Australia at least), with the introduction of the variable exhaust valve design in 1983 on the 'K' model.