Page 22 - Shining On Winter 2022

across France and back, touring if not quickly then
at least quite happily. So I was extremely unhappy
when mine was nicked, from right under my
bedroom window in broad daylight, just outside
the halls of residence.

Luckily my insurers didn’t quibble, so, with fond
memories of the various little Yamahas I’d owned
or borrowed, I bought a cute little RS200, a
two-stroke twin with a single carb and reed valve.
Several issues ago I told you about my YD200, a
really fiery little twin-carb bike with a tendency to
foul plugs in town but go like a rocket when revved
hard. This was the opposite - less power, and not

so rev-happy, but it ran cleanly and beautifully in
stop-start London traffic and had a lot of mid-range
torque and flexibility for a little motor, ideal. It also
had the same sweet gearbox and easy handling.
This is a library pic - mine was actually a lighter
powder blue, and although it was a bit “girly” (can I
still say that?) it proved to be a great little bike.

Sadly it died when someone swapping lanes
without looking sideswiped me. You can be as
careful as you like (and I was) but that sort of thing
can still happen, especially in manic London.
Luckily an off duty copper saw it happen and
stopped so I had a first class witness! This accident

took a bit longer to recover from
though, during which I couldn’t ride,
then twin babies came along and
put paid to buying even a rat bike
on a student grant, so I finished my
college days using the
soul-destroying Underground.
Although I do agree the stylised
map is a masterpiece!
Next issue we move on to 1988, my
first job after graduating, my first
proper salary in 7 years, and a
welcome return to bigger bikes…

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