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3411
HRD
250 YH - 1989
A cocktail of Chianti and sake
Headquartered near Bergamo, Italy's center of enduro activity1 HRD (no connection with the classic British marque) is a small manufacturer of enduro machines, one of many such in Italy.
Twin Sister with a New Heart
These handsome machines are among the rare European models to benefit directly from a Japanese power unit under the terms of a contract. Actually, an HRD enduro bike is a Kram-It (the "elder sister marque" managed by the same industrialist, Maurizio Radici) with the Austrian Rotax engine replaced by a Yamaha WR unit (enduro version of the motocross YZ). It's an operation worthy of the Italian "combinazioni" endorsed by the Japanese; what is truly exceptional is that HRD is authorized to rework Yamaha engines shipped directly from the Hamamatsu factory to the tiny Italian company.
Successful joint Venture
That explains why the Japanese did not advertize the result of this hybridization. The engine, excellent in the beginning, has become even better adapted to the particular demands of enduro events (power curve, torque, progressive pickup) and the chassis that houses it is a model of quality, particularly with regard to an extremely fine achievement, namely irreproachable handling. This Italo-Japanese "joint venture" has succeeded remarkably well.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 246cc (68x68mm) water-cooled
Yamaha single-cylinder
Power Rating: 53.8 hp @ 8000 rpm
Valves: two-stroke; automatic intake valves in the crankcase; valve on the exhaust
Fuel System: carburetor
Transmission: 5-speed, chain final drive
Suspension: White Power reversed telescopic forks (front); Ohlins monodamper and "Mono K" cranks (rear); travel front/rear 11.8 inch/13.6 inch
Brakes: disc (front & rear)
Wheels: 21 inch (front); 18 inch (rear)
Weight: 205 lb
Ridden by Paolo Fellagara, a 250 HRD won its class in the 1989 ISDE international enduro event.