For bike enthusiasts in India, few other names can trigger the amount of emotion and nostalgia as the Yamaha RX 100. This legendary wonderful bike was famous for its ultra-sudden accelaration, roaring 2-stroke engine sound, and pure speed on the street on the 80’s and 90’s.
It wasn’t just a two-wheeler; it was an emblem of raw power, style and rebellion. And now after almost three decades, Yamaha has successfully reincarnated the RX 100, which has got the whole automotive world Talking.
This new RX 100 isn’t merely a reboot. It is a meticulous and complete transformation that never loses sight of the original soul of the bike and enriches it with the best tech available today.
With a threatening 2-stroke style exhaust note and 6-speed transmission, the Bike is back with a bang with mileage of 100 kmpl. Let’s delve deeper into the matter and find out why this comeback is probably the most exciting thing to have happened in the Indian biking scene.
Legendary Design, Modernized and Enhanced
In terms of look, the new RX 100 remains true to its ancestors. It retains the iconic long fuel tank, round headlamp and flat seat, although everything on it now appears tighter, leaner and more sophisticated. Yamaha has striven to lend this model a retro look that doesn’t come off as old.
The bike now also comes with all-LED setup for the headlamp, turn indicators and the tail lamp. The fuel tank still has that clean appeal with those daring ‘RX 100’ stickers instantly reminding you of the good ol’ days.
Yamaha has also introduced contemporary colors like matte red, metallic black, and vintage blue. That swathe of chrome and matt parts definitely help ramp up the visual drama as well as contributing to that retro-modern premium feel.
Engine with the Heart of a Legend
The most buzz about the new RX 100 is its engine configuration. Yamaha wished to replicate the character of the original 2-stroke mill without breaking any of today’s stringent emission laws. So they made an all-new engine that sounds sharp and jumps exactly like the 2-stroke in action, and yet it is BS7 emission norms friendly too.
This bike is powered by a single-cylinder 125cc air-cooled engine with fuel injection but features a unique exhaust tuning and power mapping that mimics that punchy 2-stroke feel. Listening to that exhaust note roar it’s one of its best attributes; loud, aggressive, and it sounds like an honest to goodness RX!
Its motor churns out a power output of nearly 15 PS while peak torque is about 13 Nm more than what one would ever need to burn city rubber or throttle on the highways. It might not be a 2-stroke in the strictest sense of the word, but it’s close enough to make old-schoolers and newly converted Gen-Zers giddy with excitement.
6-Speed Gearbox for Smooth Power Delivery
Among the numerous pleasant and unexpected improvements that come with the redesign is a six-speed transmission. The first RX 100 had only 4 gears, and while that was sufficient when it launched, present-day roads want smoother, more efficient performance.
The 6-speed transmission would provide for faster pick-up in the new RX 100, lower engine stress at higher speeds and improved mileage. The gear changes are easy and slick and the engine pulls cleanly throughout the rev range. Riding on chaotic city streets or on the highway, the RX 100 feels a lot more sorted than ever.
Mileage That Will Shock Everyone
The most controversial aspect of this launch is the alleged fuel efficiency. Yamaha claims the new RX 100 can return nearly 100 KMPL on best driving conditions, and considering that also promises some performance, it is absolutely mind numbing.
And real-world mileage should still be in the 80 to 90 KMPL band depending on how you ride it – but hey, that’s not bad at all for a bike that sounds and fells like a sporty machine.
So the RX 100 treats you to not just a good ride, but a sensible option for your daily commute. The great mileage is the biggest plus for Indian buyers, especially considering the rapidly increasing cost of fuel.
Old Charm with New Tech Features
That would be Yamaha artfully blending old school charm with contemporary technology. The new RX 100 gets a digital meter console which includes basic details like speed, RPM, fuel level, trip meter, and gear position.
And it’s also Bluetooth connected through the Yamaha mobile app that alerts you when you receive an incoming call, lets you know when you need to charge the battery, and it will even help you remember where you last parked your YDX-Moro.
Stand-out intakes has been added to the list along with USB charging port, side-stand engine cut-off and dual horn. The switches are now illuminated and the handlebar set up is inspired by café racers the rider sitting forward in the cockpit, upright and commanding.
Ride Quality and Comfort
The new RX 100 is not aggressive and high-seated as most of today’s sports bikes which are uncomfortable to scoot around in the city on a daily basis. The seat is long and plain, allowing for the rider and pillion to have sufficient space. It has a comfortable sitting up riding position which is gentle on the back and shoulders.
Up front, Yamaha has employed telescopic forks, while dual shock absorbers are at the rear. This arrangement is so perfect for Indian conditions where there are potholes and speed breakers all around. The 17-inch wheels coupled with tubeless tyres and a high ground clearance makes the RX 100 ride roughshod on bad roads without a second thought.
Brakes and Safety
The new RX 100 gets disc brakes on both ends for safety along with single-channel ABS. Braking is precise with the bike remaining in control under hard braking, even when stopping in a hurry.
It has a weight of about 118 kg, providing lightness for the beginners and good stability under high speed. It is ideal for the city’s small traffic and narrow roads due to its small size and short turning radius.
Price and Variants
Yamaha has re-launched the iconic RX 100 with a price tag of ₹1.35 lakh at a dealer’s meet in Chennai, the pricing has been set competitively in the Indian market, given the pricing and demand factor. The version with a more accessories and Bluetooth feature is priced at about ₹1.45 lakh.
Its equipped in three version Standard, Smart & Race Edition with particular design & feature difference. That gives buyers the opportunity to snap up what catches their eye most.
Conclusion
New Yamaha RX 100 is not merely a motorcycle launch, but resurrection of an icon. Yamaha’s purposely kept one of the most loved bikes in history, in the same spirit what made it to be so in the first place.
From the booming 2-stroke-like exhaust note, aggressive 6-speed gear ratios and the stonking 100 KMPL mileage to its retro-modern appeal the RX 100 is all that an enthusiast was expecting and much more.
Whether you are one of those who rode RX 100 in your youth or one of the younger generation who wish to have something unique and thrilling, the bike has something for everyone. It mixes emotion, practicality and performance into a package that is nearly impossible to resist.