Yamaha RX 100 : Rumour has it that there is a great deal of speculation and excitement brewing in the Indian motorcycling circles with the legendary Yamaha RX 100 name making a come back in style soon.
This 1980s icon is more than the motorcycle, it is an iconic legacy that defined an entire generation of Indian male riders.
New chatter indicates Yamaha might consider reviving this iconic motorcycle and doing so with an all-new engine that would suit modern-day sportbike riders.
The first RX 100 was out in Indian roads in 1985 and soon was the dream of every young rider in the country.
Because of the unusual engine it packed 11 horsepower and easily was faster than many of its competitors.
The machine’s distinctive exhaust note — a loud,sharp bark that could be heard arriving from blocks away — became its calling card.
Riders usually used to make mods to their RX 100s to get more out of this motorcycle and wanted to push the tall revving limits even higher.
What made the RX 100 different wasn’t simply its figures on paper. It’s dry weight was only 98 kg, and you could tell by the way that thing handled.
This feather-weight machine coupled with its hot-rodded engine made for a snappy ride experience.
Anyway a 9.5 litres fuel tank sounds puny by modern standards, but with 70+ kmpl fuel efficiency, the Rx communicated enough range for an average commuter.
The look of the bike was simple and purposeful, with clean lines that have aged very well.
The ban of the RX 100 since 1996 owing to more stringent emission norms, created a vacuum in the Indian motorcycle segment that is believed is still not filled.
RX 100 was more than a mode of transport to the riders; it was an emotional bonding of a sort.
These things were a breath of fresh air; they were the anti-dote to everything else and they gave you a sense of freedom, they gave you a sense of rebellion and the just sheer fun of riding a motorcycle without traction control, without half the buttons we’ve got on modern bikes.
Skip forward to 2024 and the world of the motorcycle looks nothing like as it does today.
Evolving emission regulations, as well as shifting tastes among consumers and technological innovations, have transformed what riders want from their ponies.
The challenge for Yamaha would be to modernize a legend while retaining the essence of what made the RX 100 such a revered motorcycle.
According to rumors, the new RX 100 is expected to be fitted with a four-stroke mill and could be of around 110-125cc capacity.
This, ultimately, would bring the 500 to comply with currently mandated emissions standards and potentially with even more power than the two-stroke engine the original specs.
Industry sources say the new version could be steaming and might even feature a smartphone integration system which has become the norm on many new bikes.
To tease an imagined future RX 100 is to suggest a design that incorporates some retro lines with modern touches.
For Yamaha it would simply be a matter of nostalgia mixed with modern technology, they would just need to deliver a machine that fits the bill for those that remember the original and younger riders that want something different.
The problem is, the light weight that was part and parcel of what RX 100 so much fun hasn’t gone away and now we have to incorporate modern safety tech too.
Market research certainly indicates that there’s a space for a bike like the reborn RX 100.
The small capacity bike space in India is overloaded with rival commuter bikes, but nothing on offer now matches the sheer lust and emotional appeal that the RX 100 induced.
And if priced accessibly – say, in the ₹70,000-80,000 price band - it will appeal to not just middle-aged men seeking a taste of nostalgia but young stallions on the lookout for a budget hooligan.
It is possible that Yamaha could bring the new RX 100 to the upcoming Delhi Auto Expo or keep the launch for an independent event, feel industry observers.
The timing could be strategic, hitting the sweet spot in the market, with demand for motorcycles that have uses beyond the daily commute on the rise.
With the overwhelming popularity of retro-styled bikes around the world, these types of bikes have a look that is very appealing to me and being able to bring that classic styling with all the modern performance and reliability is very exciting and we think the market is ready for something that isn’t just another black plastic stocker.
International brands have made a killing out of the trend and if Yamaha can pull off a usable RX 100 revival, it will be a geerezy experience for the company back home in India.
But Yamaha should not get ahead of itself. The RX 100 has achieved a cult following in Indian motorcycling.
The same has to be said of any sequel which can live up to this tradition and at the same time satisfy contemporary demands.
The company would have to guarantee that the new one rides with the visceral character that made its predecessor so special, but in a modern package that makes sense ecologically and from a practical standpoint for today’s world.
Speculation about a possible RX 100 comeback points towards the enduring influence of the motorcycle on Indian motorcycling.
Incidentally, even if Yamaha does not take this project to completion, the very fact that they are discussion about such a motorcycle, in a way is a sort of homage to the motorcycle many reckon is the best ever entry-level performance motorcycle to go on sale in India.
For the time being, it seems we can just wait, and pray, and hope that the confirmed rumors of this motherfucking bike’s Read more And so the only thing to do is wait and hope the rumors are true, resurrecting this piece of motorcycling history that could light a fire under the Indian riding community all over again.
FAQ Section
Q: When will new Yamaha RX 100 be launched?
A: Yamaha hasn’t officially announced the launch date at this point. However, sources say that it’s likely to emerge at the 2025 Delhi Auto Expo — if, it happens, that is.
Q: What will be the new RX 100 engine displacement?
Q: ”What kind of chassis and motor will be used on the new version?”
Q: Will the newer RX 100 be as capable as the original?
A: Granted the character would be different from the change to four strokes, but it is very possible with today’s technology that we would be seeing the same or better performance numbers, and likely with better reliability and gas mileage.
Q: Whats the RX 100 going to cost?
A: Market expectations is of a price ranging from ₹70,000 to ₹80,000 which will make it competitive in the base segment of the performance market.
Q: Will the next RX 100 be as light as the first?
A: We definitely want to keep the RX 100 lightweight to preserve its identity, but it is likely to get heavier if we have to comply with today’s safety features.
Q: Will it come with modern technology such as fuel injection and LED lights?
A: If it is to happen, the new RX 100 would get features such as fuel injection, LED lights and possibly, digital gauges as well.
Q: What caused the discontinuation of first RX 100?
A : The first generation RX 100 got discontinued in 1996 because of stringent emission norms which the two-stroke engine failed to comply with.
Q: Is Yamaha in the Indian motorcycle market anymore?
A: Yes, Yamaha has its products available in India in the form of MT-15, R15 and Fascino scooter lineup.