Yamaha RX100. Everyone in India knows this legend. The legend that needs no introduction. This bike was at a time, everyone’s dream bike (even today), and even today it is respected by bike enthusiasts in India. But why? What makes it so special? Why is it such a legend? Let me explain.
Now, let me set the picture for you. If you are a young college kid today, assume that you are the cool rich kid. You like to ride fast and you also love to impress girls. Obviously, any young squid like you (no offense) would go for a KTM. But, if we rewind to the 90s, then the bike to have for blistering performance, light weight and amazing soundtrack and looks to impress everyone and look cool, was the Yamaha RX100. The RX100 was launched in 1985 and continued till 1996. This bike was a huge success and created a cult following the moment it was launched in India. No 100cc bike in India had so much power and torque that this bike had. It had a 98 cc two-stroke engine producing a blistering (for the time and even today if you compare with other 100 cc bikes) 11 horsepower and 10.39 Nm of torque. This bike was so light as well, just 98 kg dry! This bike was so good at performance that not only did people go fast on it, but it was also modified and used for racing! People modify it even today, for looks and performance both. If you look up the Internet then you will see many creative examples, just like the modified Hayabusas that you see on the Internet. The two-stroke engine had a unique soundtrack, which added to the amazing experience of riding this bike! People refuse to sell it or give it away even today! Also sometimes, the selling price is too high! Honestly, even today, people desire this bike over superbikes, and you are extremely lucky if you have it! If you have an old Yamaha in your garage, then don’t just give it away to anyone! Who knows, it might just be your father or grandfather’s RX100! Or even better, an RD350(I will make a blog post on this as well)!
The sad thing was that because of stricter emission norms, the RX100 and other 2-stroke motorcycles were discontinued. But, the legend is still alive. People still love it, modify it and ride it even in stock form. The surprising thing is that even after 35 years of its launch, the bike still holds strong today!
