New Yamaha RX 100: Product Description The Yamaha RX100 is one of the kinds, standing above the rest in the Indian motoring history; as it is one bike that remained unchanged for almost two decades, with sales rising as the years rolled by.
After the bike left the market back in the day, many years went on and through the grapevine we can hear that this iconic machine is getting ready for some kind of epic resurrection with updated technology but still, carrying it’s distinctive lineage.
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New Yamaha RX 100: A Cultural Phenomenon
There aren’t many motorcycles in Indian motoring folklore that have reached the cult status of the original Yamaha RX 100.
First, born in 1985, was this worthy (if not exactly complete) sportster with one of the best power-to-weight ratios in its class and a beautiful, noisy exhaust note.
With its swift acceleration and austere look, the motorcycle became an instant classic, elevating itself beyond a simple transportation device and into the cultural stratosphere.
Yet even years after production ended, original RX 100s sell for ridiculous high prices on the second-hand market, with mint examples regularly changing hands for more than four times their sticker price.
This sustained interest and appetite has provided an opportunity for Yamaha to think about bringing the nameplate back.
Modernizing a Classic
It’s fair to say that engineering the all-new RX 100 is no easy task since developing a fundamentally two-stroke idea for two-stroke-unfriendly times isn’t exactly a walk in the park.
Due to modern regulations, the original powerhouse can’t be, it does require a complete mechanial reengineering with the challenge to keep the bikes original character.
According to industry sources, Yamaha is working on a new four-stroke single-cylinder design with the more modern capacities of around 150-160cc for the RX 100.
But for the purists among you that bemoan the lack of the orginal’s two-stroke configuration, this compromise is exactly what was needed – it’s no secret that emissions targets these days preclude two-stroke engines, but at the same time, a at least some semblance of performance is needed to do the RX nomenclature justice.
Advanced engineering principles like Variable Valve Timing and precise fuel injection rejoins with fortified ride modes to better map the character of the original, delivering an experience that deserves its name, while the modern generation ride technology focuses on preserving the classic’s raw appeal through a distinct ride by wire system and minimalist electronic control.
Design Philosophy
RX 100’s new design cues are striking a fine balance between old school nostalgia and modern looks. Early photographs and conceptual images depict a motorcycle that invokes the original bike’s profile with a low, flat seat, tight proportions and bare-minimum operation.
Round headlights, minimalist gauges and neat but flowing bodywork conjure the original RX, but with a few modern touches to bring it up to today’s standards.
Also among the features are the teardrop fuel tank, slim side panels and an instantly recognisable rear end which together try to establish a link with the look of the earlier bike. LED lighting and digital-analog instruments also recognize today’s riders.
Technical Specifications
Although official details are still under wraps, industry analysts expect a combination of light weight and power that’ll provide the vigorous performance that you would expect from anything with the RX label on its bum.
Engine: 150-160cc air/oil-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke.
Power: ~15-17 bhp
Torque: Around 14-15 Nm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Frame type: Steel double cradle frame
Seating: Telescopic front fork, twin rear shock absorbers
Brakes: Disc front, drum/disc rear, single-channel ABS
Weight: We wanted to get closer to the original 140kg weight, to keep that light, nimble feel.
This setup would place the next gen RX 100 as an enthusiast commuter that places the joy of riding over pure practicality, and this was exactly what made the original model so popular.
Market Positioning
The resurrected RX 100 holds an educated position in Yamaha’s current range and indeed in the overall Indian motorcycling hierarchy.
It’s not meant to be just another functional commuter like a Swish or Access going maximizing miles-per-gallon, nor is it expected to be a low-weight high-end torque sportsbike like the fully- faired ones either, informally known as the RX is meant to embody simple biking pleasure with the magical combination of lightweight and just well enough performance.
This placement appeals to older riders who wish to reminisce about the old model and young enthusiasts who want the genuine motorcycle feel without the intimidation levels of larger capacity bikes.
The emotional connection with the RX name gives Yamaha a huge marketing edge that goes beyond feature and specification comparisons.
Challenges and Expectations
The new RX 100 faces one of the toughest tests of any camera before it, to live up to a name like the RX 100. The first motorcycle made a name for itself in a time of fewer rivals and very different customer expectations.
The marketplace is more crowded today, and the consumer base more sophisticated, which poses greater challenges for any comeback attempt.
The loss of the two-stroke’s unmistakeable engine sound – probably the most resounding part of its character – is something else again.
It is rumoured that Yamaha engineers are working hard on the exhaust tuning, and acoustics of the bike to achieve a howling soundtrack that although different in both pitch, volume and characteristics when compared to the original model, still elicits the same emotional responses as it revs through the gears.
New Yamaha RX 100:
That reincarnated motorcycle was the Yamaha RX 100 which is easily the most anticipated motorcycle that the Indian automotive scene has seen for quite some time.
Fused with the same sporty DNA that inspired the first, the all new SR400 pays homage to the past, solidifying its heritage for the future.
With a combination of memorable Yamaha styling and modern technology, the beloved round-light Yamaha design is back!
If it’s successful, this refreshed legend could be more than just a mode of transportation, more than a rarity in the modern motorcycle market, but a machine enjoyed simply for the sake of riding it.
