Yamaha RX100 : The whisper of a two-stroke engine was the sound of a generation. For many in India, the Yamaha RX100 wasn’t just a motorcycle; it was an emotion, a symbol of freedom and performance that dominated the roads of the 80s and 90s. Now, after years of anticipation, Yamaha has officially brought the icon back to life. This isn’t a simple reissue, but a thoughtful reincarnation, designed to capture the soul of the original while embracing the demands of the modern rider. It promises the thrill of the past, but with the efficiency, safety, and reliability of today.
A Timeless Silhouette, Gently Modernized
The new RX100 looks, at first blush, to be a loving homage to its forebear. The classic profile that made the bike famous has been carefully preserved by the design team. The iconic teardrop-shaped fuel tank, minimal bodywork and overall stance is unmistakably VMAX. Peer more closely, though, and there are subtle modern enhancements. All of the lighting is now LED, so it contributes to a cleaner and more contemporary look with improved visibility, while a modern-looking digital instrument cluster replaces the old analogue dials. Premium, metallic paint and exclusive tank graphics only complete the impressive elements that lots of riders will respect and appreciate about this bike’s lineage. Even the legendary two-stroke’s traditional exhaust note lives on in the heart of the new power plant, which has been carefully tuned to provide practically the same acoustic presence that kick-started my own love for riding.
A Refined Heart for a New Era
The most significant evolution comes beneath the fuel tank. Powering the new RX100 is a 125cc, fuel-injected four-stroke, single-cylinder engine that meets the latest BS6 emission standards. And the two-stroke 98cc unit of old has been swapped out for this new, worthy motor: one churning out a powerful 11.5 bhp. Teamed to a 5-speed transmission, it delivers power more smoothly, more refined than the peaky old engine. Despite the addition of the tech, Yamaha kept the weight extremely low at only 112 kg (kerb). That fantastic power-to-weight gives the new RX100 all of the spirited acceleration that made its predecessor legendary, but now with dramatically reduced service schedules and superior day-in-day-out dependability.
Thoughtful Technology for Everyday Riding
Realising that riders today want more, Yamaha has updated the RX100 to include essential modern bits without compromising its minimalist personality. This clear display includes a gear position indicator. Smartphone connectivity is yet another convenience feature which facilitates call and message alerts. Safety is prioritised with single-channel ABS, while the new lightweight alloy wheels with tubeless tires provide increased puncture protection and better handling. These are not mere appendages either; they are chosen to deliver a practical, safe commuter of a motorcycle that doesn’t water down its ‘naked’, rider focus too.
A Piece of Motorcycling History Within Reach
Yamaha has claimed that the new RX100 is a dream which everyone will one day own. Having an anticipated ex-showroom price that will hover around the ₹1.10 lakh mark, it’s poised right between entry-level commuter motorcycles and pricier retro motorcycles. This is pricing that doesn’t just open the legend up to a whole wave of new riders — something highlighted by what we can only call an emotional, practical trip down memory lane for anyone lucky enough to own one of the original DXs back in 1983. Yamaha hasn’t even ruled out retro painted limited editions to further mark the bike’s lineage, so there’ll be plenty for RX100 lovers to smile about in years to come. It’s doing more thanbringing a deceased model back to life — it’s bridging the generation gap, celebrating a shape from the past that has been reborn andreadied for tomorrow’s road ways.