The legacy of the YAMAHA RX 100

Skip back a little over three decades ago, to May 1985. I try to imagine what the anticipation must have felt like. The Indian biking scene was going to be floored by another gem from Japan, Two years after the release of its bigger brother the Escorts Yamaha RD 350. With a Two-stroke, Parallel twin between your legs churning out 30.5 BHP it enabled brave riders a 0-100 time in under 7 seconds and a top speed close to 170 kilometers per hour. It is safe to say that it definitely put a massive grin on the faces of all its riders although, at the same time a very expensive grin. The RD 350 didn't come cheap and with a mileage of anywhere between 7 and 25 kilometers to the liter, visits to the gas station would have been frequent as well.

India needed a cheaper and more practical option - the RX 100. Sporting a humble 98 cc single cylinder Two-stroke, it was an immediate hit. Right from being a college boy's pocket rocket to an old timer’s reliable steed.

I enjoy riding and just gazing at my '86 RX 100 even today and I wonder what it must have been like to own and see other brand new RX 100's on the deserted streets of the 80's.

The early RX 100's (1985-1987) were 'Knock-down' kits from Japan which were assembled in India. The bike manages a decent 11.5 HP at 7000 RPM and a top whack of 120 kilometers per hour. Torque figures are in the 6.3 ft. lbs. range at 6500 RPM. All this mated to a Four-speed (One down, three up) constant mesh transmission and multi plate clutch gives it goose bump inducing acceleration. The 130mm Drum brakes bring the motorbike travelling at 50 kilometers per hour to a standstill within around 9 meters. Being a sub 100 kilogram motorbike, it is nimble through traffic as well. The bike uses Yamaha’s own Auto Lube system which draws 2-T oil from a tank under the right side shield of the bike.
As far as equipment goes the RX 100 is quite basic but ample for its time. The instrument cluster has indicative lights for the flashers, high beam and neutral gear position. Same story with the switchgear, which provides controls for the headlight, indicators and horn on the left side of the handle bar. The absence of a fuel gauge can be sorely felt although a quick peep into the tank does the trick.

The bike originally came in three colors- Wine red, Sky blue and Silver donned with the iconic gold pin striping on the fuel tank. It also draws attention with generous amounts of chrome on the mudguards, handlebar, grab rail and exhaust. Originally shod with a 2.50 section 18 inch tire at the front and 2.75 section 18 inch at the rear, grip is decent.

With the introduction of the RX 100, Escorts dropped the ‘Rajdoot’ name altogether and just badged it as a Yamaha. A smart marketing move, knowing the love for everything foreign that we Indians had and have even now. Although it didn’t need any marketing for it was an absolute game changer, setting the bar very high in terms of being quick, light, economical and reliable for bikes made even today.

The bikes production lasted till March 1996, when it was it was succeeded by the 132cc RXG with a luke warm response which consisted of minor changes apart from the bigger displacement. The RX 135 followed which did well . Last but not least came the RXZ which was a faired, sportier version equipped with the same 135cc power house as the RX 135.
The era of 2-Strokes has long been over but the sound of an expansion chamber in the distance and the sight of blue exhaust smoke will continue to get our hearts racing forever.

I hope you enjoyed reading about this fantastic little machine, that helped create thousands of petrol heads across the globe.

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