Yamaha RX100: Take the name Yamaha RX100, and you’ll witness a spark of nostalgia light up in the eyes of any Indian bike aficionado. It wasn’t just a motorcycle — it was a revolution on two wheels.
Introduced in the mid-80s, the RX100 rapidly developed a cult following and even now, decades after it last emerged from a production line, its howl can still be heard pulsating through city streets and biker memories.
Spartan, quick, loud and unashamedly crude, the RX100 signified freedom for the young of the era.
And with rumors flying about its potential revival, there is no time like the present to take another look at this icon.
Read more A Design That Says a Lot Without Trying Too Hard
In the good old days, the RX100 didn’t flaunt its desirability with flashy graphics or bloated styling. It was minimalist, clean, entirely about function.
A round headlamp, slim fuel tank, flat seat, and twin-pod instrument cluster imparted an air of timelessness.
It wasn’t trying to be a scene stealer — but, ironically, that’s exactly what it was.
Today, even the restored RX100s on the streets get eyeballs rolling, but not for being flashy; they wear their history on their sleeves.
And there is a certain charm to that raw, mechanical simplicity that you just can’t achieve with the high-technology bikes available today.
Performance: A Little Engine With a Lot of Attitude
The RX100 was equipped with a 98cc, air-cooled, 2-stroke engine which could generate close to 11hp.
Now, that may not sound like a lot by today’s over-the-top standards, but it was enough to bury most of its rivals when the car was new.
Officially, the relative light weight of 103 kilos of the bike also made it fly off the mark.
It could accelerate from 0 to 60 kph in less than 7 seconds—a number that startled riders in the 1980s, and still wows vintage bike enthusiasts today.
The snarly exhaust note, the instant response from the throttle and distinct blue smoke trail—excitement, pure and simple, and all you could ever want out of a pocket rocket.
Riding and Handling: Made for the City
The RX100 wasn’t built for long-distance touring or off-road adventures. It was made for the streets. With a small footprint, upright riding position, and tossable handling, it was the ultimate street fighter.
Whether you were darting in and out of traffic or winding around tight corners, the MP2 handled like a dream.
The brakes were rudimentary—drums, front and rear—but they were sufficient for the speeds the bike could attain.
On a more punishing universe, the suspension was to the stiffer side, reporting the road rather than tracing it softly. But, again, that was part of the raw charm of the RX100 — it didn’t coddle you, you felt the road.
The Legacy and Comeback Buzz
The RX100 was disctoninued in 1996, mostly because of more stringent emission laws that rang the death knell for nearly all two-stroke bikes.
But its legacy never really disappeared. And so, from college kids dusting off old models, to the collectors who treat them like golden statues, the RX100 lives on.
And now with Yamaha’s teaser for a would-be RX100 revival for 2020 — most likely in its 4-stroke, BS6-compliant iteration — fans wait with baited breath.
Sure, it’s not gonna capture that same raspy growl or smoky aggression, but if Yamaha can embody even a fraction of that old-school magic, they will have won the golden ticket again.
Pros
Enough giddy-up for your average compact segment
Classic exhaust note and throttle response
Very light and super responsive
Timeless, minimalistic design
Easy to maintain and modify
Cons
Ancient, by today’s standards, brakes and suspension
No e-start, no fuel injection
Not very fuel efficient (due to 2-stroke engine)
Emissions Emissions and pollution issues
Discontinued – Rare Original spares can be difficult to find
Yamaha RX100: Final Thoughts
The Yamaha RX100 was more than a motorcycle — it was a phenomenon. It was an era-defining model that founded biking culture in India and one that still commands respect decades after it was taken out of production.
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of riding one — or even better, owning one — you’ll understand why some legends never die. They’re just waiting to roar again at an opportune time.