Yamaha RX 100: The Yamaha RX 100 is more than just a bike, it’s a nostalgia trip you never want to get off.
First introduced back in the mid-eighties, the RX 100 took the market by storm as quite easily the lightest motorcycle available at that time, a buzzy two stroke mill and nigh-on bulletproof durability.
Product rendered ideal even from decades of its production release the RX 100 still has that cult following amongst fans, restorers and collectors.
Now, with the possibility of Yamaha re-introducing the RX 100 in new clothes, the anticipation is palpable among men of the two wheeled machine.
With a four-stroke powerplant or simply reincarnated as naked retro city slicker, RX 100 will resurrect the unadulterated-feeling and visceral biking that enthusiasts somehow yearn for till date.
Timeless Design That’s Elegant and Classic
The RX 100 looked unpretentious but slick. The round headlamp, teardrop fuel tank, flat seat, and slender form, made the bike look nimble and lean.
The chrome fenders and spoke wheels gave it special appearance with RX 100 badge on the side panels.
And if Yamaha decides to keep that classic look with the new model, it should appeal to both the nostalgic set and a good many riders new to the nostalgia scene.
The straightforward, no-nonsense bodywork is likely to make a return, and could be combined with a digital-analog instrument cluster that mixes old school themes with modern technology.
Engine – Then and Now
The first RX 100 was powered by a 98cc single-cylinder, two-stroke motor delivering around 11 bhp (a meagre number but then the bike had an ultra-light frame to help it with brisk pick up; 11 bhp was more than enough).
The peppy response and crisp throttle and sound of the loud exhaust of the 2-stroke motor transformed the RX 100 into a thoroughbred street racer’s darling from the 1980s to 1990s!
In today’s day and age, there isn’t a place for a 100% clean two-stroke engine anymore, it can never meet current emission standards – think BS6/Euro 5.
So, hopefully we will get an Rx 100 with a four-stroke engine. Although it is unlikely to be as aggressive as the original, Yamaha could put a 125cc or even a 150cc engine that’s been tuned for quick low-end torque and nimble performance in the city, just so as to keep the enthusiasm alive.
On-road Performance and Comfort
The RX 100 was light in handling, and hence was eminently suitable for city riding as well as for enthusiastic riding through city traffic or exciting bends and corners.
Thanks to those slim tyres, that upright seating and its well-balanced frame, it could be thrown around in tight situations with impressive levels of control and rider confidence.
A contemporary RX 100 would probably retain this tamed behavior, with telescopic front forks and twin rear shock absorbers giving a balanced ride.
Whichever way you’re using it – commuting, leisure riding, or weekend fun – it’s going to be a simple, responsive, fun ride, because that’s what we enjoy when we’re designing bikes – and it’s what we’ve missed on all those quicker, tougher, more tech-laden bikes we’ve been trialling.
Features and Practicality
The RX 100 had no fancy features when it first came out — no digital meters, no electric starter and even no disc brakes.
But it was that which made it pure and mechanical. What Yamaha might include in the new version:
Electric start
Front disc brake
Semi-digital cluster
LED headlight (optional)
Improved seat cushioning
These changes will bring the RX 100 closer to its roots, and will make it more usable on daily basis.
Don’t count on fancy electronics or ride modes — this bike seems most likely to be about raw feel, not tech overload.
Pros of Yamaha RX 100 (Expected)
Innovative design, the epitome of style on the road
On your feet and in your face coverage without compromising on safety and ease of use.
Punchy motor aimed at getting playful low down
Sentiment factor and popular value (nostalgic)
Simple mechanicals is easy to service and fix
Honda City 2025 – All new model launch with more premium features
Yamaha RX 100 (Expected) Cons
May not have the same modernocks as performance-oriented bindings
Fuel economy can be relatively moderate depending on engine tuning
Absence of ABS and advanced safety tech in base trims
Four-stroke engine doesn’t exactly have the same appeal as the original
Old-school cool may not be good enough for young buyers who crave tech
Yamaha RX 100: Final Verdict
The Yamaha RX 100, whatever the revival or a reinterpretation, is rearing to excite bikers across India.
It’s no longer the noisy, smoke-spewing rocket it once was, but it could be a soulful, stylish and fun-to-ride motorcycle for today’s roads. If Yamaha finds the sweet spot —honoring tradition, while making it relevant for the times — the RX 100 can be a legend all over again.