All About The Legendary Yamaha RX 100 Motorcycle

The Yamaha RX 100 holds a special place in the hearts of bike enthusiasts not just in India but across the globe. The first RX 100 was introduced in 1985. It was a two-stroke iconic motorcycle that quickly became popular for its exceptional performance, sleek design, and vintage look.

However, in 1996, due to strict emissions rules, the Indian government halted the production of two-stroke bikes and with that, the production of this classic beauty also stopped. 

Today, if you want to purchase this vintage bike, you either have to restore an older version by getting this bike on an online marketplace or you need to wait for its relaunch which is likely to take place in 2025 or 2026. 

In this article, let us have a look at the history and legacy of Yamaha RX 100. 

History of Yamaha RX 100

What was the idea behind the launch of RX 100? Well, the tale is that in the early 1980s, Yamaha Motor Corporation partnered with AI Escorts Limited to introduce the Rajdoot 350. It was a licensed version of the Yamaha RD350B. 

To counter this, another big player in the Indian two-wheeler market, IND-SUZUKI, which is now known as TVS Motor Company, partnered with Suzuki to launch the 8.25 bhp IND-SUZUKI AX100 in 1984. This was a big shift in the market with smaller displacement bikes. 

Yamaha and AI Escorts recognized this potential in the market for smaller displacement, economically priced bikes and with that the company launched the Yamaha RX100 in late 1985. The first batch of assembling was done between 1985 to 1986 in India from completely knocked-down kits (CKDs). The gearbox had the “Made in Japan” inscription.

The initial few models had Rajdoot lettering on the speedometer casing and dial, manufactured by Yenkay. However, the later Yamaha RX 100 versions featured casings and dials by Pricol with the Escorts and Yamaha branding. 

There is also an assumption that AI Escorts Limited originally wanted to name the bike Rajdoot 100 as a few components like a 2-stroke oil pump cover had the “Rajdoot” imprint. 

Over the years during its run, the Yamaha RX 100 underwent minimal alterations which included a transition from a 6V to a 12V electrical system. Later the company also introduced three more colours which were Wine Red, Silver, and Metallic Blue.

Despite its popularity, production of the Yamaha RX 100 was stopped in 1996 as the Government of India introduced stringent emission norms and required the industry to shift towards four-stroke engines from two-stroke engines. This was the end of the era for the Yamaha RX 100.

While history doesn’t repeat itself, it does rhyme and soon we will see a brand new avatar of this classic vintage beauty on roads with new features and a BS6-compliant engine. 

Key Features of  Yamaha RX 100

The Yamaha RX 100 was designed as a lightweight, powerful, and stylish motorcycle. It had a 98cc, single-cylinder, two-stroke engine. The bike gained popularity due to its impressive power-to-weight ratio and handling. 

The Yamaha RX 100 had several features that set it apart from its peers and contributed to its lasting legacy:

Engine

The Yamaha RX100 had a single-cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled engine with a displacement of 97 cm3. It generated a horsepower of 11/8500 KW(hp)/RPM and a torque of 7/7000 lb-ft/RPM OR 9/7000 Nm/RPM, using a carburettor fuel system.

Gearbox

In terms of transmission, the Yamaha RX100 had a 5-speed gearbox and a wet multi-plate clutch, with a final drive provided by a chain. The chassis was constructed with a frame featuring telescopic forks for the front suspension and dual shocks for the rear suspension. Both the front and rear brakes were drum brakes.

Dimensions

Yamaha RX100’s dimensions included a length of 76.6 inches, an overall width of 28.7 inches, a seat height of 30.5 inches, a wheelbase of 48.8 inches, and a weight of 100 kg. 

Fuel Capacity

It had a fuel capacity of 9.8 L.

Tyres

The Yamaha RX100 had front and rear tyres sized at 2.75-18 and 3.00-18, respectively.

The overall specs can be summarised as:

• Engine Type: Single-cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled
• Displacement: 98 cc
• Horsepower: 11/8500 KW(hp)/RPM
• Torque: 7/7000 lb-ft/RPM OR 9/7000 Nm/RPM
• Fuel System: Carburetor

• Gearbox: 5-Speed

• Front Suspension: Telescopic forks
• Rear Suspension: Dual shocks
• Front and Rear Brake: Drum
• Rear Brake: Drum
• Overall Length: 76.6 in
• Overall Width: 28.7 in
• Seat Height: 30.5 in 
• Wheelbase: 48.8 in 
• Weight: 100 kg
• Fuel Capacity: 9.8 L

The Yamaha RX 100’s legacy extends beyond its technical specifications. Even decades after its discontinuation, the RX 100 still captivates the imagination of biking enthusiasts and collectors. 

How to Buy a Yamaha RX 100?

As we mentioned earlier, if you want a brand new Yamaha RX 100, you need to wait for its relaunch which is likely to happen in 2025 or 2026. However, you can get this vintage bike in restored condition or can restore it by purchasing it on an online used two-wheeler market like OLX. 

You can find Yamaha RX 100 from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 75,000 on OLX based on the budget, condition and model. OLX looks after your purchase end-to-end so you can rest assured and enjoy the legacy of Yamaha RX 100.

Conclusion

The Yamaha RX 100 was truly a classic bike that dipped elegance and smoothness on roads. While the bike’s production ended in the last century, you can get this bike for restoration or collection purposes on OLX. OLX has multiple listings of this rare and vintage beauty that can help you live your dream of riding your dream RX 100.