Yamaha RX100 launch will kickstart the craze for retro performance machines in India
Yamaha is all set to launch the legendary RX100 in India and it’s official! The classic roadster will make its grand re-entry into the country in about 4 years from now and the good news is that it won’t just be a mere commuter like the now-discontinued Saluto RX110.
In an interview, Yamaha Motor India chairman Eishin Chihana has revealed that the iconic bike will make its reincarnation in a new avatar and will live up to the reputation and performance of the yesteryear machine.
But, the chairman said that the launch will happen only post 2026 as the company is quite busy right now with its EV transition. The delay is also due to the development of a new engine as the old 2-stroke can’t be made BS-6 compliant.
“We have a plan, but we should not use RX100 name so easily. It will ruin the image. RX100 cannot be a quick plan or a decision. It should be an impactful package with a powerful engine and design,” Chihana added.
While speculations are rife online that the upcoming RX100 would be a rebadged XSR 155, we believe the otherwise. From the words of Chihana, it’s very clear that the upcoming RX would be an altogether new bike with a new engine.
But, the brand needs to work on bringing out the character of the old bike at least to a certain extent. The RX100 is known for its unique exhaust note and Yamaha might need to spend a considerable amount of time and money to bring about an exhaust note that’s as good.
The RX100 has a cult following in the country and commands a price tag in the used market that’s far more costlier than what Yamaha charged when the bike was on sale in the country many years ago.
It’s also the perfect weapon for extreme tuners who have even bored out the humble engine to extract more than double the number of its horses.
On sale between 1985 and 1996, the RX100 competed with the likes of the Suzuki AX100, Kawasaki KB100, and the Honda CD100. The Yamaha was the fastest of all in the 100 cc class then.
Though TVS studied the need for performance machines in the country and came up with the more powerful Shogun in 1993, it was too late and the RX had already become a cult with the company also rolling out the more powerful 135 cc version a little later.