Yamaha RX 100

The Yamaha RX100 is an absolute legend. It was possibly the first motorcycle which made performance accessible to the masses and turned motorcycles into an emotion from just being basic commuters. Sold in India for 11 years from 1985 to 1996, the bike remained the go-to motorcycle for young and enthusiast buyers. While the simple yet timeless design was among its key highlights, the soul of the motorcycle was in its 98cc 2-stroke engine which was a powerhouse. The performance was quite exciting for its time,  and the iconic exhaust note won hearts across the country; in fact, a well-maintained RX 100 riding by is still a joy for many enthusiasts. 

So naturally when reports started to surface about the name making a comeback, a lot of eyebrows were raised. The purists were worried whereas the fans rejoiced. It is certain that even if the rumors are true, the bike cannot return with a two-stroke engine as today’s emission norms just won't allow it. And the essence and performance of the two-stroke cannot be recreated by a four-stroke even with twice its capacity. So even if the motorcycle moniker came back to life, the motorcycle it sits on will, at the most, have a retro design to stay true to the RX100, but it will not have the soul of the older motorcycle. 

This concern was further shared by Eishin Chihana, Chairman, Yamaha Motor India. Speaking on the project, he mentioned that the bike cannot have the same performance even with a four-stroke 200cc motorcycle. And that is why we feel that the rumored 225cc engine in the new motorcycle might not make sense. However, if you further increase the engine capacity - the weight follows. The RX100 was a very lightweight motorcycle and that aspect, if changed in the new upcoming RX, will spoil the party. 

Keeping the purist in us aside, let's discuss possibilities. The upcoming RX100 could have a 155-200cc 4-stroke engine which will ensure that the power-to-weight ratio remains good. It will likely come with modern day features like  ABS, a digital instrument cluster, smartphone connectivity, and possibly, ride modes. The design will surely be retro with a sleek fuel tank and a single-piece seat. And we hope that Yamaha retains halogen lamps, though LED headlamps look more likely at this point. 

While a lot of us are waiting for the comeback of the RX100, the reality is quite different from what we would like. Even if there’s a remote possibility of its launch, it could still be 3 or 4 years away.

📝Redditors’ Opinions on Yamaha RX100

The Yamaha RX100 is cherished as a nostalgic icon with its fun 2-stroke performance, lightweight thrill, and quirky charm. However, it is not the most practical choice today—best suited for collectors and enthusiasts rather than daily riders. While many praise its uniqueness, others find it overhyped, underpowered, and inconvenient compared to modern motorcycles.

✅ 4 Positive Opinions:

• Kinda still wanna buy one just for the sheer fun this bike offers. Says – psychopac3

• If she is genuinely into biking and likes this bike in particular then this is a really sweet gift. Its honestly very endearing. But she needs to appreciate the motorcycle itslef for it to be fun. 2 strokes are extremely fun but they are very quirky as well so as long as you get along with those quirks. Says –– DrNefarious82

• I saw rx100 just other day. It looked amazing. Says – mutantcivil

• The power delivery is very fun on a 2 stroke, it weighs close to nothing and has 15 something ps with peaky power delivery.. Says —Inevitable-Net-3085

⚖️2 Mixed Opinions:

• This is now a collectors bike. I wouldn’t recommend it for a beginner or someone looking for a daily driver. It’s a bike that is best suited for multi bike garages. It’s like fine malt… needs to be savoured." Says – camerapilot

• Bro if you like riding it and are willing to do the required maintenance and deal with the ownership hassles you will be fine. friend has one - it gives him some extra headache compared to if he would have bought another bike, but he is reasonably happy with it. the ownership experience is not for everyone. just be aware of the risks" Says– Unable_Panda1984

❌ 3 Negative Opinions:

• Well I always wanted a RX100 in my youth but could never afford it. I’ve ridden and owned big bikes upto 650cc now and have a good 350 cc bike. I recently had a chance to ride a RX100. It was puny and not at all satisfying. It’s more nostalgia driving this craze. You’ll be better off buying a rtr310 or smaller will be better performance and far better in terms of experience"
  Says – jaganm

• It was my dream bike too, but now even the sound of that bike irritates me. Not a fan of 2 strokes anymore" Says – UnderstandingRich239

• Please some one tell me why many people love rx100 i just dont get it sometimes the smoke and sound it makes is totally annoying af. Says– Did_you_expect_name

📊Summary Table