Yamaha RX 100 : The Yamaha RX 100, that legendary two-stroke pocket rocket from India’s biking golden era, is stirring massive excitement with strong hints of a 2026 revival.
Fans have clamored for years to resurrect this 98cc screamer, known for its raspy exhaust note and unbeatable street cred, and recent buzz suggests Yamaha might just deliver a modernized version blending nostalgia with today’s tech.
Roots of a Cult Phenomenon
Launched in the early 1980s, the RX 100 quickly became the king of 100cc bikes, thanks to its air-cooled two-stroke engine churning out around 11 PS at 7,500 rpm and snappy low-end torque from reed valve induction.
Weighing just 104 kg, it zipped to 55-60 kmph with razor-sharp handling, leaving four-strokes like the Bajaj Chetak or Hero Ranger in the dust during wheelie contests and city slaloms.
Production wrapped in 1997 due to emission crackdowns, but its legacy endures—vintage units fetch ₹1.5-3 lakh on the used market, modded with fancy exhausts to recapture that addictive “thump-thump” blue smoke.
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Revival Sparks Fly in 2025
Social media and auto forums lit up this year with leaks and spy shots of a retro-styled commuter testing in Chennai, fueling speculation of a late 2026 launch timed for festive sales.
Yamaha India’s executives dodged direct questions at the 2025 Auto Expo but teased “heritage models” under their “Call of the Blue” campaign, nodding to RX branding without committing to the exact displacement.
YouTube channels pumped out “confirmed launch” videos claiming BS6 Phase 3 compliance via fuel injection and catalytic converters, pricing it at ₹1.2-1.5 lakh to rival the TVS Raider 125 and Bajaj Freedom 125.
Two-Stroke Dream Meets Reality Check
Pure two-strokes are off the table thanks to RDE norms and global green pushes, so the reboot likely swaps to a 110-125cc four-stroke, air/oil-cooled mill targeting 10-12 PS and 11 Nm for that familiar surge.
Expect a 5-speed gearbox, electric start, and self-cancelling indicators, hitting 48-52 kmpl while nodding to the original’s 45 kmpl thirst.
Purists grumble about losing the smoker vibe, but tunable ECU mapping and a freer-flowing exhaust could mimic the rasp—think Honda Shine 125 levels of pep with RX agility on a 115-120 kg frame sporting 17-inch alloys and tubeless tires.
Design Honors the Classic Silhouette
Envision the iconic rounded tank, chrome fenders, upright handlebar, and kick-lever homage reborn in vibrant Candy Emerald Green, Torch Red, or Midnight Black, but tricked out with slim LED headlamp, negative LCD speedo, and USB-C charging port.
Knobby 2.75-18 tires promise light off-road fun, while a 10-liter tank stretches range to 450 km for those long hauls echoing ’90s pillion adventures.
Single disc upfront with petal rear and optional single-channel ABS caters to safety-conscious riders, keeping the minimalist ethos intact—no bloatware dashboards here.
Pricing, Rivals, and Market Play
Slated at ₹1.25 lakh ex-showroom (on-road ₹1.4-1.6 lakh in metros), it undercuts the Yamaha FZ-S Fi V4 while outshining commuters like the Honda SP 125 or Suzuki Gixxer SF 125 in charisma.
Direct foes include the Bajaj Pulsar N125 and Hero Xtreme 125R, but the RX badge could command premium resale like the Yezdi Roadster.
Yamaha eyes 8,000-12,000 monthly units from millennials and Gen X reliving glory days, bolstered by CBU imports of JDM-inspired variants if demand spikes.
Hurdles and Hype Machine
Stringent emissions force hybridization or EFI tweaks, hiking costs 15-20% over basic commuters, while Yamaha’s EV pivot (like the upcoming YEZDI e-scooter) diverts focus.
Yet, online petitions crossed 50k signatures, and dealer whispers confirm prototype bookings—rivaling the RX 135’s underground cult status.
Fake news plagues the chatter, with debunked “electric RX” claims, but patent filings for retro chassis seal the deal.
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Yamaha RX 100 Why It Could Rewrite History
This isn’t just a relaunch; it’s a cultural reset for India’s 100-125cc segment, where practicality reigns but souls crave thrill.
Paired with Bluetooth nav, side-stand engine cut-off, and 3-year warranty, the new RX 100 could snag 5% market share, spawning variants like a scrambler or cafe racer.
As 2026 nears, garages polish oldies in anticipation—the two-stroke spirit evolves, but the fire burns eternal.