Yamaha RX-100

The Yamaha RX100 is the most amazingly powerful bike. The bike has a 98cc two-stroke single cylinder aircooled. It was M/s Escorts Limited's model for close to 12 years between 1985 and 1996. The only changes in its 11 year production history were the pinstriping and an upgrade to a 12 volt electrical system.

History: Escorts Limited partnered with Yamaha Motor Corporation in 1983 to launch the Rajdoot 350 giving Yamaha a license to produce the Yamaha RD350B which is another dream bike (Please check updates of the RD350B in later posts). Taking a page out of TVS-Suzuki's book, Escorts soon realized that sales success lay in smaller displacement bikes that are more economically priced and cheaper to run. Thus the company launched the YAMAHA RX100 in late 1985 (Workshop Manual is dated May 1985).

Colors: The bike was originally available in cherry-Red, Flamboyant-Blue(Peacock blue-green) Black and Silver. Two other colors (Wine red and Metallic blue) were introduced later, but the bikes other features stayed the way it was for its 11 year history.

The first lot bikes (1985-1987) were CKDs and were simply assembled in India. The gearbox covering just above the gear shift lever had the words "MADE IN JAPAN" embossed on it & the engines were 110CC & weren't 98CC. Incidentally, the speedometer casing in the early bikes had the lettering "RAJDOOT" on them as did the speedometer dial. These older meters were manufactured by Yenkay. As opposed to later ones made by Pricol which had ESCORTS and later YAMAHA casings and dials. Few parts like the two-stroke oil pump cover which is circular, had "Rajdoot" embossed instead of the expected YAMAHA or ESCORTS. This gives the idea that maybe, Escorts wanted to launch the bike as the "Rajdoot 100" in the same league with the Rajdoot 350. The only major change that the bike underwent was that it was upgraded from a 6V electrical system to a 12V system. Apart from that, the pinstriping was changed two times. So there are three different decal types in all.

Performance specifications are as follows (per owner's manual and workshop manual): Acceleration: 0–60 km/h in 5 seconds, Top speed: 115 km/hr, Chamber: 120Km/hr, stock+keninfilter: 120Km/hr.

The gear ratios and torque curve are such that a well tuned bike with rider and pillion can do as low as 10 km/h in 4th gear without engine knocking.

Yamaha history

History Timeline (USA)

Year  Yamaha Motor Origin 1955 The first Yamaha motorized product was the YA-1 Motorcycle (125cc, 2-stroke, single cylinder, streetbike). It was produced and sold in Japan.  Year  USA History 1958 The first Yamaha Motorcycles sold in the USA were by Cooper Motors, an independent distributor. The models were the YD1 (250cc, 2-stroke, twin cylinder, streetbike) and MF-1 (50cc, 2-stroke, single cylinder, streetbike, step-through). 1960 Yamaha International Corporation began selling motorcycles in the USA. 1968 The DT-1 Enduro was introduced. The world's first dual purpose motorcycle which had on & off-road capability. Its impact on Motorcycling in the USA was enormous. Yamaha's first Snowmobile, the SL350 (2-stroke, twin cylinder) was introduced. This was the first Snowmobile with slide valve carburetors. 1970 Yamaha’s first 4-stroke motorcycle model, the XS-1 (650cc vertical twin) was introduced. 1971 The SR433 high performance Snowmobile was introduced. 1973 Yamaha continued expansion into new markets by introducing Generators (ET1200). 1975 Yamaha pioneered the very first single-shock, production motocross bikes. This was the beginning of the YZ Monocross machines that changed motocross forever. 1976 The legendary SRX440 snowmobile hits the market and quickly catapults Yamaha to the forefront of the snowmobile racing scene. 1977 Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, was founded in order to better appeal to the American market and establish a separate identity (from music & electronics) for Yamaha motorized products. 1978 The XS1100 motorcycle (four cylinder, shaft drive) was introduced. XS650 Special was introduced. This was the first production Cruiser built by a Japanese manufacturer. Golf Cars were introduced in the USA with the G1 gas model. 1979 YICS (Yamaha Induction Control System), a fuel-saving engine system, was developed for 4-stroke engines. 1980 The new Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, corporate office was opened in Cypress, California. The first 3-wheel ATV was sold in USA… the Tri-Moto (YT125). The G1-E electric powered Golf Car model was introduced. 1981 The first air-cooled, V-twin cruiser, the Virago 750, was introduced. 1984 The first production 5-valve per cylinder engine was introduced on the FZ750 motorcycle. Yamaha’s first 4-wheel ATV, the YFM200, was introduced in the USA. The Phazer snowmobile was introduced. Known for its light weight and agile handling. Yamaha begins marketing Outboard Motors in the USA. 1985 The V-Max 1200 musclebike hits the streets. 1986 Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America was founded in Newnan, Georgia. 1987 A new exhaust system for 4-stroke engines, “EXUP,” was developed to provide higher horsepower output throughout an engine's powerband. Yamaha introduces personal watercraft...the sit-down WaveRunner and the stand-up WaveJammer. Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Company begins Golf Car and Water Vehicle production for USA and overseas markets. 1992 The Vmax-4 Snowmobile (2-stroke, four cylinder) was introduced. 1994 Yamaha expands its product offerings by acquiring the Cobia boat company. 1995 The Century and Skeeter boat companies are acquired by Yamaha. 1996 Yamaha introduces its first Star model with the 1300cc, V4 Royal Star. Tennessee Watercraft produces Sport Boats and later, the SUV WaveRunner. 1997 Yamaha acquires the G3 boat company. At the Newnan, Georgia, manufacturing facility, the first ATV (the BearTracker) rolls off the assembly line. Yamaha opens southeastern offices in Kennesaw, Georgia. 1998 The YZ400F four-stroke motocross bike was introduced. This was the first mass produced 4-stroke motocrosser. The YZF-R1 sport bike was introduced. It set the standard for open class sport bikes for several years. The Grizzly 600 4x4 ATV with Ultramatic transmission was introduced. The EF2800i generator with Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) was introduced. PMW allows use with equipment that requires stable frequency and voltage. 2000 The Buckmaster® Edition Big Bear 400 4x4 was introduced. This was the first ATV with camouflage bodywork. 2002 The F225 Outboard was introduced. It was the largest 4-stroke Outboard at the time. The FX140 WaveRunner (1000cc, 4-stroke, four cylinder) was introduced. The world's first high performance 4-stroke personal watercraft. 2003 The RX-1 Snowmbile (1000cc, 4-stroke, four cylinder) was introduced. The world's first high performance 4-stroke Snowmobile.     2004 Rhino Side x Side model introduced. Combined performance, terrainability, utility capabilities, and take-along-a-friend convenience to lead the way in a new category of off-road recreation.