“This isn’t just another motorcycle launch for us,” said Eishin Chihana, Chairman of Yamaha Motor India, gesturing toward the gleaming machine.

“This is about reclaiming a piece of Yamaha’s heritage in India and challenging the current retro motorcycle segment with something authentic to our brand DNA.”

After spending three hours examining the motorcycle and interviewing key personnel involved in its development, I can confirm what rumors have suggested for months: Yamaha is indeed bringing back the RX nameplate for 2025, and this time, it’s squarely aimed at dethroning Royal Enfield’s dominance in the retro motorcycle market.

2025 Yamaha RX 100 Honoring Heritage While Embracing the Future

The original RX 100, launched in 1985, achieved cult status thanks to its lightweight chassis, peppy two-stroke engine, and accessibility to a generation of young riders.

When emission regulations eventually killed the two-stroke engine, a piece of motorcycling culture went with it. The reborn RX 100 faces the considerable challenge of evoking that heritage while meeting modern expectations and regulations.

“We didn’t want to create a slavish reproduction of the original,” explained Hideki Fujiwara, Yamaha’s Head of Product Planning for Emerging Markets.

“That would be disingenuous. Instead, we asked ourselves what the RX would have evolved into if it had remained in continuous production for all these decades.”

The result is a motorcycle that captures the essence of the original while being thoroughly modern in execution. The classic teardrop fuel tank, slim profile, and single-piece seat all echo the RX heritage, but the details have been refined with contemporary sensibilities. The round LED headlamp incorporates a distinctive light signature, while the taillight design subtly references the original’s rectangular unit.

The instrument cluster blends analog and digital elements brilliantly – a classic circular speedometer is paired with a small but information-dense LCD screen showing essential data including fuel level, gear position, trip information, and even a shift indicator light. It’s a thoughtful blending of old and new that runs throughout the motorcycle’s design.

Engineering a Modern Classic: The Powerplant

At the heart of the new RX 100 lies a 184cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine – a displacement chosen specifically to deliver the power characteristics that made the original so beloved, albeit through four-stroke architecture.

The engine produces 17.8 bhp at 8,000 rpm and 16.4 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm – modest figures on paper, but the bike’s lightweight construction means it delivers spirited performance.

“The original RX was never about outright horsepower,” noted Takahiro Inoue, Chief Engineer for the project. “It was about accessible performance – a motorcycle that felt alive and responsive from the moment you twisted the throttle. We’ve prioritized these qualities in the new engine.”

The engine features a 180-degree crankshaft design that Yamaha claims delivers ideal primary balance, virtually eliminating vibration without resorting to a counterbalancer that would add weight and complexity. The compression ratio is set at a relatively high 10.5:1, which contributes to the engine’s responsive nature and fuel efficiency.

Perhaps most interestingly, Yamaha has developed what they call “Acoustic Enhancement Technology” – carefully designed intake and exhaust systems that produce a sound reminiscent of the original two-stroke’s distinctive note.

The exhaust header features a double-wall construction with a resonance chamber that creates a unique acoustic signature without resorting to artificial sound generation.

During a brief demonstration (unfortunately, I wasn’t allowed to ride the motorcycle, only hear it running), the exhaust note was genuinely distinctive – deeper and more melodious than typical small-displacement singles, with hints of the original RX’s signature ring-ding-ding albeit in a more refined, bass-heavy register.

Chassis and Ergonomics: Lightness with Purpose

The chassis is where the new RX 100 most directly challenges Royal Enfield’s dominance. While the Bullet has evolved to become a relatively heavy machine with relaxed ergonomics, the new RX takes the opposite approach – emphasizing lightness, agility, and a more engaged riding position.

The backbone frame is constructed from high-tensile steel and weighs just 11.4 kg – remarkably light for a full-sized motorcycle. Combined with the compact engine, this results in a wet weight of just 136 kg – nearly 60 kg lighter than the Royal Enfield Bullet 350.

This dramatic weight difference transforms the riding experience, making the RX supremely flickable in urban environments and responsive on winding roads.

Suspension duties are handled by 37mm telescopic forks with 130mm of travel up front and twin shock absorbers with 5-step preload adjustment at the rear.

The 17-inch alloy wheels come shod with 100/80 front and 130/70 rear tires – narrower than is fashionable these days, but perfectly suited to the RX’s lightweight character and quick-turning nature.

Braking hardware is similarly appropriate – a 276mm front disc with a two-piston caliper and a 220mm rear disc with a single-piston caliper, both managed by dual-channel ABS that can be switched to a single-channel mode for those who enjoy a bit more rear-wheel control on loose surfaces.

The riding position strikes a balance between sporty and comfortable – less upright than a Bullet but not as aggressive as a sport naked. The relatively narrow fuel tank allows easy weight shifting in corners, while the 795mm seat height should accommodate riders of various statures. The footpegs are positioned directly beneath the rider rather than forward-set, encouraging a more active riding style.

Technology Integration: Modern Convenience Without Overwhelming

Yamaha has been careful not to overwhelm the RX 100 with technology that might dilute its essential character. The features included are thoughtfully integrated and genuinely useful rather than mere spec-sheet padding.

The Y-Connect Bluetooth system allows smartphone pairing for navigation prompts, call and message notifications, and basic telemetry data recording.

However, unlike some competitors, the bike doesn’t rely on the phone for its primary instrumentation – all essential information remains available on the bike’s own display.

Other modern conveniences include full LED lighting, USB-C charging port discreetly positioned near the headstock, and a single-channel ABS system that can be switched between road and off-road modes via a dedicated button on the left switchgear.

Perhaps most intriguingly, the motorcycle features three riding modes – Standard, Sport, and Rain – that adjust throttle response and ABS intervention.

This is an unexpected inclusion for a motorcycle that otherwise embraces mechanical simplicity, but Yamaha insists the system adds meaningful versatility without compromising the core riding experience.

Market Positioning: Challenging the Established Order

With prices expected to range from ₹1.55 lakh to ₹1.75 lakh (ex-showroom), the RX 100 positions itself directly against Royal Enfield’s 350cc range, particularly the Bullet and Classic models.

This represents an ambitious move by Yamaha, challenging Royal Enfield on its home turf with a fundamentally different approach to retro motorcycling.

“We see a significant opportunity in the retro motorcycle segment,” explained Ravinder Singh, Senior Vice President of Yamaha Motor India. “The current offerings primarily focus on a relaxed, cruising experience with heavy, torquey engines.

The RX 100 offers an alternative vision – a lightweight, nimble machine that delivers a more engaging riding experience without sacrificing character or style.”

The company plans to initially produce the RX 100 at its manufacturing facility in Chennai, with a planned capacity of 8,000-10,000 units monthly.

International export is being considered for later stages, particularly to Southeast Asian markets where the original RX series enjoyed similar cult status.

“We’re approaching this realistically,” Singh acknowledged. “We don’t expect to overtake Royal Enfield’s volumes overnight – they’ve built a tremendous brand and community.

But we believe there’s room for a different interpretation of retro motorcycling, one that emphasizes lightness and agility rather than weight and torque.”

The Royal Enfield Challenge: David vs. Goliath

The elephant in the room for any manufacturer entering the retro motorcycle segment in India is Royal Enfield’s overwhelming dominance. The Chennai-based manufacturer has created not just successful products but a lifestyle brand with dedicated community support, extensive accessories, organized rides, and cultural cachet built over decades.

Yamaha’s approach appears to be differentiation rather than direct imitation. While the Bullet emphasizes a laid-back, thumping character with its long-stroke engine and relaxed ergonomics, the RX 100 offers a more lively, engaged riding experience that harks back to a different era of motorcycling.

“We’re not trying to out-Enfield Enfield,” noted Chihana. “That would be foolish. Instead, we’re offering an authentic alternative based on Yamaha’s own rich heritage in India.

The RX nameplate still evokes powerful emotions among riders who grew up in the 80s and 90s, and we’re seeing their children becoming interested in that legacy as well.”

This approach extends to the dealer experience. Rather than matching Royal Enfield’s extensive lifestyle merchandise and community-building activities immediately, Yamaha plans to focus on the product itself first, with community development following organically as owners naturally gather around a shared passion.

Riding Impression: A Glimpse of Potential

While a full test ride wasn’t permitted during this preview, I was allowed a brief seat on the motorcycle and a demonstration of its features. The most immediate impression is how light and compact the RX 100 feels compared to other retro-styled machines. The narrow tank allows you to grip the bike easily with your knees, and all controls fall naturally to hand.

The engine, when started, settles into a smooth idle with a distinctive exhaust note that genuinely does echo some of the character of the original RX, albeit in a more refined manner.

The throttle response, demonstrated by the test rider, appeared immediate and crisp – a stark contrast to the more relaxed, torque-focused delivery of Royal Enfield singles.

During the dynamic demonstration on Yamaha’s test track, the RX 100 exhibited remarkable agility, changing direction with minimal input and maintaining composed lines through corners. The relatively narrow tires, initially appearing like a styling compromise, clearly contribute to the motorcycle’s eager handling characteristics.

Production Timeline and Availability

According to sources within Yamaha, production preparations are already underway, with component sourcing and manufacturing processes being finalized. The official launch is expected in the second quarter of 2025, with deliveries commencing shortly thereafter.

The initial rollout will focus on major metropolitan areas where Yamaha has established Blue Square premium dealerships, with wider distribution following in phases. The company anticipates strong initial demand and is implementing a booking system to manage the expected waitlist fairly.

“We’re being careful to ensure we can meet demand without compromising quality,” explained Singh. “The RX nameplate carries enormous expectations, and we can’t afford to disappoint customers who have been waiting decades for its return.”

2025 Yamaha RX 100 Conclusion: A Legend Reborn With Purpose

The 2025 Yamaha RX 100 represents more than just another model in the company’s lineup – it’s a statement of intent in a segment that has been dominated by a single player for too long.

By leveraging authentic heritage rather than creating a retrospective pastiche, Yamaha has developed a motorcycle with genuine character and purpose.

Will it succeed in challenging Royal Enfield’s formidable market position? That remains to be seen. The retro motorcycle segment has proven notoriously difficult for newcomers to crack, with established players benefiting from powerful brand loyalty and community support.

However, the RX 100 offers something genuinely different – a lightweight, agile alternative that emphasizes riding engagement over relaxed cruising.

For riders who find current retro offerings too heavy, too relaxed, or too common, the RX provides a compelling alternative with its own authentic heritage.

In a market increasingly filled with motorcycles that look toward the past, the RX 100 manages to honor its heritage while still feeling forward-looking.

It doesn’t merely reproduce the original; it imagines how that machine would have evolved through continuous development into the present day.

Whether this approach will resonate with enough riders to challenge Royal Enfield’s dominance remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the return of the RX nameplate represents one of the most exciting developments in India’s motorcycle landscape in recent years. The legend is back, and it’s gunning straight for the Bullet.