There have been rumours for years that Yamaha is planning to bring back the RX100, a beloved two-stroke motorcycle that was discontinued in 1996. There has always been scepticism about Yamaha's ability to live up to the moniker. The original RX100 was known for its raw power and performance, and it's unclear how a four-stroke engine could capture that same magic.
Some fans believe that Yamaha should simply keep the RX100 as a two-stroke motorcycle. They argue that there is no substitute for the unique sound and feel of a two-stroke engine. Others believe that Yamaha should update the RX100 with a four-stroke engine, but they worry that it will lose its soul in the process.
Yamaha India Chairman Eishin Chihana has addressed the rumours of a possible RX100 revival, saying that the company is not interested in releasing a new model unless it can meet the high expectations of Indian fans.
Chihana said that he was well aware of the RX100's popularity in India and that he was determined to do justice to the name of the company that decided to bring the bike back. He said that the RX100 was a very special model for India, and that what made it so was its styling, lightweight, power, and sound.
Chihana said that if Yamaha were to release a four-stroke RX100, it would have to be at least 200cc in order to match the performance of the original model. However, he said that even a 200cc engine would not be able to produce the same sound as the two-stroke RX100.
"We have no intention to ruin the RX100," Chihana said. "So until we are sure that we can produce a high-performance, lightweight bike with the correct performance, we will not launch it. With the current line-up, 155cc is not enough."
Chihana's comments will come as a relief to many RX100 fans who were worried that the company would release a watered-down version of the iconic bike. However, it also means that fans may have to wait a while longer before they see a new RX100 on the streets.