2 STROKE OR 4 STROKE? Folks, there are many experts in India who understand that :
2 stroke is powerful for an engine cc of the same size in 4-stroke
has less maintenance
consumes more fuel
gives the thrill of pickup
on the way out to govt. emmission control laws
I usefully can add here - by experience of test-drives of 4-stroke Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, Harley-Davidson, Hyosung and Suzuki, from 250-1000cc (other than Indian manufacturers, i.e.) it appears
-If you have a super-sport i.e more than 1000cc street bike or large cruiser, it is for the race track or just extra road show and grip and u have the $$ of course
So it is not ok to compare a 100cc legend such as Yamaha RX100 or RD250/250/400 to lesser 4 stroke mortal bikes. IT IS JUST UNFAIR.
*REVIEW WRITER’S BACKGROUND
*I was a late starter in the motorbike scenario, being a less fortunate guy then. Coming from a small town, then moving to a big city, all I could get hands on was a scooter or an odd HH CD SS 100cc - before I got my professional Visa (too quick, too easy, huh?) overseas for a long haul.
I did occasionally drive the Rajdoot 175, IND-SUZUKI, ride pillion on a 350, a big guy thing then, since 100cc were considered too puny by big build guys at college in the late 80s and 90s. I guess having missed out on the 100 cc, destiny has rewarded me with a 81HP Hyosung and my friend’s 2009 Haya busa Demo - all of the damn RED beast....today!
THE SCENE THEN
So there were the local hefty guys riding big Enfield-Bullet 350, Yezdis/Rajdoot 175/RD350. The old odd Enfield 250, not seen much now was there too....Then the 100ccs like Suzuki Shogun/Power UP, Yamaha RX100 or 110 originals, then the Kawa KBs which came with the cheetah ad later on TV.
THE REAL DEAL ON RX100
It was New Year Party in 1995. My uncle, almost my age and I on the pillion, rode back from a party; this was almost 13 years ago...and I was sitting on his RX pillion and he was easily doing 90 kmph. It was rock steady and I rode it for its pickup the next day and felt the thrill....although it was a small ride..not a real testing one.
*MANY YEARS LATER
The next time I actually drove one was saddled with an 1987RX110cc original Japanese engine, not a clone, as a temporary replacement for my large 4 stroke bike
Comparing the new-age Hero Honda 4strokes:
It was a replacement for my Karizma since it was in the shop. I test drove the Pulsar 180 within a month of its launch - impressive grip, handling but no imposing size or gait like the Karizma I thought. And oh, the Honda’s Karizma was shining thru all gears.
I tried to strain it, it went on and on smooth like Roger Federer, poetry in motion all gears, all the way and down. I was amused at the smoothness, what from HH after all the Splendor and other such. I test drove an old CD100SS. Same smoothness. It seemed no big deal, because I was used to the CBZ and the Karizma new launch.
BIG DEAL, YAMAHA RX 100
Yamaha I thought, when it surprised me with the performance at the traffic lights. SURPRISE, SURPRISE!The pickup is flattering with a puny 100cc ballpark engine!
CONCLUSION
Yamaha RX100/125 IS indeed A GREAT BIKE, for those that fell in love in the 80s and 90s of my generation; but so is the original RX 125 although it is too small for international standards.
2 STROKES FOR THOUGHTS
It is unfair to compare a Suzuki SV650/1000 or a 2009 Honda Hornet 600/900 racer that has so much ccs and street cred, despite its 4 stroke. RD 350/400 here at a classic showroom in Australia - the 2 stokers will chew up the 4 stroke’s, to which I say? -- RX DA JAWAB NAHIN !!