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 !!