Yamaha RX 135

Yamaha RX 135: My Personal Take

Oh, yes, the Yamaha RX 135 I remember just uttering those four letters brings back memories. This is the kind of bike that still makes people of a certain age sit up and smile and, interestingly, that’s something that bike companies of today need to take on board. Even to me, it does the same… Boys my age growing up in the 90s or early 2000s, this wasn’t just a motorcycle; it was a status symbol. The insert of the article described as the “cool” bike – that was the one which resembled James Dean in charm and a rock star in rebellion at that. If you have been on one before, then you will understand what I’m saying. And if you haven’t, well, let me try to recreate that romance for you here today.

The RX 135 was that bike which created the looks. The bike had a very lightweight, easy handling, two stroke power, and that raw damp nasty noise which was associated with bikes long before one could actually get a sight of it. This was a bicycle that every time one pulled the throttle, one got a dose of adrenaline. And yes, it was not only a mere means for transportation from one place to another, but a mechanical devise, an object that could make the ordinary, the pleasure of the everyday.

Why this Yamaha RX 135 is So Special

If you were to ask any bike lover from the past, the RX 135 not only was fastest bike in India but it was fastest in the world. There were other fast bikes. But none of them were able to do what this little beast did best: being fast, well-handling, and looking freaking awesome. It was about a 132cc two-stroke, but people are still in love with it up to this day. It was a hardcore muscle crammed in a compact package; where each cycling meant competition.

I once knew a guy who had one, I recall him speak of it as though the bike was his little brother – “this thing is faster than any bike around, and not very friendly either;” he used to boast. And the engine? It was a pocket rocket. We used to compare it with much larger & heavier machines & the RX 135 was always a worthy contender. But it was not only concerned with the speed, it was concerned with how that was to be done. That was to some extent true especially when you floored the accelerator as there is always this close to tangible feel that runs through the spine. Like it was alive.

 Design and Styling: Simple, Yet Iconic

Comparing to the RX 135 though, it’s one of those automobiles that doesn’t try too hard to impress. That’s the beauty of it. It’s elegant, it is minimalistic and it is still classic. No complex structures, no bluntness—only the necessity. The round headlight, slender build and the general layout of the body are monuments of classic elegance. If there is one design attribute that speaks of successful design that remains timeless after three decades and more, this is the attribute.

I recalls my first time seeing one and telling myself, ‘Is that it?’ But then I saw it in action. The manner in which it went, the manner in which it operated it was as if the bike was indifferent with the intent of performing to any expectancies; it merely did it. And that’s why it is still cool even today as much as acknowledging the modernity of what it represents and is. This is like those old leather jackets that you always have in your wardrobes no matter how old they become.

Engine and Performance: Where the Magic Happens

It is the time to discuss what is inside the enclosure of the RX 135 – an engine. A single cylinder 132 cc, two stroke engine that produced close to 14 horse power. But as you could correctly surmise, ‘14 horsepower isn’t much,’ you might ponder, it took us quite a while to realize that and create this category. But here’s the kicker: finally, the assembled bike’s total weight was recorded to be slightly in access of 100 kilogram. That gave it tremendous power to weight ratio that made it catapult like a rocket. The first time one was used, I can only recall uttering words to the effect of *“Wow, this thing has power!”* It didn’t simply increase; it exploded.

The two-stroke engine common in bikes at that time was advantageous because power came in as fast as the pull of the throttle. It is clumsy, ugly and uncompromised: there is no delay, no disconnected smooth transitions, it is sheer brute force. Just the kind of engine that would let you feel that it was a part of you and the bike itself. And the sound? Which could be heard ringing through the buildings, darting through the narrow lanes — that ‘braap-braap’ can be remembered. I to this day get the urge to listen to it just to bring back some fond memories of back in the day.

Handling and Ride Quality: Lightweight and Lively

What caught my attention out of the RX 135 was the maneuvers that it could do. If there were ten cars like this, nine of them would be found balancing on the brake pedal, it was light as a cathedral and as tail-oring as a cat. Not only didn’t you just ride it but you and it were practically twerking. It cornered well, felt light and well proportioned to handle whether you’re weaving in and out of traffic or throwing it around the twisty bits.

I recall being able to slice through the city traffic on one, and I could maneuver around anything I wanted. Well, it was as if you were riding a bike—only a bike with an engine that lights a spark every time the throttle is opened. Of course, the ride was not what you can describe as luxurious. It was uncomfortable on any surface; you could literally feel the jolt from every pothole or rough tarmac that was beneath you, but you didn’t buy it to use it as a means of transport. You owned it for the experience, for the way you started Destroying your favorite roads with impunity during good sunshine.

Yamaha RX 135 For Whom Was Constructed

Would I recommend it today? However, if you are seeking a stylish scooter with all the trimmings of the new world, then the RX 135 can’t be exactly what you are looking for. It also lacks provisions for ABS, traction control or any of the other hi-tech gizmos that are now so familiar to car lovers. But if you want a bike naked, unadorned, and that lets the life mug you every time you take it out for a spin, then this is it.

At its root it is for the aficionados, the people who crave for an interaction with the entity that is the vehicle. The type of rider who wants to actually feel the pulse of the bike and not have rely on a freaking computer. It is for the person who expects the utility of the device over years not weeks, or even months, who is willing to tinker with the device occasionally to maintain it.

What to Keep in Mind

Even getting hold of a fresh and neat RX 135 today would be a very difficult task as the scooter requires a lot of maintenance. That’s pretty rare, and parts as you’d imagine are not exactly rife. Besides, due to it being a two-stroke it is not the most economic mode of transport around. And emissions regulation can be frustrating if you are in a state with such laws.

If you are willing to make the effort however, it is definitely worth it in the end. It’s just like buying a car; no, it’s much more than that – you’re acquiring an invaluable slice of history. One that will pay you every time you step into a car.

Final Thoughts: The reasons that make Yamaha Rx 135 still enjoying its fame today.

So, what’s my take? This Yamaha RX 135 means more than just a bike; it symbolizes means and more to many people. That is a mild indication that long ago the grouse was not how many numbers a bike had to meet but how passionate it could be. It was straightforward as bikes go. Nothing fancy here, no tricks but lots of fun.

To some extent, I still have some feeling for the RX 135 even today. Of course, I have tried other more powerful, advanced and impressive bikes ever since, but the RX 135 is a bike that can never gets old. It can be the type of bike that follows you for days after you decided to park it in your garage for the final time.

But what do you think? Have you ever used any of those, or perhaps have you ever come across one moving along the road? Perhaps, you have one parked while in your garage now. I would be glad if you share your stories/anecdotes/stories connected with this little legend: feel free to scream it here in the comments below and let’s be young together [I mean, reminisce about the good old days].