Nov 30, 2008 04:23 PM
23883 Views
(Updated Dec 01, 2008 12:51 AM)
Ask anyone who's turned the throttle of a Yamaha RX-135 and he would gladly detail the experience.Its a single cylinder, original japanese carb , aluminium head engine with 135 cc displacement.It could do 0-60 in 6 seconds flat-a blaster performance in 1998.
You could actually set off a car's centrol locking alarm if you pushed the 1st gear a few seconds longer.RX-135 is extremely popular because of its peppy characteristics and simple mechanics.Add to that- Yamaha's reliability, exciting roar and performance of a two-stroke engine.
This bike was released after the RX-100 was banned by the Indian government for exceeding pollution norms.There were 2 versions of this bike sold in India - the 4 speed and the 5 speed.The 4 speed verison had the same clutch assembly as the Rx-100.The 5 speed however was different in the transmission.
Owing to the emission norms the 5 speed 135 was fitted with a catalytic converter. Disadvantages-The 5 speed would struggle to start in cold and wet mornings. Also the pickup was reportedly much more sedate than the 4 speed. But the engine was the only 2-stroke bike you could get in the Indian market till mid-2000s, selling for a little while longer than TVS Suzuki Samurai. Delivering 12.5 bhp, a well maintained vehicle could give you up to 45 kmpl. (My best was 40kmpl)
No Yamaha rider ever thought of fuel economy - It 's USP was absolute power.
RX135 was probably never fully realized on Indian race tracks because the factory never supported tuners and racers. This was one reason why the RX faced stiff competition from the TVS Suzuki factory modified Shaolin in drag races. However, RX135 is still one of the most mod friendly bikes available in India today.
Main top speed competition for this bike came from Kawasaki Bajaj's KB125 & later from TVS Suzuki's Shogun.Top speeds for RX135 approach nearly 110 km/h (speed gun) with a stock bike in decent condition.Its an unknown fact to many that most Indian bike speedometers are factory set with a 5-15% error to inflate the rider's ego ! What it means is that when you see yourself flying at 115 kmph ..its probably doing a 100 -105 kmph.The difference being due to speedometer readings as opposed to actual (speed gun) readings.
I bought my own RX135 in May, 1998 & it immediately became popular as 'LAL PARI' in my trusted circle.It's been over 10 years now & I still own this masterpiece.The top speed has gone down to 95 kmph as its not as well maintained as earlier.The crisp sound of the engine still matches note by note to 1998 days. NO - It doesnt smoke when revved up to 3500 rpm and it doesn't choke if I race a Pulsar!
Major Repairs -The piston set had to be replaced at 65000 + km mark.There was water in the carb jet & the stupid roadside mechanic over-revved the engine (a 65000 km old weak piston).Thankfully I yelled at the correct moment and that saved the crank shaft from bending.To update the new Gen of bike owners-This weird throttle hungry habit is a genetic defect found in all road mechanics -beware!
My RX still beats any 150 CC bike in a 0-60 kmph drag race.Actually - If you put a Pulsar owner thru a Narco-test , he would say 'I do' to a Yamaha RX & trash the Pulsar...
Case Closed.
