<B>POWER TO THE PEOPLE</b>. Review on Yamaha RX135

Finally Yamaha has decided to launch the 5-speed version of the original power bike, the RX-100. And to go with the fifth cog, power has been upped to 14bhp. But is this enough to make die-hard power freaks fall for her? Especially when all this should have been done not yesterday but the day beforethat. The RX-135 has practically nothing new to shout from the rooftops about. The only real difference is in the exhaust pipe, distinctly longer and shaped differently. The pipe is finished in matt black with a heat shield. Looks very macho but opinion is divided on this count. She also sports new tank graphics and the all-important 5-speed logo. The instrument pod has also been taken straight out of the RX-100. The handle lock isn’t even incorporated with the ignition switch. Whether the RX-135 will maintain the high standards remains to be seen but the signs are all positive. On the other hand Yamaha doesn’t seem to have much faith in their baby. The RX-135 comes with a basic warranty of 180 days or 7500km (whichever is earlier) plus an additional warranty of one year or 12,000km (whichever is earlier) on the engine, plus an additional coverage of five years or 30,000km (whichever is earlier) on the catalytic converter. Seems Yamaha has faith only in the cat-con. Surprising, considering longevity is another Yamaha trademark. Yamaha’s chassis set-ups have always evoked unequivocal praise and the RX-135 doesn’t disappoint either. One would be hard pressed to find fault with the chassis layout of any Yamaha. The engine used in the RX-100 was bored out to 132cc in the RXG to meet emission regulations. The RX-135 uses the same 2-stroke air-cooled unit of the RXG but with a couple of modifications. The most noticeable is the hike in compression ratio from 9.9:1 to 10.1:1. Finally Yamaha is where it belongs, at the top of the performance chart. Sample these figures, 0 to 60kmph in 6.9 seconds and 0 to 80kmph in 12.9 seconds. Top speed was a commendable 99.9kmph. A factor to be taken into account is that at the time of test, my bike hadn’t even been run-in. On a properly run-in machine, cracking 105 if not 110kmph seems well within bounds. On the performance front, the RX-135 feels like a true successor to the great RX-100.

There is not much to detail about build quality as this is one of Yamaha`s strengths and as usual standards of a very high order are maintained. the last of the power-packed two-strokes, is good value considering her performance. But on the other hand, her drinking habits will surely cause heartburn to even the most thick-headed power freak. These are not times when a rise in petrol prices can be accommodated with a shrug. I don't know what's gonna happen man, but hope that we will get a Great bike like RD 350 or Rx 100 in near future from YAMAHA or so called Yams. Best Wishes.

Vivek (STAN)