Kawasaki KB100 RTZ

= Introduction =

The KB100 was Bajaj Auto's response to the opening up of the Indian markets to Japanese collaboration. It was this machine that propelled Bajaj into the Motorcycle production league. A two stroke 100cc single. It spawned quite a few variants in the 10 odd years that it stayed in production.

History

In the early 1980's Escorts and TVS partnered with Yamaha and Suzuki respectively.Escorts launched the Rajdoot 350(Yamaha RD350B)in 1983 and TVS launched the Ind-Suzuki AX100 in 1984-85.Bajaj Auto, which had a lead in the manufacture of scooters partnered with Kawasaki to bring in the KB100.

Production began in 1986-87 and went on till 1996 when the KB125 was launched.

Features

The KB100 stays unique to the Indian motorcycling annals as the only bike with Rotary inlet valve technology as opposed to Piston port or Reed valve engine, that were (are) most common. It was mated to a 4-speed gearbox in the "All down" shift pattern. Power was rated at 11 Bhp.

The bike had the highest wheel base as compared to the other bikes in the 100cc lineup, and hence felt comfortable to ride.

The instrument console had a speedometer, tachometer and a small fuel gauge nestled between them. Telltale lights for High beam, Neutral and turn indicators were also present.

Variants

The first models were sold as only the KB100. Next came the KB100 RTZ, which had different Pin-striping and bold upper-case lettering on the rear of the seat on either side that said "RTZ"

Another model called the KB Colt was launched, which replaced the "KB100" lettering on the side panels with the word COLT.

Next came the SX Enduro, which was an offroad scrambler bike wit the same engine, but tweaked for lower end torque.

The final variant was the KB100 RTZ "Delta Super Tuned". This version was given a resonator box and the gearbox casing near the gear shift lever had the words "Delta Super Tuned". Presumably this version was a last ditch attempt to rally sales in a market that was dominated by RX100 sales.

In March / April 1996 the KB125 was launched. A 12.5 bhp machine, it looked exactly like th KB100, except that the side panels said "KB125". A few months on, the paintwork was changed, which gave the bike a more contemporary look. The bike didn't sell too much even though it had more power that the comparable Yamaha RXG (11.8 bhp). Bajaj Engineers also experimented with a 5 speed version of the bike, called the KB125 Prowler, but none seem to have been sold.

Legacy

A reliable, (relatively) fuel efficient machine, the KB100 has quite a few patrons, especially in Pune and Bangalore. Though it does not enjoy the same cult status or reputation of the Yamaha RXs or the Suzuki Shoguns, it still is an important mile stone in the history of Indian Motorcycling.

-- () 23:55, 8 September 2008 (UTC)