Yamaha RX-135

The Yamaha RX-135 (also popularly known under the name RX-King or RX-K in Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia) is a 2-stroke motorcycle produced by the Yamaha company since the 1980s.

Indonesia is considered as the largest market in Southeast Asia for this type of motorcycle. Also sold in India until the year 2006,was endowed with a superlight chassis and convert|14|bhp|abbr=on power, it is a nice little pocket rocket, but gets nervous at top speeds. The hugely popular 135 has been moded mainly for drag-racing competing with the shaolins and the bigger hearted 350s. From 2002 onwards the bikes performance was suffocated with a cat-con. Almost all the youth own, or are crazy about these 'affordable performance' pocket rockets.

Entering 2008, Yamaha introduced new version of RX-King with considerably sleek and bold design. It still holds the high regard of 2-stroke engine though in previous years there has been issues that those kind of bike will be forbidden to enter protocol roads in Jakarta. Head lamps are updated to current models of sport bikes to be round-shaped one, leaving the legendary boxed-style. Yet, the rest are still reflecting a true sport motorcycle of its own class.

This motorcycle is extremely popular in the Asian subcontinent because of its peppy characteristics and simple mechanics. Available in both 4 and 5 speed configurations, the RX-135 is the dream tool for every racer out there. Combining Yamaha's bulletproof reliability and the exciting sound, smell and performance of a two-stroke engine, the RX-135 is truly a legend in its own right.

The RX-135 in India

Prior to the release of the RX-135 in India, Yamaha India were reeling under pressure. After the ban by the Indian government on the RX-100, all other new releases sold badly in the market. This bike was released around the end of the 1990s and in select India cities, you could get a factory-shipped RX-135 till August 2005.

There were 2 versions of this bike sold in India - the 4 speed and the 5 speed. Apart from the difference in the transmission, the bikes differed in the carburettor design as well.

Owing to the emission norms the 135 was fitted with a catalytic converter. Disadvantages were that it would struggle to start in cold and wet mornings. Also the pickup was reportedly much more sedate than its previous cousins. 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 the more sedate TVS Suzuki Samurai. Delivering convert|14|bhp|abbr=on, a well maintained vehicle could give you up to 51 kmpl, making it amongst the best mileage-to-power ratio in all India bikes. Add to that the sheer quality of Yamaha parts.

The true potential of the 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. RX135 still remains one of the most mod friendly bikes available in India today. Top speeds claimed approach nearly 120 km/h but a stock bike in decent condition is more likely to achieve nearer 110 the difference probably being due to speedometer readings as opposed to actual (speed gun) readings. Modified bikes may significantly exceed this depending on the level and quality of modifications.

On the streets the main competition for this bike came from Kawasaki Bajaj's KB100 and KB125, TVS Suzuki's Shogun amd Samurai and most importantly an array of economical to run 4 stroke 100 cc bikes.

Even today this vehicle is a good competitor for all other bikes in its category.

Related Bikes: Yamaha RXZ (4 speed & 5 speed)

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