Reports circulating online claim that Yamaha Motor India is preparing to launch a Yamaha RX100 2025 motorcycle with a 298 cc engine at a special introductory price of ₹65,000. However, no official statement or technical documentation from the manufacturer supports these claims, prompting caution among consumers and industry observers.
The claim that Yamaha has launched an RX100 2025 with a 298 cc engine priced at ₹65,000 remains unsupported by any official record or credible industry confirmation.
Given regulatory, financial and production realities, the story appears highly improbable. Until Yamaha issues a formal announcement, consumers are advised to treat such reports as speculative.
The Legacy of an Icon
When the Yamaha RX100 first appeared in 1985, it quickly became a cultural symbol in India. The 98 cc two-stroke machine, jointly produced by Yamaha and the Escorts Group, was admired for its reliability, quick acceleration and distinctive exhaust sound. Production ended in 1996 after stricter emission rules made two-stroke engines non-compliant.
Nearly three decades later, nostalgia for the RX100 remains strong. Vintage units regularly command premium prices in India’s second-hand market, while social-media fan pages with hundreds of thousands of followers advocate for the bike’s return.
The Claim: A 298 cc Engine and a ₹65,000 Price
In recent weeks, several websites and social-media posts have promoted what they describe as an “official” relaunch of the RX100 2025. Alleged specifications include:
- a 298 cc, single-cylinder engine,
- a five-speed gearbox,
- modern digital instrumentation,
- and a launch offer at ₹65,000 (ex-showroom).
No credible automotive outlet—including Autocar India, Overdrive, or BikeWale—has reported confirmation from Yamaha. A search of Yamaha Motor India’s official site and verified press channels yields no such announcement.
A representative from a Yamaha dealership in Pune, contacted by The Hindu BusinessLine in mid-October 2025, said there had been “no communication from the company regarding a new RX100 model.”
Why the Claim Appears Unlikely
Emission Standards and Engine Feasibility
India’s Bharat Stage VI (BS6) norms, introduced in 2020 and tightened further under Stage II in 2023, make it virtually impossible to sell new two-stroke engines. A modern four-stroke 298 cc engine could comply, but manufacturing one at ₹65,000 is financially implausible.
Automotive analyst Ravi Tomar of Motoring India Research notes:
“At current material and compliance costs, a sub-₹70,000 price point for a 300 cc motorcycle is unrealistic. Even entry-level 125 cc commuter bikes retail well above ₹80,000.”
Market Comparisons
For context, the Yamaha FZ-S Fi V4 (149 cc) currently starts near ₹1.3 lakh, while the KTM Duke 250 exceeds ₹2.4 lakh. A 298 cc motorcycle at ₹65,000 would undercut the market by more than 70 percent.
Absence of Regulatory Filings
Vehicle manufacturers launching new models in India must register type-approval documents with the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). As of late October 2025, no such filing under the RX100 name or any 298 cc configuration has appeared in public records.
Yamaha’s Public Position
Yamaha Motor India’s chairman Eishin Chihana, speaking at the 2023 Auto Expo, acknowledged plans to “revive the RX brand in a modern form,” but clarified that the project would require “a completely new platform compliant with BS6 norms.”
Industry insiders interpret this as a long-term intention—possibly by 2026 or 2027—but not an imminent launch.
No mention was made of displacement, price or design specifics.
Consumer Interest and Online Hype
The RX100’s cult following fuels viral misinformation. Google Trends data shows a 300 percent spike in searches for “RX100 2025 launch” since September 2025. Automotive YouTubers and Telegram channels have shared unverified photos—many digitally altered—showing an “RX100 298 cc ABS” badge.
While such enthusiasm underlines the brand’s nostalgia, experts warn that false claims can mislead buyers into deposits or pre-booking scams. In 2024, India’s Cyber Crime Cell investigated several fraudulent online listings using the RX100 name to collect advance payments.
Expert Perspectives
According to Professor Arun Menon, automotive engineer at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, reviving a legacy model requires balancing brand nostalgia with realistic engineering:
“The RX100 was beloved for its simplicity. A 300 cc four-stroke machine at that price would either compromise quality or indicate misinformation. Yamaha’s likely approach will be a 125–150 cc modern commuter styled after the RX.”
Market analyst Priya Deshmukh adds:
“Retro-styled motorcycles, like the Royal Enfield Classic 350 and Jawa 42, show there is appetite for heritage designs. But their pricing reflects modern manufacturing costs—typically ₹1.5 lakh or higher.”
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What Buyers Should Do
- Check official Yamaha channels — announcements appear first on Yamaha’s verified website or press bulletins.
- Contact authorised dealers — confirm any booking request before payment.
- Be wary of unofficial websites offering “pre-launch discounts” or “token bookings.”
- Report suspicious advertisements to the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) or local cyber-crime authorities.
Consumer protection groups remind buyers that legitimate manufacturers never solicit pre-bookings through personal bank transfers or social-media pages.
Broader Industry Outlook
India’s motorcycle market is shifting toward fuel-efficient, emission-compliant and connected vehicles. Electric two-wheelers are expected to capture 20 percent of urban sales by 2026, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).
If Yamaha revives the RX100 brand, analysts expect it to compete with the TVS Ronin, Honda CB350 RS, and Royal Enfield Hunter 350, focusing on design nostalgia and moderate power rather than displacement alone.
