Rajnikanth’s ride in Kaala is a vintage, modified Yamaha RX100
Actor-politician Rajnikanth is busy promoting his latest movie Kaala. The movie, which is set to release on the 7th of June, 2018, features interesting vehicles. While one such vehicle is a modified Mahindra Thar, the other is a Yamaha RX100 in a green paint scheme.
The retro two-stroke motorcycle features a new paint job, an off-road front mudguard, an expansion chamber and a new instrument cluster. It’s unclear as to whether the 100-cc engine of the RX100 has been tweaked for higher performance. The Yamaha RX100 is being used as a prop in Kaala to evoke nostalgia, something that the Mahindra Thar has also been used for.
The Yamaha RX100 was first launched in India during 1986, and the motorcycle was available in India for nearly a full decade. When launched, the RX100 was a class leader. The 96-kilogram motorcycle had a 11-Bhp output from its 98-cc, two-stroke single cylinder engine. This power output, combined with the light kerb weight made the RX100 extremely peppy. A 4-speed manual gearbox was standard. The reliable Japanese engine meant that the RX100 was one of the hottest, new motorcycles of the 1980s, introducing Indians to peppy performance in a reliable, relatively affordable package.
Currently, the Yamaha RX100 is a rare sight on Indian roads as most owners have either scrapped or sold off their rides. This has made the RX100 a classic, and prices are shooting through the roof. While the RX100 was available for as little at Rs. 15,000 about 10 years ago, beautifully restored ones now sell for over Rs. 50,000. In some parts of India, pristinely restored Yamaha RX100s are known to sell for close to Rs. 1 lakh. Rajnikanth’s latest movie Kaala could well add to the nostalgia appeal of the RX100, and make the motorcycle even more popular in the classic segment.
