Kawasaki KB100 RTZ
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 100 CC single.
It spawned quite a few variants in the 10 odd years that it stayed in production.
History [ edit ]
In the early 1980s 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 [started with Vepa-150] partnered with Kawasaki of the Fatest Bike in the World Kawasaki Ninja group to bring in the KB100.originally a 125cc model reduced to 100cc capacity(97.6cc due to Engine import restriction in India during that Era)bearing the same chessis.
Production began in 1986-87 and went on till 1996 when the KB125[All Aluminium Engine(Block/Piston) as compared to Cast iron Block on earlier models] was launched.
Features [ edit ]
Next came the SX Enduro, which was an offroad scrambler bike with 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.The ergononic Grips, FrontBreak + ClutchLever the Switch gears were directly imported from Japan at first until Minda started manufacturing Original Equipments including the ‘Ignition Key’ cum Either-side Steering Lockwhich had a uniqe feature of City-light position after locking the steering, we can put on the Parking lights keeping all other Electricals off, till date no Indian Bike has this feature!Other important features like 1.Right Side Engine Killing Switch,2.Speedo/Techo cum fuel gauge Assembly, 3.Choke-lever intigrated with Left hand side switch Assembly, 4. Carburator housed inside Engine Cashing to prevent from Tempering, 5. Rotary Disc intake Valve, 6.Long Wheel base 1260mm, 7.Long-travel Telescopic Front Shock Absorber, 8.Wider Tires made tus feel The Whole Road is mine type of feeling 9. 12v Electrical System a Powerful Magnaeto which culd drive away Darkness by its 35+35W Stanley Sealbeamed Headlanp[later models came up with user replaceable bulb assembly] with 12v 5Amp/hr Battery which could easily power 21W+21W turn Signal indicators with other tale-tell lights with 21W Stop light! The Above Mentioned features will Always keep this Particular Motor cycle Stand Alone from the Rest of the Motor cycles in Indian Motocycle History!
In March / April 1996 the KB125 was launched. A 12.5bhp (9.3kW) 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 (11.8bhp).
Bajaj Engineers also experimented with a 5 speed version of the bike, called the KB125 Prowler, but none seem to have been sold.
Legacy [ edit ]
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 110cc 14bhp, it still is an important milestone in the history of Indian Motorcycling. In fact, the KB125 was produced until 2000.
When emission regulations were made more stringent by Indian government, Bajaj was forced to halt its production. The handsome looks and a big bike feel and superior engine noise is noteworthy. The RTZ have a tachometer and fuel gauge from its first production.
Actually it was far superior to the over said Yamaha RX100: The Bajaj KB series bike is an important milestone in the post British era Indian motor cycle history.
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