THE HISTORY

RX-Z started its production in 1980's. At that time
there are two version of RX-Z, namely RX-Z 100
and RX-Z 135. RX-Z 100 was specifically designed
to fit the market in Mexico only, therefore we
didn't have it here in Malaysia. RX-S 100 and RX-S
115 was the common bike that we see before the
introduction of the legendary RX-Z 135.
RX-Z 135 was introduced at that time with 5-
speed transmission, box speedometer and
straight exhaust pipe without the resonance
chamber. Even though the design is created
almost 27 years back, but it still relevant in
today's motorcycle environment. The design is
still fresh and amazing. Given the power of 135 cc
with 2-stroke class engine makes it a very
intimidating bike. In year 1985, people who buys
the RX-Z 135 is said to have a fun lifestyles,
macho and having daring personality. RX-Z 135
design also is very futuristic compared to the bike
such as Honda Raider, Suzuki Katana, X7 and
Kawasaki GTO. RX-Z 135 is known for their
awesome power can be harnessed easily just by
a little modification. The most popular and
cheapest modification with great performance
boost is done by changing the exhaust pipe to a
racing exhaust pipe. A good racing pipe can add
up to 3 ps. This can be achieved if the exhaust
pipe have a good resonance chamber that can
works likes a mini turbo without the turbine. But,
even in standard condition, the bike can go up to
150 km/h and that is higher than the highway
speed limit here in Malaysia (110 km/h). Most of
the RX-Z 135 owner here have modified their bike
to go up to 200++ km/h and they used it for daily
commute and mind you, it is not for racing.
Speed is one of the reason why RX-Z 135 is very
popular because we need it to overtake big lorries
and heavy trucks during the commute using
highway or specifically in PLUS highway here in
Malaysia.
In 1990, Yamaha makes a little upgrade to the
bike by adding one more gear to the
transmission that makes the bike 6-speeder. The
design of the exhaust pipe has been updated by
equipping it with a new design that have
resonance chamber and muffler. This design
have increased the power of the bike to 21 ps. Still
at this period of time, there are no bike
manufactured by other company that beat RX-Z.
In fact, there IS no bike by other manufacturer
that has been build to be in the same category as
RX-Z 135. Most manufacturer like to focus their
bike to 150 cc segment. This is true when we
look at Suzuki Gamma 150 cc, Honda NSR 150RR
and Kawasaki KIPS 150, but here Yamaha also its
own weapon that is TZM 150.
2000 has been the year RX-Z get a new cloth. RX-
Z has been refreshed with new head and tail
design. The new head gets a new smaller
headlight. The turn signal has been integrated to
the cowling, thus making the bike looks cleaner
and more meaner. Tail light has been borrowed
from 125Z, but it is okay since the tail light is also
nice and clean. But. I prefer for Yamaha to make
an original tail light design specifically for RX-Z
135. Clutch has also been upgraded by Yamaha
making it is easier to switch gears and better
handling for low speed travelling.
Even with lots of reason to be popular, RX-Z is
not a bike without flaw. The greatest flaw that I
can think of is, the position of the carburetor and
the way it is assembled. Since the carburetor is
only hold up by 2 connecting rubber, it is very
easy to take the carburetor off. And this give way
to thief to take it easily. Even if the thief won't take
the carburetor off, they can still steal the petrol
from the RX-Z tank since the fuel line is exposed
at the left side of the carburetor. I have heard a lot
of complain about this from my friends and also
from other RX-Z owners.
2008 is a year we all wait for Yamaha to unveil
new RX-Z 135 design or at least stripe change.
Here's the year and code name model change
that RX-Z 135 have gone through:
1st model:
1985/87 - 2UX
2nd model:
1989 - 3UK1
3rd model:
1993 - 3UK3
4th model:
1995 - 3RSA
5th model:
1996/97 - 3RSB
6th model:
2000 - 3XL3
7th model:
2002 - 5PV1
8th model:
2005 - 5PV2
9th model:
2008- ??? (not yet introduced)
What is expected in 2008/09 RX-Z model:
Rear mono-shock suspension
Rear disc brake
Inverted front telescopic fork
Double piston front brake caliper
New stripe and design
New & original sports rim equipped
but, you should know that Malaysia already have
stopped the introduction of new 2-stroke bike
starting the year 2006. So, there are no more
new RX-Z model. We will only stick to 5PV2 for
the rest of the time.
Long Live RX-Z!