SMOKY TALES

An RX 100 café racer with stories made and in the making

- Janak Sorap

Okay, I think I need a break before I end up with a nasty cramp. I’m about 5’7” and I like my bikes a bit more upright, not those that put me in a constricted yogic stance, crouched down and knees bent tight. I also like a small windscreen or a deflector so that I don’t have to live with the constant fear of a bird or a big bug hitting me straight in the face. It’s weird, I know, but it’s a thought I find difficult to get rid of. Given these preferences, it isn’t surprising that after riding Ronny Sequeira’s modified Yamaha RX 100 café racer for about 10 minutes, my back wants to call it a day, while my growing tyre belly is in a state exactly the opposite of comfort. And if I did choose to ride for another five minutes, I probably won’t be able to take my feet off the severely rearset ’pegs.

You see, the bike I am riding here isn’t sized for Ronny — at least that’s what I want to believe after riding it. It’s for his young son, Aiden, who has now outgrown his Kawasaki KLX 110, and while he is yet to reach legal age, his dad sure doesn’t want to keep him away from riding motorcycles. The RX 100 itself is a stripped-down version of a motorcycle that is already popular for its lightweight nature. Staying true to the café racer theme, all unwanted weight has been junked, keeping only the essentials needed for the bike to run.