Yamaha's new Crux S thinks it has all the weapons needed to storm the 100cc market. But does the second Crux avatar fall short of ammo? We find out.

“The cleaner-breathing Yamaha Crux S’ forte is excellent fuel economy.”

YAMAHA CRUX S
List price (ex-showroom,
Pune) Rs 33,395
Top speed 93kph
0-60kph 7.54sec
Kpl 60.4 (overall)
For Clean styling, slick gearshifting
Against No fuel gauge, poor brake feel

In today's marketing-driven bike world, sequels are a must if the original gets the cash counter ringing. Bike-makers worth their salt must have a top-quality commuter in their portfolio, this being their cash cow and not the fancier and powerful bikes we all love to slobber over.
Entry-level bikes are primarily about low price-tags and exceptional mileage, while secondary essentials are attributes like quality and reliability.
Yamaha Motorcycle India (YMI) in a bid to recreate the magic of the RX100 had brought out the four-stroke Crux in January 2001 and achieved reasonable success. The Crux R, with a revcounter and a front fairing, rolled out later the same year.
Now with stiffer emission norms calling the shots and the competition constantly re-jigging the marketplace, YMI took the next best — and easy — option: another Crux avatar suffixed with an 'S'. A cosmetic revamp and other frills are the Crux S's prerogatives, but does the new bike get to the crux of the matter — of beating the competition in the chaotic and competitive 100cc segment?