30,000 miles on a Yamaha YB100 - the definitive review !

[@alanlake5220]

Had a YB100 back in about 1978, great little bike, and a lot of fun exploring the back roads .

[@RobLittleuk]

Well they continue to be good for that!

[@markhinde6187]

Great post, takes me back 40 years when I had one, it was a second bike that I used for work, and I have fond memories of it, my kids would take it in turns to sit on the tank and hold the crossbar and I would slowly take them up and down the backstreet, probably get locked up for it now, but back then it was fun, great post

[@RobLittleuk]

Today the WOKE among us would call that abuse !!! What a world ! Thanks Mark.

[@peter7624]

It's a shame that more people haven't discovered the joys of smaller bike ownership, they're more fun than huge heavy machines. The little YB's are particular gems, utterly reliable and great performance for their size. I had the 50 and later the SS100 Honda, also a great little machine. Great video Rob, keep 'em coming!

[@RobLittleuk]

Thanks Peter - keep watching, many more to come.

[@davidyoung9561]

I had a little Honda H100A many years back. It was a W-reg. It was a joy to ride.

[@lizcornish-of7lc]

I had that exact bike in 1989 , great little bike, loved it.

[@RobLittleuk]

Would have been nice to see mine when it was new - had it since 2011

[@davidmatthews3093]

My everyday bike is a Suzuki DR125, I love it. There’s something special about small bikes every ride is an adventure. I’m going out later to visit a bike shop about 40 miles away and I’m taking the 125, I could take my 500X or one of my cars but by taking the little Suzuki even a little trip becomes an adventure.

[@adamwoods1635]

Thank you for your small bike content. I find them great fun to watch and you have inspired me to do some trips on my 40000 mile yamaha rxs 100. Hopefully you will bring the YB to norfolk at somepoint

[@RobLittleuk]

40k well done indeed - mine is now having a rebore - hoping to come to Norfold but may now be next year. Thanks for watching !

[@dingnextstop]

Hi Rob, great to see a surviving 2 stroke from our bygone days, I raced a Bantam in the early 1970’s then onto a Greeves Silverstone… always loved 2 strokes and of course the smell of Castro R… ! Great video!

[@RobLittleuk]

Ahh the days of Castrol R

[@MrBeracah]

Hi rob I and two other friends went round all the coast of Ireland in three days one Easter in aid of a charity. I can imagine the suffering you must have endured doing it on the YB. Thks for a fun video.

[@RobLittleuk]

Crikey you must have been going at a pace!

[@neilmackinnon3371]

Some years ago my son decided to join me on powered two wheels, he had no money so we bought a pile of bits of varying age from a guy in Cheddar and from that I built a Honda CG125. Once running we discovered it was a 1980's engine, with a 1970's generator, in other words 6 volts. One ride at night (up and down Cheddar Gorge) convinced my son that an aftermarket LED headlamp bulb was required.... that did the trick. He stopped riding a little while before his CBT ran out but the Honda is still in my garage and I have carried out a substantial rebuild after it was left, unused, outside his flat for a year or three. As for 'high' mileage. I am the second owner of my 2015 VStrom 650, I got it, just before lockdown at a very good price as it had 24,000 miles on the clock and was therefore considered VERY high mileage. It now has 42,500 and runs like clockwork.... and is worth more than I paid for it. 👍

[@jayneteale9782]

You are absolutely right about mileage on bikes ,I think that mentality comes from sports bike owners

[@walt7518]

Great to hear one again, took me back 45 years when I had one. I forgot about the lighting until you mentioned, but now recall everything dimming when stopping at junctions and the indicators slowing down! Mine used to misfire after riding in the rain and that was water in the carb, but as I recall the float bowl was held on by a clip so easy to pop off and tip the water out... I always thought the gearing was naff, 4 speed with a huge gap between 3rd and 4th. I managed around 8,000 miles in a year commuting to Salisbury and riding around Wiltshires finest lanes.

[@RobLittleuk]

Well thank you Walt for your comment - my latest exploit was to ride the bike from the Cotswolds, 650 miles to Inverness….round the NC500 (northern coasts of Scotland) and the back 650 miles home - and I am a gentleman of some girth!! The vids are on KZbin if you would like to watch! 😃

[@jimhedley7459]

Great stuff Rob ,I had a Yamaha DT100 in 1981 and loved it , I’m a bike addict and currently my small bikes are Honda monkeybike , 5 speed , 2 groms 5 speed and 4 benelli tnts , their all a riot , very impressed with the yb100 doing such a good job , luckily for you. obviously don’t weigh much and give theYB an easy time , big miles small bike equals big smiles 🏍🏍👍👍

[@RobLittleuk]

Did you say that I don't weigh much of the bike? 😄 - check out my 1750 mile run on it to the north of Scotland and back !

[@paulr9572]

Had a Yamaha RSX100 back in the day, which I used for commuting in London. Brilliant little thing. 12bhp, would do an indicated 70mph and was faster from the lights than any car! I guess emissions laws mean that the days of nippy two strokes are over sadly.

[@tinytim9413]

Astounding! Astonishing! Incredible! A testament to Yamaha's engineering. 31 thousand miles. Maybe you could buy the new Yamaha 125 and still keep the YB for the occasional outing then. Another well done video. Ride on! TT

[@RobLittleuk]

I can tell you are speaking "tongue in cheek"....or are you? It is an amazing bike indeed but there is the question of the present Mrs Little accepting another bike!!

[@tinytim9413]

@RobLittleuk No not at all. It's amazing to have that many miles on such a small bike!

[@RobLittleuk]

@@tinytim9413 Thanks mate !!

[@loki1066]

Been looking for YB for ages. I bought a Haynes manual, now I need the bike.

[@RobLittleuk]

Check ebay - there are always a few on there !

[@liamtombs2774]

I got a pw80 with a yb100 engine in I love it

[@simmov6]

Bought a brand new RS100 in blue in 1976 fresh out of school and did 36,000 miles in 3 years. Avill’s of Northampton supplied, was a great team. Decoke regularly and keep an eye on points gap and spark plug plus chain stretch and it proved indestructible. Used to attend the Lombard RAC rally racing through forests at night across Wales, the Lakes and Borders when not attending bike events from Brands to Knockhill and Oliver’s Mount. A two helmet top box made it unstable mixing with faster traffic and trucks so downsized to soft luggage (I did only weigh 8 stone at the time 😂). Was sad to see it go, and with 45 years hindsight I should have kept it, but larger machines beckoned especially when riding out with mates on 500s and 750s. Roads were so much quieter then and too many close calls plus accidents seen mean my riding days are over. However my spirit for travel remains and I now tour Europe as well as the U.K. in a just bought ten year old V8 Aston Martin Vantage So may the roads be safe and the wind behind you

[@RobLittleuk]

Lovely story about the RS100 - as for the Vantage, I went in one at MIRA - guy drove us round at 180mph with his arm casually on the window!

[@grahammonk8013]

@simmov6 I bought a P reg one, (so 1973?) I replaced it with an M reg CB400 four. Don't remember what sort of mileage I clocked up, but never had any issues.

[@ianbenson4790]

😮⁹9⁹

[@volt8684]

Sound reminds me so much of my Fsie 49 yrs ago. Did 20k miles in a year. Wouldn’t go up hills in the end. My dad and uncle owned an engineering shop. Rebore kit fitted to 80cc and would easily attain 60mph.. in the day it was my first love😂. Love 2 strokes so simple. Looked after my daughters several 2 stroke scooters. One of my fave all time bikes was my suzuki t250 hustler. That was as fast as my mates triumph 650. Loving your series. I’ve owned honda 125s for commuting to work most my adult life but now retired and have a vstrom650. Miss my little bikes though

[@RobLittleuk]

Thanks for your comment - I also had a T250 - brilliant bike. The little bikes are the best !

[@MrVinnyh]

Hi Rob enjoyed the first parts of the NC500 adventure + watching this and your club run! Lets say I have done the NC a few times on your favorit BMW's both 650 single 800 twin & 1200 boxer. best of which was the 800 power to get out trouble but not the half cwt, 650 is a Rotax with about much get up and go as Fart in the wind! I am contemplating doing the the NC500 on a 272cc MP3 scooter next year,

[@ledzeproberts2111]

That's a beauty, love the crispy 2 stroke sound 😂😂

[@RobLittleuk]

Fantastic....love it too!

[@chrismccartney8668]

I owned a rsx100 yamaha two stroke had four years mainly reliable commuting as I was shift worker only sold as I fancied a bigger bike a Honda VT500E which also ran reliably for many years even after my friend bought it itvwas again very reliable...

[@RobLittleuk]

Bikes are reliable if well treated.

[@thecobra4530]

Great review of this classic machine. I had the earlier model YB100, a 1976 one back in the mid eighties, it was totally reliable and a sweet machine to ride. The early version had only a single speedo and different tank, side panels and handlebars but the engine and all else the same as your bike. Buddy of mine at that time had a YB80 which was very similar to the 100 but they must have been poor sellers as i've not seen one of them since so they must be as rare as rocking horse droppings. BTW great vids of the trip around Ireland, really enjoyed them. Keep up the great vids 🙂

[@RobLittleuk]

Glad you enjoyed the vids around Ireland - they never got as many hits as my current series around the NC500 seems to be getting are you watching that? but to be honest Ireland was a hell of an experience too. Funnily enough I had the 80 back in 1974 - yes brilliant little bike as a commuter I’d love to find one today! Keep watching and thanks for your comment!

[@oxfordgreenbus]

Lovely part of the world, have to agree the YB1OO is a sturdy machine having owned a 1974 model in blue, also the YG1 80 which unfortunatly came to grief on a sharp downhill bend in Cornwall. Still enjoy the small bike slow enough not to get into too much trouble ride. Well done.

[@RobLittleuk]

Totally agree with your sentiments and I also had the 80cc back in the mid 70s!

[@kevinsumner9257]

Great stuff Rob. It seems like a grown up version of the Yamaha Fs1-e I had as a lad in 74-76..... 12,000 miles in 2 years on that with no probs. I did many 200 miles per day trips in bloody awful weather. Had to stop in bus shelters in the rain with my socks drying out on the exhaust pipe whilst I got the plug connection dry too, and that was in the summer!! Very best of luck on your trip up north with "blue skies" as they say at the airport, I'll be watching with interest (from south Devon or I'd have ridden some of the trip with you on my Kawasaki W800). 🏍👍Subscribed too ;-)

[@RobLittleuk]

Thanks Kevin - they are strong little bikes but what about a big man like me? After I get back from Scotland I have some work and then my wife and I are off to Ireland for 2 weeks so videos of the scotand trip will come much later. If you want to check my progress check letstourengland.com/category/robs-blog/ for photo updates!

[@johnbellamy6449]

the bike is a credit to you and itself .

[@RobLittleuk]

Thank you John and I should say to Yamaha !!

[@chrisweeks6973]

Nice bit of Prokofiev to open the video with, Rob - and I like the tongue-in-cheek review! The YB 100's a nice-looking little bike and as you say, virtually bomb-proof. I hope that it performs faultlessly for you on the Scottish run. Like you, I too used to close the fuel tap prior to shutting the engine down so as to empty the carby. These days, because of different fuelling systems, there's no facility on the VL250 to do that. Given that the present Mrs Little make you cups of tea and handles the camera whilst you work on the bike, she sounds like a keeper to me! Better hang onto this one, old son. 😀

[@jefflambert8603]

All the Best for your Forthcoming Adventure Rob. The Trusty YB Wont let you Down, Perhaps you should do like TAYM, & give her a Name? Even if you get a Newer 125 to Ride with The Whizzers will you keep the YB? It would be Very Hard to part With a Bike that holds so many memories!!

[@RobLittleuk]

Ha ha - I have a laugh with the missus when doing these videos. Thanks for your comment - I will post my progress to Scotland on my blog site - letstourengland.com/category/robs-blog/ - vids will come much later !

[@RobLittleuk]

Thanks Jeff - not really in favour of naming bikes "the YB" will do. If I het a new 125 not sure what will happen then. I will post my progress to Scotland on my blog site - letstourengland.com/category/robs-blog/ - vids will come much later !

[@chrisweeks6973]

@@RobLittleuk Always got to have a laugh together, it does wonders for the relationship! Thanks for the link, ride safe on the trip and enjoy.

[@JOOLZNED]

Great little bikes, Im restoring one at the moment, Im not too far from you in Dorset

[@michaelburgess2993]

That was a very good review of the YB100 Rob. Do you know how many were produced ?. To me that bike is a real work horse, and so far you have proved it. Hope you enjoy your Scotland trip.

[@RobLittleuk]

Thanks Mike no I don’t know how many were made but you may be able to look it up. It’s a brill little bike 😀

[@13thearl]

I bought one of these once. It needed a new seat, decoke and general polish up but once sorted it was great. The only thing I never got to work properly was the front brake! Love a 2 stroke but these days they are like hens teeth.

[@RobLittleuk]

Well....the brakes are pretty crap

[@Rittzo.]

I'm getting a 1989 yb 100 next week and I'm so exited, wiltshire based and looking forward to maybe meeting some people through it

[@RobLittleuk]

Sounds great - I’ve brought mine to the north of Scotland where I am now. Long ride back to Tetbury. Good luck and get in touch!!

[@Zainmirza467]

My Love Yamaha YB 100 Love from Pakistan ❤🎉

[@RobLittleuk]

Thank you my friend !!

[@XxBec3509]

Great little bike aswell

[@jonm7272]

Amazing how far a piston the size of an egg cup can carry a patient person. The metal and lubricant technology of the piston and bore is incredible really.

[@RobLittleuk]

Now you come to think of it, you are right !! Thanks Jon !

[@jonm7272]

@@RobLittleuk Rough back of the envelope calculation: 7000 rpm @ 50 mph = 420,000 revs per hour x2 (because two piston strokes per revolution) = 840,000 strokes per 50 miles and 504,000,000 strokes per 30,000 miles. So your little piston has gone up and down more than half a billion times in it's lifetime (very impressive!). Apologies, I'm a nerd (😊).

[@RobLittleuk]

@@jonm7272 Don't apologise - fascinating !

[@davidyoung9561]

When I ride my Honda CG125, I turn the fuel tap off about half a mile from home. I wondered why your YB100 was idling fast. Two-strokes idle fast when the fuel gets low in the carburettor. My KH125 use to do that and then conk out. I noticed the red KH125 in the car park that you parked next to. My first bike was a KH125 when I was 17 back in 1997. It was a black one and the reg was G499KMS.

[@RobLittleuk]

Wow you are observant!! Yes I like to empty the carb before arriving home. Only had one Kawasaki - a 500 which ironically felt a bit small for me so I replaced for a Fazer 600!! Mind you that was my main bike! Ironically ride more miles on the YB than I do on my Bonneville - must put some miles on that one sometime!

[@cagr4249]

Sounds like a big bike! The license plate is shaking a lot, hopefully it will not come off. I love small bikes and also own a RD200. 👍

[@RobLittleuk]

Very Harleyesque !! Just noticed the number plate.....its still secure ! Thanks for your comment!

[@XxBec3509]

One of my mobylettes has done over 1000 miles and no problems

[@adeelurrehmansiddiqui6504]

Hello dear I am lover yamaha yb 100 I have to 2 bike model 2002 or 1994 model sapicaly use sx2t shell oil ❤ nice bike in world ❤our country this bike production break up with 2012 in Pakistan

[@RobLittleuk]

Hi - thanks for your comment. Indeed the YB is a wonderful bike and I know it is popular in Pakistan. Enjoy and ride safe 😊

[@grayman999]

My Suzuki GSX750F had done 60000 miles did the NC500 with 55000 on clock awesome bike I replaced her 3yrs ago with an Africa Twin dct only because age 68 my knees where complaining too much lol but I also have a Honda monkey 9hp and much loved by myself

[@Shopwood100]

I used to have one of these before I got my car licence. I moved house from Bristol to Derbyshire on it with panniers full of baked beans and a hiking rucksack full to the brim. I think 140 miles took about 7 hours...

[@RobLittleuk]

Crikey that must have been a sight to behold - just think if youd not got rid of it, it would be worth more than you paid for it now !

[@jonathanzapateiro9401]

Yb100 it's a Great machine i had one 🔥

[@RobLittleuk]

Great bike !

[@davidyoung9561]

Nearly 31,000 miles for a 100cc two-stroke is very impressive. I had a CG125 that had 45,000 miles when I bought it and had 60,000 miles when I sold it. When I bought the CG, I did an engine rebuild and the crankshaft was like new. I knew someone who had a Kawasaki KR1-S with 33,000 miles and it never had a rebuild and was still like new. Engines will last a lot longer if you use the proper oil ettc.

[@RobLittleuk]

Well to my knowledge this is all original! Thanks for your comment!

[@RobLittleuk]

PS I’ve had it for 13 years!

[@johnh9031]

Immaculate. Where can parts be sourced would you know?

[@RobLittleuk]

No not immaculate but still working! If you are in the UK try Yambits and Wemoto! Thanks for watching.

[@gamersdouknowthiskey-2109]

Great review of the Yb 100.l have a yb100 1999 model first owner bike and i my father has had it for 24 years . Great machine it had a top speed of 125 kmh .lts engine has been overhauled but it does not give that much performance on engine overhaul planning to do a restoration. It has been riden 140k kilometres before being overhauled. My first love. But its fuel tank and cover with seats and headlight and tail light is different from the europe model and is faster than those european model

[@RobLittleuk]

Ho - where are you from? We ALWAYS remember our first love, don't we 😉 - well I thought 30k miles / 45km was pretty good but you have certainly exceeded all records although maybe not....? But yes the bike is amazing !

[@gamersdouknowthiskey-2109]

@@RobLittleuk Im from south asia my country name is Pakistan and mostly the yb100 is used for transporting milk. The models name is yb100 royale

[@RobLittleuk]

@@gamersdouknowthiskey-2109 Wow....transporting milk - thats fascinating! Well very nice to hear from you - your people have introduced me to some brilliant food from Pakistan !

[@gamersdouknowthiskey-2109]

@@RobLittleuk I love british people and their food especially those fish and chips 🍟. I don’t know about the british model yb100 has that much torque than the Pakistani royale . In fact it can carry 3 people including the rider and still doesn’t lose it’s power and speed

[@RobLittleuk]

@@gamersdouknowthiskey-2109 Well you have seen me - I am big so like riding 2-up ! They stopped importing them here from Japan in 1991 I believe? Assume yours were made in Pakistan? In the end they were only 100cc - don't know about the torque!

[@hectorshouse7348]

What a great bike…have you considered getting the RXS 100 to keep it company?

[@RobLittleuk]

That’s another great bike but, no, having already got a modern 125 and a 900 not planning on getting any more bikes!

[@Paul.Gascoyneuk]

What selfless kind heart 😂😂

[@CharlesMwangiGachara-cw4sj]

Mine has never died

[@RobLittleuk]

Mine has just been had a re-bore, main bearing and seals. Where are you my friend? Thanks for the comment!

[@tombartram7384]

These bikes, according to my library of old bike mags, were £629 in summer 1986, rising to £990 by summer 91, the last year they were imported. There were plenty of far better bikes for similar money. By now they were old really fashioned but at least they still had the enclosed chain. The Yammie RXS 100 was far more popular and in fact outsold all the other 100s put together.

[@RobLittleuk]

Hi Tom - thanks for the extra info and good to hear from you. I take it you know I am up doing the NC500 on the YB at the moment ?

[@tombartram7384]

@@RobLittleuk yeah and props to you (yer a bit mad but in a nice way). This time the weather's on your side and omg it makes such a difference.

[@RobLittleuk]

@@tombartram7384 being a little bit mad makes “us” a bit interesting Tom 😅

[@tombartram7384]

@@RobLittleuk I couldn't agree more. My Jawa 350 makes me possibly madder than you as it's my MAIN transport with NO quirkiness or irony intended WHATSOEVER.

[@jayanathchandrarangabandar3947]

My DX100 byke is now 43 years old.!

[@robertlittle879]

Fantastic bike!

[@loki1066]

Sounds like my fizzy but enough power to lug the weight I've put on since '76 😂

[@andrewwest3476]

I bought a new Yb100 for my 24 mile each way commute into central London from Hertfordshire in 1986 I think. Was 1 mile to the dual carriageway then full throttle 50mph all the way into central London. Only problem was collapsed rear wheel bearings and unfortunately it got stolen after 5 years and just over 50000 miles. Only had to decoke the exhaust port a couple of times and was only a 1 hour job.

[@RobLittleuk]

Thats amazing Andrew - they are hardy little bikes for sure. Not sure if you have seen my latest series of when I rode it from the Cotswolds up to the north of Scotland (last month) - amazing little bike !! Thanks for your comment,

[@CharlesMwangiGachara-cw4sj]

Good small horse

[@RobLittleuk]

Yes it is - what part of the world are you in?

[@derbyshireruralrider9398]

Commenting at a time when you’re about to start the actual 500 and it seems to have hot you there ok

[@RobLittleuk]

Well i dont want to put a spoiler on it !!

[@mrgraham1985]

Hi rob have you still got the bike

[@RobLittleuk]

Yes indeed I do !

[@mrgraham1985]

@@RobLittleuk nice I’m looking to buy one, are you keeping yours

[@RobLittleuk]

@@mrgraham1985 At the moment, yes

[@wboeren1]

I don't know, can you really review it at 30.000 miles, maybe at 60.000?

[@RobLittleuk]

I know I thought that too but then others review at 2000, 5000 - I may be gone when it gets to 60k !

[@bambalam9170]

Does it come with a quick shifter option?😂😊

[@RobLittleuk]

Of COURSE it does - if her left hand aches a bit just crash the gears! 🤣

[@shayclarke]

It's a work horse

[@RobLittleuk]

We shall see how it works on the NC500 - leaving tomorrow !!

[@LushmanGB]

Lol Harley riders are always embarrassed when a 100cc bike is faster 😂😂😂😂

[@RobLittleuk]

Dunno about embarrassed but certainly furious