Yamaha 135 LC Super Sport: Features explained

The words super and sport are expected to be preceded by something like Bugatti Veyron or Ducati. But for us Malaysians, this term is most popularly heard with the Yamaha 135 LC. This sporty little underbone has never really seen a wane in its popularity since its first launch in 2006. Yamaha too has consistently tried to keep it refreshed. It saw a facelift in 2016 and a range of new colors in 2017.

Yamaha has good reason to keep this bike alive. As a 135 cc underbone, this brings that rare combination of performance and affordability. Currently, it sells in the Malaysian market for a very encouraging price of RM 7068. While the previous manually clutched version has now been discontinued, the current one is just as amazing.  Here are all the amazing features that make this bike so popular. Especially among our own version of squids.

Starting from the heart, the bike is powered by a liquid-cooled and carbureted 134 cc 4 valve single cylinder engine that produces 11.97 hp at 8,500 rpm and 11.79 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. It uses a four-speed rotary gearbox with an automatic clutch.

The 2016 facelift has made the 135 LC even sportier and practical. This includes new color schemes like Blue, Red, Black, and Silver. The Silver comes with yellow detailing and even rims in the same striking shade. It also gets LED pilot lights and a new taillight design that uses a secondary brake light. This high mounted brake light goes flush with a new grab rail design and also serves as an extra indicator for increased safety. It also gets a new chin visor that ups the sportiness even more.

Even before the facelift, the bike was extremely stylish in its price range. The fairing wraps around the diamond frame like a racy shroud. Aggressive gills and vents making it look extra menacing. Slim 5 spoke 17” cast alloy wheels with a wide 100/70 rear tire gives it immense road presence.

The sportiness is not just in looks either. The bike has been tailor-made to give a thrilling ride. The bike has a sporty linked type shift pedal for quick gear changes. The gearing itself allows for quick acceleration. The engine is water cooled for unmitigated performance. It uses a DiASiL cylinder for better cooling and fuel efficiency. Forged pistons not only save weight but also make for a vibration free ride. The BS carburetor uses a throttle position sensor that ensures smooth power delivery at the slightest twist of the wrist.

Handling is also given a high priority. The monocross suspension in the rear works well with the diamond frame and the telescopic front forks for confident handling. The lightweight 105 kg bike then is a joy to ride everywhere. Safety is also taken care of with a powerful disc brake. The front has a large 267 mm diameter disc with a single piston setup. The rear has a smaller drum brake for added stopping power.

The bike has seen many changes in its lifetime. The LC 135 of the past with the manual clutch and the dual disc brakes may be no longer. But the current LC 135 Super Sport carries the same spirit and is just as sporty. While it has earned a reputation with the public as an instrument of hooliganism and lawlessness, it was never really the fault of the bike itself. The same qualities that make it good for hooning around also make it a very good commuter.

Having a bit of fun should never be discouraged. But riding any vehicle comes with responsibility – to oneself and to others. So have fun but ride with care.