Yamaha AG100

The Yamaha AG100 is a Yamaha motorcycle introduced in 1973 for use in agriculture, humanitarian aid and other rural professional use. It is only marketed in select regions, and is popular in Africa, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand. Initial advertisements described it as, "built tough for tough Australian farm use".[2] The bike has a single cylinder two-stroke engine, with five gears, and weighs 99 kg (218 lb) dry.[1]

AG100
ManufacturerYamaha
ClassUtility farm bike
Engine97 cc (5.9 cu in), air-cooled, 2-stroke, single
Bore / stroke52.0 mm × 45.6 mm (2.05 in × 1.80 in)
Compression ratio6.6:1
Top speed95 km/h
Power6.3 kw
Transmission5-speed manual, chain final drive
Frame typeSteel semi-double cradle
BrakesDrum
Tires19" front, 18" rear
Wheelbase1,315 mm (51.8 in)
Seat height800 mm (31 in)
Weight99 kg (218 lb)[1] (dry)
Fuel capacity11 L (2.4 imp gal; 2.9 US gal)
Fuel consumption55.0 km/L

The motorbike has many features designed for hard rural use, including a full-enclosed O-ring chain drive, autolube, kick start, both left and right kickstands for parking on sloped ground, and generally being a simple bike to maintain and repair. New Zealand's Farm Trader describes it as, "the best all-round performer in the low-budget farm bike sector".[1] The New Zealand Herald describes the bike as "King of the two strokes".[3]

Healthworker use in Africa

In the 21st century, the AG100 received media coverage for its popular role supporting healthworkers in Africa. As of 2015, the NGO Riders for Health maintains over 1,400 motorcycles, primarily the AG100, in seven African countries. The group cites the AG100 as a preferred choice due to its durability, ease of maintenance, and its small size being accessible to female healthworkers.[4][5]

In 2012, the government of Rwanda distributed 237 AG100s, for community outreach on tuberculosis and malaria follow-up.[6]

References
  1. Stevenson, Terry (2 June 2011). "Yamaha AG100 Bike Test". Farm Trader (New Zealand). Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  2. The Journal of Agriculture. Director of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture. 1973. p. 148.
  3. "King of the two strokes - Motoring - NZ Herald News". Nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 2015-08-23.
  4. Bloch, Hannah (2015-01-30). "In Africa, Motorcycles Can Save Lives by Delivering Health Care". WSJ. Retrieved 2015-08-23.
  5. "How motorcycles play a vital role in preventing Ebola outbreak | Bike Social". Bennetts.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-08-23.
  6. "Rwanda: 200 Yamaha Motorcycles Distributed To Health Workers from Bikes in the Fast Lane - Daily Motorcycle News". News.motorbiker.org. Retrieved 2015-08-23.

See also


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