Suzuki RG500
| Manufacturer | Suzuki |
|---|---|
| Also called | Suzuki RG500 Gamma |
| Production | 1985–1987 |
| Class | Sport bike |
| Engine | 498 cc (30.4 cu in) two-stroke, four-cylinder, liquid-cooled |
| Bore / stroke | 56 mm × 50.6 mm (2.20 in × 1.99 in) |
| Compression ratio | 7.0:1 |
| Ignition type | CDI |
| Transmission | Cassette-type 6-speed constant mesh manual, chain final drive |
| Frame type | Box-section aluminum, double cradle |
| Suspension |
Front: 38 mm telescopic fork with hydraulic anti-dive Rear: full-floater swing arm |
| Brakes |
Front: dual 260 mm discs with four-piston calipers Rear: 210 mm disc with twin-piston caliper |
| Tires |
Front: 110/90-16 rear: 120/90-17 |
| Wheelbase | 1,425 mm (56.1 in) |
| Dimensions |
L: 2,100 mm (83 in) W: 695 mm (27.4 in) H: 1,185 mm (46.7 in) |
| Seat height | 770 mm (30 in) |
| Fuel capacity | 22 L (4.8 imp gal; 5.8 US gal) |
The Suzuki RG500 "Gamma" is a two stroke sport bike that was produced by Suzuki from 1985 through 1987.
It was directly inspired by the series of Suzuki RG Γ 500 Grand Prix motorcycle with almost identical features to the official machine that was used by Italian world champion Franco Unciniin the 1984 season with the team Gallina.The Suzuki RG Γ 500,won 2 consecutive rider's championship in the 500 cc class with Marco Lucchinelli 1981 Franco Unciniin 1982. Like its GP forebears, the road-going RG was powered by a naturally aspirated, rotary-valve inducted, twin crank square four two-stroke engine displacing some 498 cc. This motor employed thermostatically controlled liquid-cooling by means of a front-mounted radiator.
Suzuki used an aluminum box-section frame with castings for the headstock and rear swing arm. The front suspension had pre-load adjust, as well as an anti-dive system called Posi Damp. This was a popular feature on early 1980s sports bikes, and was supposed to control the tendency of a motorcycle's nose to dive under braking. At the rear, the full-floater suspension design used dual-swingarms.
RG400
A smaller 397 cc derivative, known as the RG400, was also developed and produced alongside the 500. This machine appeared identical to its bigger brother in every way, making use of the same frame, suspension,gearbox.however the main differences between the two was a reduced a bore width (50mm instead of 56mm)with power output reduced to only 59hp,different bigend roller bearingsone roller less,clutch basket,front brakes (non floating ones),silencers, and 'RG400' stickers on the fairings.
The RG400 was mainly produced and sold within the Asian markets - its 400cc capacity and 59hp output in compliance with then current Japanese law.
Motorsport
Ken Araoka won the 1973 Macau Grand Prix.
Production numbers
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Suzuki RG500. |
| Model | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RG500 | 7340 | 1412 | 532 | 9284 |
| RG400 | 5002 | 863 | 348 | 6213 |
References
- Ash, Kevin (September 19, 2008), "Classic bikes: Blast from the past; We found out how it feels to ride a faithful replica of Mike Hailwood's 1967 Honda 500 four and a Suzuki RG500", The Daily Telegraph, retrieved 2012-06-04
- Cameron, Kevin (2009), "April 1983 Chassis and Suspension, Part 2", Top Dead Center 2:Racing and Wrenching With Cycle World's Kevin Cameron, MBI Publishing Company, pp. 99–113, ISBN 9780760336083, retrieved 2012-06-04
- Cameron, Kevin (2009), "July 1985; Buell: The Other American Maker", Top Dead Center 2:Racing and Wrenching With Cycle World's Kevin Cameron, MBI Publishing Company, pp. 200–211, ISBN 9780760336083, retrieved 2012-06-04
- Snowsill, Paul (April 16, 2007), "A bit of RG bargy", Motor Cycle News, retrieved 2012-06-04
- Walker, Mick (2002), Mick Walker's Japanese Grand Prix Racing Motorcycles, Redline Books, pp. 132–135, ISBN 9780953131181, retrieved 2012-06-04