Suzuki RE5 Rotary

Suzuki1975

Suzuki didn't settle for just producing blue-smoking 2-strokes in the 70s. The Wankel project that was on the drawing board had to be put to the test. Thus, the stage was set for the RE5 Rotary.

For Suzuki , the project was largely about prestige and the desire to demonstrate technological superiority. Wankel-powered vehicles were nothing new, and the segment for this type of motorcycle was very narrow. The advantages of the Wankel engine were that it was compact, light and had high power in relation to its displacement. Norton , Hercules / DKW , Van Veen tried the same concept, but without much commercial success. In retrospect, Suzuki was perhaps the most successful. The RE5 performed beyond expectations, had a great design, and was capable of sufficient speed.

The belief in the Wankel engine was certainly present among several car and motorcycle manufacturers at the beginning of the 70s. The 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines were well established, and the technology was something the dealer network had expertise in. What was the reason for the interest in a 3rd engine alternative being so great at Suzuki ? Breaking new ground and demonstrating technological knowledge has always been, and still is, something that brings both honor and fame, at least if you succeed. In any case, the downside of the Wankel engine was too great. It was very fond of gasoline, which did not fit in very well with the oil crisis that took place in 1973. The fact that the dealer network and motorcycle repair shops lacked expertise in the technology did not make matters any better. Despite its spectacular technology and a great design, the RE5 was a bit of a flash in the pan, and the model was only produced for 3 years, in the period 1974-1976.

Suzuki developed the RE5 in collaboration with Italdesign and Giorgetto Giugiaro. Cylindrical shapes characterized many of the components on the RE5, and the instrument panel was no exception. A fun feature was the green plastic cover over the instruments that opened when the ignition key was turned. It is especially the models with this distinctive dashboard that are sought after by collectors. Later models received the traditional round analog instruments. The last vintage of the RE5 left the assembly line in 1976. By then, the time was ripe for the 4-stroke GS750, and the GT750 water bus was coming to an end. With about 7,000 RE5s produced Suzuki closed this very spectacular chapter in the company's history.

Technical data Suzuki RE5 Rotary, 1975 model:
Engine: liquid-cooled single-chamber/single-rotor rotary engine
Displacement: 497 cc
Power: 62 hp at 6500 rpm.
Torque: 73Nm at 3500 rpm.
No. of gears: 5
Tank: 17 liters
Weight: 229 kg (dry)
Top speed: 180 km/h