Suzuki RG500 Gamma rocket
Some motorcycles appear in the starry sky almost like comets, and disappear almost as quickly as they came. These types of machines are often hyperfast, spectacular and "unreasonable". In this respect, Suzuki's blue and white bomb, the "RG 500", was such a motorcycle comet, and which challenged Yamaha RD500LC. It was more of a GP racer than a street bike, it was lightning fast and last but not least very fuel-hungry. However, those who were lucky enough to experience it will never forget it.
0/0
The 1980s were the time of the big and heavy superbikes. By the end of the 70s, several standard machines had already achieved a cylinder capacity of around a liter. In the mid-80s, many manufacturers suffered from the “elephant disease”, and the philosophy could indicate that “biggest and strongest” was the trend. The curves for weight, displacement and power were pointing upwards. 2-strokes were now more or less history, largely due to the exhaust restrictions in the enormous American motorcycle market. If the American authorities said “no”, it was enough to take this into account. But, no rule without exceptions (and fortunately some will argue), because those who got close to Suzuki RG 500 Gamma had an unforgettable experience. Perhaps not so strange considering that this “half-liter” raced the tail of the established superbikes. Bikes like Kawasaki 1300cc and Honda CB 1100R were left standing at the traffic light when the light turned green, and had to be content with watching the blue smoke from the super-fast 2-stroke.
Wolf in sheep's clothing
When Suzuki showed off the “rocket” RG 500 at the IFMA trade fair in Cologne in the fall of 1984, it justifiably attracted attention. With 95 revving 2-stroke horses pushing a 154 kg (dry weight) motorcycle, it had to go fast. For those who had followed Suzuki's focus on racing, the RG500 was no bomb. Famous riders such as Barry Sheene and Marco Lucchinelli had used Suzuki 's RG series with great success, taking home top places in Grand Prix races around the world. However, the fact that Suzuki now dared to disguise the road racer in “sheep's clothing” and offer it to the man in the street surprised most people. Never before had the parallel between the road racer and the street version been so close. The RG500 was definitely the closest thing to a thoroughbred GP racer built for street use.
154 kg dry
By using a frame construction made of square-profiled aluminum, Suzuki managed to keep the weight to a minimum, while maintaining the requirements for torsional stability. 154 dry kilograms was a very low weight by 1985 standards. The speed resources were provided by the water-cooled 4-cylinder 2-stroke engine, a construction based on the “Square four” principle. The pistons were placed in a square, something that only the English-made Ariel had used in the 50s. The Ariel, however, was air-cooled. The engine in the RG500 had a number of technical goodies that, together with four 28 mm Mikuni Flat Slide carburetors, ensured perfectly metered filling of air and fuel across the entire rev range.
12000 revolutions
Maximum power was achieved at 9500 rpm, but the engine absolutely wanted more, and the rev needle didn't stop until 12000! To stop the marvel, the RGn was equipped with 260 mm dual discs at the front and a single disc at the rear. Calipers with four pistons ensured sufficient pressure on the brake pads. The powerful square-profiled swingarm with monoshock at the rear was both modern and functional, and ensured good ground contact.
Politically incorrect, but oh my, so funny!
Although the RG500 never became politically correct (read: environmentally friendly), it offered its owners a driving experience that was often described as “intoxicating”. At full throttle, the kick was so intense that a rising concentration of adrenaline in the bloodstream was inevitable. At the same time, the RG500 showed astonishingly good handling characteristics, which was not a given for fast “rice cookers” from the Orient. It was easy to drive, stable and predictable in most situations, just as a road racer replica should be.
1985-1986
The lifespan of the 500cc bike was short, and after three years of production (1985-1986) the 2-stroke adventure was over. In parallel with the production of the RG500, Suzuki had developed the superbike GSX-R 750. The latter had only marginally better characteristics and performance than the RGn, but with a 4-stroke engine it had a solid environmental alibi!
Technical data Suzuki RG500 Gamma, 1985 model:
Engine: 4-cylinder 2-stroke, water-cooled.
Displacement: 498 cc
Power: 95 hp
No. of gears: 6
Front tires: 110/90x16
Rear tires: 120/90x17
Tank: 22 liters
Weight: 154 kg (dry)
Top speed: 230 km/h
