Suzuki RG500
The Suzuki RG500 "Gamma" was a motorcycle built by Suzuki between 1985 and 1987 and inspired by the 1984 Suzuki RG500 "Gamma" Grand Prix motorcycle, capitalizing on Suzuki's seven consecutive constructors title wins in the 500 cc-class. The Gamma was powered by a two stroke, rotary valve, twin crank, square four engine displacing 498 cubic centimeters. The power output was 93.7 brake horsepower (69.9 kW) at 9,500 RPM. The engine employed liquid-cooling by means of a front-mounted radiator with a thermostatic control. Suzuki employed an aluminum boxsection frame with castings for the headstock and swinging arm for the Gamma. The front suspension had pre-load adjust and an anti-dive system called "POSI DAMP" to control the tendency of a motorcycle's nose to dive under braking. At the rear the full-floater suspension design used dual-swingarms. The motorcycle weighed 154 kg (340 lb) dry.
The bike was also offered as a RG400 mainly for the Asian markets.
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