Suzuki RG500 Gamma
In the ’80s, road riders got the chance to feel what it was like to be Barry Sheene on this fearsome two-stroke GP rep
In the history of motorcycling, few bikes have ever truly lived up to the term ‘race replica’ – but the Suzuki RG500 is the nearest any manufacturer has got to building a two-stroke Grand Prix 500 for the road.
Based on the GP bike of the same name, the RG left the press and public open-mouthed when it first appeared in UK showrooms in 1985. It was fearsomely fast (the infamous tuned press bikes nudged 150mph) and has barely mellowed with age. But while still fast, today it’s the RG’S skinny 120-width 18in rear tyre that raises eyebrows, rather than its square-four engine.
The 498cc motor is a liquid-cooled two-stroke with discvalve induction, just like the GP racer. The 56mm x 50.6mm twin-crank engine has a compression ratio of 7.0:1, CDI ignition and a six-speed cassette gearbox. Although not as fast as a modern 600, the RG’S motor explodes into life at 7000rpm like only a two-stroke can. Riding an RG is never boring – on the right road, with the tacho needle buried between 8000 and 9500rpm, this Suzuki offers more thrills than a modern superbike.
As a road bike the RG handles well, although the thin aluminium box-section frame, anti-dive forks (Suzuki called their system ‘Posi Drive’), full floater rear end and 16/18in wheels haven’t aged well. Bridgestone BT45 tyres suit the standard wheels, but fitting wider 17in wheels to increase tyre choice is a popular and highly effective modification.
Despite its racing heritage, the RG can be surprisingly civilised if you’re not in the mood for searing acceleration. Ridden sedately, an RG will drink a gallon of super unleaded every 30-32 miles. Ridden as intended, it’ll empty a gallon from its tank every 20 miles. The riding position is also less racy than one might expect. If you can afford the fuel bill, long trips really are possible.
As policemen used to say: “Who do you think you are? Barry Sheene?” “Well, yes, actually...”