View source for Suzuki RG500

{{No footnotes|date=June 2012}}
{{about|the road-going production motorcycle|the racing motorcycles|Suzuki RG 500|and|Suzuki RG 500 gamma}}
{{Infobox motorcycle
|name             = Suzuki RG500
|image            = File:RG 500 Gamma.JPG
|caption          = 
|aka              = 
|manufacturer     = [[Suzuki]]
|parent_company   = 
|production       = 1985–1987
|assembly         = 
|predecessor      = 
|successor        = 
|class            = [[Sport bike]]
|engine           = {{convert|498.5|cc|abbr=on}} two-stroke, four-cylinder [[U engine]], liquid-cooled
|bore_stroke      = {{convert|56|×|50.6|mm|abbr=on}}
|compression      = 7.0:1
|top_speed        = <!-- {{convert|236|km/h|abbr=on}} -->
|power            = <!-- {{convert|95|hp|PS kW|abbr=on}} at 9,500 rpm -->
|torque           = <!--  52.6 ft-lb at 9,000 rpm -->
|ignition         = [[Capacitor discharge ignition|CDI]]
|transmission     = Cassette-type 6-speed constant mesh manual, chain final drive
|frame            = Box-section aluminum, double cradle
|suspension       = Front: 38 mm telescopic fork with hydraulic anti-dive<br />Rear: full-floater swing arm
|brakes           = Front: dual 260 mm discs with four-piston calipers<br />Rear: 210 mm disc with twin-piston caliper
|tires            = Front: 110/90-16<br />rear: 120/90-17 
|rake_trail       = 
|wheelbase        = {{convert|1425|mm|abbr=on}}
|length           = {{convert|2100|mm|abbr=on}}
|width            = {{convert|695|mm|abbr=on}}
|height           = {{convert|1185|mm|abbr=on}}
|seat_height      = {{convert|770|mm|abbr=on}}
|dry_weight       = <!-- {{convert|156|kg|abbr=on}} -->
|wet_weight       = <!-- {{convert|175|kg|abbr=on}} -->
|fuel_capacity    = {{convert|22|L|abbr=on}}
|oil_capacity     = 
|fuel_consumption = 
|turning_radius   = 
|climbing_ability =
|related          = 
|sp               =  
}}

The '''Suzuki RG500''' "Gamma", a [[sport bike]] with a [[two-stroke engine]], was produced by [[Suzuki]] for just two years between 1985 and 1987.

The RG "Gamma" 500 was directly based on the series of [[Suzuki RG Γ 500]] [[Grand Prix motorcycle racing|Grand Prix motorcycle]]s with almost identical features to the official two-stroke machines used by Italian world champion [[Franco Uncini]] during the 1984 season with the [[Roberto Gallina|Gallina team]]. The RG Γ 500 won two consecutive Riders' Championships in the 500&nbsp;cc class with [[Marco Lucchinelli]] in 1981 and [[Franco Uncini]] in 1982. Like its GP forebears, the road-going RG was powered by a 498 cc [[naturally aspirated engine|naturally aspirated]], [[rotary valve|rotary-valve inducted]], twin crank [[U engine|square four]] two-stroke engine. This engine employed thermostatically controlled [[radiator (engine cooling)|liquid-cooling]] by means of a front-mounted radiator. <!-- Power output was {{convert|93.7|bhp}} at 9,500&nbsp;RPM. -->

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 swing arms. <!-- The motorcycle weighed just {{convert|154|kg|lb|abbr=on}} dry.-->

==RG400==
A smaller 397&nbsp;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, and gearbox.  However, the main differences between the two were a reduced bore width (50mm instead of 56mm) with power output reduced to {{convert|59|bhp|abbr=on}}, different big end roller bearings (some roller-less), clutch disks unit, front brakes (non floating discs), silencers, and 'RG400' stickers on the fairings.
  
The RG400 was produced and sold within Asian markets: its 397cc capacity and {{convert|59|bhp|abbr=on}} output complied with a restricted Japanese motorcycle driving licence of the time.

==Production numbers==
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
! Model
! 1985
! 1986
! 1987
! Total
|-
| RG500
| 7340
| 1412
| 532
| 9284
|-
| RG400
| 5002
| 863
| 348
| 6213
|}

==References==
{{commons category|Suzuki RG500 Gamma}}	
{{refbegin}}
* {{Citation |title= 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 |last=Ash |first = Kevin |authorlink=Kevin Ash |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motorbikes/2990815/Classic-bikes-Blast-from-the-past.html |date= September 19, 2008 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]  |accessdate=2012-06-04}}
* {{Citation |last=Cameron |first= Kevin |authorlink= Kevin Cameron (journalist) |title= Top Dead Center 2:Racing and Wrenching With Cycle World's Kevin Cameron |chapter= April 1983 Chassis and Suspension, Part 2 |chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=1rSx4O2-mcMC&pg=PA99 |pages=99–113 |accessdate=2012-06-04 |publisher= MBI Publishing Company |year= 2009 | isbn= 9780760336083}}
* {{Citation |last=Cameron |first= Kevin |authorlink= Kevin Cameron (journalist) |title= Top Dead Center 2:Racing and Wrenching With Cycle World's Kevin Cameron |chapter= July 1985; Buell: The Other American Maker |chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=1rSx4O2-mcMC&pg=PA200 |pages= 200–211  |accessdate=2012-06-04 |publisher= MBI Publishing Company |year= 2009 | isbn= 9780760336083}}
* {{Citation |title=  A bit of RG bargy |first= Paul |last= Snowsill |date= April 16, 2007 |url= http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/user/21713/April/RGbargy/ |magazine= [[Motor Cycle News]]  |accessdate=2012-06-04 }}
* {{Citation |last= Walker |first= Mick |authorlink= Mick Walker (motorcycling) |title=Mick Walker's Japanese Grand Prix Racing Motorcycles |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=fpoF0PMZEjEC&pg=PA132  |pages=132–135 |accessdate=2012-06-04 |publisher= Redline Books |year= 2002| isbn= 9780953131181 }} 
{{refend}}

[[Category:Suzuki motorcycles|RG500]]
[[Category:Sport bikes]]
[[Category:Two-stroke motorcycles]]


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