Please note: This Gamma sold before it was scheduled to go up on auction. We’ve added it to the site to help you value the Iconic goodness that we sell!
Cold Start Video:
Lights/Horn Video:
Derived straight from Suzuki’s half-liter RG Gamma XR45 factory Grand Prix racer, the RG500 was a road-legal replica racer produced between 1985 and 1987. From the mid-‘70s to the mid-‘80s, Suzuki was a dominant force in premier class competition. Barry Sheene achieved back-to-back 500cc championship titles in ’76 and ’77 before the Gallina Suzuki team repeated the feat half-a-decade-later with riders Marco Lucchinelli and Franco Uncini in ’81 and ’82. Suzuki also won seven consecutive 500cc Class Constructors’ titles around this same time.
To capitalize on the brand’s reputation for building high-performance race bikes, Suzuki decided to develop a slightly-tamed production version of its competition square-four machine. 7,340 examples were produced in the first year of production (1985), with another 1,412 in 1986 and a final 532 specimens in 1987, making for a total of just 9,284. Due to emissions regulations (among other reasons), Suzuki never officially sold the RG500 Gamma in America, though it was offered in Canada so a few grey market examples have found their way across the border.
Classic Motorbikes described the Gamma’s place among its competitors by stating, “Place the RD500, NS400 and RG500 Gamma side-by-side and you would have three of the top manufacturers attempts at producing a replica of their respective GP racers, however, with all but one of those machines, all you purchased was a mere shadow of the original design. That is not to say the others were rubbish, far from it in fact, but the RG was definitely nearer the mark, and actually far closer to the race machine than you might ever imagine. The Suzuki is almost an exact replica of the race machine.”
This example is VIN: JS1HM31A9G2100588. The seller acquired it ten years ago from a private party.
During his ownership, the seller has covered 1,000 miles. The odometer shows 4,723 kilometers (2,934 miles).
“I love motorcycles, especially two stroke bikes, hence owning now 4 RG500’s. I ride them all. This one the least as I don’t want to put the mileage on it, just ride it enough to keep things working well. All the rides have been short rides getting the bike to full operating temperature. I just sold privately my modified RG500, which leaves me with an RGV500 conversion and current project in the making is a RS500 conversion. The last two I will probably keep for now.” The seller is letting it go as he is “getting older and starting to thin the herd.”
Maintenance:
“I am a collector and do all my own maintenance. This bike just oil changes.” The seller states that there are no known mechanical issues.
Modifications:
“Not that it needed it but put ceramic ball valves in the carburetors. RG’s are notorious for leaky petcocks and dragging clutches, this is the rare bike that has neither but for precautionary measures I put the ball valves in.”
“I pulled the stock wheels and tires off as they are original to the bike. The tires are aged out but excellent for show purposes.”
“Other than that the bike is all original.”
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Bridgestone Battlax BT45 tires from 2016.
The sale includes two keys and the original tool kit.
The sale also includes the very rare Suzuki rear stand. The seller notes that all the rubber on the stand is original though he repainted the stand the “RG Γ” logo.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
“Another common problem with the RG’s, the tail section right above the left exhaust can has a vertical crack about 3/8″ long, but has been hot staple welded preventing it from further cracking.”
Currently located in Renton, Washington, this Suzuki is offered on a clean Washington title. Have any RG500 Gamma stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
