1986 Suzuki RG500 Gamma

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: HM31A1066550, Engine # M301-107617. The seller acquired it less than a year ago from a private party in Daytona, Florida.

During his ownership, the seller has covered 150 miles. The odometer shows 23,885 km. (14,841 miles.)

“Looks like new and sounds incredible. Bike is like new. Extremely clean. No flaws, runs incredibly well. Handles twisties like a modern sportbike. Starts 1st or 2nd kick every time. All gauges work like they should.”

Maintenance:
“All electrical components replaced with new genuine NOS parts including CDI, stator, rectifier, coils and exhaust valve control unit. Original parts worked perfectly fine and included with bike as spare parts.

NOS gas tank installed.”

The seller states that there are no known mechanical issues.

Modifications:

Body kit.

Yoshimura Factory Racing swingarm, polished professionally.

Tommy Crawford expansion chambers with custom Akrapovic carbon fiber silencers.

New Brembo front calipers with titanium caliper bolts, new Sunstar rotors, new Ohlins fork springs, new steel brake lines front and rear.

New Brembo front master cylinder and Brembo clutch/brake levers.

Yoshimura front sprocket cover.

Adjustable rearsets, adjustable shift linkage and adjustable rear brake custom made by Babyface.

Rear ride height adjustment linkage.

Tinted windscreen, MRacing carbon fiber mirrors.

Inside of the tank:

It is riding on Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires with date codes of 3523 and 2224.

The sale includes 3 ignition keys and “original Suzuki NOS boxes from new NOS parts. With original Suzuki factory part numbers on original factory packages.”

Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:

Currently located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this Suzuki is offered on a clean Pennsylvania title.

Have any RG500 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!