does anyone have a rg 500

two-stroke-brit · Post by **two-stroke-brit** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 7:42 pm

does any member have a rg 500.
mark

tz375 · Post by **tz375** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 8:15 pm

No. But I'd like one. Does that count for anything?

GT500Andy · Post by **GT500Andy** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 1:39 pm

Yes I had one, very fast bike no good for older boy's with neck problems so I had to sell it just could't look at it anymore!!

Andy

two-stroke-brit · Post by **two-stroke-brit** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 5:27 pm

GT500Andy wrote:Yes I had one, very fast bike no good for older boy's with neck problems so I had to sell it just could't look at it anymore!!
Andy

so how do they compare to the yamaha rd/rz 500lc.
thanks mark

Buffalo-guy · Post by **Buffalo-guy** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 9:34 pm

The RG 500 is faster, and lighter, with a more racing edge than the RZ. 10 HP more, aluminum chassis, less forgiving seating position. Nicely built bike. Had one on my bench last fall for some minor repairs, and had a chance to study it a bit up close. Sure made good power for a 24 year old. I think the guy is talking about selling the little beast. I'm totally unfamiliar with the concept of selling a Suzuki two stroke, what's it like? Cheers.
Fred

johnakay · Post by **johnakay** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 4:54 am

I've had the fortune of riding these two bikes
two work mates let me have ago.
the RG was much better than the yam. thats all I can remember about them. only rode them during lunch break around the industrial estate I did manage to get up to 100mph. both were quick but the suzy felt better.

Triplerocky · Post by **Triplerocky** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 5:23 am

if you can't wait....

http://www.subito.it/suzuki-rg-gamma-50 ... 818584.htm

GT500Andy · Post by **GT500Andy** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:32 pm

Here's 2 film of my RG with my son
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OCP81toXos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2NhPBS6Aus

Andy

johnakay · Post by **johnakay** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 5:06 am

these cost a small fortune over here if you can get one.

Frank · Post by **Frank** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 5:24 am

A friend at work had one back in-the-day (I was living in Canada.) Very nice bike but I lost track of him after moving. Nice machine!

Craig380 · Post by **Craig380** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 8:23 am

In the latest issue of Classic Mechanics, there's a 6-cylinder RG750 special

Not the sort of thing you can easily knock up in your garage, it's supposed to have cost over £50,000 ...

tygrant351 · Post by **tygrant351** » Sun Apr 11, 2010 7:41 am

the RG and RZ are two of the coolest bikes ever built in my opinion. I have never ridden one, and here in the states they sell for between 5 and 15 grand and still rising . a decent one is about 7500. the RZ350 is a cool little brother to the yamaha 500 and usualy much mroe affordable around here. the sound that comes out of those bikes is incredible, like an old GP bike. pretty much the definition of cool

two-stroke-brit · Post by **two-stroke-brit** » Sun Apr 11, 2010 6:00 pm

many thanks guys i had a RD350LC back in the 80s ,
it went ok but i was always wanting more power/speed.
a buddy had a RD500LC for a short while but got scared and sold it .
cheers mark

pjmcburney · Post by **pjmcburney** » Sun Apr 11, 2010 7:06 pm

Yep

.

Needs complete restoration though - my next project after the KTM.

RG's are now arguably the acme of the classic Japanese collector's list - up there with CBX1000's, Z Kwakkas and original model CB750's, but infinitely more fun to ride than all those put together.

Power really kicks in with a fantastic rush at 7k, but it's still a smooth, tractable bike off the pipe.
Light, physically small but surprisingly comfortable, not too thirsty, fairly neutral steering and handling, gearbox can be fragile, clutch is problematic (tends to drag because of the poorly designed actuator), and the fairing will crack and is expensive to paint and repair.
Essentially a road-going GP bike - power-to-weight ratio was identical to Suzuki's GP bike from a couple years earlier.
RZ500 Yamahas were/are a poor copy, heavy, vibey, thirsty and down-right weird in comparison - prices are reflective.

Engines were pilfered for 500 Speedcar class (in Oz at least), so rolling chassis are more common but (good) engines are very rare.

Can be made to really boogie with minimal work, but as mentioned the engine has fragility issues.
No such thing as oversize pistons anymore because of aforementioned activities, but decent aftermarket parts and support is available out of the UK.

PM me if you want more in depth, specific info - I've built up a bit of knowledge in the process of finding parts and restoring mine.

BTW, If you find a blown, ratty one for anything less than AUD$10000, buy it, you'll never over-capitalize on it.

Cheers
Paul

two-stroke-brit · Post by **two-stroke-brit** » Sun Apr 11, 2010 7:42 pm

thanks paul ,i think i am going to struggle to find an "affordable" one as i dont think they imported them to america.
but i have some feellers out in canada.
maybee something will come of that.
thanks again mark