Suzuki GT500
1971,
1976—1977

I have tried to tell the Suzuki GT 500 model history on this page as I know it. I would be grateful of any contributions — sales brochures, magazine ads, magazine articles, pictures, specs, facts, corrections etc. Please scan the material in JPEG format (large enough that all the details are visible) and send them to me. Please tell me the source and the publication date if possible. If you send me pictures of your own bike, please follow these instructions.

1971 Suzuki year code: R

While the rest of the world called it T500, the Japanese customers knew it as GT500. In 1971, Suzuki renamed its all street sport two strokers from T to GT models. The Japanese GT500 was exactly the same bike as the T500, still manufactured a couple of years for export market, only with a different name. The Suzuki GT500 was sold only in 1971, the model was replaced by the new GT550 with disc brake at the front and its characteristic Ram Air cylinder head. when The Suzuki GT500 replaced the T500 twin in 1975. The new model looked very much like the classic T500, once sensationally fast and well-built machine, but in the mid-seventies already old-fashioned and smoky two-stroker. Its days were outnumbered. Suzuki made a good effort trying to modernize the once very popular model by releasing the GT500 that had a bigger tank, electronic ignition and a front disk brake. Confusingly, the T500 was renamed to GT500 already in 1971 in Japan, but the rest of the world didn't even know about it, so I start this model historty page with the '75 model with the new looks and a disc brake at the front. Here's a picture of the '71 Suzuki GT500 (Japan only).

1971 Suzuki GT500, Japanese domestic model, here in Green/White

T 500 R 1971 Overall Length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall Width: 880 mm (34.7 in) Overall Height: 1 105 mm (43.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 455 mm (57.3 in) Weight: 190 kg (418 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 492 cc inline-2, 2-stroke. 47 hp (34.3 kW) @ 7 000 rpm, 5.5 kg-m @ 6 000 rpm. 110-120 mph Click on the image for larger format.

1975 Suzuki year code: M

The Suzuki GT500 replaced the T500 twin in 1975. The new model looked very much like the classic T500, once sensationally fast and well-built machine, but in the mid-seventies already old-fashioned and smoky two-stroker. Its days were outnumbered. Suzuki made a good effort trying to modernize the once very popular model by releasing the GT500 that had a bigger tank, electronic ignition and a front disk brake. Confusingly, the T500 was renamed to GT500 already in 1971 in Japan, but the rest of the world didn't even know about it, so I start this model historty page with the '75 model with the new looks and a disc brake at the front. Here's a picture of the '71 Suzuki GT500 (Japan only).

1976 Suzuki GT500, Targa Red (00U)

1975 Suzuki GT 500 Overall Length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall Width: 880 mm (34.6 in) Overall Height: 1 105 mm (43.5 in) Dry Weight: 187 kg (411 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 492 cc inline-2, 2-stroke. 44 hp @ 6 000 rpm, (54 Nm) 5.4 kg-m @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1975 Suzuki GT 500 Overall Length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall Width: 880 mm (34.6 in) Overall Height: 1 105 mm (43.5 in) Dry Weight: 187 kg (411 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 492 cc inline-2, 2-stroke. 44 hp @ 6 000 rpm, (54 Nm) 5.4 kg-m @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1976 Suzuki year code: A

The Suzuki GT500 was equipped with a single front hydraulic disc brake, identical to that which had been fitted to the GT380 and GT550. The forks were similar as well having 35mm stanchions and identical triple clamps to the GT range. The instruments were also identical to those found on the GT range. Another example of parts rationalisation was the use of the GT750 fuel tank on the GT500. A plastic insert replaces the unnecessary radiator access flap on the front of the tank. The larger tank gave welcome extra range to the 500 but didn't necessary made the machine more beautiful (a matter of an opinion). A new seat accompanied the change of tank.

1976 Suzuki GT 500 Overall Length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall Width: 880 mm (34.6 in) Overall Height: 1 105 mm (43.5 in) Dry Weight: 187 kg (411 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 492 cc inline-2, 2-stroke. 44 hp @ 6 000 rpm, (54 Nm) 5.4 kg-m @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1977 Suzuki year code: B

Thus modified the Suzuki 500 twin saw out its days and in 1977 the GT500B was the end of the line and only a few examples of this model were ever delivered by the factory. The last few GT500s on the showroom floor were heavily discounted and moved away to make way for the new four cylinder four stroke range. The 1977 B-model was delivered in red and blue color this year, but in USA and Canada they also sold a black version of the GT500. Significantly the GT triple range, which had stifled development on the Titan, died with it.

1977 Suzuki GT 500 Overall Length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall Width: 880 mm (34.6 in) Overall Height: 1 105 mm (43.5 in) Dry Weight: 187 kg (411 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 492 cc inline-2, 2-stroke. 44 hp @ 6 000 rpm, (54 Nm) 5.4 kg-m @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

More: Suzuki T500 model history

More: Suzuki T models

More: All Suzuki models

Sources: Suzuki Motor Company, The Classic Suzuki Two-Strokes Website etc.

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