Suzuki RG250 Gamma model history
1983-1987

I have tried to tell the Suzuki RG 250 Gamma model history on this page as I know it. The page is still under construction. 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.

The first street-legal racer While the other Japanese motorcycle went early (late 1960's and early 1970's) to four-stroke machines, Suzuki kept on manufacturing new and larger two-stroke machines. Yes, the first Suzuki ever made had a four-stroke engine, but at the time Honda presented its CB750 there wasn't any four-strokes available from Suzuki. Instead, it was known to be able to build large, economical and practically ”bulletproof” machines like T500 and later GT750. It wasn't until the late-mid 1970's Suzuki also started to make four-strokes in a larger scale. But the two-stroke engines stayed alive on small and cheap machines — and on the racing track. In the early 1980's, when Yamaha presented its RZ250R, the battle of the leadership of manufacturers in the 250 cc class was on. The first strike was drawn by HONDA in the VT250F (1982), followed with the ambitious work of the V3-engined MVX250F. Yamaha and Honda were in the lead. For a while. In 1983 Suzuki presented the RG250 Gamma. Who was the king of the hill now? Many motorcycles have been called road-legal racers, but RG250 Gamma was actually the very first mass-produced motorcycle with a lightweight aluminum frame and racing type aerodunamic fairing, starting a new trend. It was fast and it handled very well, obviously Suzuki had usedall its experiences from the race track and its knowledge in designing 2-stroke engines. Yes, the RG250 was a real road-legal racer and gained much popularity in racing circuits. It's not a bike for commuting but great on a track! The model was manufactured between 1983 and 1986 and it was finally replaced by the V-twin engined RGV250 in 1987.

1983 Suzuki year code: D

The RG250 Gamma (presented in March 1983) had a liqued-cooled two-stroke parallel twin engine with 45—46 hp maximum power output at relative low 8.500 rpm. Returning to the old days, the RG250 Gamma was a two-stroke, but water-cooled and in a brilliant frame. With six speeds, light aluminum frame, Full-Floater suspension and a fairing it was a quick motorcycle which handled very well. It also had anti-dice front forks, the new invention from Suzuki used earlier only on the race track on RGB500.

RG 250 Gamma 1983 Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in) Overall Width: 685 mm (27.0 in) Overall Height: 1 220 mm (48.0 in) Seat Height: 785 mm (30.9 in) Wheelbase: 1 385 mm (54.5 in) Ground Clearance: 155 mm (6.1 in) Dry Weight: 131 kg (289 lbs) Engine type: 247 cc water-cooled 2-stroke parallel twin. 46 hp (34,3 kW)/ 8.500 rpm, 38,4 Nm (3,92 kg-m, 28.4 lb-ft)/ 8.000 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

RG 250 Gamma 1983 Specs for Japan: Overall Height: 1 195 mm (47.0 in) Front Tyre: 100-90-16 54S Rear Tyre: 100/90-18 56S Maximum power and torque: 45 ps/ 8.500 rpm, 3,8 kgm-m/ 8.000 rpm Colors: White/Blue Recommended retail price (Japan): 460.000 Yen Click on the image for larger format.

1984 Suzuki year code: E

Cosmetic changes only.

RG 250 Gamma 1984 Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in) Overall Width: 685 mm (27.0 in) Overall Height: 1 220 mm (48.0 in) Seat Height: 785 mm (30.9 in) Wheelbase: 1 385 mm (54.5 in) Ground Clearance: 155 mm (6.1 in) Dry Weight: 131 kg (289 lbs) Engine type: 247 cc water-cooled 2-stroke parallel twin. 46 hp (34,3 kW)/ 8.500 rpm, 38,4 Nm (3,92 kg-m, 28.4 lb-ft)/ 8.000 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

1983—1984 RG250W Gamma specifications (International)
Overall length:	2 050 mm (80.7 in.)
Overall width:	685 mm (27.0 in.)
Overall height:	1 220 mm (48.0 in.)
Wheelbase:	1 385 mm (54.5 in.)
Seat height:	785 mm (30.9 in.)
Ground clearance:	155 mm (6.1 in.)
Dry weight:	131 kg (289 lbs)
Engine type:	Liquid-cooled parallel twin 2-stroke
Intake system:	Piston and reed valve
Piston displacement:	247 cc (15.1 cu-in)
Bore x stroke:	54,0 x 54,0 mm (2.125 x 2.125 in.)
Compression ratio:	7,4 :1
Maximum power output:	46 hp (34,4 kW)/ 8.500 rpm
Maximum torque:	38,4 Nm (3.92 kg-m, 28.4 lb-ft)/ 8.000 rpm
Carburettor:	Mikuni VM28SS flat side x 2
Starter system:	Primary kick
Ignition type:	Suzuki PEI (Pointless Electrical Ignition)
Lubrication system:	Suzuki CCI
Clutch:	Wet multi-plate type
Transmission:	6-speed constant mesh
Gearshift pattern:	1-down, 5-up
Final drive:	#520 chain, 110 links, O-ring sealed
Front suspension:	Telescopic, coil spring, oil damped with anti-dive
Rear suspension:	Full Floater, gas/oil damped, spring pre-load fully adjustable
Front brake:	Double hydraulic disk
Rear brake:	Single hydraulic disk
Front tyre:	110/90-16 54S
Rear tyre:	110/80-18 58S
Fuel tank Capacity incl. reserve:	17 liter (4.5 US gal, 3.7 Imp gal)
Engine oil tank capacity:	1,2 liter (1.3 US gal, 1.1 Imp gal)
Battery:	12 V 18 kC (5 Ah)/10 HR
Headlight:	12 V 60/55 W

1985 Suzuki year code: F

Revisited fairing, front mudguard, wheel color, color scheme. Shorter wheelbase.

RG 250 Gamma 1985 Overall Length: 2 010 mm (79.1 in) Overall Width: 675 mm (26.6 in) Overall Height: 1 170 mm (46.1 in) Wheelbase: 1 355 mm (53.3 in) Dry Weight: 130 kg (286 lbs) Engine type: 247 cc water-cooled 2-stroke parallel twin. 45 hp / 8.500 rpm, 3,8 kg-m/ 8.000 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

1986 Suzuki year code: G

A Walter Wolf model was introduced, available in two colors: Dark Blue and Silver Green. Mr. Walter Wolf was a Canadian oil magnate who had too much money and started a racing team. Suzuki offered the RG250, RG400 and RG500 Gamma models painted in the racing team's colors. A version with aerodymanic full fairing was available on some market areas. Here's a picture of one with the additional lower fairing. Here's even larger picture.

RG 250 Gamma 1986 Overall Length: 2 010 mm (79.1 in) Overall Width: 675 mm (26.6 in) Overall Height: 1 170 mm (46.1 in) Wheelbase: 1 335 mm (52.6 in) Dry Weight: 130 kg (286 lbs) Engine type: 247 cc water-cooled 2-stroke parallel twin. 45 hp/ 8.500 rpm, 3.8 kg-m/ 8.000 rpm. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

RG 250 Gamma 1986 Overall Length: 2 010 mm (79.1 in) Overall Width: 675 mm (26.6 in) Overall Height: 1 170 mm (46.1 in) Wheelbase: 1 335 mm (52.6 in) Dry Weight: 130 kg (286 lbs) Engine type: 247 cc water-cooled 2-stroke parallel twin. 45 hp/ 8.500 rpm, 3.8 kg-m/ 8.000 rpm. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

RG 250 Gamma Walter Wolf 1986 Overall Length: 2 010 mm (79.1 in) Overall Width: 675 mm (26.6 in) Overall Height: 1 170 mm (46.1 in) Wheelbase: 1 335 mm (52.6 in) Dry Weight: 130 kg (286 lbs) Engine type: 247 cc water-cooled 2-stroke parallel twin. 45 hp/ 8.500 rpm, 3.8 kg-m/ 8.000 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

RG 250 Gamma Walter Wolf 1986 Overall Length: 2 010 mm (79.1 in) Overall Width: 675 mm (26.6 in) Overall Height: 1 170 mm (46.1 in) Wheelbase: 1 355 mm (53.3 in) Dry Weight: 130 kg (286 lbs) Engine type: 247 cc water-cooled 2-stroke parallel twin. 45 hp / 8.500 rpm, 3,8 kg-m/ 8.000 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

1987 Suzuki year code: H

1987 was the last year for the RG250 Gamma, It was replaced in 1988 by the RGV250 Gamma, with a V-twin engine. Some modifications were made for the '87 year's model. The diameter of the front forks was increased from 36 to 38 mm (1.42 to 1.50 in.), the brake discs were enlargened and even the tyre sizes were changed (from 100/90-16 to 110/80-16 at the front and from 110/80-18 to 120/80-17 at the rear). The changes made the '87 model felt more rigid and less nervous than the earlier models. The blue-white RG250 below appears to be 1986-year's model, with all the 1986 specs, although it was sold in Canada as a 1987 H model, with a C in the model name (RG250CH), stating it was a Canada special.

RG 250 Gamma CH 1987 (Canada) Overall Length: 2 010 mm (79.1 in) Overall Width: 675 mm (26.6 in) Overall Height: 1,170 mm (46.1 in) Seat Height: 735 mm (28.9 in) Wheelbase: 1,355 mm (53.3 in) Ground Clearance: 150 mm (5.9 in) Dry Weight: 130 kg (287 lbs) Engine type: 247 cc water-cooled 2-stroke parallel twin. 49 hp (Canada) Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

RG 250 Gamma Walter Wolf 1987 Overall Length: 2 015 mm (79.3 in) Overall Width: 675 mm (26.6 in) Overall Height: 1 170 mm (46.1 in) Seat Height: 735 mm (28.9 in) Wheelbase: 1 360 mm (53.5 in) Ground Clearance: 125 mm (4.9 in) Dry Weight: 130 kg (287 lbs) Engine type: 247 cc water-cooled 2-stroke parallel twin. 45 hp / 8.500 rpm, 3,6 kg-m/ 8.500 rpm (Japan). Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

1987 RG250 Gamma (GJ21B) specifications (Japan)
Overall length:	2 015 mm (79.3 in.)
Overall width:	675 mm (26.6 in.)
Overall height:	1 170 mm (46.1 in.)
Wheelbase:	1 360 mm (53.5 in.)
Seat height:	735 mm (28.9 in.)
Ground clearance:	125 mm (4.9 in.)
Dry weight:	130 kg (287 lbs)
Engine type:	Liquid-cooled parallel twin 2-stroke
Intake system:	Piston and reed valve
Piston displacement:	247 cc (15.1 cu-in)
Bore x stroke:	54,0 x 54,0 mm (2.125 x 2.125 in.)
Compression ratio:	7,0 :1
Maximum power output:	45 hp/ 9.500 rpm
Maximum torque:	3,6 kg-m/ 8.500 rpm
Carburettor:	Mikuni VM28SS flat side x 2
Starter system:	Primary kick
Ignition type:	Suzuki PEI (Pointless Electrical Ignition)
Lubrication system:	Suzuki CCI
Clutch:	Wet multi-plate type
Transmission:	6-speed constant mesh
Gearshift pattern:	1-down, 5-up
Final drive:	#520 chain, 110 links, O-ring sealed
Caster:	26 degrees
Trail:	110 mm (4.33 in.)
Front suspension:	Telescopic, coil spring, oil damped with anti-dive
Rear suspension:	Full Floater, gas/oil damped, spring pre-load fully adjustable
Front brake:	Double hydraulic disk
Rear brake:	Single hydraulic disk
Front tyre:	110/80-16
Rear tyre:	120/80-17
Minimum turning radius:	3,1 meter
Braking distance:	14 m (initial speed 50 kph)
Fuel economy:	46,3 km/l (50 kph)
Fuel tank Capacity incl. reserve:	17 liter (4.5 US gal, 3.7 Imp gal)
Engine oil tank capacity:	1,2 liter (1.3 US gal, 1.1 Imp gal)
Recommended retail price (Japan):	489,000—509,000 Yen

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