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Suzuki RG250 Gamma
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,
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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.
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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.
The first version of the
RG20 Gamma had nostrenghening ribs on its frame and it had a vertical mounted headlight. Michelin tyres were standard, which was rare at the time. The rear section of the seat could be replaced by a cowl.
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| 1983 Suzuki RG250 Γ, White/Black/Blue with a black dual seat |
 1983 Suzuki RG
250 Gamma (Japan)
Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in)
Overall Width: 685 mm (27.0 in)
Overall Height: 1 195 mm (47.0 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: 247 cc water-cooled 2-stroke parallel twin. 46 hp
(34.3 kW) @ 8 500 rpm, 37.3 Nm (3.8 kg-m, 28.4 lb-ft) @ 8 000 rpm
Here's even larger picture.
|
 1983 Suzuki RG
250 Gamma (Japan)
Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in)
Overall Width: 685 mm (27.0 in)
Overall Height: 1 195 mm (47.0 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: 247 cc water-cooled 2-stroke parallel twin. 46 hp
(34.3 kW) @ 8 500 rpm, 37.3 Nm (3.8 kg-m, 28.4 lb-ft) @ 8 000 rpm
Click on the image for larger format.
|
 1983 Suzuki RG
250 Gamma (Japan)
Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in)
Overall Width: 685 mm (27.0 in)
Overall Height: 1 195 mm (47.0 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: 247 cc water-cooled 2-stroke parallel twin. 46 hp
(34.3 kW) @ 8 500 rpm, 37.3 Nm (3.8 kg-m, 28.4 lb-ft) @ 8 000 rpm
Here's even larger picture.
|
 1983 Suzuki RG
250 Gamma (Japan)
Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in)
Overall Width: 685 mm (27.0 in)
Overall Height: 1 195 mm (47.0 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: 247 cc water-cooled 2-stroke parallel twin. 46 hp
(34.3 kW) @ 8 500 rpm, 37.3 Nm (3.8 kg-m, 28.4 lb-ft) @ 8 000 rpm
Click on the image for larger format.
|
 1983 Suzuki RG
250 Gamma (Japan)
Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in)
Overall Width: 685 mm (27.0 in)
Overall Height: 1 195 mm (47.0 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: 247 cc water-cooled 2-stroke parallel twin. 46 hp
(34.3 kW) @ 8 500 rpm, 37.3 Nm (3.8 kg-m, 28.4 lb-ft) @ 8 000 rpm
Click on the image for larger format.
|
1984 Suzuki year code: E
The second model version, GJ21A (RG250EW-2), was released in February 1984. At that time, the sponsor of the GP race was British American Tobacco, and the RG250Γ was painted with the package design of HB (Harvey) cigarettes, the vivid coloring of yellow and white. The seat was red, the same color as the HB logo mark. Overall length/width/height were the same: 2050/685/1220 mm, only the overall height was 5 mm higher. The wheelbase/seat height of 1385/785 mm remained unchanged, but the dry weight was decreased from 131 to 128 kg.
At first it was only available in yellow and white, but one month later, in March 1984, the same blue and white color as the 1983 model was launched. The under cowl was treated as an optional part. The retail price in Japan without the under cowl was 460,000 yen and 498,000 yen with full fairing.
The engine's mid-low speed range was enhanced, and the frame was improved to MR (multi-rib) ALBOX, its rigidity was improved and the weight reduced. Suzuki announced that the unit weight was 7.3 kg, about 5% lighter than the first generation frame. Like the frame, the left and right rails of the swingarm were changed to multi-ribbed rails, increasing rigidity while maintaining light weight. The total weight of the bike was reduced by 4 kg (8.8 lbs).
The 2-stroke liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine remained the same, with the maximum output of 45ps @ 8,500 rpm and maximum torque of 3.8kg-m @ 8,000 rpm, but an Electric Air Control System (EACS) that electronically controls the amount of air intake with a solenoid valve was adopted.
The radiator was new, with a 15% improved cooling efficiency. The exhaust system was also been replaced. The outer cylinder of the silencer that was matte in type 1 got mirror finish in type 2. The cowl shape was changed and was now slanted and the top of the windscreen was slightly higher.
The front brake calipers were upgraded from opposed type 2 to 4 pistons.
As a result the RG250Γ now had a total of 10 pistons, 8 in the front and 2 in the rear.
The full floater type rear suspension with a link at the bottom of the monoshock was the same as the first generation. The 16/18-inch wheel size remained the same, but the tires fitted were new Michelin tires, and the rear was changed from 100/90 to 110/80.The RG250Γ did not have a center stand, which was a standard bike equipment at the time, but Suzuki prepared a stand with the same structure as the racing stand. The retail price of the stand was 5000 yen.
The tachometer, centered at 5 o'clock, the air plane tank cap with an egg-shaped upper plate, and the forged aluminum separate handlebars were inherited from the first generation of the RG250Γ.
An aluminum stabilizer was installed on the front fender, and the fender fixing bolt was placed in the same place. In result, the shape of the outer tube of the front fork was changed.
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| 1984 Suzuki RG250 Γ, Yellow/White with a red single seat and full fairing |
| 1984 Suzuki RG250 Γ, Black/Blue/White with a black dual seat |
|
1983—1984 RG250 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: |
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 both (full and half cowl versions were available), front mudguard, wheel color,
color scheme. A "deca piston" caliper with a total of 10 opposed pistons (even for the export models) and an SAEC exhaust device were also introduced.
Newly designed MR-ALBOX frame shortens wheelbase by 30 mm (1.18 inches). Details lika a push-type turn signal switch adoption was also updated.
Available colors: Red/White, Blue/White and White
|
| 1985 Suzuki RG250 Γ, Blue/White with full fairing and a seat cowl |
A single-seat Walter Wolf version of the Suzuki RG250 Gamma was introduced for the 1985 season.
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.
|
| 1985 Suzuki RG250 Γ Walter Wolf, Blue/Red with Red/Gold striping and logos |
1986 Suzuki year code: G
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.
A 1986-year's model of the RG250 Gamma, with all the 1986 specs, was sold in Canada as a 1987 H model, with a C in the model name (RG250CH), stating it was a Canada special.
The '86
Suzuki RG250 Gamma color options were Blue/White and Black/Red.
|
| 1986 Suzuki RG250 Γ, Gray/Red |
| 1986 Suzuki RG250 Γ, Blue/White |
The Walter Wolf model was now available in two colors: Dark
Blue with red seat and wheels and Silver Green with black seat and silver colored wheels.
|
| 1986 Suzuki RG250 Γ Walter Wolf, Blue/Red with Red/Gold striping and logos |
1987 Suzuki year code: H
1987 was the last year for the RG250 Gamma. The Suzuki RG250 Gamma was replaced in
1988 by the RGV250 Gamma, with a V-twin engine.
Some modifications were made for the the last model version. The diameter
of the front forks was increased from 36 to 38 mm (1.42 to 1.50
inches), 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. Lightweight hollow 3-spoke wheel was adopted, and the tire aspect ratio was also increased.
Both standard version and the Walter Wolf version of the RG250 Gamma received new graphics.
|
| 1987 Suzuki RG250 Γ Walter Wolf, Blue/Red with Red/Gold striping and logos |
|
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: |
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 |
More: RG250
Gamma brochures
More: Suzuki
RG models
More: All
Suzuki models
Sources: Suzuki, autoby.jp etc.
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