Suzuki RGV250 Gamma
1988—1989 (VJ21A)

I have tried to tell the story of the Suzuki RG250 Gamma 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.

The RGV250Γ (Racing Gamma V-twin) was a Suzuki high performance race-replica using Grand Prix technologies and ideas, based on Suzuki's 250 cc GP bike RGV V-2. It replaced the RG250 Gamma, a slightly less sportier motorcycle and with a less modern parallel twin 2-stroke engine. The chassis of the RGV250 is very light, smooth and also very stable. The weight of the bike is very low, only 128 kg (282 lbs) for the first version. The engine is a 90° aluminum V-twin (later 70°) liquid-cooled 2-stroke delivering unrestricted 68-67 hp at very high rpm's (the stock bike power output vary between countries, from 45 to 67 bhp). Because the RGV250 is mainly purposed for racing, a trim kit for 70 bhp was offered by Suzuki. RGV250 engine, supposedly Suzuki's 500cc racing engine but cut in half, produced unrestricted over 60 hp in a narrow power band between 8,000 and 11,000 rpm. The engine came to life at 8,000 revolutions. The dry weight ranged between 128 kg (282 lbs) (1989) to 140 kg (309 lbs) for the later models. Some say that the advanced high-performance RGV250 engine needed to be run on the finest two-stroke oil possible, and even then it needed a rebuild after 15,000 miles. The power valves were apparently poorly-designed, and when they started to wear, parts would fall inside the exhaust ports, destroying pistons and barrels. There are aftermarket parts that are more durable.

1988 Suzuki year code: J

1988 Suzuki RGV250 Gamma (VJ21A) was available in three colors: Special White No. 2 / Marble Parsec Blue (9EK), Marble Pure Red / Special White No.2 (8WL) and Sprint Black (0CY). RGV250F, a Sports Production model, was also launched, equipped with a gearbox better suited for race track, adjustable suspension and a single seat cowl. Both versions of the RGV250 were launched in March 1988. A special version of the SP model was available with Pepsi Team livery since August. In UK, The RGV250 produced 58 bhp and apparently became the choice of club racers, too, thanks to a host of race-derived technology, including a race-matched cassette-type transmission, wind-tunnel tested bodywork the resembled the Grand Prix bike’s silhouette, and a high-rigidity, DC-ALBOX frame with dual-cell configuration. But if I have not misunderstood the information I've got, the model changes came a year later compared to the versions sold in Japan. Bear that in mind, the changes made to model may have accured later in your country. I'm following the time line of the Japanese versions and using the japanese specifications if not mentioned otherwise. Starting frame number, 1988 RGV250J: VJ21A-100001 Starting frame number, 1988 RGV250FJ: VJ21A-101550

1988 Suzuki RGV250, Special White No. 2 / Marble Parsec Blue (9EK)

1988 Suzuki RGV 250 Gamma Overall Length: 1 990 mm (78.3 in) Overall Width: 695 mm (27.4 in) Overall Height: 1 065 mm (41.9 in) Seat Height: 755 mm (29.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 375 mm (54.1 in) Ground Clearance: 120 mm (4.7 in) Dry Weight: 128 kg (282 lbs) Engine: 249 cc liquid-cooled 2-stroke V-twin. 45 hp (33.1 kW) @ 9 500 rpm, 37.3 Nm (3.8 kg-m) @ 8 000 rpm Here's even larger picture.

1988 Suzuki RGV 250 Gamma Overall Length: 1 990 mm (78.3 in) Overall Width: 695 mm (27.4 in) Overall Height: 1 065 mm (41.9 in) Seat Height: 755 mm (29.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 375 mm (54.1 in) Ground Clearance: 120 mm (4.7 in) Dry Weight: 128 kg (282 lbs) Engine: 249 cc liquid-cooled 2-stroke V-twin. 45 hp (33.1 kW) @ 9 500 rpm, 37.3 Nm (3.8 kg-m) @ 8 000 rpm Here's even larger picture.

1988 Suzuki RGV 250 Gamma Overall Length: 1 990 mm (78.3 in) Overall Width: 695 mm (27.4 in) Overall Height: 1 065 mm (41.9 in) Seat Height: 755 mm (29.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 375 mm (54.1 in) Ground Clearance: 120 mm (4.7 in) Dry Weight: 128 kg (282 lbs) Engine: 249 cc liquid-cooled 2-stroke V-twin. 45 hp (33.1 kW) @ 9 500 rpm, 37.3 Nm (3.8 kg-m) @ 8 000 rpm Here's even larger picture.

1988 Suzuki RGV 250 Gamma SP Overall Length: 1 990 mm (78.3 in) Overall Width: 695 mm (27.4 in) Overall Height: 1 065 mm (41.9 in) Seat Height: 755 mm (29.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 375 mm (54.1 in) Ground Clearance: 120 mm (4.7 in) Dry Weight: 128 kg (282 lbs) Engine: 249 cc liquid-cooled 2-stroke V-twin. 45 hp (33.1 kW) @ 9 500 rpm, 37.3 Nm (3.8 kg-m) @ 8 000 rpm Here's even larger picture.

The SP version looked almost identical to the standard RGV250. The SP model had a single seat, no passenger footrests and it had a ”Sports Production” decal on the lower cowl, in small letters below the Suzuki logo. The GRV250 SP had also a remote rear shock with remote reservoir, visible on the right side, above the silencer. The SP model also got a dry clutch and close ratio six-speed gearbox.

1988 Suzuki RGV250 SP, Special White No. 2 / Marble Parsec Blue (9EK)

A special version of the SP model was launched in August with Pepsi Suzuki paint scheme, mimicking Kevin Schwantz’s RGV500 livery .The RGV250JP had also gold chain, black silencer and Kevin Schwantz autograph on the fuel tank. Color: Special White No.2 (30H). More sponsor stickers came with the bike if you wanted to attach them to the cowl and make it look even more like Kevin Schwantz's race winning Suzuki.

1988 Suzuki RGV250JP Gamma SP, Special White No. 2 (30H)

1988 Suzuki RGV250 Gamma (VJ21A) specifications (Japan) Overall length: 1990 mm (78.3 in) Overall width: 695 mm (27.4 in) Overall height: 1065 mm (41.9 in) Seat height: 755 mm (29.7 in) Wheelbase: 1375 mm (54.1 in) Ground clearance: 120 mm (4.7 in) Dry mass: 128 kg (282 lbs) Engine: 249 cc liquid-cooled 2-stroke 90° V-twin Engine version: J205 Peak power: 45 hp (33.1 kW) @ 9500 rpm Peak torque: 37.3 Nm (3.8 kg-m) @ 8000 rpm Bore x Stroke: 56.0 x 50.6 mm (2.205 x 1.992 in) Engine compression: 7.5 :1 Carburetor: Mikuni VM32SS x 2 Air cleaner: Polyurethane foam element Fuel economy: 41 km/l (96.4 mpg) Fuel tank capacity: 17 litres (4.5/3.7 US/Imp gal) Fuel tank reserve: 5.5 litres (5.8/4.8 US/Imp qt) Engine oil capacity: 1.1 litres (1.2/1.0 US(Imp qt) Transmission oil capacity: 700 ml (23.7/24.6 US/Imp oz) Coolant capacity: 1.6 litres (1.7/1.4 US/Imp qt) Front fork oil capacity: 429 ml (14.5/15.1 Imp qt) Clutch: Wet multi-plate type Gearbox: 6-speed constant mesh Gearshift pattern: 1-down, 5-up Primary reduction: 2.565 (59/23) Final reduction: 3.066 (46/15) 1st gear: 2.454 (27/11) 2nd gear: 1.625 (26/16) 3rd gear: 1.235 (21/17) 4th gear: 1.045 (23/22) 5th gear: 0.916 (22/24) 6th gear: 0.840 (21/25) Drive Chain: DID520V2, 114 links Ignition type: Suzuki PEI (Pointless Electric Ignition) Ignition timing: 14° before top dead center below 1300 rpm Spark plugs: NGK BR9ES Battery: 3Ah 12V Front brakes: dual 300 mm disc, 4 piston calipers Rear brake: single 210 mm disc, 2 piston caliper Front tyre dimension: 110/7 0R17 53H Rear tyre dimension: 140/60 R18 64H Front suspension: Telescopic, coil spring, oil damped, spring 5-way adjustable Rear suspension: Full-floating suspension, gas/coil spring, oil damped, spring 7-way adjustable Steering angle: 30° Minimum turning radius: 3.1 m Caster: 25° 35' Trail: 98 mm (3.86 in) Front fork stroke: 120 mm (4.7 in) Rear wheel travel: 140 mm (5.5 in) Front fork oil capacity: 429 ml 1988 RGV250 Retail price in Japan: 569,000 Yen 1988 RGV250 SP Retail price in Japan: 609,000 Yen 1988 RGV250 SP Pepsi Retail price in Japan: 619,000 Yen Difference between Japanese market RGV250 and export models: The VJ21A models are identical to the UK spec RGV250 L model bike, but feature a restricted control box and different jetted 12c61 indexed 32 mm Mikuni carburetors.

1989 Suzuki year code: K

The 1989 RGV250K, launched in February 1989, may look almost the same but it had been improved behind the cowl. A small computer controlled the ignition system, exhaust device AETC and the carburetor. Medium- and low-speed torque has been increased by improving the exhaust port shape. Advances in computer control have made it possible to handle not only engine speed but also throttle opening. Therefore, it is easier to handle at medium and low speeds. The gearing had also been revised (the 2nd and 3rd gear ratios). Two loading hooks were added on each side. The letters SUZUKI on the fuel tank were thicker. The SP model, with dry clutch and close ratio six-speed gearbox, was also launched in February 1989. It had a Gold anodized rear shock reservoir, instead of Aluminium. Difference between J and K engines (Japan): The K type has a throttle sensor and an air solenoid valve. The biggers difference: J type is analogycally controlled, K type is digitally controlled. The acclaimed peak power for the 1989 RGV250 was 59 hp (42.9 kW) @ 11 000 rpm in Switzerland and 56.54 hp (41.6 kW) @ 10 500 rpm in Australia. According to a source the RGV250 made 1/4 Mile in 12.9 seconds and reached 174 km/h (108 mph). It made O– 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 3.6 seconds. 1989 RGV250K color options: Pearl Cool White / Marble Parsec Blue (9SR), Pearl Cool White / Marble Italian Red (2ME), Sprint Black / Charcoal Grey Metallic (3HZ) 1989 RGV250 SP, the Sports Production model (RGV250FK), was available in Pearl Cool White / Marble Parsec Blue (9SR). Starting frame number, 1988 RGV250K: VJ21A-117639 Starting frame number, 1988 RGV250FK: VJ21A-117654 All the specifications on this page, if not mentioned otherwise, are valid for the Japanese domestic models.

1989 Suzuki RGV250 Gamma, Pearl Cool White / Marble Italian Red (2ME)

1989 Suzuki RGV 250 Gamma Overall Length: 1 990 mm (78.3 in) Overall Width: 695 mm (27.4 in) Overall Height: 1 065 mm (41.9 in) Seat Height: 755 mm (29.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 375 mm (54.1 in) Ground Clearance: 120 mm (4.7 in) Dry Weight: 131 kg (289 lbs) Engine: 249 cc liquid-cooled 2-stroke V-twin. 45 hp (33.1 kW) @ 9 500 rpm, 37.3 Nm (3.8 kg-m) @ 8 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1989 Suzuki RGV 250 Gamma Overall Length: 1 990 mm (78.3 in) Overall Width: 695 mm (27.4 in) Overall Height: 1 065 mm (41.9 in) Seat Height: 755 mm (29.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 375 mm (54.1 in) Ground Clearance: 120 mm (4.7 in) Dry Weight: 131 kg (289 lbs) Engine: 249 cc liquid-cooled 2-stroke V-twin. 45 hp (33.1 kW) @ 9 500 rpm, 37.3 Nm (3.8 kg-m) @ 8 000 rpm Here's even larger picture.

1989 Suzuki RGV 250 Gamma Overall Length: 1 990 mm (78.3 in) Overall Width: 695 mm (27.4 in) Overall Height: 1 065 mm (41.9 in) Seat Height: 755 mm (29.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 375 mm (54.1 in) Ground Clearance: 120 mm (4.7 in) Dry Weight: 131 kg (289 lbs) Engine: 249 cc liquid-cooled 2-stroke V-twin. 45 hp (33.1 kW) @ 9 500 rpm, 37.3 Nm (3.8 kg-m) @ 8 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1989 Suzuki RGV 250 Gamma Overall Length: 1 990 mm (78.3 in) Overall Width: 695 mm (27.4 in) Overall Height: 1 065 mm (41.9 in) Seat Height: 755 mm (29.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 375 mm (54.1 in) Ground Clearance: 120 mm (4.7 in) Dry Weight: 131 kg (289 lbs) Engine: 249 cc liquid-cooled 2-stroke V-twin. 45 hp (33.1 kW) @ 9 500 rpm, 37.3 Nm (3.8 kg-m) @ 8 000 rpm Here's even larger picture.

1989 Suzuki RGV250 Gamma, Pepsi version, Special White No. 2 (30H)

1989 Suzuki RGV250 Gamma (VJ21A) specifications (Japan) Asterisk mark (*) indicates new specifications. Overall length: 1990 mm (78.3 in) Overall width: 695 mm (27.4 in) Overall height: 1065 mm (41.9 in) Seat height: 755 mm (29.7 in) Wheelbase: 1375 mm (54.1 in) Ground clearance: 120 mm (4.7 in) Dry mass: 131 kg (289 lbs) Engine: 249 cc liquid-cooled 2-stroke 90° V-twin Engine version: J205 Peak power: 45 hp (33.1 kW) @ 9500 rpm Peak torque: 37.3 Nm (3.8 kg-m) @ 8000 rpm Bore x Stroke: 56.0 x 50.6 mm (2.205 x 1.992 in) Engine compression: 7.5 :1 Carburetor: Mikuni VM32SS x 2 Air cleaner: Polyurethane foam element Fuel economy: 41 km/l (96.4 mpg) Fuel tank capacity: 17 litres (4.5/3.7 US/Imp gal) Fuel tank reserve: 5.5 litres (5.8/4.8 US/Imp qt) Engine oil capacity: 1.1 litres (1.2/1.0 US(Imp qt) Transmission oil capacity: 700 ml (23.7/24.6 US/Imp oz) Coolant capacity: 1.6 litres (1.7/1.4 US/Imp qt) Front fork oil capacity: 429 ml (14.5/15.1 Imp qt) Clutch: Wet multi-plate type Gearbox: 6-speed constant mesh Gearshift pattern: 1-down, 5-up Primary reduction: 2.565 (59/23) Final reduction: 3.066 (46/15) 1st gear: 2.454 (27/11) 2nd gear: 1.684 (19/32) * 3rd gear: 1.277 (18/23) * 4th gear: 1.045 (23/22) 5th gear: 0.916 (22/24) 6th gear: 0.840 (21/25) Drive Chain: DID520V2, 114 links Ignition type: Suzuki PEI (Pointless Electric Ignition) Ignition timing: 14° before top dead center below 1300 rpm Spark plugs: NGK BR9ES Battery: 3Ah 12V Front brakes: dual 300 mm disc, 4 piston calipers Rear brake: single 210 mm disc, 2 piston caliper Front tyre dimension: 110/70 R17 54H * Rear tyre dimension: 140/60 R18 64H Front suspension: Telescopic, coil spring, oil damped, spring 5-way adjustable Rear suspension: Full-floating suspension, gas/coil spring, oil damped, spring 7-way adjustable Steering angle: 30° Minimum turning radius: 3.1 m Caster: 25° 35' Trail: 98 mm (3.86 in) Front fork stroke: 120 mm Rear wheel travel: 140 mm Front fork oil capacity: 429 ml 1989 RGV250 retail price in Japan: 599,000 Yen 1989 RGV250 Pepsi retail price in Japan: 588,000 Yen 1989 RGV250 Schick retail price in Japan: 588,000 Yen 1989 RGV250 SP retail price in Japan: 669,000 Yen Difference between Japanese market RGV250 and export models: The VJ21A models are identical to the UK spec RGV250 L model bike, but feature a restricted control box and different jetted 12c61 indexed 32 mm Mikuni carburetors.

1989 Suzuki RGV250K Gamma specifications (export models) Source: Suzuki RGV250 Service Manual, 7th ed.(1995) Overall length: 2 015 mm (79.3 in) Overall width: 695 mm (27.4 in) Overall height: 1 065 mm (41.9 in) Seat height: 755 mm (29.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 375 mm (54.1 in) Ground clearance: 120 mm (4.7 in) Dry mass: 128 kg (282 lbs) Engine: 249 cc liquid-cooled 2-stroke 90° V-twin Peak power: 58 hp @ 11 000 rpm (UK) Peak torque: 39.2 Nm (4.0 kg-m) @ 11 000 rpm (UK) Bore x Stroke: 56.0 x 50.6 mm (2.205 x 1.992 in) Engine compression ratio: 7.5 :1 Carburetor: Mikuni VM32SS Air cleaner: Polyurethane foam element Starter system: Primary kick Lubrication system: Suzuki CCI Fuel tank capacity: 17 litres (4.5/3.7 US/Imp gal) Fuel tank reserve: 5.5 litres (5.8/4.8 US/Imp qt) Engine oil capacity: 1.1 litres (1.2/1.0 US(Imp qt) Transmission oil capacity: 700 ml (23.7/24.6 US/Imp oz) Coolant capacity: 1.6 litres (1.7/1.4 US/Imp qt) Clutch: Wet multi-plate type Gearbox: 6-speed constant mesh Gearshift pattern: 1-down, 5-up Primary reduction: 2.565 (59/23) Final reduction: 3.066 (46/15) 1st gear: 2.454 (27/11) 2nd gear: 1.625 (26/16) 3rd gear: 1.235 (21/17) 4th gear: 1.045 (23/22) 5th gear: 0.916 (22/24) 6th gear: 0.840 (21/25) Drive Chain: DID520V2 or Takasago RK520MO6 Drive chain, number of links: 114 Ignition type: Suzuki PEI (Pointless Electric Ignition) Ignition timing: 14° before top dead center below 1300 rpm Spark plugs: NGK BR9ES Battery: 3Ah 12V Front brakes: dual 300 mm disc, 4 piston calipers Rear brake: single 210 mm disc, 2 piston caliper Front tyre dimension: 110/70 R17 53H Rear tyre dimension: 140/60 R18 64H Front suspension: Telescopic, coil spring, oil damped, spring 5-way adjustable Rear suspension: Full-floating suspension system, gas/coil spring, oil damped, spring pre-load 7-way adjustable Steering angle: 30° Minimum turning radius: 3.1 m Caster: 64° 25' Front fork stroke: 120 mm Rear wheel travel: 140 mm Front fork oil capacity: 429 ml Difference between Japanese market RGV250 and export models: The VJ21A models are identical to the UK spec RGV250 L model bike, but feature a restricted control box and different jetted 12c61 indexed 32 mm Mikuni carburetors.

Click on the arrow to go to the page with 1990–1992 RGV250 models.





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Sources: Bike magazine, PowerBand Bikes, RGVgamma250, The RGV250 Gamma Page etc.

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