Suzuki RV90 (Van Van 90)
1971—1981

I have tried to tell the RV 90 model history on this page as I know it. This 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.

1971 Suzuki year code: R

The VanVan 90 (RV90) was launched for the Japanese home market in August 1971. The first model year had black coated wheels, front fors and headlight bracket. The 88cc 2-stroke bike was the first of the VanVan models to appear, and was initially marketed as ”VanVan”, without mentioning the engine's cylinder displacement. The VanVan was a multi-purpose fun bike, equipped with 10-inch wide ballooon tyres, allowing versatile riding on sandy areas, grasslands, mountain slopes, snowy roads etc. An air gauge and inflator was equipped as standard equippment so that air pressure could be adjusted , depending on the road surface. The '71 VanVan was offered i two colors: Candy Orange (202) and Sky Blue (137). All the RV models were called "VanVan" in Japan, a word expressing sound like "Bang". It also means like "More and more" or "Keep going on!" in Japanese. RV90 (VanVan 90 in Japan) was marketed in the USA with a catch phrase "Run more and more! She brings you wherever you want" in 1971. (Thanks, Takeshi Osada!) Initial frame number: 10001 Initial engine number: 10001

1971 Suzuki VanVan 90 Overall Length: 1 805 mm (71.1 in) Overall Width: 820 mm (32.3 in) Overall Height: 990 mm (39.0 in) Wheelbase: 1 180 mm (46.5 in) Ground Clearance: 195 mm (7.7 in) Dry Weight: 88 kg (194 lbs) Engine: 88 cc air-cooled aluminum 1-cylinder 2-stroke, reed valve. 8 hp (5.9 kW) @ 6 000 rpm, 9.8 Nm (7.23 ft-lb) @ 4 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1972 Suzuki year code: J

The '72 model of the Van Van 90, released in July 1972 was modified with new frame cover shape. The wheels were now silver colored coated in silver color, and the the front fork and the headlight bracket had same color as the body. The updated VanVan was, according to the Japanese specs, 4 kg (8.8 lbs) lighter. The fuel tank capacity was increased from 3.3 liter (0.8 US gal) to 4.3 liter (1.1 US gal). The overall height of the Japanese version was somewhat increased by changing the handlebar clamp and rising the handlebar by 23.5 mm (0.93 in). The model was now exported to western countries where ot was called RV90. The export model still had black wheels front fork and headlight bracket. The other noticable difference between the domestic model and the export model was that the front mudguard was mounted much closer to the wheel on the Japanese home market version. The colors available were Orange, Blue and Green.

1972 Suzuki VanVan 90, domestic model (Japanese home market)

1972 Suzuki RV 90 Rover Overall Length: 1 805 mm (71.1 in) Overall Width: 820 mm (32.3 in) Overall Height: 990 mm (39.0 in) Wheelbase: 1 180 mm (46.5 in) Ground Clearance: 195 mm (7.7 in) Dry Weight: 84 kg (185 lbs) Engine: 88 cc air-cooled aluminum 1-cylinder 2-stroke, reed valve. 8 hp (5.9 kW) @ 6 000 rpm, 9.8 Nm (7.23 ft-lb) @ 4 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1973 Suzuki year code: K

In 1973, even the export model had color matched front forks and silver coated wheels. Initial frame number: 36501 Initial engine number: 36383

1973 Suzuki RV 90 Rover Overall Length: 1 805 mm (71.1 in) Overall Width: 820 mm (32.3 in) Overall Height: 990 mm (39.0 in) Wheelbase: 1 180 mm (46.5 in) Ground Clearance: 195 mm (7.7 in) Dry Weight: 84 kg (185 lbs) Engine: 88 cc air-cooled aluminum 1-cylinder 2-stroke, reed valve. 8 hp (5.9 kW) @ 6 000 rpm, 9.8 Nm (7.23 ft-lb) @ 4 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1974 Suzuki year code: L

The RV90 got Ceriani type oil-damped front suspension in 1974. Also, the meter housing is different; and there's a red Suzuki badge on the side of the engine. A brochure from Belgium shows a model where the front mudguard was mounted closer to the wheel and attached to the wheel axle, just like in Japan. The brochure made for the US market shows an identical bike, except for the front mudguard, that is attached much higher. Both versions of the brochure show a bike with a chromed skid plate to protect the engine in tough terrain. I haven't seen such skid plate in the domestic VanVan models. Initial frame number: 47055 Initial engine number: 57927

1974 Suzuki RV 90 Overall Length: 1 805 mm (71.1 in) Overall Width: 820 mm (32.3 in) Overall Height: 990 mm (39.0 in) Wheelbase: 1 180 mm (46.5 in) Ground Clearance: 195 mm (7.7 in) Dry Weight: 84 kg (185 lbs) Engine: 88 cc air-cooled aluminum 1-cylinder 2-stroke, reed valve. 8 hp (5.9 kW) @ 6 000 rpm, 9.8 Nm (7.23 ft-lb) @ 4 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1975 Suzuki year code: M

I'm not sure about the model year of the bike in the picture. I believe it's an earlier model, the front mudguard is the earlier type. Still, the headlight housing seems to be chromed. I don't know what year that was done. Initial frame number: 70623 Initial engine number: 71552

1975 Suzuki RV 90 Overall Length: 1 805 mm (71.1 in) Overall Width: 820 mm (32.3 in) Overall Height: 990 mm (39.0 in) Wheelbase: 1 180 mm (46.5 in) Ground Clearance: 195 mm (7.7 in) Dry Weight: 84 kg (185 lbs) Engine: 88 cc air-cooled aluminum 1-cylinder 2-stroke, reed valve. 8 hp (5.9 kW) @ 6 000 rpm, 9.8 Nm (7.23 ft-lb) @ 4 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1976 Suzuki year code: A

I'm not sure about the model year of the bike in the picture. It could be a later model year. Low-mounted front mudguard. No skid plate. Initial frame number: 85971 Initial engine number: 86738

1976 Suzuki RV 90 Overall Length: 1 805 mm (71.1 in) Overall Width: 820 mm (32.3 in) Overall Height: 990 mm (39.0 in) Wheelbase: 1 180 mm (46.5 in) Ground Clearance: 195 mm (7.7 in) Dry Weight: 84 kg (185 lbs) Engine: 88 cc air-cooled aluminum 1-cylinder 2-stroke, reed valve. 8 hp (5.9 kW) @ 6 000 rpm, 9.8 Nm (7.23 ft-lb) @ 4 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1977 Suzuki year code: B

New colors and graphics. The headlight rim was black. In Japan, no changes was made to the VanVan 90 after 1977 and the model was discontinued in 1979. Its siblings, the Van Van 75 and VanVan 125 were also discontinued but the 50cc version of the fun bike was being made for many more years. The picture shows the bike from a German RV90 brochure. Initial frame number: 90674 Initial engine number: 91633

1977 Suzuki RV 90 Overall Length: 1 805 mm (71.1 in) Overall Width: 820 mm (32.3 in) Overall Height: 990 mm (39.0 in) Wheelbase: 1 180 mm (46.5 in) Ground Clearance: 195 mm (7.7 in) Dry Weight: 84 kg (185 lbs) Engine: 88 cc air-cooled aluminum 1-cylinder 2-stroke, reed valve. 8 hp (5.9 kW) @ 6 000 rpm, 9.8 Nm (7.23 ft-lb) @ 4 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1978 Suzuki year code: C

The Suzuki RV90F (here's a red Australia model) had a luggage rack, a skid plate, cut-off seat and smaller rear light.

1978 Suzuki RV 90 Overall Length: 1 805 mm (71.1 in) Overall Width: 820 mm (32.3 in) Overall Height: 990 mm (39.0 in) Wheelbase: 1 180 mm (46.5 in) Ground Clearance: 195 mm (7.7 in) Dry Weight: 84 kg (185 lbs) Engine: 88 cc air-cooled aluminum 1-cylinder 2-stroke, reed valve. 8 hp (5.9 kW) @ 6 000 rpm, 9.8 Nm (7.23 ft-lb) @ 4 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1978 Suzuki RV 90 F Overall Length: 1 805 mm (71.1 in) Overall Width: 820 mm (32.3 in) Overall Height: 990 mm (39.0 in) Wheelbase: 1 180 mm (46.5 in) Ground Clearance: 195 mm (7.7 in) Dry Weight: N/A Engine: 88 cc air-cooled aluminum 1-cylinder 2-stroke, reed valve. 8 hp (5.9 kW) @ 6 000 rpm, 9.8 Nm (7.23 ft-lb) @ 4 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

More: Suzuki RV models

More: All Suzuki models


This free site is managed by Jarmo Haapamäki.
If you find this site helpful, please leave a donation for Jarmo
so you can enjoy the spirit of giving too.

Came here from a search engine?
Click at the home button below to get to the main page with frames.