Suzuki RG250: history, specs, pictures

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RG250
1983 RG250 Gamma side 500.jpg
Manufacturer Suzuki
Production 83-86
Successor Suzuki RGV250
Engine 247 cc liquid-cooled two-stroke parallel twin
Tech Specs · Brochures · Reviews · Ads · Videos

The Suzuki RG250 Gamma was a two cylinder parallel, water cooled 250cc two-stroke motorcycle produced by Suzuki from 1983 to 1987. One of the major features of the RG250 Gamma was its incredible power to weight ratio. Able to produce up to 45+ bhp at 8,500 RPM and 38.4 Nm torque at 8,000 rpm, weighing in at roughly 130 kg. The RG250 Gamma was the very first mass-produced motorcycle to have a lightweight aluminum frame and racing type aerodynamic fairing.

The Gamma also had a very advanced 'Full Floater' suspension system for its time, with the first Mk1s having 'anti-dive' front forks (which locked the front forks under hard braking to stop them diving). Due to this, the bike was dubbed the first street legal racer. In the 5 years of production the model underwent three major changes:

The RG250 Has a Liquid-Cooled Parallel twin engine with 46 hp output at a relatively low 8600 rpm. The RG250 Gamma is a two stroke, but water cooled and in a brilliant frame, with 6 speeds lightweight aluminum frame, full floater suspension, it is a quick motorcycle which handles very well. It also has A.N.D.F., a proprietary Suzuki technology which was first used on the RG500B. With a dry weight of way under 300 lbs. This bike is unbeatable in the tight stuff. This bike was made in special WALTER WOLF editions as well.

History

1983 RG250

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

1983 RG250

The RG250 Gamma (presented in March 1983) had a liquid-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.

1984 RG250

1984 Suzuki in Yellow
1984 Suzuki RG250 in Yellow
1984 Suzuki RG250 in Yellow
1984 Suzuki RG250 in Yellow
1984 Suzuki RG250 in Yellow
1984 Suzuki RG250 in Yellow



1985

1985 Suzuki RG250 Walter Wolf in Silver
1985 Suzuki RG250 Walter Wolf in Silver
1985 Suzuki RG250 Walter Wolf in Silver
1985 Suzuki RG250 Walter Wolf in Silver


1987

1987 Suzuki RG250 Gamma in White/Blue
1987 Suzuki RG250 Gamma in White/Blue
1987 Suzuki RG250 Gamma in White/Blue
1987 Suzuki RG250 Gamma in White/Blue
1987 Suzuki RG250 Gamma in White/Blue
1987 Suzuki RG250 Gamma in White/Blue
1987 Suzuki RG250 Gamma in White/Blue


  • 1987 was the last year for the RG250 Gamma.

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)
  • Transmission type: 6 speed
  • Final Drive: Chain
  • Tire - Front: 100/90-16
  • Tire - Rear: 110/90-18
  • Brakes - Front: dual 260 mm discs with 2-piston calipers
  • Brakes - Rear: single 210 mm disc with 1-piston caliper



Suzuki RG250
Manufacturer Suzuki
Also called RG250W, RG 250 W, RG 250 Gamma, RG 250, RG250 Gamma
Production 1983 - 1988
Class Sport/Touring
Engine twin, two-stroke
Bore / Stroke 54.0mm x 54.0mm
Compression ratio 7.4:1
Top speed 107 mph (172 km/h)
Horse Power 43.99 HP (32.8 KW) @ 8500RPM
Torque 28.77 ft/lbs (39.0 Nm) @ 8RPM
Fuel system Mikuni VM28SS Flat Side Carburetors
Battery 7.1:1
Transmission Gear box: 6-speed

Final Drive: chain

Clutch: Wet Multiplate
Suspension Front: Telescopic, Coil Spring, Oil Damped With Anti-dive
Rear: Full Floater, Gas/oil Damped, Spring Pre-load Fully Adjustable
Brakes Front: dual disc
Rear: single disc
Front Tire 100/90-16
Rear Tire 100/90-18
Wheelbase 54.49 inches (1384 mm)
Dimensions L 80.71 inches (2050 mm)
W 27.01 inches (686 mm)
Seat height 30.91 inches (785 mm)
Weight  (dry), 153.0 kg (wet)
Fuel capacity 4.49 Gallon (17.00 Liters)
Manuals Service Manual
Tech Specs · Brochures · Reviews · Ads · Videos

The Suzuki RG250 Gamma was a twin, two-stroke Sport/Touring motorcycle produced by Suzuki between 1983 and 1988. It could reach a top speed of 107 mph (172 km/h). Max torque was 28.77 ft/lbs (39.0 Nm) @ 8 RPM. Claimed horsepower was 43.99 HP (32.8 KW) @ 8500 RPM.

Engine

The engine was a liquid cooled twin, two-stroke. A 54.0mm bore x 54.0mm stroke result in a displacement of just 247.0 cubic centimeters. Fuel was supplied via a membrane & variable discharge openings.

Drive

The bike has a 6-speed transmission. Power was moderated via the Wet Multiplate.

Chassis

It came with a 100/90-16 front tire and a 100/90-18 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via dual disc in the front and a single disc in the rear. The front suspension was a Telescopic, Coil Spring, Oil Damped With Anti-dive while the rear was equipped with a Full Floater, Gas/oil Damped, Spring Pre-load Fully Adjustable. The RG250 Gamma was fitted with a 4.49 Gallon (17.00 Liters) fuel tank. The wheelbase was 54.49 inches (1384 mm) long.

1983 - 1986 Suzuki RG 250 Gamma

1983 - 1986 Suzuki RG 250 Gamma 1983 - 1986 Suzuki RG 250 Gamma 1983 - 1986 Suzuki RG 250 Gamma 1983 - 1986 Suzuki RG 250 Gamma 1983 - 1986 Suzuki RG 250 Gamma

This first mass-produced motorcycle with a lightweight aluminum frame and racing type aerodynamic fairing was manufactured between 1983-1986 and replaced by the V-twin RG 250 one year later. The RG 250 Gamma (presented in March 1983) had a liqued-cooled two-stroke parallel twin engine with 46 hp maximum power output at relative low 8.500 rpm. Returning to the old days, the RG 250 Gamma was a two-stroke, but water-cooled and in a brilliant frame.











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