The RG250 Suzuki
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 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 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 its five years of production the model underwent three major changes:
Mk1 (1983-1984): 45-46 hp and 38 Nm torque. Very first bikes had a
single brake disc on the front.
Mk2 (1985): Revised front fairings, mudguard and colour scheme and a
slightly shorter wheelbase (from 1385 mm to 1360 mm)
Mk3
(1986-1987): Introduction of Suzuki's AEC system (Automatic Exhaust
Control). This gave the bike a higher (around 49-50+hp) power rating.
(AEC
system: Same idea as the now standard power valve design, but using a
'butterfly flap' to open and close an addition chamber on the cylinder
head (open @ low RPM, closed at higher). This effectively expands the
exhaust system at low RPM, to allow the exhaust to be tuned for high
RPM. The AEC system opens at around 7500 RPM)
Mk4: (1987): There
was also a very short-lived Mk4 version created for the Japanese home
market, which had larger front discs, thicker tyres and larger diameter
front forks. This model was never exported, so any Mk4 will be private
imports.
The RG250 Gamma was replaced by the RGV250 Gamma (V-Twin) in 1988.
