Suzuki RGV500
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

The Suzuki RGV-Γ 500 was a racing
motorcycle A motorcycle (motorbike, bike, or trike (if three-wheeled)) is a two or three-wheeled motor vehicle steered by a handlebar. Motorcycle design varies greatly to suit a range of different purposes: long-distance travel, commuting, cruising ...
manufactured by
Suzuki is a Japan, Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Minami-ku, Hamamatsu, Japan. Suzuki manufactures automobiles, motorcycles, All-terrain vehicle, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), outboard motor, outboard marine engines, wheelchairs ...
from 1986 to 2001 for competition in the
Grand Prix motorcycle racing Grand Prix motorcycle racing is the premier class of motorcycle road racing events held on road circuits sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). Independent motorcycle racing events have been held since the start ...
series. The motorcycle was powered by a 499.3 cc two stroke engine. Suzuki factory racing team rider Kevin Schwantz rode the RGV500 to its first Grand Prix victory at the
1988 Japanese Grand Prix The 1988 Japanese Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Suzuka Circuit on 30 October 1988. It was the fifteenth and penultimate race of the season. Report Qualifying On Honda's home track, the McLarens of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost f ...
. It won its first 500 cc world championship in
1993 File:1993 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The Oslo I Accord is signed in an attempt to resolve the Israeli–Palestinian conflict; The Russian White House is shelled during the 1993 Russian constitutional crisis; Czechoslovakia is peace ...
when Schwantz outscored Wayne Rainey and Mick Doohan to win the title. This was the most successful period in the motorcycle's history. The Suzuki suited Schwantz's riding style, as he often pushed beyond the limit of the machine, which often lead to Schwantz crashing as often as he won. The Suzuki was always slower than its opposition, as both the Yamaha and especially the Honda were much faster in a straight line; to compensate for this, Schwantz set the RGV up so it would compensate in the braking zones, and in the corners, allowing the Suzuki to slipstream the machines in front. This style of riding was famously quoted by Schwantz stating that he would "See God, then brake". Other riders failed to adapt their style to the Suzuki, talent such as
Doug Chandler John Douglas Chandler (born September 27, 1965) is an American former professional motorcycle racer. He earned a reputation as one of the most versatile racers of the 1980s and 1990s. Chandler is one of only four riders in AMA racing history to ...
and
Alex Barros Alexandre Barros (born October 18, 1970) is a Brazilian former professional motorcycle road racer who is a 7-time 500cc/MotoGP race winner and also a race winner in Superbike World Championship. After a long Grand Prix career, in 2006 he moved ...
. However many did manage the Suzuki well such as
Daryl Beattie Daryl Beattie (born 26 September 1970 in Charleville, Queensland, Australia) is a former Grand Prix solo motorcycle road racer. Motorsport career Beattie posted several good results at the beginning of the 1992 500cc Grand Prix season then te ...
who finished second overall in 1995 and Niall Mackenzie.
Kenny Roberts Jr Kenneth Leroy Roberts Jr. (born July 25, 1973, in Mountain View, California) is an American former professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer who won the 2000 FIM Road Racing World Championship, after finishing runner-up in . Roberts Jr. is ...
was another who was successful on the RGV. After finishing second in
1999 File:1999 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The funeral procession of King Hussein of Jordan in Amman; the 1999 İzmit earthquake kills over 17,000 people in Turkey; the Columbine High School massacre, one of the first major school shootin ...
, Roberts became Suzuki's last 500 cc World Champion in
2000 File:2000 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: Protests against Bush v. Gore after the 2000 United States presidential election; Heads of state meet for the Millennium Summit; The International Space Station in its infant form as seen from ...
.
Didier de Radiguès Didier de Radiguès (born 27 March 1958) is a Belgian former professional motorcycle racer, auto racing driver and current artist. He also serves as a television sports color commentator for Belgium television, a Moto GP riders manager and as t ...
won the 1991 Macau Grand Prix.


Successes

* 2 World Championships ( Kevin Schwantz in 1993 and
Kenny Roberts Jr Kenneth Leroy Roberts Jr. (born July 25, 1973, in Mountain View, California) is an American former professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer who won the 2000 FIM Road Racing World Championship, after finishing runner-up in . Roberts Jr. is ...
in 2000) * 37 races won ( Kevin Schwantz 25,
Kenny Roberts Jr Kenneth Leroy Roberts Jr. (born July 25, 1973, in Mountain View, California) is an American former professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer who won the 2000 FIM Road Racing World Championship, after finishing runner-up in . Roberts Jr. is ...
8,
Daryl Beattie Daryl Beattie (born 26 September 1970 in Charleville, Queensland, Australia) is a former Grand Prix solo motorcycle road racer. Motorsport career Beattie posted several good results at the beginning of the 1992 500cc Grand Prix season then te ...
2,
Alex Barros Alexandre Barros (born October 18, 1970) is a Brazilian former professional motorcycle road racer who is a 7-time 500cc/MotoGP race winner and also a race winner in Superbike World Championship. After a long Grand Prix career, in 2006 he moved ...
1, Sete Gibernau 1)


See also

*
Honda NSR500 Japanese Grand Prix 1993 ">1993 Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix">Japanese Grand Prix 1993 The Honda NSR500 is a road racing motorcycle created by HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) and debuted in 1984 for the Grand Prix motorcycle racing's 500&nb ...
*
Aprilia RSW-2 500 The Aprilia RSW-2 500 (also known as the RSW 500) was a racing motorcycle made by Aprilia, which raced in the 500cc class of the Grand Prix motorcycle racing, starting from 1994 until 2000 (with an absence in 1998). History The chief designer of ...
*
Cagiva C593 The Cagiva C593 was a racing motorcycle made by Cagiva, which was used in the 500cc class of Grand Prix motorcycle racing during the 1993 season. The name is formed by an amalgamation of words and letters, namely the "C", "5" and "93". The "C" st ...
* Yamaha YZR500 *
ELF 500 ROC The ELF 500 ROC was a motorcycle that competed in the and 500 cc Road Racing World Championship. ELF 500 ROC A new European motorcycle made its debut under the Elf Aquitaine, Elf banner in 1996. The engine was a Swissauto 500 cc Two- ...
*
Sabre V4 The Sabre V4 was a 500 cc two-stroke motorcycle that competed in the 2001 500 cc World Championship. It utilised a Yamaha YZR500 engine which was housed in a custom made frame. Background Sabre Sports had been offered a slot in the 250 ...


References

RGV500 Grand Prix motorcycles {{Motorcycle-racing-stub