Suzuki RGV500
Encyclopedia
The Suzuki RGV500 was Suzuki
's entry in 500 cc Grand Prix motorcycle racing
. It won its first 500 cc championship in 1993
in the hands of Kevin Schwantz
, who beat both Wayne Rainey
and Mick Doohan to the prize. 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
and Alex Barros
. However many did manage the Suzuki well such as Daryl Beattie
who finished second overall in 1995 and Niall Mackenzie
.
Kenny Roberts Jr
was another who was successful on the RGV. After finishing second in 1999
, Roberts became Suzuki's last 500 cc World Champion in 2000
.
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
's entry in 500 cc Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing currently divided into three distinct classes: 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP. The 125cc class uses a two-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use four-stroke engines. In 2010 the 250cc two-stroke was replaced...
. It won its first 500 cc championship in 1993
1993 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 1993 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 45th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:Kevin Schwantz won the 1993 world championship in a season marred by the tragic end to his rival Wayne Rainey's career. Schwantz started the season strong with four wins by the...
in the hands of Kevin Schwantz
Kevin Schwantz
Kevin Schwantz is an American former World Champion motorcycle road racer during the late 1980s and early 1990s.-Early life:...
, who beat both Wayne Rainey
Wayne Rainey
Wayne Wesley Rainey, born in Downey, California, United States, is a former American Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, he won the 500cc World Championship three times and the Daytona 200 once. He was characterized by his smooth, calculating riding...
and Mick Doohan to the prize. 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
Yamaha Motor Company
, is a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company. Yamaha Motor is part of Yamaha Corporation and its headquarter is located in Iwata, Shizuoka. Along with expanding Yamaha Corporation into the world's biggest piano maker, then Yamaha CEO Genichi Kawakami took Yamaha into the field of motorized...
and especially the Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
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
Doug Chandler
John Douglas Chandler is a 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 win the AMA Grand Slam, representing national wins at a mile, half-mile, short track, TT and...
and Alex Barros
Alex Barros
Alex Barros is a Brazilian motorcycle road racer. After a long career in MotoGP, for 2006 he moved to the Superbike World Championship...
. However many did manage the Suzuki well such as Daryl Beattie
Daryl Beattie
Daryl Beattie is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer.Beattie posted several good results at the beginning of the 1992 500cc Grand Prix season then teamed up with Wayne Gardner to win the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race in Japan...
who finished second overall in 1995 and Niall Mackenzie
Niall Mackenzie
Niall Macfarlane Mackenzie is a retired motorcycle road racer from Denny, Falkirk, Scotland.-Career:MacKenzie won the British Superbike Championship three times from 1996 to 1998 on a Rob McElnea-run Yamaha team, and the British 250cc and 350cc titles earlier in his career...
.
Kenny Roberts Jr
Kenny Roberts Jr
Kenneth Leroy Roberts Junior is an American motorcycle road racer who won the 500cc Road Racing World Championship in 2000...
was another who was successful on the RGV. After finishing second in 1999
1999 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 1999 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 51st F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:The dominant reign of Honda's Mick Doohan came to an end with serious injuries suffered in practice for the Spanish Grand Prix. In his absence, his Honda team-mate Àlex Crivillé...
, Roberts became Suzuki's last 500 cc World Champion in 2000
2000 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 2000 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 52nd F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:Kenny Roberts, Jr. fulfilled the promise of his 2nd place in 1999 by winning the championship for 2000 with 2 races to spare...
.
Specifications
| Suzuki RGV500-Gamma XR-B1 (2001) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Engine Type: | Two-Cycle, Water Cooled, Square Four (Two Crank Shafts) | |
| Bore/Stroke: | 54 millimetre | |
| Displacement: | 499.3 cc | |
| Maximum Power: | more than 185 PS at 12,500 rpm | |
| Inlet System: | Crankcase Rotary Valve | |
| Carburettor: | Keihin | |
| Exhaust System: | AETC (Automatic Exhaust Timing Control) | |
| Piston: | Cast, one piston ring | |
| Cylinder: | Aluminium, Suzuki 'SCEM' plating | |
| Lubrication System: | Fuel/Oil premix | |
| Ignition System: | CDI | |
| Sparking Plugs: | NGK | |
| Clutch: | Dry multi-plate | |
| Transmission: | six-speed constant mesh | |
| Drive Chain: | RK520 or DID 520 | |
| Chassis Type: | Twin-Spar aluminium, Suzuki extrusions | |
| Suspension | Front: Ohlins inverted-type telescopic fork Rear: Ohlins with Suzuki link |
|
| Wheels: | Front and Rear: 17 inches | |
| Brake System: | Brembo - Front: Twin discs, Carbon or Steel Rear: Single disc, steel |
|
| Wheelbase: | 1400 mm (55.1 in) | |
| Dry Weight: | approximately 130 kg (286.6 lb) | |
Successes
- 2 World Championships (Kevin SchwantzKevin SchwantzKevin Schwantz is an American former World Champion motorcycle road racer during the late 1980s and early 1990s.-Early life:...
in 1993 and Kenny Roberts JrKenny Roberts JrKenneth Leroy Roberts Junior is an American motorcycle road racer who won the 500cc Road Racing World Championship in 2000...
in 1999) - 37 races won (Kevin SchwantzKevin SchwantzKevin Schwantz is an American former World Champion motorcycle road racer during the late 1980s and early 1990s.-Early life:...
25, Kenny Roberts JrKenny Roberts JrKenneth Leroy Roberts Junior is an American motorcycle road racer who won the 500cc Road Racing World Championship in 2000...
8, Daryl BeattieDaryl BeattieDaryl Beattie is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer.Beattie posted several good results at the beginning of the 1992 500cc Grand Prix season then teamed up with Wayne Gardner to win the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race in Japan...
2, Alex BarrosAlex BarrosAlex Barros is a Brazilian motorcycle road racer. After a long career in MotoGP, for 2006 he moved to the Superbike World Championship...
1, Sete GibernauSete GibernauManuel Sete Gibernau Bultó is a former Spanish Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. His racing career spanned two different eras of motorcycle racing, beginning with the two-stroke-dominated period prior to the 2002 season, and the four-stroke MotoGP era...
1).