Suzuki RG250 Gamma

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:

• Mk1 (1983-1984): 45-46 hp and 38 Nm torque. Very 1st 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 much higher (around 49-50+hp) power rating, however I have not yet found any quoted figures.
  (AEC system: Same idea as the now standard power valve design, but by 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 shortlived 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.