1984 Suzuki RG250 Gamma HB

By the late 1960s, two-stroke Japanese motorcycles were beginning to die out, yet Suzuki remained, continuing to manufacture new and larger two-stroke machines. It wasn’t until the late 1970s that Suzuki made the change and started making four-stroke machines on a larger scale. However, the two-stroke engines stayed alive on small and cheap machines, especially on the racing track. In the early 1980s, when Yamaha presented its RZ250R, a battle in the 250 cc class was on. The first strike was drawn by Honda, presenting the VT250F (1982), followed by the ambitious work of the V3-engined MVX250F. Yamaha and Honda were in the lead, although Suzuki knew their time was coming. Then came 1983, when Suzuki presented the legendary RG250 Gamma, which made people ask the question, who was the king of the hill now?

Many motorcycles have been called road-legal racers, but the RG250 Gamma was the very first mass-produced motorcycle with a lightweight aluminium frame and racing-type aerodynamic fairing, starting a new trend that would become common in the industry. It was fast and it handled very well, being called “The Portable Racing Game” by critics. Suzuki had used all its experiences from the race track and its knowledge in designing 2-stroke engines to create something special and unique. Yes, the RG250 was a real road-legal racer and gained much popularity in racing circuits. It’s not a bike for the faint of heart or commuters, but made for a track! The model was manufactured between 1983 and 1986 and it was finally replaced by the V-twin engined RGV250 in 1987.

The second model version of the RG250 was called the GJ21A, and it was released in February 1984. This version had many upgrades and revisions from the first model version of the RG250, including a more rigid frame, a better radiator, new front brake callipers, and a decreased dry weight. The engine and suspension remained the same.