RG500 120RWHP first ride after 12 years

Have owned this for some 25 years now. Painted it myself 1998 (it was painted completely red by previous owner) and haven't even waxed it since. Has been sitting in my garage since 2009. Only something like 150km after full engine overhaul and tuning by GHN-racing (still 500cc). Changed fuel lines, cleaned air filters, put air to the tires as they were totally flat, changed coolant and 2T oil, new gasoline and washed. Don't know what's with speedometer, it worked fine 12 years ago.
Then decided to go for a 200km roundtrip to see my friend's race beetle making some practice runs at Alastaro Circuit. Had to be really carefull as I haven't been riding at all for 12 years and also have no confidence on those old tires.
"Herbie" is powered by 1100cc engine (downsized from 1600cc Fiat engine by home made (out of billet) crankshaft due to race class regulations) with both supercharger and turbo and is making +500hp with very wide usable rev area. It's a new setup and it has been having some serious problems, but now everything seemed to finally work as intended.
Next day I had to take some painkillers as my body was sour due to vibration gamma's engine is making. I will continue to ride it on nice summer days, but no 200km roundtrips anymore...
Oh, and it took 15L/100km so 30L of gasoline burned that day + some 2T oil.

[@colincanyon2519]

I rode all the 2 strokes back in the 80's and into the early 90's, man watchin this takes me right back! Cheers 🍻

[@brianwills4398]

Me too.. never road a gamma though.. I don't think I've ever even seen one in person here in the US It was RZs and RDs. With an occasional H1 or H2..

[@paulcourt6817]

The moment the 'Choir of Banshees' wail, as you hit that powerband. Hunkering down and gripping the bars harder.......

[@chrissinclair8705]

Once you hit that 2-stroke powerband....There is no coming back.

[@hermanbinngavionohermanbin8371]

Back in the days when geo-politics has nothing to do with FUN.

[@remsangachhakchhuak1738]

Damn right I've owned 3 bikes all 2stroke.

[@zackiaryruddick701]

When did he hit the Power band lol he's just putting around

[@alrightdave6135]

@@zackiaryruddick701 are you deaf and blind?

[@michaeloakley9021]

I owned and rode one from new.wish to god I never sold it.superb

[@sircharles7323]

... when "she" is taking up rpm my face just has a bigger and bigger smile! 2stroke - nothing can top this!

[@STnorsu]

Maybe some extra rpm and even hp to unleash with my new programmable ignition controller. Until now ignition has been original. Have to get it on rollers some day.

[@Kajpaje]

Mate had a 350. I rode it to work, got ahead of the queue at the intersection, still rolling, lights went green, unexpectedly went through on one wheel. Light, powerful, heaps of fun. Can't imagine a 500.

[@gren509]

Good memories - but even Barry Sheen only dreamt of 120BHP, so don't fool yourself.

[@pietervanbreda4360]

This must be the best radio station out there, the music is unbelievable. (I own a TDR 250 for the last 8 years and have been riding it for the last week, pure magic)

[@stevenhoman2253]

What an astonishingly fast and light bike that was and is. Still crave the smell of the blue smoke.

[@keleharvey4572]

That angry noise of the 2stroke when she opens up is fucking terrifyingly good

[@bigbaza30]

Oh Yeah, awesome machine as well as the RD500LC, never had the chance to ride a 500, every young lads dream back in the '80s. I had the 250LC, racing reeds, Allspeeds loved it. I had a mate who had a RD125LC his Dad owned a Motorcycle Shop (Neil Whitings, in Bicester, UK) and he used to tune his 125 he had it doing 125mph, I kid you not, and yes he blew it up on a weekly basis knowing that he had the parts to rebuild it every time

[@davidcormier924]

gave me chills... need to get my hands on one. Awesome vid, thanks for sharing

[@cavscout62]

Real Motorcycle. THE definition of Sportbike.

[@chrisjude8794]

Wishing I still had Mine. Absolutely loved it🔥🏍💯😎

[@tommyrayraypic4906]

that sound. Pure power i really love the 2 stroke engine what a kick

[@cecilwilson5442]

Awesome stuff thanks for posting your video ☺️ from northern Ireland,, classic sound and great looking bike ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️

[@troywee4774]

it sounds quite healthy mate, thanks for the ride along!

[@darrylmetzger8580]

Rode Kawi 740 triples my whole life. Wanted the 500 suzy but none available back then. I remember my buddy killing the kawi 750 GPZ turbo with his 500 suzy. Power to weight was insane. 2 strokes forever.

[@michealmccann]

I'll never forget watching barry sheen on an rg battling it out with kenny roberts, absolute epic race.

[@STnorsu]

For me it's #34 @ Donington 1991

[@keithroberts5611]

It was a brilliant race I know I was there!!!!

[@hppaul1]

Beautiful bike, the sound after 6k revs are amazing...2 stroke are awesome, congrats mate.

[@malcolmwhite6588]

It goes a lot slower than it looks :though even though the engine was ripped out through the gears it’s still read 0 miles an hour!😂

[@STnorsu]

@@malcolmwhite6588 Police:"You were speeding!". Me:"No way! I was going well under 100km/h according to my speedo."

[@malcolmwhite3567]

@@STnorsu ha ha and the funniest thing is to your comment that actually did happen to me! I bought a GSX-R1100 in the very early 90s that was used in production racing in the United States and the owner put it back to Street legal and returned. to New Zealand With the bike The speedo was miles per hour. and I got pulled up, and when I showed the police that it was mile an hour and not kilometres an hour and I had just not paid attention accurately to the mental speed conversion: with a little bit of fast talking and a bit of mild exaggeration , He did actually let me off.👍😊

[@animationcycles7109]

Lovely...! Thank you for uploading. A different time/era!

[@Pistonport-vn3it]

Never get tired of hearing an rg 500 maybe one day I’ll get one

[@testaccount4191]

Currently there are two Honda NS400R Rothmans for sale in a shop near where i live, god i wish i could buy one.

[@marcioferraz5282]

Unfortunately there aren't many still in good condition and for sale any more. It is long since frabricaton was stopped..

[@dilsher12]

RG's are collector bikes now most of them go for 30-40k now . Hell RZ350s are going for over 10k

[@leeberry3155]

Stunning example ,brutal power band ,absolutely outstanding performance,an impressive bike to own,enjoy 😎

[@michealmccann]

Those beautie's go for around twenty five to thirty thousand in todays market, pretty rare bike, Barry sheene's world championsip bike must be worth millions.

[@bluebee7689]

Glorious 2 strokes

[@Mikael_Partti]

Aiettä, paljo pitää maksaa että pääsee koeajaa tällasen 😍 hienoa että on vielä suomessa liikkeellä näitä

[@richardlewis1363]

I remember that little whistle warming mine up 😉😍🍺👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@signalorangers2k]

Wow. I had a TDR250 years ago. That was a super bike.

[@RideFree317]

I had a TZR 250 . Was such a fun bike to ride

[@brodiejones2028]

Thanks for sharing. I sold mine recently (because of ill health) I'd almost forgotten that stunning noise once you get past 6k on the tacho. Mine was standard and didn't pull to 11 they way yours does. Must be pretty quick, even by modern standards.

[@STnorsu]

Bike might be quick, but I'm not anymore. I seem to have developed a sense of self preservation, which is kind of new to me...

[@elcapitano1972]

@@STnorsu true dat. #Throttlepig 😈❤️😘👊🏼✨

[@C_Dana]

Nice speedo....who needs one anyway! I was surprised that your body was sore due to the Gamma's vibration. My RG500 is very smooth and this is the first time I've ever heard someone comment about RG500 engine vibration. Your fuel consumption was quite high so you must have been WOT quite often. Anyway enjoyed the video and that awesome two stroke on-the-pipe sound! Don't wait another 12 years!

[@georgespiliopoulos4866]

its a proper 80s-90s..the speed clock is broken!

[@ashleyb.1563]

lol did yours have 120hp at the rear wheel?

[@turbowankel1264]

Some motivation to get mine out again.... Nothing beats that noise and pull

[@Landonmoto39]

Just saw yours on your channel and wow, what a beautiful RG...I love the Ducati 748 style front fairing

[@turbowankel1264]

@@Landonmoto39 thanks

[@garyg736]

I love the two strokes Hade a 84 RZ350 Wish we could still get them new Love the power

[@cavscout62]

You can have one, all it takes is money.

[@garyg736]

@@cavscout62 I know Lots more money then I have to spend on a bike at this point

[@sivodesilva9866]

The sound off the carter in neutral is always freaking me out

[@gerardmontgomery280]

I know it's about 90bhp down on this but god I miss my little Derbi GPR125. Stinkwheels forever. Blue smoke don't mean it's broke.

[@glenngolding6375]

Im glad you said you had no confidence in the old tyres . Take that bzck

[@porschetech72901]

jealous from the states where we never were allowed even a chance to buy any of the really badass bikes like this one ive got a RZ 350 and just got a NSR 250 i need help with parts because they were never imported there are zero parts (carbs) fer them here.... great video it hadda take days to edit out all the wheelies and yeehawwwin an such ya did a fine job sir

[@Trevorpartington-yc6ri]

One my main regrets was never owning an RG500, I've had some awsome bikes but thats a dream.

[@noodlebike]

Beautiful!

[@LEGOTROLL1]

the sound of ANGELS ! , SUZUKI and YAMAHA bring back the 2-strokes !

[@davca117]

Already did more offroad riding than a lot of GSs 🤣

[@drox75]

True 😂

[@garymoore3056]

I was in Looe Cornwall last week and there was one riding about, I haven’t seen one for years 🙂

[@janner2659]

FUck i love this sound and smell !!

[@paulcope1676]

Sounds sweet

[@macmckay9466]

Rode one of these in taupo NZ in the 90s. The power band is scary.

[@martinweston8147]

Yep looked like no more then 59mph 😉 awesome bit of kit

[@lapin46]

Odd, GHN should have balanced things. My Mark Dent RG500 engine and the original one I had before where as smooth as it gets. They spin like a turbine.

[@alexkeohane143]

Beautiful machine

[@jesus2400]

Love it Suzuki

[@-R-884]

Ihana tuon kakstahdin ääni :)

[@spudman1125R]

As the current owner of an '85 Yamaha RZV500R, all I can say is "holy crap!" Well, that and, "I'm thankful for my paved driveway." 😉

[@STnorsu]

I really love to live in the countryside, but yeah, the road could be better for sure.

[@generalrodcocker1018]

we have to make sure, that after eu collapses, we get back 2-stroke bikes, brand new and shiny!

[@mikeyg6631]

These bikes are like Toyotas bullet proof engine!!

[@marshallbacon2527]

They were never cheap to run , best i got was 26mpg , useually 22ish so 80 miles to reserve , but so so worth it

[@andyplage6590]

Smiles Per Gallon ☺️

[@GerhardDaghoul]

Beautiful sound recording mate! \\//_

[@CHOPERUS23]

Hope that road is finished now!

[@fabbri4497]

RG500 Stock engine 75 RWHP.... 228 km/h 100 RWHP... 251 km/h 120 RWHP... 267 km/h

[@jesus2400]

Luck guy this bike sounds amazing

[@rodgercostello9814]

Gorgeous looking memory for sure. Sure looks great also for its age. Wish i looked as good lol

[@STnorsu]

Me too...😁

[@goosemang114]

Looks fast for only 20kph!

[@ptdrrrlebarge6068]

superbe moto d'enduro

[@kevantye362]

Surprised its still rideable after 12 years...crankseals...etc...

[@box1u]

maxwristing to 10000 rpm's and motor starts to "sing". These bikes are worth huge money now a days

[@garyvause2628]

had a suzuki x7 with microns fitted many years ago shame the speedo isn't working nice bike .

[@jastheacenz]

good memories thanks , did you notice the temp gauge doing some funny things during the ride ? it was jumping all over the place. Cheers from New Zealand.

[@STnorsu]

I did. Later found out there was a corroded pin in one connector. That solved some other electrical issues too.

[@MrToppox]

😈😈😈😈 Stilll alittle fearful of its power curve .... understandably. . Been a while 😈😈😈😈

[@STnorsu]

Last year about 350km and this year about 150km so far and old habits are starting to show... 1st to 2nd gear power wheelies in the city center and upper pipes heating the seat in the twisty country roads. I just hope I can survive as I bet my memory is far better than my rusty riding skills...

[@sugarnads]

Exgf n i both had rgv250s. Cruise together sounded like shwantzys rgv500

[@zippymark]

Very very nice. Don't like the fact yav disconnected the speedo t keep the miles off the mileomiter.

[@STnorsu]

Didn't disconnect speedo, it just doesn't work after 12 years for some reason. This is an old race bike, so who knows what the real mileage is. Also can't upload anything here with working speedo, as police might get too excited...

[@duncandmcgrath6290]

Love to see the list of mods to get 120 rwhp....cuz they were half that stock.

[@dylangardiner4502]

Probably a GP engine, they can exceed 120hp

[@Landonmoto39]

@@dylangardiner4502 gp engines in the early 2000’s were pushing 180hp

[@sveneklund6775]

I loved that ...👍😁

[@enduronorthnz6437]

oh i need to get my Rzv out in the summer

[@joonasmyllykoski9136]

Jos joskus tulee tarve myydä tämä, niin laita viestiä.

[@GWAYGWAY1]

Pity the speedo doesn’t work, they will be like hens teeth to find now. I rode one when they came out and the front end seemed a ‘ bit light’ , hooligan fun machine.

[@STnorsu]

I think the speedo itself is just fine. I bet the problem is with the custom pick-up needed with Beymag wheel and Brembo brakes. In any case, I wouldn't post any youtube video with working speedo. I like my license too much... I think I have two original speedos and two modern "lookalikes", but for 0-500km per year I really don't bother with it right now.

[@MFA-Marcelo]

Sooooo beautiful:)))

[@RuedigerEtzold]

Love it 👍

[@conrod4910]

Awesome bike, would love to ride one eventually…

[@STnorsu]

Got a chance to lend my friend's older brother's RG500 for one night in the mid 80's when I had RG125 (I was 16, so 125cc is the biggest legal mc here). After that I knew I had to buy one myself someday...

[@johndavison8690]

Excellent.

[@macmckay9466]

Is it just me, or has this one disconnected his speedo. Only the Revs seem to be moving?

[@chris425amp7]

🔥

[@dirtbikekid]

12 years? Straight to 12k rippums.. it’s a 2 stroke thing

[@994206]

Brings back memories! Would have been better if the speedometer worked though.

[@cedhome7945]

That sound ! This is why e bikes are just souless....

[@Tikkikoira]

Mahtava video tuosta kamppeesta. Iho menee kananlihalle, kun alkaa tuo moottori heräileen, kun vähän kiihdytät! Hienon kuulosta ääntä kertakaikkiaan! Mitä tuommonen noin niinku suurin piirtein kiihtyy nollasta sataan? Kuulostaa kyllä melko kiukkuiselta vehkeeltä!

[@STnorsu]

Nollasta sataan paha sanoa, mutta muistaakseni tällaisella lähes vakiotehoisella on suomessakin ajettu noin 10s aika varttimaililla. 20 vuotta sitten kävin itse koittamassa tällä varttimailia, mutta eihän siitä tullut yhtään mitään, kun tahtoo joko keulia ympäri tai hyytyä liian pieniin kierroksiin lähdössä. Ei ole mikään raketti nyky 1000cc pyöriin verrattuna, mutta tehoporras ja äänimaailma saavat hymyn huulille edelleen. Kun miettii 80-lukua, niin aika tajuton laitehan tuo oli.

[@firecook4848]

disconnecting the speedo, conning some future buyer iam sorry to say, nice bike !!

[@STnorsu]

Well, this is not for sale and for the first three years of her life she served as a road race bike. It would be really hard to tell what the real mileage is.

[@spanking.gorgeous]

What a sound! I wish I kept my rd350 😭

[@rsmanuel3314]

I wish i could have a bike like that🥺

[@donaldduck738]

Nice Bike 👍

[@joebloggs1317]

Beautiful sound but 120bhp is a little optimistic

[@djmexim]

Welcome back😂

[@allancheli]

How come todays 500cc sport makes a lot less hp?

[@marshallbacon2527]

Because the are WOKE

[@hermanbinngavionohermanbin8371]

To curtail illegal racing and lower the road accident fatality..but for me it is all politics that got in the way.careless is always the reason not the bike

[@thesweeneyboys2974]

Because they aren’t 2 strokes anymore

[@neilhamill318]

Because there four stroke engine's

[@neilhamill318]

The sound of what Moto GP use to be.

[@sugarnads]

Wasnt moto gp It was just gp dude. The moto shit came in with 4 strokes

[@neilhamill318]

@@sugarnads I said what it use to. When four cylinder two stroke were used.🤡

[@sugarnads]

@@neilhamill318 kids. Whatever.

[@neilhamill318]

@@sugarnads Typical reply from someone who doesn't have a clue.

[@tonydonnelly2485]

Siiiiiisti !!

[@elcapitano1972]

Scaredy cat 😘

[@chrisbraid2907]

I’d swap my series 1 GSX1100 for one of those in a Heartbeat …. They were an Awesome Ride. Give it a real road with plenty of bends and they are untouchable … 240 BHP per Litre … hard to beat. They brought in the Four stroke era because they wanted a deeper exhaust note …

[@valeriobertucci6159]

after 12ys u didnt change tyres????

[@paulshuttleworth4624]

Is it just me but the clocks don't work

[@RotariRenat]

When you disconnect the speedometer wire so the miles don't go up😁

[@STnorsu]

Or get ticketed by police, when they see a KZbin video.😁 Also this is an old race bike (for the first three years), so who knows what the real mileage is. Actually don't know what the problem with speedo is. It worked just fine 12 years ago.

[@kennymacm3031]

Bliss

[@1950Bonanza]

Little dirt biking there...

[@STnorsu]

That's living on the countryside...

[@adamvmax4286]

Sure. But not 120 rwhp. 700 or 1000 rwhp

[@alienxyt]

Holy Shite! Where do you live!?

[@STnorsu]

Finland

[@vincentdrouilly2857]

j'ai un 500 bimota qui fait120 chevaux ! j'ai des doute sur les 120 chevaux ! ca pas l'air de pousser si fort que cela !

[@robertpersson496]

What kind of airfilters do you have? The "pods" or filters in the airbox? I remember changing to KnNs in the airbox on mine and raising the tank på 2cm made it rev 2000rpms more. The stock foamfilter is like something stuck in your troat... Sadly I sold mine lots of years ago, it was also painted all red, but this is not that machine.

[@STnorsu]

It has one big foam pod each side with home made velocity stacks. Still running original carbs, just bored out to the max.

[@robertpersson496]

@@STnorsu Ah, I had "the other ones". I remember there was a "war" going on in the RG500 mailinglist which solution was the best, pods at the carbs or filters up in the airbox. I think the difference is marginal other than servicability, maybe the filters on the carbs can get soaked if it rains, I don't know. Exiting bike to ride in the wet when the revs hit 7500 rpm and the powerband goes almost straight up. :-)