RM-ZILLA SUZUKI RM500 CLASS OF 83'

SUZUKI RM-ZILLA 500D
Absolutely Pristine & Extremely Rare
A Low Hour & Original Example
Suzuki’s Top-of-the-line Biggest Baddest World Class
Big Bore Air Cooled 2 Stroke
"Suave Mintay"
The Ultimate Of Unobtanium
The Rarest of the 500s
KYB Fully Adjustable Suspension Front and Rear
Double Leading Shoe Front Brake
Full Floating Rear Brake
4 Speed Wide Ratio Transmission
Very Useable Monster Power
The Expert’s Choice for Open Class Vintage MX
This One is Incredibly Well Preserved
Frame is Pristine
Forks, Swingarm & All Cycle Parts are Mint
This is a Very Fast & Well Tuned, Mint 500
PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW FOR COMPLETE DETAILS
Over $5,000.00 invested In Parts & Labor
Engine Rebuilt With 1 Hour Ride Time
Engine Cases are Mint
New Piston & Rings
New Head & Base Gaskets
Compression Tests Perfect @ 150 PSI
New Engine Paint
New DG Exhaust System
New DG Silencer
Cylinder Head Polished
New NGK Spark Plug
Fuel Tank Flushed
New Cap Vent Line
New OEM Style Petcock & Fuel Line
Full Carb Rebuild, Cleaned, Set and Adjusted
New Carb Vent Hoses
Air Box Cleaned & Serviced
New Uni Air Filter
VP Non-Ethanol Fuel
New MTL Gear Lube
New Countershaft Sprocket
Full Nut and Bolt 100 Point Check Over
Lube and Adjusted All Cables
New Oury Hand Grips
New Renthal Bars
New MSR Quick Adjust Clutch Perch & Lever
New MSR Quick Adjust Front Brake Perch & Lever
New Gold Pro X Drive Chain
New Rear Sprocket
New Front Fender
New Front Number Plate
New Side Number Plates
New Rear Fender
New Staiger Limited Edition Custom Graphics Kit
Hot Water Steam Cleaned & Degreased
Touch Up Frame, Engine, Cylinder, Hubs, and Triple Clamps
Polished Wheels, Swingarm, Exhaust, Tank & Forks
This is a Great Opportunity to Own a Serious Piece of Motocross History
A GREAT RIDER OR COLLECTOR BIKE!
Call 860-454-7024 M-F 9-5 With Questions

[@christophertoscano2026]

That’s something you start up at midnight to tell your neighbors your up and home

[@mikeschlup5279]

Especially when they are drinking and jamming after midnight...

[@Rod-db8tt]

Or play Judist Priest " you got another thing comm'n " really loud 🙂

[@majorlee1]

😂

[@JoshNY607]

So sick love that bike yo you got some of the coolest bad asses bikes I ever seen b4 love watching these cool videos all the time so cool

[@michaelmartin7073]

And on Sundays

[@mikefox2353]

MY FIRST BIG BORE 2 STROKE WAS A 1978 SUZUKI RM 400--GOOD RELIABLE -FAST BIKE IN ITS DAY ! I"M 68 Y.O. AND REMEMBER SUZUKIS DOMINANCE 1970-1978 W/ ROBERT-DECOSTER AT SADDLEBACK MX TRACK ORANGE CA. A LAP AHEAD OF ALL OTHER RACERS --JUST AMAZING ! WATCH THEM ON ON ANY SUNDAY !

[@Kaapohamalainen]

Im 15yr old an i have rm400

[@kurtkuczynski8337]

The sound made my eyes tear. I had a '85 CR 500 with an HRC wide-range gear kit and I never had more pain or fun in my life. Sold it when I hit 40 and regretted it every week since then, probably saved my life. I love the sound and smell of a two stroke. Especially when it's running Bel Ray.

[@stevestewart6287]

I had that exact same bike, but 1 year older. I had the 1982 Suzuki RM 465Z, with the 4 speed transmission. I bought it brand new in 1982 from Smitty's Suzuki in Peoria Illinois, for $2.495. I put a terry fork kit in the front, and sent the rear shock to White Brothers in Calfornia for the deluxe shock modification. I also got the White Brothers works air box, and put a cheng shin super digger on the back, with a metzeler perfectcross on the front. It was a beast, it would pull the front wheel in every gear. I had it for 8 years from 1982 to 1990, then I sold it, and that was my last dirt bike. best dirt bike I ever owned, it would start 2nd kick every time when cold, and 1st kick when it was warm. In the 8 years I had it I never had one problem with the engine, it was bulletproof, and as reliable as you could get.

[@6bt_str864]

UNBELIEVABLE. (Teen in the 80s so I know these, I can't believe how collectable the "throw aways" of that era are now, if only..)

[@sunwolf6228]

Nothing like a 500cc TWO STROKE. !!!! Best sound ever!

[@scottyd2262]

Just seeing that tank shape with those decals gave me a feeling from back in 83. I love 83 RM"'s !

[@ShadeTreeKennyT]

That bike sounds SO good!! Absolute masterpiece. My first ever dirt bike was a 1982 RM465, sounded like this one. Mine had a DG pipe too. What a monster that was, steep learning curve!

[@meandthefamily1485]

Great memories mate I had a 79 RM400 in 1981 aged 15 my first one too ,always wanted an RM465 next but got a KX250 instead ,hold good memories for me the RM 👍

[@jeffjones5063]

my 82 rm 465. just needed a five speed, more front brake. fun.

[@jeremywilkinson8617]

I’ve got the 83 125 sitting here! Runs and drives. Needs all cables, tires,the clutch taken out and refurbished. Can’t find the darn plastics I need tho. What a beautiful bike!

[@Davido50]

More Suzuki RMs or RMZs pls! Beautiful bike. Ultra collector bike. 👍🏻💯 🇺🇸

[@KaplanCycles]

More to come!

[@RadRob84]

My first bike was an 83 RM250. I miss that bike a lot.

[@bengolfs1]

I was 13 and was a huge motocross fan back then in 1983. I think that was the first or second year the "Full Floater" suspension came out, and the year before the watercooled engine hit the market as well. Kent Howerton and Mark Barnett rode the Suzuki's to several championships, I recall. Great bike.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

That was back when a kid could afford a bike with a part time summer job. You should have bought one or three.

[@deborahchesser7375]

@@EarthSurferUSA no shit ! I’ve had dozens over the years, good luck on me ever having those again. ✌️🇺🇸

[@MitzvosGolem1]

My buddy had that. I rode it excellent smooth good power. Equal to my CR 480 in 1983. Very easy to ride . I recall it was a 4 spd Perfect bike Wow!

[@KaplanCycles]

Thanks for sharing

[@pgmurray76]

So envious to not be in its presence. But hearing it run barely warmed up was pure magic!

[@stevenobriant2000]

Wow! A diamond in the ruff what an awesome example of 500 cc history it makes me imagine how great it would have been to be on a motocross course in 83 with a handful of these bikes on the track tearing up the berms

[@graemebartmann7872]

At a GP with 40 on the gate 👍

[@eightzerotwo]

My uncle had an 83 RM500 when I was a kid. Those things make every other bike in its class from that era seem slow. Insane stock porting…

[@muckle8]

You could see it was quick,strong Suzuki power! - the best!

[@fidelcatsro6948]

we need bring back 500cc 2stroke single engines

[@l6outinthestix46]

Wow 😲 greeting from UK youve just took me bk to 83 listen to it I can smell it here in UK 🙏💯💯💯

[@willk.illyouii5583]

My friend raced one at the washougal national in 83', mitch kirkpatrick from bend, oregon, He actually got the holeshot against all the factory pros!!

[@lawrencefoster2120]

I heard you say that you are 56, I'm 57 ,we turned teens right when stereo's and a a hundred,two hundred, watt's became affordable. We could go see the Car's in concert for less than ten dollars along with Tom Petty, bruce Springsteen and the River tour and on . Then these jumping bike's came out. And then when oli went crazy and the economy never recovered everything changed.

[@Rod-db8tt]

That's one sweet old school bike ... but all the old school bikes you showcase are sweet 🙂

[@KaplanCycles]

Glad you like them!

[@Max-jq3kj]

Thats the best two stroke exhaust ive ever heard.

[@carlhothan9028]

Owned many open class weapons and my '82 RM465 was one of my favorites. Phenomenal rear suspension, smooth power delivery, and great handling. Could race multiple laps and that bike never wore me down.

[@michaelscurr9046]

I had a tm 75 as a kid then one morning I woke up 2 the first rm 80 for Xmas. Wow what difference.👍

[@macroevolve]

Very nice Vintage Bike. I haven't seen a YZ 490 in a long time. I liked the White, with red seat YZ's when I was a Kid

[@sergiososa5855]

Suzi power full!!!!!!!👌👌👌👌👌👌💣💣💣🚀🚀🚀🚀⚡⚡⚡

[@joeenduro]

That is one beautiful rm zilla 500 2stroke I love it. The noise I could listen to that all day everyday. Very good vids Ken and the Kaplan team keep up the good work guys. ❤😊

[@vintagesawyer6246]

Those double leading shoe front drum brakes actually work pretty good.

[@runninfast9208]

the full floater suspension was the best ever, i had 3 zooks with it, amazing!

[@jackmcandle6955]

I wrenched at shop in 80-83 and the full floater bikes blew away everyone at the mx tracks but a patent problem $made them stop using it

[@runninfast9208]

@@jackmcandle6955 best suspension i ever rode, no joke

[@xipingpooh5783]

It is so hard to see a bike like that and keep from going into financial ruin!! If I had some extra cash stashed away I’d be headed up there tonight waiting for Ken to show up in the morning. I have to say I was disappointed that we didn’t get a couple of really good mono’s Ken. At least the full throttle blasts down the street help feed my fix. Semper Fidelis 🇺🇸

[@randallburgess46]

Looks and sounds like new! Can’t beat the old 2 stroker’s! Love ‘em!

[@tommerwhite]

wow I can’t wait to crank this on surround sound pure music to my ears thank Ken

[@38possum]

Loved the deceleration of the old RM'S nice clean no crackle in the exhaust they just moaned.

[@davop4919]

I used to race a RM370B in So California open class back in 1979/80 and it was scary fast I can just imagine that beast lol...

[@bigdickmcginnis2225]

I just got a 1985 cr500r it's hard to start but when it runs it's a powerful machine

[@scottyellis3442]

That's a nice bike, back in 1980 I had a RM250 & my brother had a RM490 so this brings back so many good memories. Not forsure what year my brother's 490 was but it was definitely a 490 because I remember thinking it was weird that they made a 490 why not just do a 500, so it must have been an early year than this 83 500. Thanks for sharing. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Kaapohamalainen]

Im sorry but there's is not 490cc rm

[@davethebeagler7711]

The custom graphics always add such a nice touch to these classic beauties. The team must work tirelessly to find these top caliber bikes. I love the videos because the bikes are flawless and the team is beyond knowledgeable.

[@christophertoscano2026]

That’s something you start up at 2am to tell your neighbors your home

[@suny874]

Ken You always show us such good things!!! 😎😎🤟🤟

[@gregorygrubb6126]

I had a rm 125 1983 I so remember these in show room wow amazing!!

[@mikeslife5941]

Like I say in every video, and you never cease to amaze me such a beautiful monster.

[@joshlucas5907]

Dang!! listen to the two stroke snaps and pops with the deep growling idle ... wow, Reminds me of my 79 yz400F sound I had back in the early 90's

[@johnfields6603]

I had a “79 400F with the DG pipe,Answer silencer ,ported/ polished stock piston, 5.25x 18 Tereflex ...it was a ditch digger.

[@joshlucas5907]

@@johnfields6603 agreed, I still see deep ruts in the same spots in my woods from doing that back in the late 90's.

[@johnfields6603]

@@joshlucas5907 Wow that is so awesome! My ruts were still there for over 10 years too. Do you have a bike now ? I am restoring a “93 CR500 now ,l can’t wait to get it finished up.

[@joshlucas5907]

@@johnfields6603 I would love to own an old CR500, I think my favorite CR is 85-95, must be an old school thing. I have a newer 2003 Kx125 im building right now. I just finished a 98 CR250 an 89 LT250R quad. Love my vintage 2 strokes, always looking for an old project

[@johnfields6603]

@@joshlucas5907 Man that is cool ,and l totally agree with you 2 strokes forever ! 👍

[@nakevink]

I rode one twice in 1990, very cool. The reason I was allowed to ride it is the owner wanted to try my 1979 husky 390 OR. Loved them both

[@fidelcatsro6948]

these are genuine 100mph capable right?

[@mikemacdude]

I remember these crazy bikes. The seats were soft as anything. Baaaahnaaaarrrpp!!!

[@johnhansen7499]

Obviously gorgeous! How great was 1983 for open class two strokes!

[@drott150]

I owned an '84 RM500. Very tractable power compared to 250s and especially 125s, which always needed to be on the pipe to get going. Also, surprisingly nimble for its size. I used to ride tight trails all the time on one. Only downside was fuel consumption. You'd have to keep an eye on gas going on longer rides with your buddies on smaller (i.e. more fuel efficient) bikes.

[@garyhatstat8449]

That thing def sounds juicy!! Tuned very well!

[@happyfreeliferc]

Let Larry take it for a rip in the grass across the street.i want to see a wholeshot and standup wheelie !! 😜✌

[@smurfygoodtimes8148]

My 1st 500 when I was 15 , I always thought I was missing 5th gear.✌️

[@KaplanCycles]

Right on!

[@oprghost7227]

Good lord the rm500 sounds better than any 2 stroke Iv ever heard in my life

[@ho-snakk]

Ive become so addicted to watching this guy rip up and down this driveway on so many different monsters. My girl like " Oh jeez" as soon as she hears the 2 stroke sounds coming from the living room😂 Im like shut up Bish ,you watch Maury all day.

[@TWTexasA1]

Damn nice bike…I bought a brand new Kawasaki KX 420 in 1983 , it was actually a 1981 that a local dealer had quite a few leftover…I paid the whopping price of $999…crazy right. Had a choice between the 420 or a 250 it was $899 which I should have gotten because the 420 was way to much bike for me ….✌🏼✌🏼✌🏼

[@whosahberg]

Just perfect kem .. kisstie has done some quality work too . I raced A open expert .. I was on board a RM125RR battling with a few on this exact RN500 . Can’t remember what place I was in , but I’ll never forget getting CRACKED by a rock on the knee . Caused my to dribble off the track and fall into the fetal position .

[@markkimball1569]

What a ripper how old like you can young at heart❤ and I remember these although I wasn’t a world-class race like you! so I never swung my leg over one only in RM 400😂

[@josephtilotta2137]

I call those bikes. The Roger DeCoster special. How sweet it is. That's Motocross.

[@daffyduck9901]

Full Floater baby! This is the shit that excites me. I didn't have a 500 but I had the 465 ported polished, yanked and cranked haha. Brings back so many memories of my times in the ER. I love that bike. Sweet brotha! 👍

[@davidstewart8081]

It is pretty bad when the nurses know you by your first name:)

[@crashalexander7232]

never saw one in the wild...lol but we rode hard and put up wet many 125 and 250 from that era.....

[@3800TURBO]

Love the 500s. I had a CR500 84 model. Very nice RM.

[@daz4643]

These 500's don't even have to try. Plus Kaplan explaining everything in detail. He's so cool even his bed makes itself in the morning. 😎

[@andrewSUN17]

Monster! That DG pipe is classic, top notch and sounds amazing!!!

[@KaplanCycles]

It sure is!

[@mighty9225]

What an exciting sound!!!!

[@MM_in_Havasu]

That ride is badass! Very cool example of a bike that I haven't seen a lot of for sure! Love me some 2-stroke bikes! The ultimate would be to get Roger DeCoster over there to take it for a rip!

[@michaelmelling9333]

Or Joel Robert.

[@thehashpuppy]

Just hearing that monster gave me goose bumps🤘🔥❤️

[@leonmaurice6416]

Sounds absolutely beautiful!!

[@KaplanCycles]

It does!

[@brianking1138]

I have seen a quadzilla in person but not the RM 500. I love watching your channel to see all the rare bikes.

[@yeti8it396]

Bro way back in the day I had moto x boots just like those you were wearing. I was on a Suzuki RM 370 and a Yamaha YZ 490 at the time and was abt 17... DAMN I miss those times cause I'm 62 now lol 😆

[@ronlawson5819]

Love your big bore two strokes stories

[@francoismoreira1583]

Beautiful bike👌🙏🇺🇸🇫🇷

[@airtek4809]

That thing is BAAAAAAAADDDDDDDD To Da Bone!, love the sound. Kamikaze Suzuki 500, hang on.

[@davejohnson607]

That is a thing of beauty. Sounds so good.👍

[@volksdeutschewaffenss9670]

i owned a honda cr480 and an rm465, the cr480 was a monster , it had a brute power band , the rm465 was a sweet and easy bike to ride , so easy to flick the tail out and power slide with both feet on the pegs, an rm500 would be a great bike power and handling, wish i could bid from australia

[@joshuarainey6796]

I had an 82 RM125.such sweet bikes! so fun.

[@shaneburke1778]

This channel has saved 🙌 what's left of my mind!, be lost without it..

[@michaelace4739]

That sounds like my 1987 QuadZilla. Had it port, polished, reeds, bored 1 over and blueprinted. The thing was insane to ride!

[@EarthSurferUSA]

It probably was not really "blueprinted". It is not a practice used much anymore because manufacturing got better and can hold tight tolerances. Blueprinting means every engine of the part is made to the nominal spec, (no tolerance basically.). But truing the crank would be part of blueprinting, and is still often done. I might do that with my YZ250 crank to see if I can get rid of some vibration.

[@michaelace4739]

@@EarthSurferUSA it was blueprinted, crank was taken out. Every bit of that motor was taken out and put back together.

[@johnnyboy1586]

The best dirt bike I owned was a pe 400 beautiful spead of power and torque!

[@wynnsmith4210]

Man you should donate one of those amazing gasgas 450s to a poor man like me haha. It's a wet dream of mine! Love what yall do brother! Thanks for the vids!!

[@jhmonthetube6339]

This year is the sweetest big bore RM ! Too bad they only made it one more year.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I like the jacket. I found an interview with Gary Nixon on-line YT. Seems like a great guy.

[@shaneburke1778]

My first bike was it's little brother! Loved that bike, even though it wouldn't hit band! 😉

[@AlexGarcia-ew2fv]

Let me tell u that bike will still Rip the trails like a bulldozer..bikes like that r Beasts for life..

[@markklimaszewski3399]

What a BEAST !!!!!

[@joshuarainey6796]

Oh that big ass DG pipe is beautiful!

[@zacharycoy4704]

I like the Gary Nixon patch I race at his memorial at Timonium Maryland

[@deanwaring6100]

I used to own this model 👍🏻👍🏻❤️

[@danny7954]

Sounds of youth in cottage country omtario Love it

[@wesmattimore2895]

That is badass, I had and raced the 84 cr500 that thing kicked ass, believe it was 1 yr honda made them, those you can't find anywhere..

[@1967wad]

My first 2 stroke was an '82 RM 125. My next was an '96 CR 250. Don't think I will ever upgrade to a 500. But a sweet looking bike.

[@jefferythum9445]

I love that model.

[@willk.illyouii5583]

Ting, Ta, Ting, Ting, Ting... Braaaaaaap!

[@Burn.666]

Best Sound ever ❤

[@danhollatz5944]

The good old days!

[@wallyhaskett6737]

4 stroke who said that anyway. That is a 2 stroke man that is what that 500 is.

[@kentgorrell]

Reminds me of the Cyclone. Due to it's big power and flexible frame it became known as "The Japanese plot to kill of the rest of the world". Dive into a corner, twist the throttle and go flying. In entirely the wrong directtion but without your Cyclone.

[@Mustang-tt3zt]

My rmx 250 90s heavy but fun to ride no complaints here

[@jla7550]

that's SOUND !!! 😍😍😍

[@ahmedchristianboussaa9964]

One of the firsts… Dam that’s nice 2stroke for ever👌

[@robinbanks610]

Awesome bike bro👍. Around this era a mate had a PE 250 that went like a scalded cat😉. Myself an XT 500✌️❤️

[@seancrutcher525]

It's just such a huge bike.i wonder how hard it is to ride on trails lol

[@Rod-db8tt]

I wouldn't ride it too much ... that's what the modern day stuff is made for!

[@yiannishayabusaofficial]

WOOOOOOOOOW AWESOME AMAZING FANTASTIC

[@KaplanCycles]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@alcopower5710]

What a beauty…….sounds sooooo good

[@robertrussellmusicministri4975]

Complete badass