Suzuki RE5

Alan goes Wankel. We find a Suzuki RE5 rotary engine motorcycle.

[@gerhardjinks6581]

I thought these were the ugliest motorcycles when they came out but compared to today's bikes, they look pretty good.

[@garydunn3037]

Yeah, most motorcycles from the 1970's looked far better than those available today. I am struggling to think of one motorcycle that looks good in this modern age. They are all race replica's, or Harley type low riders, or huge long distance cruisers like the Gold Wing. No conventional styled motorcycles. Maybe I am just getting old.

[@doktorbimmer]

The exhaust system on this bike is a perfect example of how very mechanically and thermally inefficient the Wankel engine really is... high EGTs (Exhaust Gas Temperatures) means very low efficiency.

[@bigmlilorgan5686]

They (wankel motors) really only shine when a turbo is attached. I'm not sure that the technology was ever followed-through. I think the last production wankel was around 1992, in the RX-7? The only limiting factor was heat-dissipation, and ceramic coating was unknown back then, Nickel coating was just a baby.

[@theymusthatetesla]

They keep trying to keep this type of engine going....it's too complex, and too heavy, and the materials for the rotor tips at the time, was lacking. Interestingly enough, what they HAVE in the secret depots, defy belief! It's just that we'll never see it.....lovely folk, aren't they?

[@garydunn3037]

These machines had a model life of only 2 years, so they will be pretty rare now. The last one I saw here in the UK was in a Motor Museum back in 1980. So it must have been recognised even then as a future classic. To those who own one, look after it, don't over rev it, and you'll have a future investment. These bikes are really rare now, and parts will be hard to find.

[@gixxerman0016]

I know Suzuki over-engineered this bike to try & win over the doubters but if they were so easy to over-rev didn't they fit a rev limiter? Along with the GT triples I always liked the RE5, a brave attempt to do something different. Mind you seeing what Norton were able to do with their rotary (with a fraction of the resources.....& twin rotor - & both air & water-cooled versions of their motor) it does seem like a terrible miss by Suzuki....& 1 that almost sunk the company too. Good job the GSs were so good.

[@vintageracer25]

I had a low mileage 1976 RE5 back in the late '80s. The closer it got to redline... the smoother it felt. Kick starting one was a futile effort! Still... I did enjoy the bike. David

[@automaticreply]

Noisy music spoiled the exhaust note!

[@eyf5050]

I've got a 75' re5. other than regular maintenance this bike runs great!

[@magna59]

The exhaust note is so soft . But nice to see such a piece of history.

[@MultiDonard]

not a big seller for Suzuki, the gt 750 and the gt550 was better

[@alanwilliamson2259]

Sitting here in Australia , and having owned 2 RE5's and a GT550 and ridden many 750 suzies over 40 years of riding. I can honestly say the RE5 was the best long distance bike I have ever owned, based on may thousands of kilometres not a 10 minute test ride or looking at the stats. yes it was a heavy bike, yes it was heavy on juice..it was also reliable and handled beautifully even with a pillion. I have a good giggle reading the EXPERT opinions

[@cmoore185]

Alan Williamson I can't agree with you at all. I owned one and I admit, I bought it because it was strange. My first bike was in 1962 and am still riding. If you can honestly say that it is the best touring bike you have ridden, you haven't ridden much. Get serious and come down off the acid.

[@garydunn3037]

In reply to rx7 ok, I stand corrected.

[@Vpr310]

Next look for a nice GT-750, I know somebody that has one ;-) I used to, still miss it.

[@MrSteibz]

I would love to know where the black one came from near Utica NY. I had a black RE5 that I traded at a dealer about 30 miles south of Utica NY. Would love to see a photo of this one to try and see if it is the same one.

[@Wsmith247]

I remember going to the dealer with my dad to buy this bike, I was 10.

[@nomdeguerre13]

nice bikes, glad to see them alive!

[@garydunn3037]

These old "Rotary" engined Suzuki's were just too complicated mechanically, and the rotor tips were prone to premature failure. It was only a 500cc displacement, with the size and weight of the GT750 so the rest as they say is history.

[@rx7outlaw]

rotor tips ?? its called a Apex seal .... amateur internet mechanic.

[@paulmcb9070]

This 'RE5 bashing' from ill-informed ignoramuses has to stop... They aren't 'too complicated' and the apex seals do NOT wear or fail prematurely as long as owners remember to keep the oil tank for the apex seal pump full (yes, they had a separate pump like an oil-injected two stroke engine rather than the total-loss crap that Mazda employed). Suzuki really did their homework on these bikes and spent massive amounts of money on research and development - they DO NOT FAIL and they are VERY RELIABLE. There are many, many examples of these engines comfortably doing over 100k miles without overhaul or major wear or trouble of any kind. Do your bloody research before spouting utter bullshit in future!

[@2008bikey]

rx7outlaw and they didn't wear out, if you kept oil in the injection tank. These had both crankcase and injection lubrication. And they handled far better than the GT750 mainly because the frame was very robust. Their main weakness was the carburetor, which was very imprecise, complete with surges and flat spots.

[@doktorbimmer]

Wankel engines in general are prone to premature engine failure due to apex and side seal failure... apex seal failure is the most common mode of premature failure.... Yes, they are very complicated and that is why they were also rather heavy... and expensive...

[@garydunn3037]

Paul McBurney Well I have read countless stories of owners back in the 70's having to take their bikes back for engine problems. Some even needing complete engine replacements. Maybe some were just revving the engine's to hard, These engines, being rotary, spin far too freely, and so it's easier to stray into the red zone, which is there on the tachometer for a reason.

[@fleamarketfread]

Love the scarf. Sounds like weed eater reving

[@kkiwi54]

Don't know why he refers to it as a "little" bike, doesn't look little to me

[@mikejk3858]

rotary engines are extremely rev happy.

[@doktorbimmer]

These are Wankel engines...

[@MrR0C11]

A cool piece of history.

[@veevitkkk313]

It beautiful I like rotary engine but it don't have on small bike.

[@Giminey]

Nice presentation, it just sounds like the bike has an exhaust leak.

[@radioguy1620]

saw a Mazda wankel drag race once, made a big block chevy seem quiet !!

[@bwooj9728]

Just picked one up.. Been sittin All there but headlight and the too cool guage cluster Doubt i'll get to fixin it up May be for sale

[@sanfranciscobay]

A running complete Suzuki Motorcycles Wankel Rotary Engine was just sold on Mecum Auction for $13,000. www.mecum.com/lots/LV0120-391489/1976-suzuki-re5/?fbclid=IwAR11c8ULCZ7qI8-l2aXcLCF2hq9zMCeUWin4UO6R_wAaNhlLVfl8iYYoIQk

[@richard9444]

I love a Vank

[@223remsucks]

What is the background music in the beginning?

[@UTWC01]

+223remsucks It's from a broadcast stock music library. Note when the video was edited it was done in an edit suite with large speakers, at the time the mix sounded right, however we have discovered that when hearing it on smaller speakers, even quality ones the music is too loud, Sorry. We have a revised version packaged for another broadcaster that will be up soon.

[@northerniltree]

How can you "test ride' a motorcycle like the RE5 without doing at least one burnout, and the obligatory wheelie. Nuff said.

[@rcnelson]

Sounds like a two stroke.

[@Diablothein]

R C Nelson Burns oil like a two-stroke.

[@ridinged92]

Diablothein how exactly?

[@ridinged92]

oh. ive never had that happen.. ever lol

[@garydunn3037]

R C Nelson These engine were nearer to a two stroke engine than a four stroke, that why they sounded like a two stroke. Like a two stroke, they usedthe rotor, or piston, to meter the fuel and exhaust gases, unlike the four strokethat used valves to do this job, much more efficiently.

[@ridinged92]

oh ya i understand the reason for why they sounded like a 2 stroke but that does not explain how the oil is supposedly getting into the combustion chamber..