Suzuki RG500 with Nikon exhausts. Road test. Exhaust sound. First ride.

My first time riding a Suzuki RG500. It's my mates bike. He said i can take it for a spin so i did.
Amazing bike to ride. The Nikon exhausts sounds awesome.
You can follow Itching to ride on Facebook.
#bikelife #motorbike #motorcycle #suzuki #suzukirgr #rg500 #suzukirg500 #classicmotorcycles #classicmotorcycle #review #roadtest #exhaustsound #racebike #2stroke

[@odinsfire1409]

I rode and raced one of these in the late 80's. There was nothing lacking in the braking or handling department at all. As with any light bike with lots of power it needs to be set up a bit. Usually just tightening up the spring preload on the rear and front and swapping the fork oil for a denser one. Apart from that these are scalpels. Think left, go left, think right go right etc. The only bike i have owned which was a tad sharper was the RGV250. These things are bullets, sound and feel amazing. My only gripe was the rear wheel which ran a high profile tyre, like an 80 or 90 profile from memory Keeping it tuned was pretty easy if you knew 2strokes and the motor was sharp af. A genuine example of a GP bike with the necessary road kit to make it legal. If dome c*nt hadn't stolen it, i would never have parted with it.

[@wescooley34]

I had a 85 model it handled brilliant metz comp k tyres back then like you say easy ti keep in tune brakes for the day very good smoked a lot of bigger bikes for fun 😂 a gravel strewn bend claimed mine 😢

[@darkknight6333]

Not many people have the skill to drive the RG but once you learn how to keep them boiling, and how to hang on you are in an exceptional group.

[@rockingrodders8551]

What a bike..had the 125 version when I was 17..cool video mate..Stay Safe..✌️

[@itchingtoride]

Thanks mate 👍

[@2stroketimebomb]

I am lucky enough to have the same bike , BUT with Dymag 17" wheels and Brembo brakes - It behaves itself now! 👊 and I love it!

[@gdfggggg]

Lucky you 😮

[@Beardmondy67]

Still got my one from back in the day,.. Need to get it back on the road,.. Nice vid ,.. :o)

[@wraggy_moto]

Hi, that takes me back to my RD500 such a sweet bike wish I still had it.

[@itchingtoride]

I bet you do. Very nice bike. Never rode a RD500 👍

[@aandscrawfoski]

Gday mate, I engineered my bike and lifted 2 expantion chambers under RGV m series tail complete with heat plate 2 Stingers exit the old rgv lights. Rgv m series mags with rear tire hugger and rgvm front nose and side pannels . Rgvm brakes and upside down forks. Fitted stronger mono shock. MoT certifying engineer said the bike had excellent mods to make bike handle and brake well, bringing bike to today's specs. Looks much like a ducati bi pesto 990. Through the oil injector into the rubbish bin imediately and pre mix. Piston 2 is famous for burning up from blocked injector to carrborator. Bush pig at low speed. But all hell breaks loose at 3000rpm. Hang on tight. Andrew Nz

[@adamroper1197]

Great content. Just discovered your channel and binge watched the RGV rebuild series. Funny that you mentioned it, I also had a mate who had a vj22 with an RG500 engine in it back in the late 90s. It was a beast.

[@itchingtoride]

Hello. Bet it was a beast. Looking forward to riding the RGV with the 500 engine in. Thanks for watching 👍

[@cramersclassics]

Great job! The scenery is amazing and the audio/video quality too. Riding on the wrong side of the road reminds of of my trip to Isle of Man, especially tricky on the round-a-bouts. I just got my first RG500 and doing a partial restoration. Can't wait to compare it with my RZ500. Cheers!

[@e36s50b30]

RG500 = GOAT

[@QuicknStraight]

It might cost 20k, but you won't lose any money on it, that's for sure. They'll continue to appreciate in value.

[@itchingtoride]

That’s true 👍

[@JR-bw6jd]

I was offered a clean one back in 2012 for $12K. I really wanted it but my dad declined. I knew the value but dad hates street bikes. At least we have a nice collection of vintage dirt bikes

[@nitro_head]

Wow.... nice

[@richardpearson4248]

Great video fantastic bike looking forward to next video on the build of the RGV stay safe 🇬🇧👍

[@itchingtoride]

Thanks mate. Part 2 of the RGV250 rebuild should be on this week sometime 👍

[@richardpearson4248]

@@itchingtoride thanks for the reply 🇬🇧👍

[@arightpest3367]

I was lucky to ride one in the late 80’s I loved it sadly it wasn’t mine but a friends. Great fun great memory.

[@itchingtoride]

Great bikes 👍

[@theaustralianconundrum]

I owned the exact same model on release and it was a turd even back then. When they ran? Terrifyingly bad handling. When they didn't run right? Absolute rubbish. My 2020 Yamaha XSR 900 will blow these away on road or track. My how times have changed. I mean, I LOVE the look and sound of the RG 500's however they are NOT in any way shape or form a clever way to go fast anywhere. Subscribed from Australia. @@itchingtoride

[@justinboon3811]

Cool

[@phattyliva]

I had this when I was 17

[@KensGarage1]

You have a very nice friend. Great video. And yes it is nice to have one in the garage to take out once in a while. Tho mines a V4.

[@itchingtoride]

Thanks. Yes nice of him to let me ride it 👍

[@vmontijo]

Wonderful video - lovely sound! Just one small detail: Suzuki only made these bikes in 1985 and 1986 (2 years)... they sold some new in 1987, but these were actually leftover 1986's... so, really just a 2-year production run... making them that much more rare! Luckily I have one of my own! The Power valve is there to boosts the low and mid-range, and thus why the bike is nice tempered even down low... then when the power hits, the rush is strong but less abrupt than an non-power valve 2-stroke... same is true for an RZ350 (has a power valve) vs an RD-LC350 (no power valve)... Cheers!

[@gdfggggg]

I just love the look of it. Old school with that 500 2 stroke. I’ve got a zzr1100 d7 and it’s a whopper but I had much more fun on the little 2 strokes. It feels like a big old straight line bruiser but chucking it about is not it’s thing. I used to have an rgv250 vj21 and nothing could touch me on the twistys, miss that bike. My zzr feels too fast, a bit pointless. 70mph feels like it’s not even woke up, it’s unbelievable really. If I could have any bikes I’d have an rgv250m vj22 and a nice chill cruiser like a Indian scout bobber or similar.

[@itchingtoride]

If you look on my channel I am rebuilding a RGV250 VJ22. Itching to ride is on Facebook to if you would like to follow 👍

[@gdfggggg]

@@itchingtoride I’ve watched a couple of your vids, I’ll watch more 👍🏻

[@BlackStagStyling]

That’s awesome mate and what a bike to get to ride 😎 it’s a shame we can’t smell her pipes 😆👌

[@itchingtoride]

She smells great mate 😆

[@iAMChrisCC]

Anyone remember Roger and his RG500 with Nikonfrom Box Hill in the late 80s??

[@johnmclean4911]

I remember have the RGV250M talk about power band. When you heard the exhaust note change and that's when it took off like a scolded cat. The only weaknesses with them was the power valves. Which contained three different metal sleeve things held in place with a small aluminium pin. Well the pin would wear with the vibration of the engine causing the power valve sleeves to slide in to your barrels. So that spelled the end of your pistons as well. But they were great looking bikes back in the day. I have seen a few people putting the RG500 engine in to them as well.

[@itchingtoride]

I should get to ride my mates rgv250 with a rg500 engine in it in the summer sometime. Looking forward to that 👍

[@johnmclean4911]

@@itchingtoride tell you one thing thou @Itching to ride the prices are going up on the RG500's good investment pal. Then again I remember the old 750 kettles back in the day you couldn't give them away see now there going for stupid money. But they were all smoke and noise na much get up and go about them.

[@itchingtoride]

@@johnmclean4911 A RG500 would be nice but like you say just to much money now.

[@davidmacphee3549]

@@itchingtoride What did they sell for originally??

[@kie185]

I remember there was RG400 Japanese imports

[@kiddoduke2103]

Ah the memories… Are you still out there E767GTW? From my recollection a bike that - was really lightweight for the power, drank fuel/oil, had a twitchy front end, low seat height, reasonably tractable for a 2 stroke even after Stan Stephen’s attention, hopeless headlight, side stand and fragile mirrors. But was capable of making any ride special - coming home from Donington having watched certain Texan sliding the RGV to victory being a highlight.

[@noodlebike]

@KiddoJuke looks like she had an MOT expire in 2021.

[@kiddoduke2103]

@@noodlebike I’d have it back

[@davidmacphee3549]

@@kiddoduke2103 "Over my dead body" .... lol

[@pikachus5m166]

Remember reading an article that stated a replacement engine for the RG is £11k plus, that £5k you quoted must be for a recon, as many were raced back in the day, saying that, how many sq.4 recons are there?, I suspect very few.

[@Trevorpartington-yc6ri]

Would have been better if you had riden it like atwo stroke, did you see the powerband?

[@terrytate6006]

I have an 86 rg500 mine has been bored out to 5:52 CiCi's it has the Tommy Croft pipes it hit the dyno @116 hp

[@itchingtoride]

Very nice 👌

[@davidmacphee3549]

Could you buy that engine as a "Crate Motor" ? Sad to see it go.. MASTERPIECE!

[@gdfggggg]

I want it.

[@itchingtoride]

It is nice 👌

[@richardharwood7135]

Got rid of mine after a few months, back and wrists said no and I was only 19 so I have no chance riding one now at 53 years old😂

[@itchingtoride]

Same as me. I like my comfort now. I ride a Ducati Multistrada 😆

[@richardharwood7135]

@@itchingtoride I traded it for a gsxr750 slabside which was as bad, still not learned as I have a 350ypvsf2 but it's not that bad a riding position🙈

[@itchingtoride]

@@richardharwood7135 The 350 is a comfy bike to ride 👍

[@theaustralianconundrum]

Ducati? Not in a million years.@@itchingtoride

[@leadsled8961]

If you do not keep the revs up 7500 rpm and over the engine will choke up. You cannot putter around on with that engine. I could pull 11,700 rpm in sixth gear stock gearing.

[@pl1068]

The engines don’t destroy themselves but the gearboxes do, I had 2nd gear come straight out of the cases while overtaking, luckily kept it upright with all the oil over the back wheel. It’s a shame you never dipped into the power on this ride the AEC doesn’t change over until 7,500 rpm and you kept changing gear before it. The prices are crazy now, I sold my RG400 with Nikons and the RG500 with the exploded gearbox 15 years ago for £3500 😢

[@itchingtoride]

Hello. Yes my mate said the gearboxes have problems. You was lucky not to crash it when the gearbox went. It’s was my mate’s bike so took it easy. Didn’t want anything to happen 👍

[@veronikadesantis8531]

p̶r̶o̶m̶o̶s̶m̶

[@jurgenpetersmann5466]

ab 7000 dann geht die gut ab