Post Sale Update: This Gamma sold for $23,100 after 13 bids on eBay.
One of the coolest motorcycles built in the 80s, the RG500 Gamma was a repli-racer inspired by Suzuki’s dominant Gamma, which won 7 consecutive manufacturer titles in the 500cc class.
This bike pumped out 94 horsepower and weighed just 340 pounds dry. For more on the Gamma, check out this Retrospective from Rider magazine. Or check out this story from Classic Motorbikes, which has this telling quote (emphasis added):
“Place the RD500, NS400 and RG500 Gamma side-by-side and you would have three of the top manufacturers attempts at producing a replica of their respective GP racers, however, with all but one of those machines, all you purchased was a mere shadow of the original design. That is not to say the others were rubbish, far from it in fact, but the RG was definitely nearer the mark, and actually far closer to the race machine than you might ever imagine.
The Suzuki is almost an exact replica of the race machine, its roots can be traced directly to the 1983 factory XR45 and the crankcases, barrels and general engine layout are virtually identical to the bikes ridden by Sheene, Mamola, Crosby and the rest of the factory boys.”
This example (VIN: JS1HM31A1G2100777) has 19,599 miles and it’s offered by a Suzuki dealership that’s selling the Gamma on behalf of the estate of a 2 stroke collector. Mechanically, everything is said to work though there’s “slight rotor chatter” felt on braking. There’s brand new Avon tires on “what appears to be Dymag” wheels, and the anti-dive valves have apparently been blocked off, though the seller does not say why. The cosmetics are strong but “there are some very minor nicks”. Overall, the seller says that the bike is “not quite concours ready” but “it is in exceptional rider condition.”
Find this Gamma for sale in Boyertown, Pennsylvania with bidding up to $15,399