500cc 2 strokes

[RZ350]

Does anyone on this board run a large displacement 2 stroke? Has anyone ridden or had any experiences with any of the production 500's?

[sv_cath]

My mate had an RG500 a while back, and another friend has an old air cooled RD400 which is sooo lovely

I've got a TZR250 myself (as well as the SV) and just love the smell of two-stroke first thing in the morning!

[craigie b]

Hiya,
Having just got a 125 2 stroke, would a 500cc not be like strapping yourself into a rocket and aiming for the moon?

On a technical note, why does everyone go for 4 strokes with big bikes?

Cheers
Craig

[Scotty]

Mark Beech at work has an RD500,
He loves two strokes, but says he has ever ridden a bike quite like it, or at least as quick. Also says its unrideable in the wet.

People don't really want to pay for the rebuilds on larger capacity two stroke machines,
Not to mention fuel and oil consumption and ever rising emmisions laws 2 strokes just cant contend with.
____________________
Regards
Scott

[Kris]

Not many people tend to own large capacity 'strokers' because they were all built a while ago when brakes and handling were way down on the priority list. Many of the large 500cc strokers will be pushing 15-20 years old and as such will be fragile to say the least.
____________________
NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[RZ350]

hi craigie b production 500's aren't to crazy there equal to todays 600 or 750's here are the specs of a 86 gamma 500.

Model: Suzuki RG 500 Gamma
Year: 1986
Category: Sport
Rating: 80.1 out of 100. Show full rating and compare with other bikes
Engine and transmission
Displacement: 498.00 ccm (30.39 cubic inches)
Engine type: In-line four
Stroke: 2
Power: 95.00 HP (69.3 kW)) @ 9500 RPM
Compression: 7.0:1
Bore x stroke: 56.0 x 50.6 mm (2.2 x 2.0 inches)
Fuel control: Rotary valves
Cooling system: Liquid
Gearbox: 6-speed
Transmission type
final drive: Chain
Physical measures
Weight incl. oil, gas, etc: 181.0 kg (399.0 pounds)
Chassis and dimensions
Front tyre dimensions: 110/90-16
Rear tyre dimensions: 120/90-17
Front brakes: Dual disc
Rear brakes: Single disc
Speed and acceleration
Top speed: 228.0 km/h (141.7 mph)
Other specifications
Fuel capacity: 22.00 litres (5.81 gallons

[Kickstart]

Hi

It is years since I rode a RG500. Still quite fancy one, but maybe a Bimota V Due would be more fun.

And whose silly idea was it to connect the kick start up on the RG500 after the clutch so that you cannot just pull the clutch and kick it over.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[bugsy46]

they dont make them because of emission laws bla bla bla!!!
____________________
Laura - "And where did looks come into this and bugsy leave steven alone. You are not gods gift to women you may think you are but you're not."
Keith - "All the best"

[stinkwheel]

Here is my 32 year old suzuki T500. Air cooled paralell twin, the gsxr750 of the early 70s. Torque coming out of its ears (pulls cleanly from 2,000 rpm). 110mph top speed, TLS drum brakes, externally sprung front forks. Redlines at a reasonably modest 7k rpm but there is no need to push it up there with the amount of torque. Fuel consumption up to 40mpg but has been as low as 25mpg

Pulls so hard that the back wheel lifts and skips along the road with a fast getaway (you get a 250cc bang every 180 degrees with that engine) trick is to put your right foot on the pillion pegs (which are attached to the swingarm) and push the wheel down with your leg.

Oh yeah, the best bit...Tax exempt, insurance £75 comp

https://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/bikeshite/images/2-picture3.gif?0.9468639609958095
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[fuzz]

[Kris]

Yea and the worst bit is that it looks like a shed

I'll stick with my bike thanks
____________________
NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[stinkwheel]

[stinkwheel]

[Kris]

My point was that bikes like that one appeal to certain people who like the 'classic' styling. Although it may be fun to ride I still couldn't live with myself if I bought one. And I doubt the handling would match my bike either...

Oh and I don't have a 750 anymore but that's beside the point
____________________
NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[stinkwheel]

What goes around, comes around. I have noticed a move back towards some of the 1970s styling cues in the last few years (Z750, XJR13). Mark my words, everyone will be riding silver and blue bikes with slash cut silencers and 19" front wheels with or without baconslicers (anyone know what they are then?) in a couple of years.

Oh, I should have mentioned that the big chrome parcel rack was the first thing to hit the bottom of the scrap metal bin!
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[flat spot]

Don't know if you go here......... www.yamaha-rd.com but it's the place to ask

[RZ350]

The two "production race bikes" of the 80's are still quite popular around here and i am not sure if they've reached the state of being fragile yet. I am happy to hear from all the stroker lovers out there, keep the coments ands pics coming.

thanks flat spot, i've never been but will check it out asap.

[G]

You can tune up the rd350 quite a bit, so might be worth a look.

I believe they use the same engine in some of the current Yamaha Quads; they have been known to be tuned up to 100hp ish I think!

[stinkwheel]

[iCraig]

[stinkwheel]