Suzuki RGV500

The Suzuki RGV 500 was a racing motorcycle that Suzuki made from 1986 to 2001 for the Grand Prix motorcycle racing series, powered by a 499.3 cc two stroke engine. Suzuki factory rider Kevin Schwantz gave it its first Grand Prix victory at the 1988 Japanese Grand Prix, and it won its first 500 cc world championship in 1993 when Schwantz outscored Wayne Rainey and Mick Doohan. The bike was always slower in a straight line than the Yamaha and especially the Honda, so Schwantz set it up to make up time in the braking zones and the corners, and he often crashed as often as he won. Other riders struggled to adapt to its style, though Daryl Beattie finished second in 1995. Kenny Roberts Jr was second in 1999 and became the last Suzuki 500 cc world champion in 2000. Its record is two world championships and 37 race wins, and the GSV-R replaced it for 2002.