Suzuki RGV250
Encyclopedia
Introduction
The RGV250 (Gamma) is a high performance sports bike which had a great number of its features and design clues based on the Grand Prix technologies and ideas. It is a race-replica based on SuzukiSuzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
's 250 cc GP bikes from 1987 to 1998, the RGV Gamma V-2 racer. This motorcycle replaced the RG250 Gamma, which employed an alloy frame with a two-stroke parallel twin engine. The bike produced over 50 bhp in a narrow power band between 8,000 to 11,000 rpm
Revolutions per minute
Revolutions per minute is a measure of the frequency of a rotation. It annotates the number of full rotations completed in one minute around a fixed axis...
. The dry weight ranged between 128 kg (282 lb) (1989) to 140 kg (309 lb) (later models) dry weight.
The top speed of a standard RGV250 is around 130 mi/h. It has a 0-60 mi/h time of around 3.7 seconds.
This motorcycle's engine performance is not very inspiring at engine speeds under 7,000 rpm, due to the two-stroke engine power delivery of a relatively narrow power band
Power band
The power band of an engine or electric motor refers to the range of operating speeds under which an the engine or motor is able to operate efficiently...
. However, once the engine is revved over 8,000 rpm, the power delivery characteristics effectively doubles, as is expected of a two-stroke racing motorcycle.
Due to its light weight, engine characteristics and cornering capabilities, it is particularly suited to the track, compared to other motorcycles of similar engine capacity.
Model Designation and Power
All RGV250 models, with the exception of the Japanese domestic market's version (restricted to 40 hp), make 50+ hp. The model designations are:- VJ21:1988-1990: quoted power; 1988=58 hp, 1989=59 hp (90° V-Twin, i.e. the space between the cylinders)
- VJ22:1991-1996: quoted power; 1991=62 hp (revised engine with more power, still 90° V-Twin)
- VJ23:1997-1998: quoted power; 1997=70 hp (from the very special 'SP' model (sports production) with new 70° V-Twin engine)
Technical
The VJ21 was the first RGV250 production motorcycleMotorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
available in Japan in 1988. Technical aspects were:-
- Alloy Beam frame
- 90-degree, water-cooled two-cylinder two-stroke V-TwinV-twinA V-twin engine is a two-cylinder internal combustion engine where the cylinders are arranged in a V configuration.- Crankshaft configuration :Most V-twin engines have a single crankpin, which is shared by both connecting rods...
style V engineV engineA V engine, or Vee engine is a common configuration for an internal combustion engine. The cylinders and pistons are aligned, in two separate planes or 'banks', so that they appear to be in a "V" when viewed along the axis of the crankshaft...
(separate crankcases, single in-line crankshaftCrankshaftThe crankshaft, sometimes casually abbreviated to crank, is the part of an engine which translates reciprocating linear piston motion into rotation...
) - 2 piece exhaust valves which have two positions - open and closed
- Dual Reed valveReed valveReed valves are a type of check valve which restrict the flow of fluids to a single direction, opening and closing under changing pressure on each face...
s, with Suzuki Intake Pulse Control system (SIPC), similar to Yamaha Energy Induction System (YEIS) but avoids patent issues - 32 mm Mikuni Carburettors on 88/89 models, replaced with 34 mm models with single air bleed on 1990 model
- 17" front, 18" rear three spoke alloy wheels with twin 296 mm front disc brakeDisc brakeThe disc brake or disk brake is a device for slowing or stopping the rotation of a wheel while it is in motion.A brake disc is usually made of cast iron, but may in some cases be made of composites such as reinforced carbon–carbon or ceramic matrix composites. This is connected to the wheel and/or...
s and single rear - Front suspension is conventional 41 mm damper type telescopic motorcycle forkMotorcycle forkA motorcycle fork connects a motorcycle's front wheel and axle to its frame, typically via a pair of triple clamps. It typically incorporates the front suspension and front brake, and allows the bike to be steered via handlebars attached to the top clamp....
s (not cartridge) - Suzuki Pointless Electronic Ignition (PEI) analogue ignition systemIgnition systemAn ignition system is a system for igniting a fuel-air mixture. Ignition systems are well known in the field of internal combustion engines such as those used in petrol engines used to power the majority of motor vehicles, but they are also used in many other applications such as in oil-fired and...
on 1988 models, replaced with digital system on 1989/90 models which was a predecessor to the SAPC as fitted on the VJ22 - Dual, side-by-side expansion chambers
The VJ22 machine relied heavily on the VJ21, but had the following improvements:-
- Suzuki Advanced Power Control (SAPC) computerized engine management system
- 3 piece exhaust valves with three positions - closed, half open and fully open
- 34 mm Mikuni carburettors with dual air bleed system
- 41 mm inverted cartridge type telescopic motorcycle forkMotorcycle forkA motorcycle fork connects a motorcycle's front wheel and axle to its frame, typically via a pair of triple clamps. It typically incorporates the front suspension and front brake, and allows the bike to be steered via handlebars attached to the top clamp....
s - modified swing arm fitted to permit both expansion chambers to be routed on the right hand side
- 17" rear wheel
- 310 mm front discs
In addition, a restricted VJ22 model was available in Japan as Sports Production (SP) model, which came with dry clutch
Clutch
A clutch is a mechanical device which provides for the transmission of power from one component to another...
and close-ratio gearbox as standard. A later SPII model reverted to standard wide ratio gearbox with a dry clutch
Clutch
A clutch is a mechanical device which provides for the transmission of power from one component to another...
.
The VJ23 uses a totally redesigned engine
Engine
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
with few interchangeable parts with the early models, and has a dry clutch
Clutch
A clutch is a mechanical device which provides for the transmission of power from one component to another...
and close-ratio gearbox as standard.
Reception
In the UK, the motorcycle press responded favourably to the VJ21.However, the initial VJ22 models had a design flaw in the 'improved' 3 piece exhaust valves. This was corrected on later VJ22 models, but still needs to be inspected regularly.
The VJ23 is not known to have powervalve issues.
Riding Experience
These motorcycles are not particularly suited to carrying pillion passengers on long rides, due to its race-orientated design, detracting from comfort. Hence, touring is also not a strong point of this model. In straight line acceleration, the RGV250 is faster than most other 250 cc two-stroke and four-stroke motorcycles.The Aprilia RS250
Aprilia RS250
The Aprilia RS250 is a 2-stroke 249 cc sport bike made by Italian motorcycle manufacturer Aprilia.The Aprilia RS250 features race oriented motorcycle with technology derived from Aprilia's racing experience...
is related and uses a modified RGV250 VJ22 (90° 2-Stroke V-Twin) engine.
Aprilia
Aprilia
Aprilia is an Italian motorcycle company, one of the seven marques owned by Piaggio, the world's fourth largest motorcycle manufacturer.Aprilia started as a scooter manufacturer, but has more recently come to be known for its race-winning sportbikes...
bought engines from Suzuki (which were fitted with Aprilia branded castings on the timing and clutch covers), then fit their own expansion chambers, barrels and ECU. There were also external differences in the cylinder head castings, but no internal differences have been noted.