Suzuki RG250
1978—

I have put some RG 250 information on this page. The page is still under construction. I would be grateful of any contributions — sales brochures, magazine ads, magazine articles, pictures, specs, facts, corrections etc. Please scan the material in JPEG format (large enough that all the details are visible) and send them to me. Please tell me the source and the publication date if possible. If you send me pictures of your own bike, please follow these instructions.

From GT250 to RG250 RG250 and it's sister model RG250E were launched in late 1978, together with RG125 and RG185, formerly knows as GT125 and GT185. But RG250 wasn't just a GT250 with new paint job. It was a completely new machine. Many 250 cc motorcycles at the time were heavy and clumsy. This wasn't the case with the RG250 (known as X-7 in many countries outside Japan). While the 1977 GT250 was a light mororcycle with its 146 kg (321 lbs) the new RG250 was whopping 20 kg (45 lbs) lighter, making it super lightweight. The 30 hp's of the RG250 made the bike quite speedy, thanks to the good power/weight ratio. It was no rocket, though. According to a Japanese test the bike made the 1/4 mile (400 m) at 14.2 seconds. The RG250 kept the Ram Air cooling system of the GT250, that pressed the air through the cylinder head ribbons, a quite effective cooling system and it actually works. The RG250E had alloy cast wheels, the RG250 had classic steel wire rims. Apart from that, the models were identical. A slightly lower continental type handlebar was available as an option.

1978 Suzuki RG250, Eaglet White (189)

1978 Suzuki year code: C

The RG250 was launched in August 1978, two months prior to the RG250E. This successor model of the GT250 has been completely redesigned with a new engine that uses a power reed valve mounted on a newly designed semi-double cradle frame. The maximum output was 30 hp, which wasactually lower than the final model of the GT250 (33 hp for the export version), but thanks to the power reed valve and lighter weight, the RG250 was responsive and quick bike. The styling of the bike was also updated with a clean design based on straight lines. Typical early eighties design, we can say in hindsight. The RG250 with spoked wheels was not a long-lived model. It was soon replaced bu the star cast-wheeled RG250E, launched in October 1978. The wire spoked model RG250 was sold simultaneously with the RG250E at first but was discontinued in 1979. 1978 Suzuki RG250 color options were Eaglet White (189), Candy Imperial Maroon (05L), Marble Canadian Blue (05K).

1978 Suzuki RG 250 Overall Length: 2 005 mm (78.9 in) Overall Width: 760 mm (29.9 in) Overall Height: 1 055 mm (41.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 320 mm (52.0 in) Ground Clearance: 160 mm (5.8 in) Dry Weight: 128 kg (281 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 247 cc 2-stroke inline-2, piston reed valve. 6-speeds. 30 hp @ 8 000 rpm, 2,9 kg-m @ 7 000 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

Suzuki RG250/RG250E specifications (Japan): Overall Length: 2 005 mm (78.9 in) Overall Width: 760 mm (29.9 in) Overall Height: 1 055 mm (41.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 320 mm (52.0 in) Dry Weight: 126 kg (277 lbs) Caster: 62.7° Trail: 107 mm Engine: Air-cooled 247 cc 2-stroke inline-2, piston reed valve. 30 hp / 8.000 rpm, 2.9 kg-m / 7,000 rpm. 6-speed constant mesh gearbox. Ratios: 1st gear: 2.500 2nd gear: 1.625 3rd gear: 1.210 4th gear: 1.000 5th gear: 0.868 6th gear: 0.782 Chain drive. Kick start. Brakes: single disk at front, drum rear brake Front Tyre: 3.00-18 Rear Tyre: 3.25-18 Fuel economy: 5 liter/ 100 km Gasoline tank capacity 15 liter Price at the time: 295,000 Yen (Japan)

More: RG250 brochures & adverts

More: Suzuki RG models

More: All Suzuki models

This free site is managed by Jarmo Haapamäki.
If you find this site helpful, please leave a donation for Jarmo
so you can enjoy the spirit of giving too.

Came here from a search engine?
Click at the home button below to get to the main page with frames.