Suzuki RM500
1983—1985

I have tried to tell the Suzuki RM 500 model history on this page as I know it. This 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.

1983 Suzuki year code: D

Suzuki introduced its succesfull RM series of motocross models in 1975. The largest of them all, RM500, was introduced in 1983 and had a black frame, black fork boots, black seat and slightly different fuel tank and tank decals from the 1984 model. The '83 RM500 differed from the '82 RM465 mainly from the increase in engine bore size. Other than minor cosmetic changes, the bikes were very similar. At the time it was the largest motocrosser from Suzuki (when RM400 was introduced in 1980 it was the largest). The Full-Floater rear suspension was first used by the works road racing and motocross teams. It went into the RM series in 1981. Frame code: RM11A

1983 Suzuki RM 500 1983 Overall Length: 2,175 mm (85.6 in) Overall Width: 845 mm (33.3 in) Overall Height: 1,265 mm (49.8 in) Seat Height: 965 mm (38.0 in) Wheelbase: 1,475 mm (58.1 in) Ground Clearance: 370 mm (14.6 in) Dry Weight: 103 kg (229 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 492 cc cc single cylinder 2-stroke, Full Reed. Click on the image for larger format.

1983 Suzuki RM500D specifications

Engine:	Air-cooled single cylinder 2-stroke, Full Reed
Cylinder displacement:	492 cc
Bore x Stroke:	88,5 x 80,0 mm (3.48 x 3.15 in.)
Compression Ratio:	6,2 :1
Carburetor:	Mikuni VM38SS, flat slide
Lubrication:	Fuel/oil mixture 20:1
Ignition:	Suzuki PEI (Pointless Electrical Ignition)
Starter:	Primary kick
Transmission:	4-speed
Final Drive:	#520 chain
Maximum power output/ torque:	?
Overall Length:	2,175 mm (85.6 in.)
Overall Width:	845 mm (33.3 in.)
Overall Height:	1,250 mm (49.2 in.)
Seat Height:	960 mm (37.8 in.)
Wheelbase:	1,475 mm (58.1 in.)
Ground Clearance:	370 mm (14.6 in.)
Dry Weight: *	103 kg (227 lbs.)
Front suspension:	Air, oil damped, leading axle, fully adjustable compression damping, 11.2 in. travel
Rear suspension:	Suzuki "Full Floater," gas/oil shock, 4 compression & rebound damping adjustments, fully adjustable spring, aluminum "box-type" swing arm, 12.9 in. wheel travel
Front Brake:	Drum, double leading shoe
Rear Brake:	Drum, full floating
Front tyre dimension:	100/80-21 4PR, full knobby
Rear tyre dimension:	140/80-18 4PR, full knobby
Fuel tank capacity:	9,0 lit (2.4 US gal.)
Color:	Yellow
* Suzuki's dry weight specifications exclude fuel, transmission oil and coolant.
The 1983 RM-500 is a competition motorcycle and is sold on an "as is" basis and has no express or implied warranty.

Suzuki model year code: E

According to a Swedish magazine ad the 1984 RM500 engine recieved a new cylinder. The advertisement says also: ”The same one as on the World Championship machine RN500 — delivering more power at low- and mid-range. New exhaust system for even more power. Improved Full Floater suspension.” At the time it was the largest motocrosser from Suzuki (when RM400 was introduced in 1980 it was the largest). The Full-Floater rear suspension was first used by the works road racing and motocross teams. It went into the RM series in 1981. Frame code: RM11A

1984 Suzuki RM 500 Overall Length: 2 175 mm (85.6 in) Overall Width: 845 mm (33.3 in) Overall Height: 1 250 mm (49.2 in) Seat Height: 960 mm (37.8 in) Wheelbase: 1 470 mm (57.9 in) Ground Clearance: 365 mm (14.4 in) Dry Weight: 103 kg (227 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 492 cc cc single cylinder 2-stroke, Full Reed. Click on the image for larger format.

1984 Suzuki RM500E specifications

Engine:	Air-cooled single cylinder 2-stroke, Full Reed
Cylinder displacement:	492 cc
Bore x Stroke:	88,5 x 80,0 mm (3.48 x 3.15 in.)
Compression Ratio:	6,2 :1
Carburetor:	Mikuni VM38SS, flat slide
Lubrication:	Fuel/oil mixture
Ignition:	Suzuki PEI (Pointless Electrical Ignition)
Starter:	Primary kick
Transmission:	4-speed
Final Drive:	#520 chain
Maximum power output/ torque:	?
Overall Length:	2 175 mm (85.6 in.)
Overall Width:	845 mm (33.3 in.)
Overall Height:	1 250 mm (49.2 in.)
Seat Height:	960 mm (37.8 in.)
Wheelbase:	1 470 mm (57.0 in.)
Ground Clearance:	365 mm (14.4 in.)
Dry Weight: *	103 kg (227 lbs.)
Front suspension:	Air, oil damped, leading axle, 8 compression damping adjustments, 11.8 in. travel
Rear suspension:	Suzuki "Full Floater," gas/oil shock, 4 compression & 4 rebound damping adjustments, fully adjustable spring, aluminum box-type swingarm, 13.0 in. wheel travel
Front Brake:	Drum, double leading shoe
Rear Brake:	Drum, full floating
Front tyre dimension:	100/80-21 4PR, full knobby
Rear tyre dimension:	140/80-18 4PR, full knobby
Fuel tank capacity:	9,0 lit (2.4 US gal.)
Color:	Yellow
* Suzuki's dry weight specifications exclude fuel, transmission oil and coolant.
The 1984 RM-500 is a competition motorcycle and is sold on an "as is" basis and has no express or implied warranty.

1985 Suzuki year code: F

The '85 RM500 was a was not imported to USA. The main differences from the '84 model were improved suspension (more adjustment choises) and the addition of a front disc brake. Cosmetically, the Silver engine and Gold wheel rims set it apart from the '83 and '84 models. The numbers below come from the Canadian '85 Suzuki full-line catalogue.

1985 Suzuki RM 500 Overall Length: 2 175 mm (85.6 in) Overall Width: 845 mm (33.3 in) Overall Height: 1 250 mm (49.2 in) Seat Height: 960 mm (37.8 in) Wheelbase: 1 470 mm (57.9 in) Ground Clearance: 365 mm (14.4 in) Dry Weight: 103 kg (227 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 492 cc cc single cylinder 2-stroke, Full Reed. Click on the image for larger format.

More: Suzuki RM-RMX model series

More: All Suzuki models

Sources: Roy Bacon's Suzuki, the specs kindly sent by Justin Smith,
more facts and pictures provided by Andrew Ringdahl. Thanks!

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