Suzuki GT185 model history
1973—1978

I have tried to tell the Suzuki GT 185 model history on the page as I know it. 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.

Suzuki launched the GT185 (Adventure) in 1973. At first the model had twin-leading drum brake at the front, in 1974 the drum brake was replaced with a single disc at front when even the rest of the GT family got disc brakes. Apart from different graphics and color schemes, the model looked just about the same all the years it was manufactured. The GT185 was discontinued in 1977.

1973 Suzuki year code: K

The GT185 was launced in Europe and America in 1973 but for some reason it has not been mention in the Japanese publications I have seen. According to them, the first model year for GT185 in Japan was 1974, when the model already had a disc brake at the front. Intitial frame number: GT185-10001

GT 185 K 1973 Overall Length: 1,950 mm (76.8 in) Overall Width: 770 mm (33.3 in) Overall Height: 1,065 mm (41.9 in) Wheelbase: 1,290 mm (50.8 in) Dry Weight: 129 kg (283 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled (RAM-air) 184 cc parallel twin 2-stroke. 21.0 hp/ 7,500 rpm, 2.1 kg-m/ 6,500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

1974 Suzuki year code: L

Launched in January 1974 in Japan, where the model was available in two colors: Blue and Gold (looks like it in the pictures anyway). Intitial frame number: GT185-19784

GT 185 L 1974 Overall Length: 1,950 mm (76.8 in) Overall Width: 770 mm (33.3 in) Overall Height: 1,065 mm (41.9 in) Wheelbase: 1,290 mm (50.8 in) Dry Weight: 129 kg (283 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled (RAM-air) 184 cc parallel twin 2-stroke. 21.0 hp/ 7,500 rpm, 2.1 kg-m/ 6,500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

1975 Suzuki year code: M

Slightly different color scheme for the GT185M. Colors available: Blue, Red. Intitial frame number: GT185-31693

GT 185 M 1975 Overall Length: 1,950 mm (76.8 in) Overall Width: 770 mm (33.3 in) Overall Height: 1,065 mm (41.9 in) Wheelbase: 1,290 mm (50.8 in) Dry Weight: 129 kg (283 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled (RAM-air) 184 cc parallel twin 2-stroke. 21.0 hp/ 7,500 rpm, 2.1 kg-m/ 6,500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

1976 Suzuki year code: A

The side panels were now Black. Intitial frame number: GT185-45095

GT 185 A 1976 Overall Length: 1,950 mm (76.8 in) Overall Width: 770 mm (33.3 in) Overall Height: 1,065 mm (41.9 in) Wheelbase: 1,290 mm (50.8 in) Dry Weight: 129 kg (283 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled (RAM-air) 184 cc parallel twin 2-stroke. 21.0 hp/ 7,500 rpm, 2.1 kg-m/ 6,500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

1977 Suzuki year code: B

I'm not sure about the model year of the bike shown below. Can you verify its model year? Intitial frame number: GT185-62276

GT 185 B 1977 Overall Length: 1,950 mm (76.8 in) Overall Width: 770 mm (33.3 in) Overall Height: 1,065 mm (41.9 in) Wheelbase: 1,290 mm (50.8 in) Dry Weight: 129 kg (283 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled (RAM-air) 184 cc parallel twin 2-stroke. 21.0 hp/ 7,500 rpm, 2.1 kg-m/ 6,500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

1978 Suzuki year code: C

The last model year for the GT185. A sister model called GT185E with alloy wheels was launched beside the GT185. The model names were called RG185 and RG185E in Japan in 1978, the only year the model was manufactured. The Japanese models have, to my knowledge, slightly different specifications. The Japanese models often are slighty lower and have shorter wheelbase than the European and American models. The model was replaced by a 196cc GT200 (also called X-5) in 1979. Intitial frame number (GT185): GT185-70407 Intitial frame number (GT185E): GT185-500001

GT 185 1978 Overall Length: 1,950 mm (76.8 in) Overall Width: 770 mm (33.3 in) Overall Height: 1,065 mm (41.9 in) Wheelbase: 1,290 mm (50.8 in) Dry Weight: 129 kg (283 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled (RAM-air) 184 cc parallel twin 2-stroke. 21.0 hp/ 7,500 rpm, 2.1 kg-m/ 6,500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

RG 185 1978 Overall Length: 1,895 mm (74.6 in) Overall Width: 750 mm (29.5 in) Overall Height: 1,055 mm (41.5 in) Wheelbase: 1,235 mm (28.6 in) Dry Weight: 129 kg (284 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 184 cc 2-stroke, 21 hp/ 7,500 rpm, 2.1 kg-m/ 6,500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

RG 185 1978 Overall Length: 1,895 mm (74.6 in) Overall Width: 750 mm (29.5 in) Overall Height: 1,055 mm (41.5 in) Wheelbase: 1,235 mm (28.6 in) Dry Weight: 129 kg (284 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 184 cc 2-stroke, 21 hp/ 7,500 rpm, 2.1 kg-m/ 6,500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

More: GT185 brochures & adverts

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