Bikers'Festival The Suzuki RG 500 in the spotlight!

This weekend of 10 and 11 August, DG Sport will be bringing all motorbike fans to the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps for the second edition of the Bikers' Festival. Among the countless events and tributes, it's impossible not to mention the spotlight on a legendary Grand Prix machine, the Suzuki RG 500! 

The history of the Suzuki 500, known as the RG, began in 1974. This bike was inspired by a little-known machine, the 250 4-cylinder RZ 62, which appeared in 1962 and featured the same architecture. Its nickname of 'Whispering Death' explains why it was withdrawn from competition in 1965, without a single victory to its name.  

The first 4-cylinder 500, whose exact code was G-54, was to revolutionise the 500 and leave its mark on the world for... 28 years! Barry Sheene, Jack Findlay and Paul Smart were responsible for its development, as well as taking charge of the first season. But this machine consumed a lot of fuel, so much so that during one Grand Prix, the mechanics had to cut off the top of the fuel tank to increase its height, and therefore its capacity!    

In fact, it wasn't until 1975 that the Suzuki XR14 won its first Grand Prix at the TT Circuit Assen, with Barry Sheene at the helm. This historic bike will be on show at the Bikers' Festival! 

In 1976 and 1977, Sheene won his two world titles which have given Suzuki its letters of nobility. 

While the RG 500's chassis was conventional, the engine featured a magnificent architecture, a 4-cylinder squared engine with 4 separate crankshafts. This engine would evolve until 1986, before becoming a V4 on the RGVs, which were present until the end of the 500cc championship in 2002. 

The selection made by the Amicale Spirit of Speed for the Bikers' Festival 2024 on 10 and 11 August will feature factory and production RGs, right up to the V4 RGVs of the late 90s. These legendary machines will be on show in box 41 of the F1 pitlane, with collectors on hand to share their passion with the public.