Motorcycle specifications Gilera RC 600 1991 A little too good?

The late '80s were a golden era for Italian manufacturers, and particularly for Gilera, then one of the leaders in the 125cc class in its home market.

With a modern 4-stroke engine in its catalog, available in 350cc and 500cc versions, and powering the Dakota and Saturno, the manufacturer decided to go head-to-head with the Japanese brands in the "gromono" trail bike segment. The engine base is one of the most modern on the market, with liquid cooling, 2 overhead camshafts and 4 valves. Very powerful for its displacement, the 500cc (492cc to be precise) already develops 44 hp at 7,250 rpm.

And if the cavalry seems sufficient to fight with the big Japanese trails, this engine lacks a little torque (4.1 mkg at 5,750 rpm) and above all a good dose of cubic centimeters to be able to fight, at least on paper, with the 650s (Honda Dominator or Suzuki DR). After all, who'd ride a 500 when you can afford a competing 650?

Aware of this image deficit, Gilera made a judicious economic choice. By increasing the bore of its 492cc engine by 6.0 millimetres (from 92 to 98mm), the engineers obtained a 558cc engine at a lower (development) cost, gaining 1 mkg of torque and 4 horsepower and, above all, the ability to compete with larger-displacement Japanese trail bikes. In 1989, a simple marketing trick led to the launch of the brand's first 600: the RC600

One look at the machine is enough to identify its main target: the Honda NX 650 Dominator. This Honda regularly tops trail comparisons thanks to its engine character and off-road capabilities. The Gilera will be competing on the same ground, even playing on a certain mimicry.

Mimicry indeed, as the styling is naturally inspired by its model: a slender look, an integral tank-fork fairing assembly, a front mudguard flush with the wheel (when most green trails have a mudguard fixed under the lower tee) and, above all, a red color. However, the RC600 is distinguished by a superior lightness of line, a welcome narrowness for off-road use, and also a characteristic double round optic placed behind a protective grille.

In the saddle, the Italian trail bike fully responds to this impression of a very "green" trail. First and foremost, the chassis is formidably precise off-road. The square tubular steel frame is rigid, and the long-travel suspension offers appreciable firmness over rough terrain. In addition, the narrow saddle-tank assembly enables the rider to hold on tightly and steer the machine with his lower body. The engine, on the other hand, is smooth at the bottom and pleasantly lively at the top.

On a day-to-day basis, these qualities don't always serve the RC600 well. In town, the seat height can be a handicap for smaller riders, and the tight turning radius makes maneuvering a little tricky. On the road, the precision of the chassis allows you to take full advantage of the engine's character. With the exception of a slight tendency to stiffen up as speed increases. Without ever being dangerous, this behavior makes the ride a little more physical.

The assertive character of this Gilera trail bike is quickly acclaimed by the specialist press. Unfortunately, trails are mainly used on the road, and the original RC is somewhat penalized. Despite its very attractive lines, its seat height and overall firmness meant that it was only a moderate success. This off-road orientation didn't quite meet the expectations of the majority of trail riders, especially as the RC600 was a little more expensive than its competitors. The manufacturer reacted in 1992, offering 2 versions of its RC based on the Nordwest: a slightly more versatile version very close to the brand's supermotard (RC600C) and an even more assertive TT version (RC600R). 2 bikes that would suffer when Piaggio, owner of Gilera, decided to mothball its satellite brand in the mid-90s.

Alongside this 600, Gilera offered a range of 125s, almost carbon copies of its 600s. The RC125 Rally imitated the first RC600 and was replaced by the Apache 125, aesthetically close to the RC600C.

Tanthallas - Photos: Manufacturer