Motorcycle specifications SuzukiRG 125 Gamma 1989

Suzuki's recent launch of a 125cc 4T sportsbike(GSX-R 125) is the perfect excuse to rediscover a small, forgotten sportsbike. Introduced in 1984 at the Cologne Motor Show, the RG 125 Gamma completes Suzuki's range of 2-stroke sports bikes from 1985, which already includes the RG 250 Gamma (1983) and the wicked RG 500 Gamma (1985).

competition at this time was sluggish. The Italian brands had not yet brought out their mini-missiles (Aprilia AF1, Cagiva Freccia C9, Gilera KK), which were to explode the market and usher in the era of the extreme. Honda fine-tunes its NSR 125, released in 1987 at the same time as the Italian trio. The competition that year consisted mainly of a modest but successful Kawasaki AR125 and a tenor: the Yamaha RD 125 LC.

from a marketing point of view, the Japanese manufacturer seemed to want to do the same thing as with the GSX-R and the RG 500 Gamma: offer a model with much more visible sporting attributes than the competing models. And when it comes out, the result seems to be really effective: an aesthetic close to that of the 250cc, a frame visibly inspired by its big sisters and a single-cylinder using the same dimensions as the 250cc twin (54x54 mm).

this fairing is virtually a first for a production 125. Kawasaki offers a fork-head fairing, and Yamaha nothing more than a square headlight (we had to wait for the 1987 TZR to get a real fairing). Suzuki opts for an almost integral fairing. The "almost" is important, as the base model is sold without the fairing. Sports enthusiasts won't hesitate for a second to take up this option, but it has to be said that the RG Gamma without the fairing is already very attractive. The rear end is cut to the bone in the purest Suzuki style of the time (far from today's standards). This new model is unquestionably the sexiest 125 sports bike of 1985.

once in the saddle, the bike's size is impressive. Impressive for its reduced dimensions. Once again, the Italian canons have completely overturned the image that today's biker has of a 125 sportbike. The RG Gamma weighs in at 95 kg (97 kg for the RDLC and 107 kg for the AR) and offers riding pleasure rather than flattering the rider's ego by trying to be bigger than a 250.

on the chassis side, the 250-inspired frame is a double-spar, double-cradle steel frame. It is amply dimensioned to handle the single-cylinder cavalry. The fork is classic (the days of UPSDs are long gone), with no frills, and houses a 16-inch wheel fitted with a 26 0mm brake disc that's more than enough to stop the beast. The rear gets a modern full float system, but the rear wheel is fitted with a simple drum brake. The chassis is a blend of classicism and modernism, with a strong emphasis on manoeuvrability (even if stationary manoeuvres were hampered by the ridiculously tight turning radius).

the engine follows the same recipe: a simple engine base with a modern twist. The single-cylinder, liquid-cooled 2-stroke engine has the same dimensions as its big brother, the 250, and features simple, reliable kick-starting, but is also equipped with separate lubrication and the EPC "Exhaust Power Chamber" system. This system consists of an expansion chamber placed in front of the cylinder head, making the engine less hollow at low revs without affecting high revs. It's hard to say how effective this technology was. History will remember much more of Yamaha's valve system (YPVS) attempting to solve the same problem.

in its free version, this 125 develops 25 hp for a hefty 110 kg with full tanks. Suffice to say, it's a healthy machine. Very expressive, the RG 125 Gamma gives a lot of pleasure to budding riders. The bike is playful, with good braking and a top speed of 140 km/h, provided you can get behind the rather narrow fairing.

its size is its biggest handicap in everyday use. The riding position is cramped and tiring over medium/long distances; the passenger is also badly off, with a short seat equipped with a simple strap to hold him or her, and high footrests. However, at 17, the legal riding age for this 125cc in France (13hp version), these details don't matter. A true competition fairing, and a trigger pot fitted with a striking aluminum cartridge.

this RG Gamma got off to a roaring start, and was even joined by an 80cc (9.5hp) version until 1987, when the competition unleashed a veritable pack of wild beasts that quickly eclipsed the Suzuki. Bigger, more powerful, more extreme, they were above all much more expensive. Until 1991, the RG Gamma was sold in France for less than 18,000 FF (€2,750), while the Italians were flirting with 30,000 FF (€4,500). The following year, it was replaced by the RG 125 F Gamma, the manufacturer's answer to Honda and the Italians.

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