Motorcycle specifications SuzukiRG 125 F Gamma 1992

The early 1990s saw Japanese brands fight back against the Italian onslaught in the 125cc sportbike category. Yamaha had already replaced its now timid TZR with a much more attractive TZR-R (in 1991), while Suzuki renewed its RG in 1992.

and this new model had its work cut out against the Italian hordes, whose ranks included the pseudo-Nipponese Honda NSR-R and Yamaha TZR-R. For the RG 125 F is the only 100% Japanese representative in this category, with Yamaha and Honda preferring to outsource (part of) the design and production of their small sports bikes to their respective Italian subsidiaries.

true to its marketing policy of the time, the Hamamatsu-based manufacturer is determined to offer as much as its competitors for less. So it cleverly combined cutting-edge technologies capable of putting the RG on a par with the Italians, but also reminiscent of its RGV 250 sister, with more conventional and therefore less expensive technologies.

for example, the frame is perimeter-type, but remains in steel (like the Gilera SP and unlike the Aprilia AF1 Futura and Cagiva Mito, which use aluminum). Suzuki doesn't give in to the Futura's single-sided swingarm either, but nevertheless offers a banana arm to attract budding sportsmen. The Upside Down fork has been democratized, so the RG will be entitled to it.

the rest of the chassis doesn't really surprise. A large front brake disc, a rear disc, 3-spoke alloy wheels, but slightly narrower rear tires than the competition (120/80-17). The reason for this slightly narrower size is undoubtedly a desire to maintain good handling while keeping costs down. Thus equipped, the little RG surprises with its good compromise between stability, maneuverability and comfort.

as for the engine, Suzuki is pragmatic, offering no revolutionary technology, but a simply modern, efficient, no-frills single-cylinder. It's worth noting that this engine also powers the TSR trail bikes in a reworked version. Like most of its competitors (except Honda and Aprilia), Suzuki has opted for very conventional dimensions (56 mm x 50.6 mm). Liquid cooling, an exhaust valve and an electric starter (the previous RG had only a kick starter) are also included. All these features add up to a good 30 horsepower and an easy 160 km/h on the odometer. The French version can't boast the same figures, but with only 13 hp, the RG 125 F is pleasantly responsive at mid-range, although lacking in the original puffiness.

nothing really detracts from this machine's technical performance. The RG 125 F doesn't outperform the competition, but it does hold its own against it. However, the machine's plastic appearance is much more open to debate. The trendy fairing line doesn't shock anyone, even if the rear hull isn't particularly dynamic. The criticism comes mainly from the colors and decoration of this sporty model. The first vintages feature eye-popping colors, with white or black fairing sides sprayed in yellow, blue or fuchsia. And while this aesthetic oddity didn't really penalize the RGV 250 and GSX-R 750 of the same period, which were also "tagged", the RG 125 F perhaps suffered a little more in terms of sales volume.

priced at around 28,000 FF (approx. €4,300) on release, it offered performance close to that of its rivals, despite a slightly inferior finish to the Italians, for around 6,000 to 7,000 FF less (approx. €1,000). Logic would have dictated that it should be the winner. But this was without taking into account the extreme policy of the Italian brands. Ritales were more powerful, faster, more noble, more charismatic... All important criteria for young athletes, the perfect targets for this type of product.

this base model was first offered in a stripped-down version called the Wolf, little known in France. A 200cc version was also offered in certain markets (in both fairing and naked versions). With this displacement, the bike was much more dynamic in the mid-range, with the extra 75cc boosting torque across the entire operating range.

the RG 125 F bowed out in 1995-1996 without being replaced, Suzuki preferring to concentrate on the more economical 125cc 4T or the RGV 250.

Tanthallas - Photos : Manufacturer