Kevin Schwantz 1989 Pepsi Suzuki RGV500 | Were those 500cc GP bikes unrideable?!
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- Опубліковано 17 лис 2022
- Kevin Schwantz 1989 Pepsi Suzuki RGV 500 - No other bike looks as bad-ass, rides as brutal or is even close as iconic as this machine is.
But then the rider! - few other riders can match Mr Kevin James Schwantz's style and flare both on and off the circuit. 'Joie de vivre', a warm feeling in the heart is what any spectator will get when watching any race Kevin competed in during his career in the 1980's and 90's. A true legend.
From the iconic colour schemes of the 1989 Pepsi Suzuki to the Lucky Strike RGV500 1993, to some of Kevin's moments, such as Wayne Rainey vs Kevin Schwantz, Kevin Schwantz Vs Mick Doohan, Kevin Schwantz 1993 Hockenheim, Kevin Schwantz wheelie, it's difficult to say what exactly are Kevin Schwantz best moments, they were all truly fantastic from that golden era of 500cc GP racing.
In this video we are so privileged to be able to ride and comment on the only 1989 Pepsi Suzuki which is running, left in the World. This bike has only ever previously been ridden by Kevin, nobody else!
In part 2 of this PetrolRevolt feature, we have a Kevin Schwantz interview, where we get to learn a few insights about each RG500 Kevin rode across the years up to the 1993 RGV 500.
So sit back, put the volume on the maximum and listen to the 2stroke RG500 engine howl.
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have to say this bike is more beautiful than anything modern. elemental, brutal and beautiful.
Yeah man, totally agree. You wouldn’t see any posers riding one of these to the shops in flip flops and no shirt. It would eat them.
Remember the old SBK... But yeah, you're right. :D
I'd sell my soul if a good brand would come out with a reasonable sportbike with 18" wheels and roundish fairing with dual round headlights.....
The Pepsi RG500 is the sexiest bike ever made tbh...
@@garyives1218you will have to buy a classic if you want that
The sound of a 2 stroke is a screaming magical symphony.
Nothing like the smell of Klotz in the air!
I remember the 1989 season like it was yesterday. It was so exciting, like a war between the manufacturers. Nothing was held back, no spec anything. And of course the rivalry between Schwantz and Rainey. Schwantz was and still is my favorite GP rider and that Pepsi Suzuki is still my favorite GP bike. Those were such great times, truly the "Golden Age". We'll never see anything like it again unfortunately.
Yeah, from ‘76 and Sheene to Rossi’s last race on a 2T, we’ll unlikely see anything as magic
@@petrolrevolt Ah, come on. I agree those late 80's seasons and last two-stroke years were great (I wasn't there for the 70s), but MotoGp is still awesome. And if you haven't watched the last World Superbikes season, you were missing out on a ridiculously great competition!
It appears the golden age for gp bikes is the same as what I believe the golden age of formula one is. 1989, Senna with a Honda powered mclaren which would have been the car equivalent of this motorcycle to a T. Both with approximately 1350bhp/ton. I thought that sounded immense in the car, but this here bike? Oh my goodness 🥵
@@CatchDude things aren’t the way they used to be, sure, things need to change, but what I mean is that the sparkle is gone. However, I do think motogp has got to be the last great form of honestly pure and raw Motorsport we still have available today, among a few select others. Certainly not formula 1, for it is probably going to be gone forever at this point.
Your comment really made me smile, may ones passion for such times never cease
Schwantz, Rainy, Gardener, Doohan all on 2 strokes best era ever!
Not to mention Lawson, Mamola, Kocinski, etc etc. In fact if I recall correctly 89 was the latters debut in the 500 class. Stand to be corrected.
Freddie Spencer !
I watched my first 500GP at Laguna Seca in 1989... The bikes that year were on another level as far as violent power delivery and the engine's ability to overcome the chassis: I watched Schwantz come out of Turn 4 heading through the short straight to Turn 5... the front wheel was in the air every lap, and the rear tire was dancing all over the tarmac side-to-side even with the bike fully upright. You could tell Kevin was hanging-on and getting punished for it lap after lap. Then Saturday's Second Qualifying session came around: Holy Hell, all of those riders REALLY turned up the wick! Light of fuel, running qualifying tires (Michelin's "Specials") and the riders putting together one flying lap... an impressive sight to see!
The racers ascent going uphill towards the "Corkscrew" is crazy fast.
Why are you shifting in the turns?!
The RGV was a monster in the correct hands of a legend. 34 retired together with him. Future riders cannot use this number anymore, just out of respect for the man.
What a show Kevin gave us on the tracs.
A true hero.!
Indeed. One of the few numbers to ever be retired. Most recent obviously being 46.
When men were men and MotoGP was GP500! Insane bikes, NOTHING compares to these!
Coulda, woulda, shoulda! Lawson and Rainey, fast and smooth, Schwantz, total animal! The only reason Schwantz didn't win that year, was Schwantz! The guy was always on the edge, the most exciting racer out there but it bit him more than once! When he didn't win in '89, I argued his time was coming but had to suffer through 4 more years before it happened - greatest season ever! Schwantz will always be my hero! 🤘
The golden era of MotoGP ❤
Perhaps the single most famous motorcycle of the 1980’s. A machine of sheer beauty and Kevin Schwartz was a total Texan maverick. The coolest guy on 2 wheels back then! Thanks for showing us this iconic bike. Outstanding!
Think that title goes to the NSR500… the Suzuki comes in a close second
The livery is iconic.
Kenny Roberts/Yamaha.
Why Schwartz? Because he farts?
@@Roger_Ramjet It’s the look of the bike that Kevin rode that I remember, nothing looked like it at all.
In the US, one of the main reasons why viewership declined in US SBK series is because the bikes themselves have become easy to ride with the aide of traction control, launch control etc that a normal person can actually ride one. Unlike the bikes of that era, it really takes a very special and talented person to tame it. In other words, the exclusivity is gone.
lol what a daft comment, only the best racers can actually ride a modern WSBK machine. Keep proving why americans are viewed the way they are.....
Being a lifelong Suzuki guy, Kevin was always my favorite rider. I was stationed in Germany in 1988 and had the incredibly good luck to go to Nürburgring and see him win the GP race there. One of the highlights of my life.
There's something special about these oldskool superbikes from the 80's. Even the sound! Brings back good memories this bike, I can only imagine the beautiful smell too 🏍✊🏻
I miss these bikes so much. I was 14 in 1989 and glued to the t.v. watching these insane 500's. Nothing like them.
I had the great good fortune to be a corner worker in T5 for the ‘93 GP at Laguna Seca. I remember a practice session on Saturday when Mr. Schwantz came through T5 with the back tire lit up, but he was sitting up on the seat cowl calmly looking backwards. Unbelievable.
What a memory 👍👍 LS is my dream circuit to ride around, hope to do it before kicking the bucket 🙏
My friend Dennis Martin was a club racer back then in Pennsylvania, also sales manager for a large shop . When he found out that the GP was gonna be in California he said " hey !! We should ride together there and see it !!! So we jumped on our bikes ,my new 1991 Ducati 900ss and Dennis on a Honda vfr750 and off we went!!! Great ride, great race!!- great bike !!😁😁😁😀😀🏍🏍🏍🏍🏁🍺🍺
Great comment........made me laugh out loud.
As a guy who raced 2 stroke GP bikes (TZ-250/350 bikes in the early//mid 70's) i can tell that bike is setup extremely rich to keep the throttle action subdued and thus the rider safe.
I agree it’s so rich - to the ear - that it almost doesn’t want to run.
If it was mine, given every component is custom made, I imagine I too would have it on the rich side.
Almost everyone who rode 50,000 miles on strokers will have blown up a couple, probably. I’ve had one holed piston (GT750) & one seizure (GT550) but I’ve thrashed my little GT380 all over Europe in the late 70s & early 80s with not a single problem. I rebuilt it in the early noughties and it’s been flawless & feels new all these years later.
No, it’s not very fast, but you can use all of it apart from max speed on rural roads. It’s the most all round fun of the bikes I’ve had, despite being far & away the slowest!
She does look smoky full throttle
I was wondering why it was smoking so bad. I wonder what the oil and ratio is.
Can't have the only other guy to ride it loop a running museum piece..Are crappy gov. Wouldn't bring the street version over here US. Like the 400 inline 4 .Smokers your ride by the seat your leather. Heard Kevin say. When they were dialed nothing better. When they weren't you had ride fast anyway no fun. Total handful.
"Kevin's riding style was a little bit different" Understatement of the century.. Congrats on being able to ride that bike !
That bike and Kevin's riding style...........just awesome, we didn't know how lucky we were.
Yup, 125cc and 250cc GP 2 Stokes sadly missed too nowadays
This has put a smile on a 54 year old bloke, he was also my favourite rider from this era. Remember this well & who doesn’t love the 2 strokes, wish I kept my RD 350 from the 80’s. Love it 😊
Two stroke engines were a blast to ride when I was a kid.
I still regret selling my Yamaha RZ350. So much fun, so light, and power was well above average.
@@cplcarlman they sell for big money at auction now.
@@Paulco67 Yeah, I've seen several come up for sale and I really wish I could afford to buy one now. I think I paid $1,300 for it when I bought it, and I sold it for less than that back in 1996.
We should have all kept the bikes of our youth. But "life is what happens while you're making other plans" 👍
Priceless! This bike and Kevin Schwantz were one of a kind! Wild times!
I was 18 at the time and OBSESSED with Moto GP. Riding this bike would be an absolute dream come true.
Moto GP was born in 2002. And the two stroke bikes are died !
I Always deeply admired Kevin's Style, Attitude and sheer Bravery! An absolute Stand out Guy!!!
(I was 20ish in NZ)
Kevin was insane as a rider. Regardless of whether he won or not you knew you were going to see someone riding on the edge of their capacity. I was a big kawasaki fan boy and became a Suzuki fan boy because of Kevin.
I am old enough to remember when these 500gp bikes raced. The sound and the smell.😀
Because of Kevin schwant I love suzuki and schwant expecially ❤ true hero. You are legend 🏆 champ.
Kevin Schwantz is my all time favourite rider he was 'edge of the seat' pure entertainment for me.
Kevin Schwantz is a true badass.
Kevin's my favorite champion. Nobody rode more harder with less and still won like Kevin
Less?.. that's laughable
@@atg1338
Less engine compared to the Honda and Yamaha
@@atg1338 Compared to the Hondas the Suzzies were always lacking. Its why Kevin is still admired to this days as he rode the shit out of the Suzzies. He only won one world championship yet he was the first to have his number retired. The guys a legend
@@stewarts8597 they all were ..... i lived it..... he's good be get off ur knees
So he crashed all the time because of low hp 🤣🤣🤣🤣stfu
What a beautiful bike and Schwantz was always crazy. I was always a Yamaha guy. I had an RD350 lc with microns and bigger carbs. It was mental!
Ah, the bigger carbs gambit. We’re often told “don’t do that, the factory knows better than you do, it’ll be worse”.
Cobblers. It certainly could easily make things worse but it depends on what the factory was balancing in the choice of carb diameter and jetting.
On the GTs triples, all can be made a lot nicer bikes to ride & with no detectable adverse effects if you fit the carbs belonging to the next bigger machine.
I’ve been running GT550 carbs on my GT380 (Mikuni VM28s instead of VM24s) for years.
Utterly brilliant & it’s not only a little more powerful but it’s now got PERFECT fuelling at all engine speeds & throttle openings.
No changes at all. Just fit the carb bodies under the original carb top.
I can’t remember how I solved the fact that the jet needles were not matched to the needle jets. I might have just accepted what the 380 had but I might have swapped the JNs from my spare set of VM28s off ebay. Highly recommended 😊
I had an ‘84 RG250Gamma that I bought in Japan while stationed there with the Army….it was like a rocket ship between 7000-11500 rpm. Magical and the memories of thrashing it around the twisties still make smile today. Thanks for this great video.
Thanks 🙏 love the older RG250 gamma’s before the RGV.
I had the 125, unfortunately skipped the 250 and went to a 350 YPVS
yes I've still got my RG250 Gamma Japanese import, it's still fun.
Had an '85 RG250 Japanese import myself. It was overbored to 275cc and ported . It made 67bhp at wheel on dyno with power band from 6500rpm to 10500rpm on standard pipes. With Gibson spannies it moved max rpm to 12000 and was stronger from 800rpm still with power from 6500rpm but needed a top end rebuild every 12500 miles for safety. Most fun on 2 wheels ever.
I had the 125,250 and got 3:11 the final year production 500 (1987) in 1990 and wrote it off in 1991 savage machine considering it only had 95hp as stock!
''Only'' 95bhp, but only 156kg. Same year Yam FZR1000 was 148bhp but 208kg. As power to weight ratio's this means RG500 was only 0.1bhp / kg down on FZR, yet was 25% lighter with all the accompanying advantages.@@stevehaddon151
The brutality of the motor, the instant attack and sheer force of this two stroke machine is just amazing
That bike just has to be incredible to ride. So light with all of that power on tap. I am more of a dirt bike rider myself, but I would treasure the opportunity to ride an amazing machine like that just once.....very carefully, lol.
Kevin is a legend-love that PEPSI Suzuki 500s; those were 2 cycle beasts.
The most beautiful looking and sounding race bike, I was lucky enough to be in my late twenties in 89 so watched this bike and all the 70s Sheena era.
This bike was so ahead of its time. Physically looking as it the parts look very familiar to modern bikes like the Suzuki GSXR750/1000
Someone said about the late eighties to early nineties racing era as : " American civil war fought in foreign land " Most likely referring to Randy Mamola , John Kocinski , Eddie Lawson , Kevin Schwantz & Wayne Rainey always at the front of the pack fighting with everything they got .
Freddie was the best of the bunch, only injury prevented him from continuing.
One of the best motorbikes ever.. and Kevin Schwantz one of the greatest of Moto GP.
Lots of memories on my RG-500 (93 rwhp/290 lbs dry). The 916 guys hated it! 🤣
Nice, 916 boys hated me on my 89 RGV250 Pepsi too. 😊
@@spyder_man Rare motorcycles that attract more attention than theirs tend to have that effect on people especially knowing it's half the displacement, is actually faster and made in Japan. I put a lot of "hurt" down on that bike 🤣
I'm thankful to be from the 80/90s era to watch these wild 2strokers in action. No traction control, no computer aids, just the bike & the rider's fine sensitivity & big balls!!!
The clips of Kevin sliding corner exits looking back are etched in my mind forever.
I have never seen another rider do this .
Amazing to see.
My Dad used to work for a motor project in our hometown, trying to help reduce crime by engaging with the local cad thieves and redirecting their energy into becoming qualified motor mechanics.
As a result, they used to get all sorts of gifts and blessings, tickets and so on.
One year, possibly 1994 but I cant honestly remember, but we all went to watch the world championship stage in England, at Donnington Park, and had the pleasure of watching Kevin Schwantz racing that day.
My dad absolutely loves the RG500, and also loved Kevin Schwantz.
I'm glad we had that experience.
Wow what a thing that it! Danny is a lucky chap 👍
He sure is Chops, to be blown into the weeds by the RGV and sniff it’s fumes was my absolute pleasure 😅
@@petrolrevolt yes I bet!
The 1989 Japanese GP at Suzuka was classic.
Absolutely incredible content, really loved this vid. Opened me up to a whole new facet of motorsport history
Great, yes , Kevin Schwantz was and still is our idol. Extraordinary riding feels, he has.
great to see this mythical 500 again, a pity not to have been able to ride on a circuit worthy of it. Thank you for this return to the past.
Funny how you remember iconic liveries so well. Pepsi Suzuki,Marlboro Yamaha, 7Up Jordan F1 car.
They just look so cool!
Martini F1 cars :)
" this is such a special buy and it's a cold day and it's got slick so not going to be going very fast", Right after he says that he starts ripping on it 😆😆😆. Love it!!
The GREATEST era was the late 70s to early 90s True Awesome skill & Balls !!!
Sheene, Roberts, Uncini, Mamola, Spencer, Lawson, Gardner, Sarron, Schwantz, Rainey, Doohan etc !!! 👍💪
I had an RD400 Daytona Special that had been 'leaned on' pretty heavily. It was scary to ride. When opening the throttle it felt like the bike was going to shoot out from under you, pulling your arms out of the sockets in the process.
I can't imagine what a race-tuned RG500 must be like. When you're in a hot car and you accelerate hard, you have the whole height of the seat back that's keeping you anchored during the acceleration. When a hyper two stroke bike starts pulling, you instantly know "I'm going to slide off the rear of this bike"
It's just a different intensity of acceleration. You cannot get it with a 4 stroke bike like a leaned-on two stroke.
@GregChase Bisognerebbe chiederlo a Valentino Rossi se il 4T è inferiore,lui le ha guidate tutte dalle 125 alle motogp...
Daytona special is very special indeed. I've only ever seen one.
A living memory of the Golden Times of motorcycle racing! What a privilege you had by riding that machine.
I can imagine a Pecco or a Jack Miller riding a beast like that against Kevin or Mick...
O man, i remember the good old days ( i was a lot younger back then ) when Kevin was putting rubber down in every turn wrestling the Damn Suzuki's.
Always respected Kevin, a true fighter.
So many memories and emotion to see this incredible Bike from the Hero!!! Suzuka, Rijeka, Assen... Thanks so much. No one like the 34!!!!
Glad you liked the vid 🙏
Kevin e' stato il miglior pilota di quegli anni. Fantastica la sua moto, quelle si erano vere moto GP, non quelle attuali piene di elettronica che pure un pilota normale puo' gestire. basta vedere bagnaia che e' riuscito a vincere. Onore a Kevin
I use to have an RG 500 and RG250 that I got at a grey market shop in Vancouver years ago. Loved those bikes.
So badass. Love it! Thanks for this vid
Watched Mr. Schwantz take this bike through the pack of modern 1000 cc bikes at Roebling about 8 years ago. Squirrelly and exciting race.
Kevin, meu primeiro ídolo sobre duas rodas, o qual sempre me encheu os olhos de lágrimas, de prazer em vê-lo guiar! Ele e essa moto, lendas.
The RG500 road bike was an unforgiving beast, too. But, my goodness, what a rush!
It was a joy 2 watch Kevin race.
Thank you for showing us that lovely machine😊
Looks beautifully made, remember being shocked at how crude and rough Barry Sheen's bike looked at the NEC.
Quite! When we had the ‘76 Sheene bike in the workshop to film PetrolRevolt episode 1, we thought the same. Just goes to show what a legend Sheene was, it was more Man than machine setting that 1977 Spa lap record
Fantastic video. I can't wait for the next episode with Kevin
Amazing bike, ridden by a legend
Smashing vid Danny. And what an iconic bike.
1988 F.I.M on channel 15 TSN Canada Seeing Kevin race Life Changing had no idea what 500cc Motorcycle Racing was ... been a fan rider since Gixxer 750 no Doubt 1988 1989 Pepsi Suzuki RGV most recognized Race Delivery Revin Kevin is a Icon and Legend .....
Thank you fellas, you brought tears to my eyes!
Glad you liked the vid. The interview on Sunday is mega. I’ve had to watch it about 10 times because he gives out so much info in a short few sentences
LOVE this machine and the best epoque 500cc 2T.
What a vid, bloody awesome👍I remember watching big brands Honda vs Yamaha vs Suzuki especially Pepsi Suzuki in 500cc. I even have a drawing of Pepsi Suzuki bike when I was a kid. From Kevin Schwantz, Wayne Rainey, Wayne Gardner, Michael Doohan, Daryl Beattie, legendary voice of Barry Sheene what great time to be around as kid watching these guys, thanks for memories👍
I loved my Aprillia rs 250 , was good enough for road use.
I had an rgv250. Yeh, that was rapid enough.
*Great Rider - Met him many times and bought a Suzuki RG500 C Series [One of the last made] and nearest to the racer at the time - a real beast, but could if ridden gently a modest ride !*
It was a great season, so much happening between teams, riders, sponsors etc. Eddie Lawson on the NSR winning back to back titles with different manufacturers. Great days for sure and thanks for sharing your experience, I am not all jealous.....not one bit😁👍
Nostalgia vibes ❤ I had so many posters of this bike and it’s got to be my fave of all time 🙌🏼
Really love the name of your channel! Spectacular bike, thanks for sharing.
I had an 86 RG 250 Gamma it was an absolute weapon loved the sound and smell!
I knew someone who had the rg gamma 125 and that was a handful so I can imagine the 250 would be a beast
Kevin, best driver of all time! Wild pig in the ring, your fan. Kevin you and family I wish you a Merry Christmas!!! Greetings from Germany from the Sachsenring.
I saw a Pepsi Suzuki 250 in a nearby shop for ¥2,000,000 last month. SO gorgeous
I've followed and liked him since I was 20 years old. And now I'm 54 years old. I always have him in my heart.
It was pure skill riding those legendary bikes.
An absolute work of art.
When 2 stroke 500cc GP stopped,, i didn't watch motogp anymore until this day.
Wow! What a thing to own! I’d keep that in the kitchen so I could look at it and run my hands over it every time I made a cuppa. Wonderful, this just took me back to being 17 again. I adored Kevin Scwantz, the way he looked on the bike, his riding style, king of the late brakers. Best rider, best bike, great video.
at 19 id mastered the RG250 , at 21 i bought the RG500 all i can say is HOLY F##K what a bike 🤐🤐
Would love to see it on a bigger circuit!! Simply amazing what a piece of moving art 🎨 ✨️
Dang I am drooling over that. I was coming of age when these bikes were running.
I was in Assen in the Netherlands when Kevin was at his peak. I saw him bounce off his Suzuki at over 250 km/h. Motorcycle in the air, there was no end to it. Kevin was picked up from the riders' quarters and completed his qualifying within 5 minutes. How I, as a Dutchman, enjoyed his style... (was signed by the former team leader of the Amsterdam Police Motor Brigade)
Mate. What a privilege that was. You’ll remember this for a long long time!
so much nicer looking than modern GP bikes !!!
What a dream..! Thanks Kevin!
Stunning looking machine 👍🏻
Working on my first RG500 restoration. Thanks for the inspiring video!
Beautiful sound and beautiful machine!
Terrific video and also very well done. Very honoured without a doubt , and yes for a bike that old not as smooth but hell the roughness is makes you know your riding an animal. Great vid guys vwd
Beautiyful bike. Sweet sound. A dream!
You're a lucky man Danny to have ridden Kevin's bike, cool video! Nice one m8 :]]
Special video that, brilliant 👍
My favourite bike of all time, massive Suzuki fan and that Pepsi paint job was amazing, 2 stroke baby, sniff the Castro R lol
What a rider too!
I was there when he won at Donnington ✊
In 1989 my mate had had Ron Haslam’s Pepsi Suzuki in his showroom before it went to Ireland for Sunflower races so cool 😎
Such an iconic bike and rider ...today's moto gp doesn't touch the excitement of watching the 500s with Kevin and Co sliding weaving ans bucking all over the place. Also I used to watch gp s. On eurosport from 89 onwards 😉
That's not only a bike, that's a dream!
i will never forget kevin on one of these coming into the hairpin at mallory park,in between 2 other bikes with the back wheel way off the deck,dropped it ,squirted the gas and off like a missile.epic days.
It needs mounting on a wall in an art gallery, absolutely gorgeous.❤