This edition of The Motorcycle Files reviews one of the most famous of the fearsome Grand Prix two-strokes of the 1990s - Kevin Schwantz's 1993 500cc World Championship-winning Suzuki RGV500XR79.
Alan Cathcart tested it exclusively at Jerez and following are his riding impressions along with a comparison to the Yamaha, Honda, and Cagiva GP two-strokes that he tested during the same period.
There are also technical details from race engineer Stuart Shenton, explaining how Suzuki put together its title-winning effort in '93 as well as a comparison with the 1992 machine and musings on Suzuki's use of technology like the then-new carbon clutch and fuel injection – both at that time pointing the way towards the future but not necessarily 100% accepted, or even proven 'fit for purpose' at that stage. Knowing what we now know, it's an interesting look back at the way new technology was introduced and utilized in the unforgiving arena of the Grand Prix circuits of the world.
Alan Cathcart tested it exclusively at Jerez and following are his riding impressions along with a comparison to the Yamaha, Honda, and Cagiva GP two-strokes that he tested during the same period.
There are also technical details from race engineer Stuart Shenton, explaining how Suzuki put together its title-winning effort in '93 as well as a comparison with the 1992 machine and musings on Suzuki's use of technology like the then-new carbon clutch and fuel injection – both at that time pointing the way towards the future but not necessarily 100% accepted, or even proven 'fit for purpose' at that stage. Knowing what we now know, it's an interesting look back at the way new technology was introduced and utilized in the unforgiving arena of the Grand Prix circuits of the world.
