Suzuki RG500 – Barry Sheene’s Icon

The motorcycle shown is the legendary Suzuki RG500, a machine that helped define the golden era of 500cc Grand Prix racing in the 1970s. Powered by an innovative square-four two-stroke engine, the RG500 delivered explosive performance, producing close to 100 horsepower in a machine that felt impossibly light for the sheer violence it delivered. It was fast, noisy, and just unpredictable enough to keep even the best riders honest. This combination of lightweight design, sharp handling, and outright aggression made it one of the most competitive race bikes of its time, cementing Suzuki’s reputation in top-level motorcycle racing and influencing generations of performance motorcycles and aftermarket parts.

Ridden by British icon Barry Sheene for the Texaco Heron Suzuki team, the RG500 became one of the most recognisable motorcycles in racing history. Carrying his famous number 7, Sheene secured back-to-back 500cc World Championships in 1976 and 1977, all while making it look far easier than it had any right to be. The bold red, yellow, and white livery isn’t just memorable—it’s iconic, representing a time when two-stroke race bikes ruled the track and riders had to be equal parts brave and slightly mad. Today, the RG500 continues to inspire classic motorcycle restoration, performance upgrades, and the demand for high-quality motorcycle parts—because keeping legends like this alive isn’t just maintenance, it’s a responsibility.