There has been many motorcycle manufactures that have tried to put a large capacity two stroke engine into their bike while remaining unsuccessful. This was until the Suzuki GT500 showed up and took advantage of the situation with the Suzuki GT500. The Suzuki GT500 offers bikers the first two-stroke engine that requires very little maintenance and offers an oil-injection directly into the crankcases. The GT500 offers innovation that was unseen during its release in 1976.
The GT500 was known as a “short-lived” model due to the fact it was only presented in huge numbers in the United States. This bike was actually blowing away competition that even the 500cc and 650cc bikes couldn’t compete with. Soon after the release of the Suzuki GT500 the Cobra was the new GT500 which provided significant change over its earlier predecessor. Little publicity was needed for the Cobra to make an effect on the market. This was the so called “model of the future.”
The most useful mechanical innovation when it came to the Cobra was the swingarm which was given an almost five inch expansion compared to the earlier released Suzuki GT500. This change gave bikers much more control while biking and helped contribute to Suzuki’s reputation. Many riders also agree the longer seat equipped with the Cobra gave a much more comfortable experience while touring the countryside. The second generation of the Suzuki GT500 also offered more room for a saddlebag, panniers or even a mounting carrier.
The GT500 was stocked with an air-cooled 492cc incline two stroke engine that allowed the bike to reach 46 horsepower quite easily. The length of the bike (2,195 mm) gave an overall better experience while transporting groceries or even giving a friend a ride. In 1968 the Suzuki GT500 was the next sensation for the entire motorcycle community. Today’s standards don’t even compare, especially when it came to the brake system.
The public took this bike by storm and loved every aspect of it from the watermelon shaped petrol tank all the way to the conventional seat. When it came to the Suzuki Cobra almost every aspect of the design was changed for the better. Around a year later Suzuki halted the production of the Cobra to bring a newer model to the table, the Titan. Though a remake of the original GT500 had close to eight remakes.
The Suzuki GT500 is a classic motorcycle that offers a five speed gearbox and chain transmission. The fuel capacity is fairly large for the time being able to hold an entire 17 liters. The bike was actually heavier than many easily weighing in at 195kg. This classic bike is reliable and for the most part maintenance free. Riding this rare bike will have you begging for more and possibly even giving you the idea to ask your friend “how much for the GT500.” Which may not go as good as you hoped for. The Suzuki GT500 is one of a kind with a superb build that lets you take the bike that extra mile.
