1983 Suzuki RM500 

To think how we took all these bikes for granted as kids. They were everywhere.

Love it. I had the same exact bike in around 2002....paid $600 for it from the original owner in damn near mint condition. Out of all my race bikes I've had in my life I'd love to have that 1983 RM 500 back. Awesome bike I love watching y'all's channel to see all the sweet bikes y'all come across or have in the museum. Ps....man have the prices changed lol

I've watched a lot of your videos and haven't seen any on the RM370 . This was the first Big Bore bike I road as a teenage in the late 70's and early 80's, the most wicked torque 2 stoke ever for the time period, Keep up the good videos, love seeing the bike sof my youth.

Had a RM 500 when i was a kid. Its an animal. My friend had a Maico 490.

Jesus Christ! It's literally like you jumped into a time machine and went back to the early 80s and got hold of 'brand new' open class, single pot two stroke bikes. I feel so jealous, but awesome to see these bikes, as if they have just come 'out of their factory crates'......I mean, just look at those 'right-side-up' forks (with gaiters)..... AND that fantastic, stock BLACK exhaust!......it just keeps getting better!👍😎

i have great memories of my rm 500 i broke several ribs when i had this bike it was so fast i wish i never sold it.how many of us wish we never sold a bike we loved,thanks for vid very nice i sold it to buy my maico which i still have but i miss my old rm 500

The apple sure didn't fall far from the tree. LOL!

So awesome.... What a fantastic bike. They had such style in that era of MX!

THAT RM 500 IS BAD ASS !

When I was a teen I grew up in this era of bikes. These and the Honda CR 500 where Kings in my neibourhoood

I love it! What did it sell for? I raced a RM 465 at Saddleback back in the day and won a few trophies. Now I ride a 2015 Beta 300rr for off-road, a Yamaha RD400 for Maui jaunts, and, a Yamaha Kenny Roberts to spice things up.

Sounds great - that bike is crispy critter! I can almost smell the castor oil from here. Interesting it has a flat slide carb - I thought they were all round slides back then. RM 500s are rare indeed. Big bore air cooled 2T's have a special sound. Ah, the memories... Raced a '92 WR 500 (air cooled YZ490 motor in a YZ 250 chassis) out in District 37 in SoCal in the 90s, with 15/42 gearing it would do 100 in the sand. The bike had the ports matched and cleaned up (all the old iron sleeve air cooled 2 strokes needed this), the head's squish area reshaped, ran an FMF pipe. That bike ran blubbery rich and yet still pinged in stock form, it was terrible. With the cylinder and head work, and with the jetting tightened up, it ran super crisp and on point, and sounded great! The WR worked much better in an off road environment with the stupid tall 15/42 gearing, finding traction instead of violently spinning up and vibrating the rider to death. At peak RPM that bike would literally blur the rider's vision with it's vibration. The key was to keep the RPM low to middle, put a load on it and feed it the beans. 500s were really fun to ride out west in the desert, the big hills and open environment out there suited them. One thing I do remember vividly was how the handling of the bike was greatly affected by the engine's RPM. That big crank spinning at high RPM made it stable, but forget about turning it. In tight stuff I would lug it down low and it turned much better. With power everywhere and a hard step up onto the powerband, riding "on the bubble" at the onset of the powerband but not in it was not a problem and was necessary to stay alive a lot of the time, actually! People on KX and CR500s dismissed my old school air cooled WR until we got on the gas - it totally ran with any 500, anytime, and I did not have to worry about radiators. Plenty of "modern" water cooled 500s finished behind it in those desert races. A 500 2T in 3rd gear with a load on it climbing a big desert hill is a special treat. Big bore two strokes sure do love to pull a load under a good dose of throttle in the middle RPM. Of course new bikes are so much better, but the 500s were raw visceral throbbing and barely contained beasts, all to that baritone big bore 2T sound track. I was young then, and life riding and racing a 500 was pretty grand! Still a two stoke guy, riding a '18 KTM 300 XC these days, it is a wonderful awesome bike, a sharp handling and effortlessly efficient generator of off road speed - so easy to go fast on it and man does it shine in the gnarly stuff. Have ridden 5 Miles of Hell in Utah on the 300 several times, the bike almost made that easy - it is like cheating really! If current 57 year old me on the 300 could race 28 year old me on my 500, I wonder who would win? - I think current the 57 year old me would win in the gnarly bits - older and wiser now, and the current bike is just so good. If wide open stuff, 28 year old me on the 5 Hunny would choo choo freight train right by current me. Was a little nuts back then, and the 500 had no problem going fast in a straight line, none at all :)

Beautiful Mint RM 500! Started mine yesterday for the first time this year ' draws a crowd every time !

Love the sound of those older air cooled 2 strokes.

So gorgeous! Excellent video. How blessed you are to hop on that monster and rip around the compound.

What a great video. I was a water boy at MX 338 in 82-83, I remember these well, when they were new. This brings back great memories. Thank you!

I had a 1981 RM 125 in California. My first motocross bike and the first water cooled I believe. That bike was great, light, fast and easy to throw around on the jumps. Suspension was a dream back then. A friend of mine had the 1981 RM 250. Also a great bike, even though it was air cooled. I dont have the bike anymore, but have the original jersey I bought with that bike.

Oh my God. I just can't get enough of these videos. Absolutely stunning bike !!!

I had a '81 RM250 and the full floater rear supervision was incredible! Best handling crater eater ever! I hated they had to give it up...shouldn't have stolen the plans I guess.

Its amazing how real power does everything so effortlessly and at low rpms..Great bike..Great video..Thanks

I just found out today a guy at work has one of these, now I have to own it!!

I owned one many years ago..... i LOVED the beast.... though the maintenance on the rear end and the woeful brakes i could live without, 😍

That 500 emblem looks identical to the one on my 88 quadzilla lol nice bike!

I love all 4 of the big brands. The CR is probably the best, but the RM is my favorite.

Very nice bike! I had a 1981 PE 400 that felt like it was made to fit me.. I truly miss that bike!!

Just Spectacular, Thanks Ken Jr ,For Sharing 🤜🎯🤛

Bought a 465 in 1990.. Still got it!!!😁😁

I love what you guys are doing!

The Full-Floater made the Suzy a nice handling package.....if I remember, the rear end overroad to front a bit, tho.... Boy, that bike sounds tight as new!

Never knew they were even made. Thank you!

Wow, sound brings back memories, I had the 82 RM

Jr. acts just like Sr. I suppose since you grew up together and hang out all the time! Nice bike! Love to take a spin on it. I remember the rattling and vibrations.

I’ve always wanted an RM500 to sit next to the CR. They were the underdog of the big bores, but still cool as hell.

Seen your pops in RU-vid many times. This is my first time seeing you. 👍🏾

Ken JR you sound just like your dad . Nice bike I had a RM 370 and it ripped in any gear. My pipe had some..... ok a lot of welding ..yours is in pristine shape 👍👍👍

Love these bikes. This RM sounds tight. YZ’s and RM’s tops in the early 80’s. Honda and Kawasaki got their acts together later after the other two quit investing in 500’s...bummer !

I’ve had my 82 rm500 for years. Been in the family longer than I’ve been around

Good to see you jr loved the vid love the bike keep making great vids an congratulations on all the success with the Museum

I used to race one of those back in the day . fun bike good for holeshots . Still liked my earlier maicos better

Good job young man , I’m sure your pops is more than proud 👍🏾.

Stunning bike one of my favourites.

Great stuff man, you always brings the best. That’s a beauty.

Rebuilding my 1985 Ktm 500 can’t wait

That is one beautiful and badass bike, Jr. I had a 1983 RM 125, for my first bike.

chasing wheelies without covering the rear brake just like pops lol

That’s an awesome bike! I still have my 1983 RM 125

I remember my old cr480r got that funny faint rattle. Wasn't until one day someone told me it was the air cooled fins. So i got some solid rubber tube and squeezed then between the fins. Wow what a difference it made. Smoooooooooth. Just an upgrade if ever the fin rattle annoys you. Nice bike

I guess this video made all commenters here want to go back in time until the 80s and end the day with our clothes full of 2T smell, our arms an legs very tired and our hearts full of joy...

My my, how purfect does his son sound just like ken☺️👍his attitude his voice his ideas. Everything 💕👌brilliant kid😁😁stay strong boys and I hope you lot and the business is well ❤️💙

Some of the baddest bikes ever made !

Awesome job Jr. !!! Excellent!!!

Need a building like that beautiful hardwood floors o the bikes are great too

It looks stunning!!!!

Great video. Good job.

I LOVE THE 80S ERA BIKES, IM A DIRT SLINGER FROM WAY BACK

Yeehaww I love those old school big bores I’ve always called the RM500s (Godzilla) because the power they have is so unreal it’s amazing.

If you close your eyes it’s like it’s Kaplan America, whoa.

You guys should get a HydraForce Exhaust Blow Out Kit to remove dents from 2 stroke exhaust. It uses water pressure to push out the dents. So there is no need to use heat, or wlding. Just cold water and pressure. keeps all the origninal paint and/or patina from the pipe.

The full floater suspension was so good back then, I had an 84 rm250 and the rear suspension would definitely work as good as today’s bikes but they stopped making it cis it was to expensive to produce 👍

Dream bikes of my past!!!!!

Bonjour, 500 RM 👍 c'est la moto avec laquelle je rêverais de rouler sur circuit. Merci pour ce généreus échange et bien à vous. Matthieu BOUFFLET

had raced this new. Good bike 4spd excellent suspension in RM . Motor sounds tight. Nice find!

Hi! I hope you will help me out right here. Where can i find the frame number? Where did u buy the plastics and decals? Thanks!

I had an 86 RM 125, they are awesome

Anyone here remember the 1982 Suzuki RM 250Z and the chaos it caused for other brands when it arrived. That was a fast bike.

We didn’t know what we had until they were pretty much gone- the 2-stroke MX’er.

Such beauty, what a machine

Definitely Kaplan America Jr.!! You make that look like an RM80 sitting on it. hahaha. Great bike as always guys!

Watched for the 5th time, best bike you've ever had imo. RMarmy baby!!!

My old CR500 was a beast!

Best drum braked 500? Or Maico? Full floater hops past monoshock YZ, CR& KX were not quite settled yet, as to blueprints, but the 83/84 RM 500 was a nice handling beast, got to ride one a couple times

Gorgeous RM500.

Ware do you guys find this stuff???

Is that a XL honda R in background did they do motocross version?

Beat looking dirt bikes ever!!!

Damn sweet machine!

I had this exact bike in 83-85 👍

What a sick bike

He sounds like his dad

Damn that thing is sweet. Wheelie moster!

top-notch took the hill like it was going down it

I had an '82' RM465Z that I got brand new for $1,482 out the door. Fast, Faster, riding one is an exercise in keeping the front end down. You can't go full throttle or it's coming over in any gear. Good bike though. Nothing ever broke or fell off. Only a four speed though. I wonder if the '83' came with a 5 speed. It would have been a much needed improvement.

My first real bike was an RM80 that I ended up blowing up. I had a buddy who's older brother rebuilt It with a RM100 kit we also put a pipe and reed valve at It. All I can say It was a beast. I loved that bike and rode the snot out of It until someone stole It. Then I got a KX125 really fun bike but the RM was just special.

It’s like going back to high school👍

2 things about the CR 450 I never understood: 1: Why is the front number plate angled like the 125 and 250, when the 450 is air-cooled - I assume they were angled on the water-coolers to get as much air to the radiators, maybe it helps to cool the cylinder on the 450, I don't know. 2: Why did they call it a 450 when it is 431cc why not a 430? Kawasaki had the KX 420, no embellishment from them.

is the bike still for sale? ive clicked on the link but doesnt come up. i would like to purchase the bike please

It would be suicidal for me to ride that ,but it would look good in my living room

Reminds me of purchasing my pe 175 . Bryco,s in Stockport in the early 80,s Road it up the side ally of the shop Front wheel in the Air . Sold immediately . Top bike .

Beautiful!!

!971 Husky 360cc with overdrive going at 70 mph across the Mohave desert. Man do I miss it. Kevin Quinn

I could never understand why Suzuki designed the front brake cable-stay as part of the fork. They fixed it in 1984 which was the last year of the drum front brake.

HELP. Does anybody know the color for these old RM’s? Besides competitive yellow...

Oh man I crave a bike like that

I have 6'x4' genuine factory roll gloss poster of the 1983 RM500.

Power! Raw power! Nothing like a big bore.

Stunning bike.

Love my CR500

i always wanted the rm 500 but got the 183 yz 490 instead didnt they make a water cooled rm 500

long live the king kx 500

Sounds sweet