A superb and rare image of the Suzuki RGV 500 Gamma 500cc V-4 four cylinder factory Grand Prix racer of 1990 in the WINNING hands of the unforgettable 1993 500cc road racing World Champion Kevin Schwartz .
Shown in this great image is Kevin Schwantz (34), leading with his 500cc V4 Suzuki RGV worksracer the 1990 British Grand Prix which was held on the circuit of Donington Park on August 5, 1990.
Kevin Schwantz is seen on his way to victory, he won the race for Wayne Rainey and Eddie Lawson, both on Yamaha YZR V4’s. Kevin finished the 1990 500cc world championship in second place, behind Wayne Rainey.
Kevin Schwantz, the eternal number 34 , is an American former World Champion motorcycle road racer during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was hugely popular for his aggressive, all-or-nothing riding style. Schwantz, whose parents owned a motorcycle shop, learned to ride at the age of three. He began his competitive career as a trials rider, following his father in that sport. From trials, he progressed to motocross in his teens, becoming a top regional MX racer. After a serious crash in qualifying for the Houston Supercross in 1983, he decided to quit motocross. At the end of the 1984 season, he was offered a test ride with the Yoshimura Suzuki Superbike team, who promptly signed the Texan to a contract. In his first race for Yoshimura, he won both legs of the 1985 Willow Springs AMA Superbike National. He would finish seventh overall in the championship despite only competing in half the races. He finished second to Eddie Lawson in the 1986 Daytona 200 on the new GSXR-750 Suzuki. Then, in what would become an all too common occurrence throughout his career, he broke his collarbone in a qualifying crash and missed several races. Once again he finished seventh overall in the Championship. He culminated his career in 1993 by winning his first and only 500cc World Championship. After suffering through a crash infested 1994 season, the injuries he had incurred over the years began to take their toll on him, as did the career ending injuries suffered by his friend and rival Wayne Rainey, at the 1993 Italian Grand Prix that left him so incredibly unfortunate paralyzed from the chest down. Early in the 1995 season, after a conversation with Rainey, Schwantz decided to retire from motorcycle competition. Schwantz had accumulated 25 Grand Prix wins during his career, one more than his great rival, Wayne Rainey. This made him the second most successful American roadracer behind Eddie Lawson. In a rare display of respect, the FIM retired his racing number (34) as a testament to his popularity. In the late 1990's Schwantz ran a couple of seasons of the Australian NASCAR Championship before returning home to the USA where for several years he competed in the NASCAR Busch Series, running 18 races with 2 top tens, and touring car races. He currently owns and operates a motorcycle riding school in Atlanta, Georgia. Schwantz was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999. The FIM named him a Grand Prix "Legend" in 2000.
The Suzuki
RGV 500 Gamma was a motorcycle built by Suzuki between 1985 and 1989
and inspired by the RG Gamma Grand Prix racer of the 1970s, capitalizing on
Suzuki's seven consecutive wins in the 500cc-class. The Gamma was powered by a
V - four cylinder two-stroke square engine displacing 500cc. Early models gave
93.7 brake horse power (95ps) at 9,500
The Japanese Suzuki company started manufacturing motorcycles in 1952, the first models being motorized bicycles. During the 1950s, 1960s and the better part of the 1970s, the company manufactured motorcycles with two-stroke engines only, the biggest two-stroke model being the water-cooled triple-cylinder GT750. A large factor in Suzuki's success in two- stroke competition was the East German Grand Prix racer Ernst Degner, who defected to the West in 1961, bringing with him expertise in two- stroke engines from the East German manufacturer MZ. Suzuki hired Degner, and he won the 50cc World Championship for them in 1962.
However, it wasn't until 1976 when Suzuki introduced its first motorcycle with a four-stroke engine, the GS400 and GS750. Since then, Suzuki has established a reputation as a manufacturer of well- engineered sport motorcycles. Suzuki's racing machines have become legendary. From the 1960s small capacity 50cc and 125cc two strokes to the magnificent RG500 Square Four two stroke, a machine that played a vital role in the 1970s world championship roadracing scene. In the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000's Suzuki wrote history with riders like Kevin Schwantz and, more recent, Kenny Roberts Jr.
We have more photos listed on Ebay of Suzuki, Kevin Schwantz and other brands with various riders.
This is your rare chance to own this non period photo that reflects a very interesting and historic piece of motorcycle and Suzuki ‘s glorious history. Therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 12" (ca. 20 x 30 cm).
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you buy. For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files and board backed envelopes.
We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.
After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!
First come - first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any questions before the auction ends.