Within the world of motorcycle liveries, the Walter Wolf Racing It is possibly one of the most iconic and desired among lovers of 80s Old School. This Suzuki RG400, which is being auctioned by the friends of Iconic Motorbikesis one of the units intended exclusively for the Japanese market that enjoyed these legendary colors in the mid-80s.
Suzuki RG400 Walter Wolf in detail
Little or nothing can be added at this point about Suzuki’s RG Gamma saga. Probably one of the most important within the Hamamatsu firm. Not only because of its technical and corporate relevance throughout its commercial life. Also for being today one of the most desired by fans of the brand throughout the planet.
And it is no wonder, even more so if its beautiful silhouette is decorated with Walter Wolf’s racing colors. We must remember that this collaboration agreement between the Canadian magnate and the Japanese company emerged in the early 1980s and as a result of it, several limited editions were launched that covered the different ranges of models within the RG family.
One of these beneficiaries was the exclusive RG400 Gamma. The decision to market a limited edition of this version using the Walter Wolf livery comes after doing the same in Canada with its older sister, the RG500, of which only 99 copies were sold. However, the RG400 would be reserved exclusively for the Japanese market, as a consequence of the already known prevailing power and displacement limitations that apply there.
This special Walter Wolf version would be officially launched in July 1985 and would sport a decoration in the image and likeness of the one that decorated the fairings of the Suzuki RG500R with which Masaru Mizutani competed in the national speed championship. With a starting price of 699,000 yen at the time, about 3,930 euros at the exchange rate, it cost 50,000 yen more than the standard version of the time.
Unlike this one, in addition to the spectacular Walter Wolf Racing decoration, it also included a complete fairing, thanks to the assembly of a lower keel, and a removable single-seater tail. At a technical level there were no variations. The jewel in the crown was undoubtedly its well-known 397 cc 2-stroke tetra-cylinder engine, water-cooled. The brand declared a final power of 59 HP at 9,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 48.1 Nm at 8,500 rpm.
As a curiosity, the Suzuki RG400 Walter Wolf, like its more sporty range sisters, included, within its standard equipment, “the most iconic lap counter in history”, which began its scale at 3,000 rpm. This curious detail was inherited directly from the competition motorcycles of the time that used this system, and continue to do so.
Basically, to be able to have a better view of the rev counter, with a wider space between numbers to better visualize the good area of the engine. Other characteristic details of the model were, for example, an advanced aluminum tubular chassis, or Suzuki’s well-known “Full Floater” rear suspension system.
As for the specimen that stars in these lines today, it is associated with the chassis number HK31A107905 and currently it has only traveled 15,898 kilometers. As explained by the colleagues at Iconic, the owner of this RG400 Gamma has several examples belonging to these limited series. Specifically two other units of RG500 Walter Wolf Limited Edition.
At the state and maintenance level: “The bike was sent to Steve and his team at Speedwerks to get it ready for the next owner. Speedwerks made videos, including one of the bike on the dyno and another of the cold start, which are at the beginning of the listing. The tires, although in good cosmetic condition, are worn and should be replaced before riding the bike.”
Other details to take into account are, for example, the Mac Crane footpegs and levers that this unit is equipped with. Likewise, it is clarified that despite its great general condition, the motorcycle has some aesthetic defects resulting from its age. A detail, probably, to take into account by anyone who is interested in getting this gem.
The same one that is currently located in Ellicott City, Maryland, and for which, at the time of writing these lines, the highest bid is $14,300. Although the minimum reserve price has not yet been reached, we are sure that someone will end up offering a corresponding figure for it and will finally become its happy owner.
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