Roberts-Suzuki RGV: the most powerful bike at the Bikers' Classics?

British Suzuki collector Steve Wheatman once again is planning to take along an exclusive range of factory racers to this year's Bikers' Classics. Wheatman's most recent acquisition is Kenny Roberts Junior's Suzuki RGV500 on which he won three Grands Prix in 1999. An admirable achievement as his RGV was considerably less powerful and heavier than champion elect Alex Crivillé's Repsol/Honda and the Marlboro/Yamahas of Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa. In spite of this the 190 bhp Suzuki will arguably be the strongest bike at this year's Bikers' Classics.

“Kenny loved that machine, because he won his first GP on it in Malaysia. But he decided to sell it anyway. For an eye watering sum of money”, says a happy Wheatman. “But he did throw in the leathers and helmet that he wore at that particular race.” Wheatman is planning to send out six Suzukis on to the track. The Roberts/Suzuki will be Wheatman's only V4 to be transported to the Ardennes.

Wheatman owns the biggest private collection of Suzuki factory racers in the world and a V4 had been on his wish list for a long time. “But they are so hard to get by, because the factory refuses to sell them”, knows Wheatman.

“That is why I bought this bike directly from Kenny in January. He rode it to second place in the 500cc world championship in 1999.” A year later Roberts was crowned world champion; to the last Suzuki world champ to date. “Kenny does still own his championship winning bike”, says Wheatman.

Roberts switched from his father's Modenas Team to the Suzuki Team in 1999 taking technical guru Warren Willing along. After a period of four years without wins Roberts finally gave the Japanese factory something to cheer about again. At Spa-Francorchamps the bike will be raced by Sean Emmett. The former Britsh rider will make his first appearance at the Belgian track, but he does have some Suzuki two-stroke Grand Prix experience, as he was a stand in for the injured Kevin Schwantz at the Lucky Strike/Suzuki Team in 1994. “So I think Sean will know how to deal with 190 bhp”, expects Wheatman.