Japanese craziness: Suzuki RB50 GAG/GSX-R50

Japanese craziness: Suzuki RB50 GAG/GSX-R50

The RB50 GAG is an interesting four-stroke moped from Suzuki. To the 1980s Suzuki released a few “crazy” models, such as the RV50 Van Van, the PV50 and the RB50 GAG. What distinguished the GAG from the other two was that it was derived from an existing motorcycle: the Suzuki GSX-R750. it was a lot more focused on racing. A Suzuki is not a Honda, of course, but the four-stroke block of this rarity looks suspiciously like a Honda engine.

A Suzuki GSX-R750
In 1986, the GAG came on the marketitin America, Australia, Japan and a few European countries. Buyers could choose from four color schemes: Bomber Style white, Little Racing pink, GSX-R blue and red.

The four-stroke engine was borrowed from the Suzuki Birdie, a kind of C50, but from Suzuki. By default, it delivered about 5.2 horsepower, but there were boosts from Yoshimura that could make it faster. The 50cc Honda cubes from the same time gave only 4.5 hp. A funny detail is that the Takegawa Superhead has been looked away from the cylinder head of a GAG.

Unfortunately, the GAG had to compete on the track against the faster and lighter two-stroke competitors: the Honda NSR50 and the Yamaha YSR50. On the other hand, it was easier to ride and maintain. Food sets were from different manufacturers, but are now extremely difficult to find. If you want to boost your GAG, you have to make something yourself or use parts that are actually for a different brand/model.

Finding a GAG is very difficult. At the time of writing, there are a few for sale at the four-lane bars and about five around the world.   Pretty special, then!