Description
Suzuki RE-5 1974 – Extraordinary rotary engine!
In 1971 Suzuki bought a Wankel licence, a precursor to the rotary piston, in order to develop a new engine for its motorcycles. Suzuki’s investment in this project was substantial because at that time Dr. Felix Wankel’s rotary engine was a revolution and was only just beginning to be produced in series. For Suzuki, they had to start from a blank page and dive in, something many manufacturers would never do. Suzuki worked hard and invested heavily to produce a reliable and robust engine. After two years of development, 200 modifications and 20 patents filed, the fruit of this hard work secured the creation of a reliable machine named Rotary RX-5, presented at the Tokyo Motor Show in November 1973. Following slight modifications, the concept became the RE-5 and was marketed from 1974.
The RE-5 engine is a 497 cm3 single-rotor rotary engine developing 62 bhp. To manage its operating temperature Suzuki adopted liquid cooling and revived the imposing radiator which at the time was nicknamed “the hot water bottle”. The RE-5 possessed relatively high power and torque for its displacement at the time, and above all was readily available with very linear revving! The very particular melody of the rotary engine confirms that we are dealing with an engine unlike any other. It pulls from low down in a smooth fashion, offers generous torque worthy of a large four-stroke, and is characterised by the almost total absence of vibrations, a true conveyor belt! Weighing 230 kg on the scales, the RE-5 inherits the best of contemporary technology in order to be stopped: a double disc at the front.
The design of the bike was entrusted to the car designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, who sought to echo the principle of the rotary engine through numerous details: the dashboard is cylindrical, the indicators are all rounded, the rear light is also cylindrical and circles appear on the side panels, all in an ambience inspired by the futuristic world of the era, straddling the Star Trek series and the Star Wars trilogy! The Suzuki logo itself takes the rotor design, in triangle. This rather original line provokes astonishment and takes you straight back to the 1970s, certainly the most prosperous period for technological innovation. When you turn the ignition key to the first notch, the translucent cylinder of the dashboard opens (hence its nickname “breadbox”) on a row of indicator lights, including the one that validates the two oil pumps. There is even a small digital window that indicates the engaged speed. Science-fiction atmosphere guaranteed!
The RE-5 possesses nothing conventional and never goes unnoticed. Sold at only 6, 000 units worldwide between 1974 and 1976, it is the only rotary-engine motorcycle in the world to have been produced in large series. Unfairly misunderstood at the time due to its atypical design and the unknowns surrounding the Wankel engine which lacks a camshaft, valves and connecting rod, the RE-5, whose consumption was relatively high, fell prey to the oil crisis context. It did not achieve the success Suzuki expected and the rotary engine was abandoned despite the enormous sums invested in this project. Today the RE-5 stands as an extraterrestrial and is a fascinating machine with astonishing technology. This absolute rarity will find its place with an eclectic collector. Our very beautiful Firemist example produced in October 1974 has frame 10702, engine RE5-10394 and its French registration. In perfect condition with its original paint, it shows only 6, 248 miles on the odometer, corresponding to its original mileage. We possess its Owner’s Manual, the spare parts catalogue, as well as a complete file of technical documentation.
