Embracing the ’80s Replica Era: Suzuki RGV250 Custom by VARIOUS
VARIOUS' RGV250
It's hard to believe this bike is a 32 year old 1988 model with the way it looks ready and raring to go. It's a VJ21A RGV250, but the exhaust system somehow seems different. Instead of a 2-stroke exhaust chamber, there is an exhaust for a 4-stroke peeking out. When we removed the cowl, we found that the engine was indeed also different!
Just like we thought, this bike is a Suzuki RGV250, but it is equipped with a Kawasaki GPX250R-II parallel twin-cylinder engine, which is also a 1988 model, but is a 4-stroke engine. The owner had left this bike untouched for quite some time, but decided to pull it out and start working on it. Eventually, he decided he'd like to race with it, and entered it into the Motegi 7 Hours Endurance Road Race held at the Twin Ring Motegi Racetrack (now called Mobility Resort Motegi) in 2016 with the support of Coors Racing. The representative of VARIOUS said that they enjoyed working on this bike as "a bunch of guys in their 50s tinkering with a bike they used to ride when they were young". VARIOUS is a shop that manufactures one-off parts in-house through machining, NC machining, and lathing, so they are able to do additional modifications to the parts as they match them with each machine. Their main business is support work, such as the setup of carburetors and general bodywork. Of course, they also build customs, but for this bike, they are focusing on adjustments/additions to each part, as well as setup. They modified parts that had been used for a long time, and made adjustments to parts that weren't fitting. The engine and frame are made by different manufacturers, and it has a 4-stroke engine in a 2-stroke body. Therefore, there are many small parts that needed to be adjusted, such as wires and other movable parts, to make the movement smoother. VARIOUS is hoping to make this bike more enjoyable to ride by making adjustments in such areas.
Handle
The handlebars are for the '90-'95 VJ22A. The gauges are ZXR750. AEM A/F gauges have been added. The handlebar switches are made by VARIOUS.
Bodyworks
The seat cowl is for Yamaha's TZ250 production racer, not the RGV250, and the seat height has been adjusted by overlapping the sponges.
The drive chain is RK and the rear sprocket is also newly made by VARIOUS. We can see many small parts manufactured by them, and VARIOUS has the viewpoint that the bike will be better if they pay attention to these little details.
Engine
The aluminum twin-spar frame was modified to accommodate the GPX250R engine. The engine has stock pistons and camshafts, but has been overhauled, valve timing changed, and crank metal matched. The carburetor is a TMR φ32mm, and the harnesses are new. The cooling lines around the radiator were also modified.
Intake & Exhaust
The characteristic curved swingarm and linkage are both for the VJ22A. However, the main feature of this machine is the 4-stroke exhaust peeking out from here instead of the exhaust chamber (the '88 RGV250 had a dual right-side exhaust). The hollow 3-spoke wheels, which also give off a race-like feel, are for the VJ22A and are 3.00-17/4.50-17 in size. The oil catch undercowl is also new.
Chassis
The step bar and shift pedal are made by Battle Factory, and the shift rod is by VARIOUS and newly made. These modifications were made to improve the operability.
The rear shock, visible behind the pivot, is an overhauled and re-set Aprilia RS250 shock, and the rear spring is also new. The clutch wire holder is also a new part.
The front forks are for VJ22A (SP), overhauled and set up after fabricating fork springs and internal collars. The stem is also for VJ22A. The front brakes consist of VJ21A calipers with RC30 masters, and Sunstar disc rotors for the Z900RS which are mounted with newly made brackets.
Gallery
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Specifications
Part | Details |
---|---|
Engine | KAWASAKI GPX250R-ll Engine Conversion |
Carb / Intake | MIKUNI TMR Φ32mm Carburetor |
Exhaust | VARIOUS One-off Exhaust CORES OEM Silencer |
Frame | KAWASAKI GPX250R-ll Engine Frame Processing SUZUKI RGV250 '90~'95 VJ22A OEM Swingarm |
Brake | ADVANTAGE x ISSIN Brake Master Cylinder Type-RC SUZUKI RGV250 '88~'89 VJ21A Stock Brake Caliper SUNSTAR Premium Racing Brake Disc for Z900RS |
Wheels | SUZUKI RGV250 '90~'95 VJ22A OEM Wheel 3.00-17/4.50-17 |
Suspension | SUZUKI RGV250 '90~'95 VJ22A (SP MODEL) OEM Front Forks Aprilia RS250 OEM Rear Shocks |
Steps | BATTLE FACTORY Step Holder Set BATTLE FACTORY Shift Pedal & Brake Pedal VARIOUS One-off Shift Rod |
Drive System | VARIOUS One-off Sprocket |
Handle / Steering | SUZUKI RGV250 '90~'95 VJ22A OEM Handlebar KAWASAKI ZXR750 OEM Meter AEM A/F Meter YOSHIMURA PRO-GRESS1 Temp/Volt Meter PZRacing GPS Lap Timer SUZUKI GV250 '90~'95 VJ22A(SP MODEL) OEM Steering Stem |
Seat | YAMAHA TZ250 OEM Single Seat |
Electrical | VARIOUS One-off Harness |
Original Source of this Article
Heritage & Legends


editor
Hakuyo
A foreigner who rides in Japan, Japanese call this "Gaijin Rider". Third year in the Webike global team. He feels and shares the real bike life in Japan then presents you how interesting Japanese customs are.