The Suzuki RG500 Barry Sheene Engine That Silenced MV Agusta 1976

In 1976, Barry Sheene did the impossible—he tamed one of the wildest racing motorcycles ever built, a square-four two-stroke Suzuki that seemed more beast than machine. The Suzuki RG500 wasn’t just fast—it was brutal. Its square-four engine spat out power so violently that only the bravest could even stay on it. Many riders failed. But Sheene wasn’t just another racer—he was the perfect mix of fearless and flamboyant. With the RG500, Sheene had the chance to take down the mighty MV Agustas and rewrite the balance of power in Grand Prix racing. If he succeeded, Suzuki would dethrone the long-standing kings of the sport. So how did Sheene turn a savage, unruly machine into a world championship weapon? Let’s find out.