Suzuki RGV (XR89) Tamiya 1/12
Back in 2014 my friend Jack Mugan @camaro1 posted his build of this kit, it was his first, and, as far as I know, his only motorcycle kit. In fact, Jack was the first person to post a WIP thread on the then new Automotive group. I thought eight years was long enough to wait to post my version.
It's quite an old kit but holds up well compared to more recent models. Suzuki raced this bike in 1999 with much success, particularly with Kenny Roberts Jnr as their number one rider, surely a legend in his own lifetime.
The kit comes with a chrome plated frame and front forks.
Here are few more pictures of the build.
Like most modern racing machines the colour scheme is very transfer dependent. I think Tamiya have updated the transfers since the original release and they went on without any problems. Apart from the basic white finish the only part that needs painting, other than the details, is the under cowling which gets a coat of French blue.
Here are a few more pictures of the completed model.
I'm sorry if there are a lot of photos but I was so lucky with the weather that day.
My QA inspector feels that the number 10 on the nose isn't quite central, she may well be right.
Whatever, thanks for looking, any questions please ask. Happy modelling.
A wonderful result, George! AND approved by your authoritative QA! What better than a beautifully built 1989 RGV-Γ?
Those were the days of dreams! Thanks for sharing it! You will definitely make me building motorbikes!
Thank you, Spiros @fiveten, I’m looking forward to seeing your first motorcycle model here on iModeler.
Will most probably be the Tamiya Katana, my friend @chinesegeorge , a kit I could not resist buying, roughly a year ago from my beloved Athens hobby shop (after the usual bargaining, teasing and the like with the shop owner who is also a friend 🙂 )...
That would be a good choice, Spiros @fiveten, I’ve never built that kit but I think Harry Brogan posted a review and a build here a couple of years ago (whatever happened to him I wonder).
Nicely done George, I also have this kit in my stash, I too look forward to an entry from Spiros.
Thanks for looking, Allan @kalamazoo, yes, the more people posting motorbikes the better.
Hi George! You really do incredible work on these little jewels and I love to see your posts. Please keep them coming.
Thanks, Bryan @plasticslave, good to hear from you, I remember you like racing machines.
have spent a lot of time around the real things, both two and four wheelers and love the realism your builds impart. Now if we could get a proper sound track...
Great result of a mean machine George. Oh how I loved the days of the wailing two strokes... wonderful sounds, great smell of the burning oil and and took a great rider to ride them well. I am fortunate to have on two stroke in my full size collection... a 1988 SUZUKI RGV 250 VJ 21. Sorry for posting a full size here...I just can't help myself...LOL
Here’s Rory’s @rory life size Suzuki, fully restored eight years ago.
Looks nice, Rory.
Okay, the photo wouldn't upload anyway.
Thanks, Rory @rory, good to see your enthusiasm, if you can email the picture to me I’ll see if I can put it here, I’d love to see it.
That's a hot looking crotch rocket, beautifully built. My kid always says my decals aren't straight.
Thanks, Bill @billkoppos, I always say that unless your name’s Picasso you can only see one side at a time anyway.
Another great bike, George @chinesegeorge
An amazing Suzuki, wasn't this bike also used by Kevin Schwantz.
Thanks very much, John @johnb, I think Kevin rode for Suzuki a little earlier, but I may be wrong, my memory’s not what it was these days.
George this amazing , looks like a real bike, honestly ! , if only Tamiya would bring a kit of my little FS1-E .
Hi Neil @neil-foster, always good to hear from you, and thanks for your kind comment. As for your FS1-E, you never know, stranger things have happened, Aoshima do some similar things.
George, that last photo of this model could easily be mistaken for the real thing. Excellent work all around and a really great result.
Thanks very much, Tom @tcinla.