Your Eyes Aren’t Deceiving You: 1993 Suzuki RGV250 Lucky Strike (VJ22)
{Note: Our research suggests this may be 1994 based on images in the brochure. -Ian}
Quick! Hit those sofa cushions and sell all the old gold jewelry you have laying around! You don’t want to let this amazing Suzuki RGV250 get away. 2,311km (1,435mi) Suzuki RGV250? Check. Rare Lucky Strike paint work with graphics on the frame? Check. Unmodified, excellent condition bike that was part of a display and is now in road going condition? Check. California title, registration, and plated? Check that as well!
I bet you’ve seen this paint scheme duplicated a hundred times. Rarely is it done correctly. It is easy to spot the real thing with the powder coated frame replicating the works RGV500’s of Schwantz and Beattie. I’ve never seen someone do a replica that took the time to powder coat the frame and dye the seat red. Among Lucky Strike models these are indeed among the rarest. Before you say it; yes, there are the ubber rare Team Suzuki bikes (50) that went to Australia and the hundred or so Lucky Strike VJ23 “V” models. Having said that, I’ve seen more 23 LS “V’s” running around the states than these. I believe the production run on these was 500 and they would be the last until the VJ23 (T and V) Lucky Strikes in 1996.
Spec wise they are a standard Japanese domestic RGV250. These are eye candy to hopefully entice you to buy more smokes! The story I’ve heard is they were part of the contract attached to the sponsorship of the grand prix race team. If true, I wonder why Suzuki took the time to make 50 in 1991 with Team Suzuki on them?
The seller provides an excellent description of the bike, and even drops a RSBFS link in the eBay ad (this one from earlier this year which is very informative on the Lucky Strike models). So without being redundant, here is the seller’s description:
“This is possibly the rarest version of the original factory Lucky Strike models — the graphics extend onto the frame (powercoated), and was made in very limited quantities, perhaps between 300-500, for the Japanese Domestic Market in 1993 after Kevin Schwantz won the 500cc world title that same year with the Lucky Strike Suzuki team. Rare doesn’t even begin to properly describe this bike — this model is far rarer than any VJ23 SP Lucky Strike model, VJ21 Pepsi etc etc……you may never see another one, let alone for sale!
The bike is in museum-quality condition — ALL original, NO modifications, just over 2300 kms on the odo, just amazing condition. It was in a private collection for much of its life, as a display piece. It runs perfectly, rides like new. It is restricted (as all Japanese market models are) to 40-45hp, and can be easily de restricted, but I thought it would be a shame on a rare model in original condition like this. Plus, even restricted, it will still do 90-100mph with incredible acceleration etc—unless you’re a racer, this will have plenty of power for street riding. It still has all of its JDM features – KPH speedometer, all labels written in
Japanese etc, it is exactly as exported.Original paint and graphics are clean and in excellent condition — other than replaced air filter, battery, some replaced fairing hardware (couple screws), rebuilt(original) carbs and new tires— all parts are original! The bike sat for quite a while in a collection and was put “back on the road” in regards to any replaced parts. The bike does have a couple very minor paint dings or scrapes. There are a couple touched-up dings in the red paint, a couple digs in the graphics, some dings in the wheel edges and some scrapes at the very bottom of the fairing – all pictured below in detail. These are all very typical wear marks for a bike this age, with this mileage etc. The only unusual thing is that the bike is missing its clutch-side bar-end weight, but it is as-I received it.
Runs great! Starts 1st or 2nd kick, often without choke! Shifts nicely through all gears and doesn’t smoke too much without the choke on (perfect!). Always run with high-quality Yamalube synthetic 2T oil.
Best part of all —-the bike has current California registration, title and plates!! (registered as SPCNS with full VIN and engine #) This rare piece of sportbike history can be yours for the low BIN price –you would be hard pressed to find another one, in any condition, let alone this clean and original !! Frame VIN –VJ22A123XXX Engine: J2XX…”
Check out all those photos, the seller goes to great lengths to show you what little imperfections there are. I’m only noticing a missing bar end and an added tank pad. It does have some chips here and there but they are all pointed out. Rare indeed but maybe ultra rare is a better description considering the stock condition. Almost everyone add’s something to an RGV over time but not on this one. What you end up with really would be a nice bike to complete a collection. Add it up: rare model, stock condition and titled. I think it would be an excellent way to make the 23 owners very jealous.
-JS
[AffomaticEbay]Suzuki GSX-R[/AffomaticEbay]
That is a 1992 japenese spec lucky strike! the UK models where done up by some shop in the UK why the different colors and yes the japanese one came with the frame painted that’s orginal.
opps 1993!
What’s the story with the Team Suzuki bikes that went to Australia? I’ve never heard of them can anybody tell me more?
Kosta–in some countries they couldn’t advertise tobacco products, so they made a limited run of RGVs with “Team Suzuki” graphics in the style of the Lucky Strike Logo.
is this bike still for sale?