[2] The motorcycle was designed by Makoto Hase using the proven square-four, two stroke engine architecture that Suzuki had developed during their successful Grand Prix racing program in the 1960s.

The RG 500 was proven successful in its first race at the 1974 500cc French Grand Prix when Barry Sheene finished in second place behind the defending world champion, Phil Read, on the previously dominant MV Agusta.

Sheene rode the motorcycle to its first Grand Prix race win at the 1975 500cc Dutch TT.

[2] The RG 500 was made available to the public in 1976 and allowed privateer racers to be competitive in the 500cc world championship.

Suzuki dominated the 1976 500cc world championship with RG 500s taking 11 of the first 12 places in the premier class.