At the time of its introduction in 1967 the Suzuki T500 created a sensation. Naysayers stated that a large air cooled two stroke twin could not be made to run reliably enough for road use, however they had not taken into account the advances made in metallurgy during the decade which enabled Suzuki to prove them wrong. With a claimed power output of 46 bhp from the piston ported twin, the new machine proved to be capable of matching the best 650 four strokes in performance. Braking was of an exceptional standard and the electrical system, which included indicators, and finish were of the highest standard. Unfortunately the handling of the first models left a little to be desired, although this was quickly rectified by an increase in wheelbase for subsequent versions. The promise of the engine was highlighted with the development of the TR500. Unfortunately for the T500 it quickly had to contend for a new generation superbikes, the H1 Kawasaki triple delivered its (similar) performance in a much more exuberant manner, whilst the Honda CB750 four brought a level of sophistication to the market place previously undreamed of. Despite these pressures the T500 continued to sell steadily to enthusiasts who valued its blend of performance, robustness and versatility, ensuring a place for the model in the Suzuki range for over a decade.

This example was recently imported from the United States and is offered Vat and Duty paid in the UK. It was cosmetically restored in the States with the engine benefiting from a rebuild in the UK. Described as being in good condition, with the engine being "tuned and running" sweetly it is a fine example of one of Suzuki's most under rated products.