Brief History of Suzuki

[jk750]

Started in a small warehouse by Michio Suzuki back in 1909, Suzuki aimed at making better looms for the Japanese silk industry. It was only thirty years after its existence that the company started thinking of diversifying into cars, motorcycles and related machinery. In fact, it was only after the collapse of the cotton market in 1951, that Suzuki seriously got into the motorcycle and car industry.

One of the first two-wheeled innovations by Suzuki was a motorized bicycle called the "Power Free". This bicycle was so ingeniously designed that the government of Japan gave Suzuki a subsidy in order to continue their research in motorcycle and car innovation. As time progressed, the company started to build better and better motorcycles. And by 1962, Suzuki Motorcycles had won their first 50cc Grand Prix World Championship.

By the late 60s, the company had become known and respected in the American and European motorbike world. One of their best-selling machines during this time period was the Suzuki X-6 Hustler, which was the fastest Japanese 250cc for that time.

Suzuki Motorcycles also gained fame in the motocross world. In the 60s and 70s, motocross racing was largely dominated by European motorcycle manufacturers. Japanese motorcycles did not have much of a presence or respect in this arena, but during this time, Suzuki Motorcycles won the World Championship several times between 1971 and 1976 in the 500cc MX race. In addition to this, the company also won every 125cc world championship from 1975 to 1984.

By the late ‘80s, Suzuki had gained the respect of all within the racing community at the highest levels. One of the best Suzuki Motorcycles of this era was the GSX–R750. Its design and energy was unbeatable and, at that time, it was the lightest bike around in its class.

The Suzuki GSX-R was without any doubt one of the most important and influential motorcycles of the 80s. Even now, twenty years later, you will find the GSX–R line in Suzuki Motorcycles current catalog. In fact you will find it in several sizes ranging from 600cc to 1000cc.

Since the GSX–R750, Suzuki Motorcycles has come with many other successful models and today, Suzuki is a well-known name in the Motorcycling world . The company has won over a dozen World Championships along with many other races. Their long-standing emphasis on innovation as well as their meticulous care in craftsmanship has lead the company from strength to strength for more than 50 years.

[MRBoss429x]

Nice little read. Funny how they make phenomonal motorcycles yet their cars are absolute junk.

[buckmoore64]

what does gsxr stand for ?

[S.D. 750]

never seen a good answer for that question,
in japanese it translates to "damn fast" thats my answer.

[jk750]

It's Suzuki internal corporate code. I'd have to dig it up from somewhere in my musty Suzuki library, but it goes something like this:

G - Four stroke multi cylinder
S - Sport, non touring
X - High performance, transverse four cylinder
R - Highly focused race replica

[RLinNH]

Originally Posted by jk750

It's Suzuki internal corporate code. I'd have to dig it up from somewhere in my musty Suzuki library, but it goes something like this:

G - Four stroke multi cylinder
S - Sport, non touring
X - High performance, transverse four cylinder
R - Highly focused race replica

JK750, you are, in my book, the official walking Suzuki Encyclopedia. Cna I hire you to sit in my Library as my Suzuki Encyclopedia?



All seriousness though, great little read on Suzuki.

[fuckenfast750]

wow history that i was actually intereseted in... good stuff dude

[jk750]

Thanks guys! I do try my best.

[mike_996]

I have the million dollar question, at least for me, what TL, as of TL1000R or TL1000S stand for. I would take a wild guess out the GSXR acronym but thats not my style.

Thanks.