Started in a small warehouse by Michio Suzuki in 1909, Suzuki aimed to make better looms for the Japanese silk industry. Only thirty years into its existence, the company began to think about diversifying into automobiles, motorcycles, and related machinery. In fact, it was only after the cotton market collapsed in 1951, that Suzuki seriously entered the motorcycle and automobile industry.

One of Suzuki’s first two-wheeled innovations was a motorized bicycle called the “Power Free”. This bike was so ingeniously designed that the government of Japan gave Suzuki a grant to continue its research in motorcycle and car innovation. As time passed, the company began to build better and better motorcycles. And in 1962 Suzuki Motorcycles had won their first 50cc Grand Prix World Championship.

By the end of the 1960s, the company had become well known and respected in the American and European motorcycle world. One of their best-selling machines during this period was the Suzuki X-6 Hustler, which was the fastest Japanese 250cc at the time.

Suzuki Motorcycles also gained fame in the world of motocross. 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 field, but during this time Suzuki Motorcycles won the World Championship multiple times between 1971 and 1976 in 500cc MX racing. In addition to this, the company also won every 125cc world championship from 1975 to 1984.

By the late ’80s, Suzuki had earned the respect of everyone 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 were unbeatable and, at the time, it was the lightest bike in its class.

The Suzuki GSX-R was without a doubt one of the most important and influential motorcycles of the 1980s. Even now, twenty years later, you will find the GSX-R line in the current Suzuki Motorcycles catalogue. In fact, you will find it in various sizes ranging from 600cc to 1000cc.

Since the GSX-R750, Suzuki Motorcycles has come up with many other successful models and today Suzuki is a household name in the motorcycling world. The company has won over a dozen world championships along with many other races. Its long-standing emphasis on innovation, as well as its meticulous care in craftsmanship, has led the company going strong for more than 50 years.

Because of all this, Suzuki is now one of the four big names in the Japanese motorcycle industry. If you are thinking of buying or changing your car, its models should be included in your list of possibilities.

Enjoy the trip!

daniel levy