suzuki Archives

Top 10 Suzuki Motorcycles (Part 1)

Suzuki is one manufacturer who used to be associated with groundbreaking motorcycle design and innovations.
Their bikes have left an indelible mark in motorcycling.
We take a look at ten out of the many.

Suzuki is one manufacturer who used to be associated with groundbreaking motorcycle design and innovations. They may have lost their edge with the current crop of motorcycles but who knows if they would hit back with something jaw-dropping in the future.

Still, they’ve left an indelible mark on motorcycling. Let’s take a look at some of them as they celebrate their 100^th anniversary this year.

10. TL1000S/TL1000R (1997-2001/1998-2003)

When Ducati turned out to be the pesky little Italian manufacturer who beat all the giant manufacturers with their lower powered and simpler V-Twin superbikes in World Superbike, Suzuki (and Honda) decided to build their own V-Twins to compete. The result was vis-à-vis Ducati’s 90-degree V-Twin format but tuned for more power. First came the naked TL1000S in 1997, while the full-faired TL1000R followed a year later. Neither had much success due to their wild character, but Bimota used the engine in their popular SB8K. The engine was further developed for the SV1000 and V-Strom 1000. The latter is still in production.

9. SV650/SFV650/Gladius (1999 to present)

The SV650 was the smaller SV1000 but it proved to be more popular than the latter. The reason is simple: The smaller bike is sweeter to ride due to its lower weight and non-threatening power output.

8. GSX-1300R Hayabusa (1999-2019)

The Hayabusa was Suzuki’s answer to the speed war between Honda and Kawasaki. And it was a thumb in the eyes of both rivals, as it broke past the 300 km/h barrier and hit 312 km/h. Designed in a windtunnel, the bike had an unconventional look which polarized opinion. As the “King Speed of Title” isn’t valid any longer, the Hayabusa holds the record as the fastest road legal production bike, ever. (The H2R doesn’t qualify as it’s not road legal.)

8. RG250 (1978-1982)/RG250 Gamma (1983-1987)/RGV250 Gamma (1988-1998)

Suzuki RGV250 Lucky Strike – Photo credit motorcyclespecs.co.za

No list is complete without these two-strokes. The smokers were having a battle royale during the time and it was the RG250 which broke new grounds with an aluminium cradle frame. Light, fast and looking like a proper race replica, it went like stink. But the RG series went better when the RG250 Gamma was introduced in 1983. It was the fastest quarter-litre two-stroke for years, which would embarrass even the big-cc superbikes. The most beautiful powerful iteration was the RGV250 Gamma in 1988. The new V-Twin engine started out with 50 hp (VJ21), then going to 62 hp (VJ22) and topped out at 70 hp in the 1997-1998 “SP” (VJ23) version. Aprilia purchased the VJ22 engines and modified it for their RS250.

6. RG500 Gamma (1984-1987)

The RG500 Gamma was actually the reply to Yamaha’s RD/RZ500, besides commemorating the GP victories in the 500cc GP class in 1981 with Marco Luchinelli and 1982 with Franco Uncini. Using the square four-cylinder (no, the cylinders and pistons are square in shape), twin-crank two-stroke, it made 94.9 hp, for a bike that weighed only 154 kg, dry. It was by far the most powerful 500cc two-stroke at the time and had an aluminium box section frame. Unfortunately, it was only produced for a short period of time. Collectors will pay big money for these.

Super sexy red 2020 Suzuki Katana, anyone?

After releasing the Suzuki GSX-R1000R with their MotoGP livery for 2020, Suzuki also introduced another colour update for the 2020 Suzuki Katana. Hosting their first-ever virtual motorcycle show, fans and enthusiasts can check out the latest Suzuki Katana in super sexy red. (more…)

2020 Suzuki GSX-R1000R unveiled with MotoGP livery

Suzuki is celebrating its official 100^th anniversary this year and to kick things off, they’ve unveiled their latest 2020 Suzuki GSX-R1000R offering with MotoGP livery taken from their motorsports racing effort, Team Suzuki Ecstar. (more…)

Suzuki celebrates 100th anniversary

What started way back on 15 March 1920 with making looms, Suzuki now celebrates its 100^th anniversary with great success in the world of automotive, motorcycles, and our favourite part, racing. Its 100 years of evolution began with the Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Company which was founded by Michio Suzuki. (more…)

This is the Suzuki Katana Icon Motorsports Edition!

2019 was the year when the world was once again introduced to a brand-new Suzuki Katana and people have been going mad about the bike. Hitting that nostalgic button just at the right spot, they’ve now announced a super limited edition for the French market in collaboration with a very popular American company, Icon Motorsports. (more…)

Suzuki Katana 125R – ‘baby’ Katana in the works?

The Suzuki Katana has had quite a cult following ever since its birth ever since its release in the 1980s and the latest 2019 reincarnation model is nothing short of a crowd favourite from several markets around the globe. News about a ‘baby’ Katana model have been popping up and we might just see the appearance of the Suzuki Katana 125R sooner than we think. (more…)

VIDEO: Suzuki rebuilds Barry Sheene’s MotoGP bikes

The folks from Suzuki have released a very interesting video of them rebuilding two very unique race bikes that were used by the late great Barry Sheene back in his glory days of racing. Two special Suzuki RG500 were rebuilt and the overall assembly was done publicly during the Motorcycle Live 2019 event. (more…)

Suzuki Turbocharged Bike Still in the Works

New blueprints show evidence of Suzuki continuing to work on a turbocharged bike.
They show how the turbo plus its piping are installed.
It’s a parallel-twin rather than an inline-four.

Remember that Suzuki Recursion concept bike from 2013? It featured a turbocharged 588cc parallel-Twin engine. New blueprints show that the Suzuki turbocharged bike is still in the works.

Suzuki then showed off the XE7 turbocharged engine at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show; replacing the SOHC with a DOHC head.

Anyway, there are new blueprints leaked online recently that shows the engine and turbocharger’s arrangements, so let’s take a look at them.

We noticed the placement of the catalytic convertor (numbered as “50”) is different from normally aspirated bikes since it’s sitting way up right next to the exhaust headers.

Turbocharged engines produce much more heat hence needs bigger radiators. A look from the front sees the top (40) and bottom (41) radiators. They are split in two to provide space for the cat. The turbocharger (3) just peeks through in between the two coolers (radiators).

The third blueprint strips away the radiators and gives a better view of the turbo’s arrangement. “33” is the air intake pipe, while “34” is the high-pressure pipe which routes the high pressure air from the turbo’s compressor to the intercooler, which then links to the throttle bodies.

You can see that the turbo mounts very closely to the exhaust headers. This has the exhaust gasses travelling only a short distance into the turbo’s turbine to reduce lag.

The blueprints do show a complete engine but whether it goes into production is another thing altogether. Seven years (counting 2020) is a long time but it also shows just how difficult it is to develop an entirely new engine what more with a turbo which isn’t exactly a well-developed technology for bikes.

For the record, Suzuki did introduce a turbo bike called the XN85 in 1983. The 673cc engine produced 85 bhp (hence its name), showing that a turbocharged engine makes higher specific power output. But turbo bikes of the era were plagued with lag and reliability issues and they went the way of disco music (i.e. died out).

You can read about the Suzuki XN85 and other turbo bikes here: Forced-Induction Production Motorcycles

Current age electronics, technology, engineering and materials may just overcome the previous problems. It looks like Suzuki is pining great hopes on this bike — as evidenced by the long developmental time — and do not want to screw up.

2020 Suzuki Sportbikes – Less Flash, Same Dash

2020 Suzuki sportbikes are out, albeit with little fanfare.
All bikes will appear for one last year before being changed for Euro 5 in 2021.
Suzuki sportbikes are renowned for their agility.

The 2020 Suzuki sportbikes are out, albeit with little fanfare.

There are new colours and graphics, plus some updates but the bikes stay mostly the same as last years. We think it’s probably that Suzuki will roll out the Euro 5-compliant models soon for 2021.

Still, Suzuki sportbikes are among those to die for given their performance mixed with civility. It was the Hamamatsu-based manufacturer who gave us the first real sportbike – the GSX-R750 in 1985.

2020 Suzuki GSX-R1000R

The GSX-R1000R is Suzuki’s weapon for World Superbike racing. That’s why it’s the most technologically-laden. Only changes are the new graphics for next year. There are only two colour options in either Glass Sparkle Black/Pearl Mira Red or Metallic Triton Blue factory racing livery.

2020 Suzuki GSX-R1000

The GSX-R1000 is like the “normal” version. Most if not all sportbike manufacturers market a higher-spec’ed and a normal spec’ed models these days.

Hence the GSXR-1000 (without the extra R) is meant for the masses. It features minimalistic graphics for next year and in our opinion looks much cleaner. Suzuki brought over the bi-direction quickshifter from the GSX-R1000R.

Available in two colours also, called Metallic Matte Black No. 2/Glass Sparkle Black and the other Pearl Glacier White/Glass Sparkle Black.

2020 Suzuki GSX-R750

Suzuki is the only manufacturer that’s soldering on with the 750cc superbike. The segment was pretty much dead within years of the WorldSBK going to 1000cc inline-Fours, as well as MotoGP going the 990cc four-stroke direction.

But there’s something sweet about 750cc sportbikes as they fill the gap between the 600’s agility and the 1000’s power. The Suzuki GSX-R750, however, uses a bigger engine in the 600cc chassis.

Choose from either Pearl Glacier White/Glass Sparkle Black or Metallic Matte Black No. 2/Glass Sparkle Black.

2020 Suzuki GSX-R600

Speaking of the 600, here it is. Light and agile, it lets you hit the back roads and Ulu Yam with pleasure. Take it to the track and you’ll see that it’s easy to reach its potential. Real value for money.

Comes in Pearl Glacier White and Glass Sparkle Black.

We’ll take the white one.

2020 Suzuki GSX-1300R Hayabusa

Ah hah! The bike which caused superbikes’ top speeds capped at 299 km/h since 2000. It’s the Hayabusa which holds the title of the fastest road bike when it hit 312 km/h in 1999. This was a time when road bikes had about 160 HP.

So, the model continues on after 20 years because it’s still fast and there is demand. The Hayabusa will soon be upgraded but the 2020 model remains sold in the USA.

It’s gone through a number of important updates during its lifetime, including the fitment of Brembo brakes, slipper clutch, larger radiator and so forth.

The Hayabusa will appear in its current design for one last year in 2020.

Offered in Candy Daring Red and Metallic Thunder Grey.

Suzuki GB to Restore Barry Sheene Race Bikes

Suzuki GB is set to restore three iconic Barry Sheene race bikes to their former glory.
All three were brought back to the UK after Sheene emigrated to Australia.
The liveries were seen on almost every Suzuki for a long time.

Suzuki GB is set to restore three iconic Barry Sheene race bikes to their former glory.

The restored bikes will be displayed as well as started at the Motorcycle Live trade show in England.

The three bikes consist of the 1978 XR27 RG500; a specially-built XR23A RG500 bored to 652cc for the 1979 Trans-Atlantic and F1 Championships; and a 1984 DAF Trucks liveried and Harris-framed XR45 RG500. The DAF bike was Sheene’s final GP bike.

MCN reports that all three bikes have been shipped from the racer’s family home in Australia. The XR23A and XR45 were refurbished through Suzuki’s Vintage Parts program.

The two will then be started up at the show while the X27 will be displayed together with Sheene’s 1976 and 1977 world GP winning XR14s. The latter bikes were also restored through the Vintage Parts program in 2017.

Suzuki GB aftersales marketing coordinator Tim Davies says it’s a special moment for Suzuki as the three bikes return to the UK after Sheene and family emigrated to Australia.

The livery on Barry Sheene’s race bikes were the most iconic for Suzukis for a long while until the Kevin Schwantz and Lucky Strike involvement in the late-80s.

New Colours for 2020 Suzuki SV650

The 2020 Suzuki SV650 will receive new colours.
The SV650 continues its run after 20 years.
Will the new bikes head to Malaysia?

The 2020 Suzuki SV650 will receive new colours.

This year is the 20^thanniversary of the Suzuki SV650. Production began in 1999 as the smaller engine brother to the TL1000S. But while the TL1000S (and later TL1000R) lived short lifespans, the 650 soldiered on.

It became the questionably-styled Gladius 650 at one point before Suzuki went back to the original naked sportbike/standard bike design.

Its strength is that smooth V-Twin engine which provides plenty of torque. Also, its light handling is the best in its class and only beaten by the earlier Triumph Street Triple 675 and current 765.

The engine also powers the V-Strom 650 adventure bike. Suzuki will continue with the V-Strom 650 while dropping the V-Strom 1000 in 2020. The 650 is much easier to ride and has better ergonomics hence its popularity in Europe.

So, for 2020, the SV650 gains three new colours including the beautiful silver bodywork with blue frame and wheels scheme, matt black with red frame and wheels, and the blacked-out gloss black with black frame and wheels.

Will Suzuki Malaysia bring in the new SV650? Your guess is as good as mine, given their sloppiness in spreading the news about their bikes.

Patents for New Suzuki Hayabusa Appears Online

Another patent for the new Suzuki Hayabusa was leaked online.
It shows an engine similar to the old model, but rumors say it will get a capacity boost.
The new bike may be introduced as a 2021 model.

Many fans of the Suzuki Hayabusa almost cried when the factory announced that they’ve stopped production of the model.

But every cloud has a silver lining and many speculated that Suzuki will debut a new Hayabusa soon. It sure seems to be headed in that direction the patents have been leaked online.

The picture shows the second patent to surface.

2021 Suzuki Hayabusa patent – Credit BikeSocial

It shows that the bike will retain the twin aluminium spar frame, albeit one which looks smaller and lighter than its predecessor.

The engine looks identical to the old 1340cc inline-Four but is rumored to receive a capacity boost and reworked cylinder head. The bottom end of the engine looks the same – possibly retained from the old bike. The drawings also revealed a new emission-friendly exhaust system.

But BikeSocial pointed out that an earlier patent described an electronically-controlled semi-automatic gearbox while this second patent mentions a clutch lever operated manual transmission, instead. Does that mean two versions of the future Hayabusa? As in one with a semi-auto and another with a manual gearbox?

The question of how the bike will look like hasn’t been answered yet. Maybe we could see the prototype later, but it should debut as a 2021 model.

Source: BikeSocial

Bikesrepublic

suzuki

Suzuki is one manufacturer who used to be associated with groundbreaking motorcycle design and innovations.

Their bikes have left an indelible mark in motorcycling.

We take a look at ten out of the many.

10. TL1000S/TL1000R (1997-2001/1998-2003)

9. SV650/SFV650/Gladius (1999 to present)

8. GSX-1300R Hayabusa (1999-2019)

8. RG250 (1978-1982)/RG250 Gamma (1983-1987)/RGV250 Gamma (1988-1998)

6. RG500 Gamma (1984-1987)

New blueprints show evidence of Suzuki continuing to work on a turbocharged bike.

They show how the turbo plus its piping are installed.

It’s a parallel-twin rather than an inline-four.

2020 Suzuki sportbikes are out, albeit with little fanfare.

All bikes will appear for one last year before being changed for Euro 5 in 2021.

Suzuki sportbikes are renowned for their agility.

2020 Suzuki GSX-R1000R

2020 Suzuki GSX-R1000

2020 Suzuki GSX-R750

2020 Suzuki GSX-R600

2020 Suzuki GSX-1300R Hayabusa

Suzuki GB is set to restore three iconic Barry Sheene race bikes to their former glory.

All three were brought back to the UK after Sheene emigrated to Australia.

The liveries were seen on almost every Suzuki for a long time.

The 2020 Suzuki SV650 will receive new colours.

The SV650 continues its run after 20 years.

Will the new bikes head to Malaysia?

Another patent for the new Suzuki Hayabusa was leaked online.

It shows an engine similar to the old model, but rumors say it will get a capacity boost.

The new bike may be introduced as a 2021 model.

Archive

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on YouTube

BikesRepublic