Suzuki Cycles Company Profile
Suzuki Cycles is a member of the illustrious “Big Four” of Japanese motorcycle manufacturers. The company started as a loom manufacturer over 100 years ago and has since established itself as a premier player in the dirt bike and racing bike industries.
The Suzuki name is synonymous with ushering in the age of the modern sportbike with the launch of the GSX-R750 in 1985. The company continues to introduce new and exciting bikes to the market every year.
Company History
In 1909, Michio Suzuki founded the Suzuki Loom Company in Hamamatsu, Japan. For 28 years the company focused on building weaving looms. Then, in 1937, as a means of diversification, they began producing compact motor vehicles.
After World War II, Japan needed cheap and reliable personal transportation. Suzuki joined the ranks of other companies, like Honda, in manufacturing small 2-stroke engines to attach to bicycles. Suzuki and the engines were a huge success.
In 1953, the Diamond Free was introduced to the public and became the bike that provided the first of many racing victories. Over the next decade, Suzuki motorcycles saw a surge of popularity in Japan. Then, in 1963, Suzuki made its entrance into the United States with the founding of U.S. Suzuki Motor Corp. in Los Angeles.
After entering the U.S. market, they experienced a mix of successes and small commercial failures. However, the company would experience one of its most significant achievements with the introduction of the GSX-R750 in 1985 (released in the U.S. in 1986). The GSX-R750 was a considerable success both in competition and in sales.
Today, Suzuki features an extensive showcase of bikes – ranging from sportbikes to cruisers to motocross to off the road. It continues to be a massive, worldwide success.
Quality of Suzuki Motorcycles
Suzuki, like the rest of the “Big Four,” has a solid reputation for building quality bikes. That being said, They are generally considered to be ranked third or fourth by enthusiasts regarding build quality. However, being ranked third (or fourth) in comparison with the rest of the “Big Four” is still something brag-worthy.
Many riders would like to see more attention given to specific components on Suzuki’s bikes, like more detailed finishes, higher-quality electrical connectors, and thicker paint. However, those are small complaints about a bike that delivers as a whole.
One of Suzuki’s pluses is its tendency to use the same bike parts year after year, while still improving upon previous models. This makes maintenance on their bikes not only more accessible but more affordable, as well.
What these bikes may lack in specific build-quality characteristics, it makes up for in the overall performance and reliability of its bikes.
Awards & Recognition
- 12 Bikes Listed in Motocrossactionmag.com’s “Best Motocross Bikes of the Past 34 Years”
- Runner Up for 2013 Dual Sportbike of the Year Award (DR-Z400S) on Rideapart.com
- Helped Ricky Carmichael sweep both the SX and MX titles for two years (’05 and ’06)
The Public’s Opinion
A general conclusion of the public’s view of Suzuki’s motorcycles is that while Suzuki Cycles may not pay the closest attention to cosmetic details, they do pay extremely close attention to how well their bikes perform. Most bike enthusiasts would agree that Suzuki Cycles makes a line of potent and reliable performance bikes.
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