Suzuki has been building motorcycles since 1952 - although, like many other early motorbikes, the first models were really motorized bicycles.

Suzuki became well known for it’s two-stroke models through the 1950s, 1960s and well into the 1970s (in fact I owned two of their bikes from the 70s).

Perhaps their most famous bike of that era was their water-cooled, three-cylinder GT750 (also known as the “Water Buffalo”).

Suzuki became the first Japanese manufacturer to win a motocross world championship when Joel Robert won the 1970 250cc title.

Suzuki further established itself in the 70s era motorcycle racing world with Barry Sheene and Roger De Coster winning world championships in the premier 500 cc division in road racing and motocross respectively.

Although their two-stroke bikes were well regarded, US air quality legislation banned the sale of two-strokes as a result of their poor emissions (lubricating oil is mixed with fuel and creates more pollutants).

Suzuki began their lineage of four-stroke engines in 1976 with the introduction of their “GS” series of bikes, starting with the GS400, GS550 and GS750 models.

In the 1980s, the GS series evolved into their well-known GSX series which carried forward into the 21st century.

Suzuki has established itself as a manufacturer of well-engineered sport bikes, dirt bikes, dual-purpose machines, supermotos, and standards. As well, in more recent years, Suzuki has added cruisers to their line of motorbike offerings.