The History of Suzuki Motorcycles
Suzuki was not always a motorcycle manufacturing company. In 1909, Michio Suzuki started the Silk Loom manufacturing company in the seacoast village, in Hamamatsu, Japan. The company played an instrumental role for over four decades in the development of Japan’s huge silk industry. Suzuki made innovatively designed and user friendly loom machines that increased the production and sales of the silk during the first half of 20th century.
Later, out of sheer quest, in 1939 Suzuki started developing prototypes of the cars having 13 horsepower, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, four-cylinder engine. The company soon faced financial problems due to beginning of World War II, and with the coming of Govt’s policy of branding the passenger cars as "non-essential commodity.’ This made the company switch to its looming manufacturing company. And after the approval of US government allowing the shipping of cotton to Japan, Suzuki started earning good fortunes. However these better times were soon over with the cotton market of Japan collapsing in 1951.
Undergoing financial scruples, Suzuki took a smart diversion and started manufacturing bicycle frames. The first and second models made by the company were the 36 cc Power Free and the 60cc Diamond Free respectively. The first on road motorcycle model developed by the company was a 90cc Colleda. Suzuki Corporation started off by developing light weight and light power city bikes during the time of 50’s and 60’s. The company came into prominence with the much acclaimed with X6 (T20 super six) model of motorcycles.
Gradually in the late 60’s Suzuki brought a powerful T500 motorcycle model, which was immensely popular and added to the credibility and name of the company. T500 was the Titan for Americans and Cobra for English. As the time went on, the T500 range of motorcycle diversified in design and engine power that led to manufacturing of GT500. With ongoing quest to enter into the super bike market in US and UK, the company introduced a new enhancement GT750 bike. A good machine, it was not able to pace with the super bike market. However, its production kept going, just because it was affordable and a reliable machine.
With many modifications and alterations, Suzuki launched its superbike series model GSX-R1000. This 998cc had a phenomenal success, owing to its powerful engine and speed. The model went for a modification in the year 2003. Today, Suzuki holds its position amongst the "Big Four" motorcycle makers of the world, and with time it has diversified into racing bikes, advanced street and rugged terrain bikes.