The Metamorphosis of Suzuki

By Alan Liptrot

From cotton weaving looms to one of the most respected motorcycle and car manufacturers in the world, Suzuki has adapted with the times.

Contrary to popular belief, Suzuki produced cars before they moved into the two wheeled market, but the early days of the company were devoted to the production of weaving looms. The father of the company, Michio Suzuki, the son of a Japanese cotton farmer, created a brand new version of the weaving machine in the coastal village of Hamamatsu, Japan. Suzuki’s breakthrough came with the development of a motorised bicycle named the ‘Power Free’. Powered by a 36cc engine, this unique vehicle was the first to feature the double sprocket gear system, which allowed the rider to travel by pedal power alone, engine assisted pedalling or engine only propulsion. So ground-breaking was the new innovation, that the fledgling democratic government offered a grant to the Suzuki company to assist research in motorcycle engineering. This was the birth of the Suzuki Motor Corporation. The Colleda was a single cylinder 90cc machine, which proved good enough to win a prominent motorcycle race during its first year of production. At this time, Suzuki also began development of the ‘Suzulight’ automobile, which featured front wheel drive and four-wheel independent suspension.

In 1955, Suzuki produced a larger offering in the form of the 125cc four-stroke ‘Colleda COX’, and an improved version of the two-stroke called the ‘Colleda ST’. By 1958, 50, 125 and 250cc motorcycles were available from Suzuki, and the familiar ‘S’ logo was introduced. In 1964, the company set its sights on motocross Grand Prix, but enjoyed only limited success.  

So called ‘Superbikes’ were beginning to appear and the GS1000S was developed as Suzuki’s contribution to this class.

From Fine Loom Manufacturers to Major Motorcycle Company

By Daniel Levy

Started in a small warehouse by Michio Suzuki back in 1909, Suzuki aimed at making better looms for the Japanese silk industry. This bicycle was so ingeniously designed that the government of Japan gave Suzuki a subsidy in order to continue their research in motorcycle and car innovation. As time progressed, the company started to build better and better motorcycles. And by 1962, Suzuki Motorcycles had won their first 50cc Grand Prix World Championship.

Suzuki Motorcycles also gained fame in the motocross world. Japanese motorcycles did not have much of a presence or respect in this arena, but during this time, Suzuki Motorcycles won the World Championship several times between 1971 and 1976 in the 500cc MX race. One of the best Suzuki Motorcycles of this era was the GSX-R750. Since the GSX-R750, Suzuki Motorcycles has come with many other successful models and today, Suzuki is a well-known name in the Motorcycling world . The company has won over a dozen World Championships along with many other races. For all this Suzuki is now one of the four big names in the Japanese motorcycles industry.

Edited By Agus Wahyudi

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