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A SUZUKI TIMELINE HISTORY 1900s to 1950s 1950s to 1960s 1960s to 1970s 1970s 1970s to 1980s 1980s to 1990s 1990s to 2000s 2000s 2000s 2000s 2000s to 2010s 2010s 1909: 1953: 1963: 1971: 1978: 1985: 1994: 2001: 2005: 2007: 2010: 2012: Michio Suzuki opens the Suzuki Loom Suzuki produces its second motorised New Zealand’s Hugh Anderson wins the Suzuki’s first true Superbike breaks cover. The Suzuki GS1000 is launched to universal The bike that is to change the face of Greg Albertyn of South Africa wins the An unforgettable year which saw the Suzuki introduces 3rd generation Australia’s Chris Vermeulen scores Suzuki’s 25 Years of the GSX-R. In the World GSX-R series total production reaches 1 Works in the small coastal village of bicycle. The much improved ‘Diamond 50cc and 125cc world titles - Suzuki’s The GT750 is a liquid-cooled, three- acclaim. At last, a four-cylinder, 1000cc motorcycling arrives. Suzuki’s GSX-R750 250cc world motocross championship launch of the ultimate sports bike - the GSX-R1000. first win of the four-stroke MotoGP era with Endurance Championship, Suzuki million units. Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Free’ utilises a larger 60cc engine and first double. cylinder, two-stroke which quickly achieves motorcycle that has handling to match its will always be remembered as the first on a Suzuki. Suzuki GSX-R1000. The newest addition victory at the French Grand Prix at Le Mans. Endurance Racing Team won the The new factory makes weaving looms takes the first of Suzuki’s countless race Mitsuo Itoh wins the 50cc TT on a legendary status. The GT750’s reliability power. The GS1000 sets new standards for true race replica machine. Delivering to the GSX-R family had the same Yukio Kagayama and Kosuke Akiyoshi take championship on the GSX-R1000. for Japan’s massive cotton industry and victories when it wins its class in the Suzuki. He remains the only Japanese and all-round capabilities make it one of Superbikes. 100 horsepower and weighing in at impact as the original upon its release a GSX-R1000 to victory in the Suzuka 8 Fuel injection comes to MX2 with the Michio’s intention is simple: to build 1953 Mount Fuji Hill Climb. rider to ever win a TT race. the most popular bikes of the 1970s. 176kg, it created a whole new category 1995: in 1985 and re-wrote the rule books Hour race and Belgium’s Steve Ramon wins RM-Z250 and a return to enduro with better, more ergonomic looms than of performance bikes. Total aggregate motorcycle exports on performance, weight, handling and the MX1 world motocross championship. the RMX450Z. anything that is currently available. The GSX-R750 achieves a 1-2 finish in reach 20 million units. styling. It would soon be dominating its World Endurance Championship debut Bandit 1200 debuts. The 16-valve race tracks and awards ceremonies race, the Le Mans 24-hours Endurance 1156cc air/oil-cooled engine, based on around the world. Race. the proven GSX-R1100, mounted on a Suzuki introduces RM-Z450, Suzuki's The Inazuma is launched. With user- double-cradle frame. first 4-stroke motocross bike. friendly performance, and fuel efficiency, without compromising on styling American riders Wes Cooley and Mike features and finish quality. Baldwin ride the bike to victory in the inaugural Suzuka 8 Hour race - regarded Joel Robert retains the world 250cc amongst the Japanese manufacturers as the Vincent Philippe, Matthieu Lagrive and 2011: motocross crown. Roger De Coster single most important race on the calendar. Suzuki France team becomes FIM Julien da Costa also win the world Suzuki launches the GSR750 to critical 1954: becomes the World Motocross Champion Endurance World Cup series champion. endurance championship on a GSX-R1000 acclaim, winning MCN All-Rounder of the 1920: The company changes its name to 1964: 500cc class on his Suzuki RN71. Suzuki also becomes the first French rider Mickael Pichon wins the Ricky Carmichael rides his RM250 to - it’s the sixth world endurance title for year (under 750cc). Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd and builds its first Hugh Anderson wins the 50cc world 1979: The growing factory is re-organised, manufacturer to release an ATV 1996: 250cc world motocross title for Suzuki. AMA Supercross Championship title, and Suzuki’s flagship sports bike. incorporated, and re-named Suzuki complete motorcycle. The Colleda is a title. Mike Hailwood wins Isle of Man TT race specifically built for racing - the LT250 his RM-Z450 to U.S. National Motocross 90cc, four-stroke single and its name, - the Senior - on an RG500 Suzuki. Suzuki re-invented GSX-R750 in 1996 Loom Manufacturing Co., with Michio Quad Racer. model with all-new engine and chassis. title. Suzuki taking the role of company translated, means ’This is it!’ or ‘This is 2002: 2008: the one!’ Suzuki enters its new bike in 1965: The world’s largest capacity scooter, the The Suzuki B-King, a naked muscle bike president. This is the beginning of Hugh Anderson wins his fourth world 1980: Suzuki Motor Corporation. the Mount Fuji Hill Climb and triumphs 1986: Burgman 650, is launched. The 638cc with attitude, first shown as a concept 2013: over 86 rivals. title, this time in the 125cc class. Belgium’s Georges Jobe wins the world Bigger, faster, bolder: GSX-R750 gets a maxi-scooter creates a new class of model in 2001, arrives. Suzuki launches The Suzuki Endurance Racing Team The sensational T20 Super Six really motocross title for Suzuki. big brother in the shape of the stunning high performance twist-and-go scooters the Worlds first production fuel injected The lightest, best performing, best ever (SERT) takes its 4th consecutive puts Suzuki on the international map. GSX-R1100. Once again, Suzuki ups the capable of long distance touring. motocross bike - the RM-Z450. In the GSX-R750 and GSX-R600 also go to Endurance World Championship and its A 250cc, two-stroke twin with six- 1981: bar and dares the competition to follow. same year, Suzuki launches the new market, boasting Showa BPF forks and 13th title overall. speed gear box and a claimed top speed GSX-R600 and 750 models - the thinking Brembo brakes. The GSX-R600 proves to of 160km/h, the T20 is a huge sales Italy’s Marco Lucchinelli wins the 500cc 1972: world championship on an RG500. mans sportsbikes. Suzuki introduces 2nd have the highest power-to-weight ratio success. Joel Robert takes a third motocross 1988: generation Hayabusa 1300. in its class and wins MCN Best Sports world title for Suzuki. Full-fledged restart of World GP works 1997: 2006: Bike of the year (under 600cc). action. A new Suzuki star, Kevin Schwantz, SUZUKI BOULEVARD M109R (INTRUDER Suzuki France’s Suzuki Endurance takes the first of 500cc GP wins at Suzuka Suzuki wins World Endurance Championship series title with GSX-R750. M1800R) debuts. Racing Team (SERT) captures the 1974: in his first full year of GP racing. championship for two consecutive years The iconic RG500 square-four race Suzuki introduced DR-BIG. on the GSX-R1000. bike makes its debut. It will eventually 1998: Mickael Pichon takes 2-year consecutive win four 500cc world titles and be the Burgman 400 debuts. FIM World Championship Motocross 1955: privateer’s weapon of choice for the 250cc class title while setting a world The V-Strom 1000 ABS is launched. Colleda 125cc, 2-cycle motorcycle next decade. record of nine consecutive-round In the World Endurance Racing, debuts. Suzuki stuns the biking world with its victories. Suzuki France's SERT captures the 1966: 1975: futuristic GSX1100S Katana. The bike’s Suzuki Castrol (Suzuki Endurance Racing championship for four consecutive years 1958: Germany’s Hans-Georg Anscheidt wins The RM125 is introduced as a production aggressive styling and superb performance Team) and GSX-R1000 earns its second on the GSX-R1000. 2003: consecutive championship of the year. The now famous Suzuki ‘S’ makes its the 50cc world title for Suzuki. version of the works machine RA75. make it a huge sales success. Suzuki introduces QuadSport Z400, 1939: first appearance. The 2012 V-Strom 650 ABS is launched to Realising the need for his company to Sport ATV. 2009: 1989: The all new GSX-R1000 is launched. rave reviews. With upgrades throughout diversify, Michio Suzuki oversees the 1967: Suzuki launches the iconic RGV250, one for even better comfort, performance and building of several compact prototype Stuart Graham wins 50cc TT while 1999: In the United States, Rockstar Makita of the most popular two-stroke race Suzuki breaks the mould once again Suzuki’s Mat Mladin clinches his seventh economy. cars. These first Suzuki motor vehicles Hans-Georg Anscheidt wins the second replicas of all time. use innovative 750cc, liquid-cooled, consecutive 50cc world title. with the unveiling of the GSX1300R AMA Superbike Championship riding four-stroke, four-cylinder engines which Hayabusa. The bike sets new standards GSX-R1000. in the hyper sports category. produce 13 horsepower. 1968: Hans-Georg Anscheidt retains the third Suzuki also enters the scooter market 1976: with the ’Gemma’ 50cc model. Team Makita Suzuki's Ricky Carmichael 1945: 1960: consecutive 50cc world title. Barry Sheene wins his, and Suzuki’s, wins AMA Supercross and AMA Motocross After the World War II, Suzuki once again Suzuki enters the Isle of Man TT for Suzuki enters the big bike market for first 500cc world title on the RG500. The 2004: Championship aboard RM-Z450. focuses all its efforts on loom-building. the first time. All three of its 125cc the first time with the T500 parallel twin.