It was 1952 and Suzuki Company was a prestigious family business involved in the textile industry. Among other products, they produced high quality looms.
At that time, the business was doing well and the Suzuki family was looking for new ways to use steel and take advantage of all their machinery and experience. It was then when they decided to enter, at the time: this new, fast growing, and profitable motorcycle industry.
The first model from Suzuki Motorcycles was produced that same year, the Power Free.
Important Model: Power Free
Basically a 36cc engine mounted on a bicycle.
It had a very ingenious system that permitted several options to power up the vehicle: (1) the engine could assist the rider while he/she pedaled, (2) if the rider wanted to do some exercise or save gas, the pedals alone could accelerate the vehicle; (3) and finally, in case the rider didn't want to do any work :-), the engine alone could do the job.
This engine powered bicycle was used in a 900 hundred mile , 18 day Rally from Sapporo to Lagoshima, proving from the beginning that Suzuki Motorcycles were quite serious about building high quality motorcycles.
In fact this was the beginning of their still lasting tradition of producing fine, durable, powerful, and reliable machines
After the Power Free, came the Diamond Free, and the Mini Free. All of them very successful models that will ensure good sales for the company.
Then in 1954, came another classic from Suzuki Motorcycles, the Colleda.
Its first version was named the Colleda CO: a 90 cc, four stroke engine that won, in its category, the second edition of the Mount Fuji Race. This again helped to strengthen Suzuki's reputation and sales.
It's interesting to note that Suzuki Motorcycles chose to build a 90cc engine because in Japan at that time you didn't need a license to ride motorcycles with engines under 90cc of displacement. A clever strategy that also increased the popularity of the Colleda CO.
Not to wonder why:
In 1955 Suzuki Motorcycles was the 8th manufacturer en the
Japanese Motorcycles scene...
In 1956 they had scaled three positions to 5th!
As Honda did, they maintained a very healthy business practice using the money generated by the large sales of the low end , less expensive motorbikes, to maintain the development and production of the high end and racing Suzuki motorcycles. The Colleda 250 TT would be a very nice example of the later.
Nice Model: Colleda 250TT
For 1956 the Suzuki 250 TT was one of the most expensive motorcycle in the market. BUT...
Its 16 hp and 80 mph made it the indisputable leader in its category. Honda's ME (14 hp) and Yamaha's YD-1 (14.5 hp) weren't rivals for this fine machine.
A very characteristic part of the Suzuki 250TT was its horseshoe shaped headlamp. Another tradition that has been evolving over the time, but has definitely given Suzuki a very particular style. Just take a look at the 2005 GSX-R 1000 or Bandit 1200.
Suzuki Motorcycles maintained a low profile behind their Power Free models and under the names of Colleda and SJK (Suzuki Jodosha Kogyo - Suzuki Automobile Manufacturing).
It wasn't until 1958 that Suzuki became Suzuki Motors Co. Ltd. and adopted their very famous and peculiar, stylized "S".
Popular Model: Suzumoped
Another popular model from those days that is worth mentioning is the Suzumoped.
A 50cc two stroke engine mounted on on Suzuki's first steel frame.
Again and following their tradition: it was a reliable machine.
Furthermore, it was a lot more affordable than other equivalent models of that time.
Since then, many miles have been ridden, many competitions have been won and many models have been produced.