The times Suzuki released a motorcycle that created waves in the industry have been more than a few - with some examples firmly establishing the brand's potential, by making bold statements and redefining genres that were thought to be something else. These motorcycles are the reason why Suzuki has the kind of following they have, and also why we love this maker of primarily two-wheeled machines. Just to remind everyone that Suzuki has been one of the most successful two-wheeled manufacturers in history - here are the ten bikes that got them there.
We used reference material from our internal reviews, MCN and Suzuki Motorcycles to deliver relevant information on this article.
10 Suzuki GSX1100S Katana
Going by its edgy name, the looks were equally so - full of sharp lines and with an attitude befitting an assassin - The Katana was designed by Hans Muth, the creator of the sports touring segment due to him being responsible for the BMW R 100 RS - and it left innumerable jaws dropping in its wake. Its looks were almost controversial, but so lovable - that even today, the GSX1100S lives on in an albeit redesigned but highly similar form, known simply as the Katana since 2019. Powered by mostly the same engine as the GSX-1100E, Suzuki's naked offering in 1984, it was fast, practical and a definite show-stopper.
9 Suzuki GSX-R1000 K5
The K5 generation has gone down in history as possibly the best GSX-R that came out of Suzuki's stables till date - and it can still give most modern superbikes a run for their money. This GSX-R was powered by a 1000cc, liquid-cooled four-cylinder engine that put out a whopping 178 horses at the time - with considerable upper-low end and mid-range, and a screaming top end to eliminate the competition. And so it did. Even today, it is highly sought after as a used purchase when compared to other generation Gixxers, and for good reason.
8 Suzuki DRZ-400S
Punchy, rugged, dependable, simple and cheap to run and maintain - All justifiable keywords that may be used to describe the DRZ-400S. You don't need to constantly tend to its needs or fuss about or before a ride. It can take a lot of abuse, and its design was already proven before it could reach the hands of any potential owner. That is why this motorcycle continues to be in great demand for people looking for a low-stress, fun enduro that can take to the trails when needed and back on to the road for short to long trips and commutes.
7 Suzuki GSX-R1300 Hayabusa
The Hayabusa has been long known by enthusiasts and laypeople alike - Building a notorious reputation for absolute speed and gargantuan looks. Taking inspiration in its looks and performance from the bird that feasts on blackbirds, the Hayabusa (Peregrine falcon in Japanese) was a rude awakening for Honda's Blackbird 1100XX, taking over as the world's fastest production motorcycle at the time, going well above the 300 km/h mark. One of Suzuki's most iconic machines that ever came out of a manufacturer's production lines.
6 Suzuki V-Strom 650
The V-Strom certainly had a unique sounding name that made one take a second look just to make sure it was spelled right, but boy, did it take its job of being an adventure tourer seriously. From its launch in 2004, the V-Strom quickly grew popularity as well as credibility, to become one of the best bikes to use for adventure-style touring. Powered by the familiar 645cc powerplant as the SV650, it made slightly lesser power at 69 horsepower and 50.9 ft-lbs of torque, translating to a better range and lower stress on the engine, enhancing reliability. The suspension was not as high-tech as its competitors, but it did not matter as much to the consumer base that this machine built for itself.
5 Suzuki Bandit 1250S
The Bandit 1250S was part of Suzuki's 'GSF' series of bikes, and was launched in 2007 as a liter-class sports touring machine. With its understated looks and quiet stock exhaust, it was unassuming and borderline boring to look at. But riding it was a completely different story. Powered by a bored-out and re-tuned version of the GSX-R1100's engine that produced 98 horsepower and a meaty 80 ft-lbs, the Bandit 1250S was well-liked by stunt riders and touring enthusiasts for the same reason - The almost immediate low-end torque. A noteworthy bike considering its versatility, character and potential.
4 Suzuki RG500 Gamma
The RG500 Gamma deserves a mention on this list, as one of the most extreme race-replicas ever made. Skip back to 1985, and Yamaha were confident that their race-replica, the RD500 - could not be beat, and that they perfected the formula for the road-going model - Something that they would soon learn was a mistake, a big one at that. The RG500 Gamma pushed the limits for being as close as possible to Suzuki's race bike (The XR45), and did it with aplomb. It was also much more powerful and handled better than its competition. Sadly however, this bike lived on for just three years from 1985 to 1987 before emissions restrictions led to this legend's demise.
3 Suzuki RGV250
Like the RG500 Gamma, the Suzuki RGV250 could possibly be the best 250cc two-stroke replica of its time when compared to its peers, due to its lightweight aluminium box frame, nimble handling, exhilarating powerband and overall, a more aggressive design that was as close as possible to Suzuki's race bike with a long list of racing innovations from the time. It's a modern classic today, backed by a huge fan following of people that would love to own a good example of one of these, if they were to be that fortunate.
2 Suzuki SV650S
The SV650S is known and remembered thanks to its distinctive and eye-catching semi-faired design, paired with its bulletproof and adequately powerful 650cc V-twin. This bike is a hot favorite among tourers and sporty riders alike - as it handles just as well going slow or fast. Full-faired, race-prepped versions of this bike are a common sight on the track. Thanks to the fairing that does a decent job protecting the rider from wind blast, the engine is also capable of munching the miles with ease - making it an excellent choice for touring as well.
1 Suzuki Boulevard M109R
One of the best looking cruisers ever? We would definitely think so. The Suzuki Boulevard M109R oozes power, style and authority, with its long and sweeping stance. The headlight shroud and radiator casings are also especially well-integrated to follow the overall silhouette of the bike. To complement the larger-than-life looks, the engine is a humongous 1783cc, DOHC oversquare 54-degree V-twin that can rev high as well as pull a truck-load, with an available 80 ft-lbs of torque over most of the rev range.