The History of Suzuki Dirt Bikes - Specs On The '08 Range

We are all familiar with the outstanding range of Suzuki dirt bikes that the Suzuki Motor Corporation produce these days. But, did you know they also produce ATV's, boat engines, light trucks, wheelchairs and a whole stack of other small engine powered products?

Here's the story of how your modern day Suzuki dirt bike came about...

Way back in 1909, an ambitious man named Mr Michio Suzuki had established a thriving business called the Suzuki Loom Company, based in Japan. Suzuki was building weaving looms to supply Japans then booming silk industry.

For thirty years, weaving looms were Suzuki�s only focus. But you see, Michio was a smart man. He realized they needed to diversify. With the demand for civilian transport on the increase, he began designing several prototype motorcars.

But, as fate would have it... World War Two kicked into gear and his great plans turned to custard when the Japanese government decided that civilian cars were not a priority.

So what's a man to do? Mr Suzuki and co. went back to producing looms. Things were looking up again... until the s#!% hit the fan when the cotton market collapsed in 1951.

Suzuki now recognized the need for affordable, nimble transport to cater for the masses of Japanese in busy, congested cities. So they began focusing on the motorcycle industry...

In 1952, the 'Power Free' was born. What a weapon! It was fundamentally a bicycle powered by a 36cc two stroke engine - certainly no motocrosser...

By 1954, Suzuki was mass-producing motorbikes and had changed its name to Suzuki Motor Co Ltd. This led them to begin producing cars again, this time achieving great success.

From there on as the market demand, peoples needs and wants, and discretionary income changed, motorbikes developed into lifestyle choices. Rather than just providing a transport tool, companies like Suzuki began creating 'leisure machines' such as the range of Suzuki dirt bikes and road cruisers as we know them today.

Some '08 Suzuki Dirt Bikes To Feast Your Eyes On

RMZ450

SPECS:
Engine: 449cc, four-stroke, single-cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC, 4-valve
Bore Stroke: 95.5 x 62.8mm
Compression Ratio: TBD
Fuel System: Electronic Fuel Injection
Lubrication: Semi-dry sump
Ignition: Digital AC-CDI
Transmission: 5-speed
Final Drive: #520 chain
Overall Length: 2182 mm (85.9 in)
Overall Width: 822 mm (32.3 in)
Overall Height: 1302 mm (51.2 in)
Seat Height: 993 mm (39.0 in)
Ground Clearance: 375 mm (14.7 in)
Wheelbase: 1482 mm (58.3 in)
Dry Weight: 103 kg (227 lbs)
Suspension Front: Telescopic, cartridge-type fully adjustable rebound, compression and pre-load settings
Suspension Rear: Link-type, spring preload fullyadjustable rebound, compression and pre-load settings
Brakes Front: Single hydraulic disc
Brakes Rear: Single hydraulic disc
Tires Front: 90/100-21 51M
Tires Rear: 120/90-19 57M
Fuel Tank Capacity: 6.4 liter (1.69 gal.)
Color: Yellow

RMZ250

SPECS:
Engine: 249cc, four-stroke, single-cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC, 4-valve
Bore Stroke: 77.0 x 53.6mm
Compression Ratio: TBD*
Fuel System: KEIHIN FCR 37 MX
Lubrication: Semi-dry sump
Ignition: Digital AC-CDI
Transmission: 5-speed
Final Drive: #520 chain
Overall Length: 2165mm (85.2 in)*
Overall Width: 830mm (32.7 in)
Overall Height: 1260mm (49.6 in)
Seat Height: 955mm (37.6 in)
Ground Clearance: 350mm (13.8 in)
Wheelbase: 1465mm (57.7 in)
Dry Weight: 92kg (203 lbs)
Suspension Front: Telescopic, cartridge-type, 16 compression & rebound settings, 11.8 inches, 300mm of wheel travel
Suspension Rear: Link-type, spring preload fully-adjustable, 16 compression & rebound settings, 310 of wheel travel
Brakes Front: Single hydraulic disc
Brakes Rear: Single hydraulic disc
Tires Front: 90/100-21
Tires Rear: 100/90-19
Fuel Tank Capacity: 7.5 liter (2.0 gal.)
Color: Yellow

RM250

SPECS:
Engine: 249cc, two-stroke, single cylinder, liquid cooled, AETC, piston reed
Bore Stroke: 66.4 x 72.0mm
Compression Ratio: 8.6:1/10.4:1
Fuel System: KeihinT PWK38S
Lubrication: Premix
Ignition: Digital CDI
Transmission: 5-speed
Final Drive: #520 chain
Overall Length: 2170mm (85.4 in.)
Overall Width: 830mm (33.1 in.)
Overall Height: 1280mm (50.4 in.)
Seat Height: 950mm (37.4 in.)
Ground Clearance: 350mm (13.8 in.)
Wheelbase: 1465mm (57.7 in.)
Dry Weight: 96kg (212 lbs.)
Suspension Front: Telescopic, 22 compression & 20 rebound settings, 12.2 inches (310mm) of wheel travel
Suspension Rear: Link-type, spring preload fully-adjustable, 4 high-speed, 16 low-speed compression settings, 19 rebound settings 12.2 inches (310mm) of wheel travel
Brakes Front: Single hydraulic disc
Brakes Rear: Single hydraulic disc
Tires Front: 80/100-21 51M
Tires Rear: 110/90-19 62M
Fuel Tank Capacity: 8.0 liter (2.1 gal.)
Color: Yellow

KIDS SUZUKI DIRT BIKE

RM85

SPECS:
Engine: 84.7cc, two-stroke, single cylinder, liquid-cooled, AETC, crankcase reed
Bore Stroke: 48 x 46.8mm
Compression Ratio: 9.5:1 / 10.9:1
Fuel System: KeihinT PE28
Lubrication: Premix
Ignition: CDI
Transmission: 6-speed
Final Drive: #428 chain
Overall Length: 1805 (71.1 in.)
Overall Width: 735mm (28.9 in.)
Overall Height: 1100mm (43.3 in.)
Seat Height: 850mm (33.5 in.)
Ground Clearance: 325mm (12.8 in.)
Wheelbase: 1240mm (48.8 in.)
Dry Weight: 65 kg (143 lbs.)
Suspension Front: Inverted, cartridge-type, 20-way adjustable compression & fully-adjustable rebound damping, 10.8 inches of travel.
Suspension Rear: Link-type, fully-adjustable spring preload, and 4-way compression and 16-way rebound damping, 10.9 inches of travel.
Brakes Front: Single hydraulic disc
Brakes Rear: Single hydraulic disc
Tires Front: 70/100-17 40M
Tires Rear: 90/100-1449M
Fuel Tank Capacity: 5.0 liter (1.3 gal.)
Color: Yellow

If you are interested in the full range of Suzuki Dirt Bikes then check out Suzukicycles.com

An excellent place to find some great deals on Suzuki dirt bikes is Ebay Live Auctions. Click on any of these below to find out more.

Suzuki Dirt Bikes - You Got Insurance For Yours?

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