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MOTORCYCLE ARCHIVE
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Engine

Single

One cylinder: light, simple and characterful. Found everywhere from commuters to off-road machines and classics.

1CYL

1952 Suzuki Power Free E2 on display at the Suzuki History Museum

SUZUKI

Suzuki Power Free

1952
Moped

A 36 cc air-cooled two-stroke single designed as an auxiliary engine for bicycles. Launched in June 1952, it was built, according to Suzuki, on the premise that 36 cc was sufficient for riding. It used Suzuki's own double-sprocket wheel and a two-speed transmission, and evolved up to the E3 type of 1954.

Yamaha YA-1 on display at Yamaha Communication Plaza

YAMAHA

Yamaha YA-1

1955
Standard

Yamaha Motor's first motorcycle, introduced in 1955. Its simple form and chestnut-red finish, unusual in an era of all-black machines, earned it the nickname "Red Dragonfly" (Aka-tombo). Powered by an air-cooled 123 cm³ two-stroke single, it won the 3rd Mt. Fuji Ascent Race in July 1955 and took the top three places in the ultra-light class of the 1st Asama Highlands Race later that year.

1968 Yamaha DT-1 on display at Yamaha Communication Plaza

YAMAHA

Yamaha DT-1

1968
Trail

Introduced in 1968, the DT-1 established what Yamaha calls the "trail bike" category at a time when on-road and off-road machines were not clearly distinguished. It was equipped for off-road use, with what was then the longest-stroke front fork on any Japanese model, block-pattern tyres and an engine guard. Engine: air-cooled 246 cm³ two-stroke single.

1974 Yamaha YZ250 on display at Yamaha Communication Plaza

YAMAHA

Yamaha YZ250

1974
Motocross

A production replica of the YZM250 (0W12) works machine that won the 1973 Motocross World Championship and All Japan Motocross Championship titles. It was the first production model with Monocross suspension, hence the name YZ250M. A competition-only machine with an air-cooled 246 cm³ two-stroke single and a 5-speed gearbox.

Yamaha SR400 at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show

YAMAHA

Yamaha SR400

1978
Standard

Since its debut in March 1978, the SR400 held its following with a simple, largely unchanged style and the pulse of its kick-started, air-cooled single. For the Japanese market the line concluded with the Final Edition Limited of 2021. Specifications listed are those of the 2021 Final Edition Limited.

1985 Yamaha Serow 225 (1KH), first version

YAMAHA

Yamaha Serow 225

1985
Trail

Named after the serow, a goat-antelope, this 1985 "mountain trail" machine was developed for riding deep into mountainous terrain. A tractable air-cooled 223 cm³ four-stroke single sat in a light, slim chassis with a low seat, giving predictable handling that also suited town riding.

Suzuki Burgman 400, the export version of the Skywave 400 (second generation)

SUZUKI

Suzuki Skywave 400 (Burgman 400)

1998
Big Scooter

Suzuki’s first 400 cc scooter, added in October 1998 above the 250 cc Skywave launched that February. A 385 cc liquid-cooled SOHC 4-valve single with a balancer shaft was combined with large 13-inch tyres, a link-type monoshock and linked front and rear disc brakes.

2005 Suzuki DR-Z400

SUZUKI

Suzuki DR-Z400S

2000
Dual Purpose

A dual-purpose machine intended for everything from off-road sport riding to touring and town use. A newly developed 398 cc liquid-cooled four-stroke DOHC 4-valve single sat in a split semi-double-cradle frame, for a dry weight of 129 kg, with adjustable suspension front and rear.

2003 Suzuki Choinori on display at the Suzuki History Museum

SUZUKI

Suzuki Choinori

2003
Gentsuki (50cc class)

A 50 cc scooter pared down for short trips such as commuting, school runs and shopping. Built in Japan, it sold for 59,800 yen and weighed just 39 kg dry. Its newly developed air-cooled four-stroke OHV single used a high-speed plated cylinder, among other measures, to cut engine weight by 40 percent.