Suzuki Hayabusa Motorcycles in Seffner, page #39

Moto blog

Suzuki Reports Q1 2011-2012 Results

Suzuki’s motorcycle business saw a profit for the first time in 11 quarters despite selling 21.0% fewer motorcycles. In the quarter ended June 30, 2011, Suzuki saw an operating income of 300 million yen (US$3.8 million), compared to a loss of 1.8 billion yen (US$22.9 million) reported in the same quarter of 2010. Suzuki netted 75.4 billion yen (US$961.5 million) in motorcycle sales over the quarter, a year-on-year increase of 8.0% from 69.8 billion yen (US$890.0 million) in 2010.

2012 Suzuki DR-Z125 and DR-Z125L Announced

Suzuki is bringing back the DR-Z125 entry-level off-road motorcycle and its slightly larger DR-Z125L variant as part of its 2012 model year offerings. Last offered in 2009, the Suzuki DR-Z125 returns for 2012 with updated graphics similar to Suzuki’s RM-Z family of motocrossers. The DR-Z125 is powered by a 124cc air-cooled four-stroke engine Suzuki describes as having strong low to mid-range power.

US Motorcycle Sales First Half 2011 Results

The U.S. motorcycle industry saw a 4.6% decrease in year-on-year sales over the first six months of 2011, thanks mostly to a 17.3% drop in ATV sales. Motorcycle and scooter sales however saw a 1.7% bump in the first half .

Ben Bostrom Draws Wild Card for Laguna Seca MotoGP Race

MotoGP racing team LCR Honda seems to love America. For the second straight year, the Monaco-based team is enlisting an American racer to compete in the U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca.

MotoGP should return to Suzuka

Suzuka was always one of the great circuits; unfortunately the Japanese track was dropped following the tragic death of Daijiro Kato in 2003 as the course was deemed too tight and dangerous for the rapid four-strokes. Owned by Honda, Suzuka is a magical place combining arching S-bends from the start of the lap, high-speed in the middle and finished off with the technical and oft racing deciding final chicane, the location of many fantastic last lap battles. However the death of Kato, and Honda’s major hope of a Japanese champion, placed a dark cloud over the 5.807 kilometres of tarmac.

VIR Pulls Itself from 2011 AMA Pro Racing Schedule

In a surprising move, Virginia International Raceway announced it would not host its scheduled AMA Pro Racing round, just a month before the event was to take place. The Alton, Va., circuit was set to host AMA Pro Racing on Aug. 12-14 but VIR officials have now decided against hosting or promoting the event.

Suzuki to Relocate R&D Facility to Lower Tsunami Risk Area

Suzuki is considering moving its motorcycle research facility from its current coastal location to its main factory in Hamamatsu, Japan, to decrease the risk of damage from future tsunamis. According to a report in the Nikkei business daily, Suzuki is acquiring more land in Hamamatsu to house the research center and other facilities. Suzuki CEO Osamu Suzuki first brought up the idea to relocate some of its higher risk coastal properties during its 2011-2012 fiscal year forecast report.

2012 Suzuki Motocross Lineup Revealed

Suzuki announced its 2012 motocross lineup consisting of the RM-Z450, RM-Z250, RM-85 and RM-85L. All four models return unchanged save for graphic updates. The 2012 Suzuki RM-Z450 and RM-Z250 (pictured above) are fuel injected and equipped with fully-adjustable Showa forks, twin-spar aluminum chassis and swingarm and five-speed transmissions.

Suzuki Forecasts 9% Increase in North American Sales in 2011-2012 Fiscal Year

Suzuki Motor Corporation released its forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2012, predicting a 9.4% increase in worldwide motorcycle unit sales including a 9.0% increase in the North American market. The fiscal forecast, delayed from Suzuki’s previous quarterly report in May because of the uncertainty caused by the March 11 earthquake, paints a positive picture for the current fiscal year. Suzuki forecasts sales of about 55,000 units in North America, an increase from about 50,000 units sold the previous fiscal year.

2012 Suzuki V-Strom 650 Leaked

Official photographs and details of the updated 2012 Suzuki V-Strom have emerged as the Japanese manufacturer continues its prolonged teaser campaign to hype its “New Middle-Class Motorcycle”. Indeed, the latest teaser is expected later today but images and specifications on the updated Wee-Strom have emerged from Suzuki’s global site. The 2012 Suzuki V-Strom 650 will again be powered by a SV650-derived 90-degree V-Twin engine with a displacement of 645cc.