2001 Suzuki Intruder 1400 on 2040-motos

Moto blog

Racing vows renewed at Motegi

Over the weekend, an aged Japanese racer reacquainted himself with one of his early loves. Celebrating 50 years of Suzuki racing, Mitsuo Ito took his former flame, the RM63, for a trip down memory lane and a lap around the Motegi circuit. The miniscule 50cc race bike was born from the legend of MZ employee Ernst Degner's defection from East Germany to Japan during the early days of the Cold War.

Capirossi Announces Retirement at Conclusion of 2011 Season

Loris Capirossi announced he will retire at the end of the 2011 MotoGP season, closing off a quarter century of racing including 22 years at the Grand Prix level and three World Championships. “It’s an important moment in my career, and the decision I made has come about after a lot of reflection,” says Capriossi. “I’m happy that after 25 years, of which 22 were in the world championship, I’m at a point where I can still have a smile on my lips as I part ways, even if it’s difficult to think that I won’t be riding a bike next year.” The announcement was made during a press conference at Misano for the upcoming San Marino Grand Prix, the final Italian stop of the 2011 season.

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.