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Suzuki Plaza
Quick preview from Hamamatsu
April 14, 2026, by
Guy 'Guido' Allen
Today we explored the Suzuki Plaza museum at the
corporate headquarters in Hamamatsu. Here is a quick
preview...
The foyer is adorned
with four very high profile race bikes. From left to
right: 2020 GSX-RR in full race trim, 2000 RGV-Γ 500
(XR80) ridden by Kenny Roberts junior, 1993 RGV-Γ
(XR79) ridden by Kevin Schwantz plus the 1980 GS1000R
(XR79) tuned by Pops Yoshimura. The latter was ridden
to victory in the Suzuka 8-Hour by Graeme Crosby and
Wes Cooley.
Suzuki's first complete
motorised bicycle, the Diamond Free of 1953-54. It
sported a 60cc single-cylinder two-stroke engine and
completed in some gruelling endurance events and won
the first Mt Fuji hill climb. Sales reached a peak of
6000 per month.
The bust is of the
company's second President, Shunzo Suzuki, who lived
from 1903 to 1977.
One of our all-time favourites, the
feisty-looking 1969-71 125 two-stroke twin known as the
Wolf, Stinger and Flying Leopard in various markets.
Welcome to the
1980s. Standing proud are a Katana 1100 and
Calvalcade 1400 V-four.
And here is the only bike you are invited to sit on for photos – a 2024 25th anniversary Hayabusa located in the foyer.
We'll bring you a more comprehensive
version of this in the near future.
Meanwhile, if you plan to visit it's wise
to book ahead. Entry is free and we can recommend putting
half a day aside. See the website
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