Suzuki RH magazine articles

I have put some Suzuki RH (Suzuki's motocross racer) magazine article scans on this page. I would be grateful of any contributions — sales brochures, magazine ads, magazine articles, pictures, specs, facts, corrections etc. Please scan the material in JPEG format (large enough that all the details are visible) and send them to me. Please tell me the source and the publication date if possible. If you send me pictures of your own bike, please follow these instructions.

On and off trail – a half century of motocrossing in review An article published on Suzuki Cycle 17, December 1970, see the scans below It all began in the 1920's in Scotland when a group of motorycle enthusiasts got together on Sundays and holidays to ride through rugged, steep mountains and valleys, oftentimes braving drenching downpurs. The ”adventure” riders were cheered on by their fellow cyclists and the new cycling sport, eventually called ”motocrossing” or ”scrambling” soon spread through Scotland, England and other parts of Europe. To do its job right in a race, a motocross machine must be highly maneuverable and durable to withstand plenty of abuse. It must be powerful both in low and high speeds and have a steady torque. Unlike road racing, motocross doers not include speed events. Motocrossers are not built that way. They are designed to let the rider reach the goal within the shortest possible time, overcoming a number of obstacles. A latercome in the field of motocrossing, Japan had its first taste of motocross races about 20 yaers ago. Since then, an increasingly larger number of motocross races have been held and motcrossing now has a place of its own in Japan's cyclingdom. One reason is that motocrossers are moderately priced and hence fairly easy for a youngster to own. Also, motocrossing can be practised anywhere so long as there is open space, and motocross races are much safer than road races, with few fatal mishaps occuring. The average motocross speed is 80 km/h compared with 150 km/h or more in the case of a world GP road race. The riding technique of each individual rider is the most significant factor in motocrossing, and champion racers have hoards of dedicated fans. In response to the growing enthusiasm for motocross events abroad, Suzuki completed a lightweight 250cc motocrosser in 1965 in order to take part in the World Motocross GP races. The machine, named the RH65, had a low speed torque and a well balanced, rugged body. The year 1968 marked a breakthrough for Suzuki in the developement of motocrossers, however. The RH68 was produced and Olle Pettersson, one of the world's top riders, scored satisfactory results on the machine. In the 1969 World Motocross Championship Race, expertly maneuvered by Pettersson, the RH69 earbed Suzuki a third place, thereby proving once again that Suzuki motorcycle engineering could tackle any racing problem. The results scored by Suzuki in the 1970 World Motocross GP reinforce what Suzuki dealers and users everywhere already know: Suzuki machines are tops in performance no matter what the racing challenge might be.

A magazine article of the RH models, published in Suzuki Cycle 17, December 1970 (two pages + cover). Click to enlarge. The article was scanned by Markku Nissilä, Finland. Thanks!

1971 Suzuki year code: R

A magazine article of the RH71 and RN71 models, published in Suzuki Cycle 19, March 1971 (two pages). Click to enlarge. The article was scanned by Markku Nissilä, Finland.

1975 Suzuki year code: M

Pictures of Tony Distefano riding an RH75. Click to enlarge. Scanned and sent to me by Scott Andersen, Texas USA. I don't know the source of these scans.

More: Suzuki RH67 magazine articles

More: Suzuki RH and RN models

More: Suzuki racing models of the sixties

More: All Suzuki models

Sources: Suzuki Motor Company (Suzuki Cycle magazine)

This free site is managed by Jarmo Haapamäki.
If you find this site helpful, please leave a donation for Jarmo
so you can enjoy the spirit of giving too.

Came here from a search engine?
Click at the home button below to get to the main page with frames.