Suzuki RL250 model history

I have tried to tell the RL 250 model history on this page as I know it. This page is still under construction. 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.

Unlike, Honda or Yamaha, Suzuki did not have a competitive trial bike in the lineup in the early seventies. The first Suzuki trial model, the RL250, was developed and built by Graham Beamish, UK, for Suzuki. The RL250 first appeared in 1974 and was also available with a sidecar. A larger version, RL325, appeared in 1979. (I know very little of the Beamish-Suzuki Trial bikes, please send me more info.)

1974 Suzuki year code: L

1974 Suzuki RL 250 L Exacta Overall Length: 2 035 mm (80.1 in) Overall Width: 850 mm (33.5 in) Overall Height: 1 130 mm (44.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 345 mm (53.0 in) Ground Clearance: 290 mm (11.4 in) Dry Weight: 90,5 kg (199 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 246 cc single cylinder 2-stroke, 18 hp/ 6,000 rpm, 16.6 ft-lb/ 4,500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

1975 Suzuki year code: M

1975 Suzuki RL 250 M Overall Length: 2 035 mm (80.1 in) Overall Width: 880 mm (33.5 in) Overall Height: 1 130 mm (44.5 in) Ground Clearance: 290 mm (11.4 in) Wheelbase: 1 345 mm (53.0 in) Dry Weight: 86 kg (190 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 246 cc single cylinder 2-stroke. 18 hp/ 6,000 rpm, 16.6 lbs-ft/ 6,500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

1975 Suzuki RL 250 M Overall Length: 2 035 mm (80.1 in) Overall Width: 880 mm (33.5 in) Overall Height: 1 130 mm (44.5 in) Ground Clearance: 290 mm (11.4 in) Wheelbase: 1 345 mm (53.0 in) Dry Weight: 86 kg (190 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 246 cc single cylinder 2-stroke. 18 hp/ 6,000 rpm, 16.6 lbs-ft/ 6,500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

1977 Suzuki year code: B

1977 RL250S Mark 2 specifications
Engine type:	Air-cooled single cylinder 2-stroke with special heavy flywheel
Cylinder displacement:	250 cc
Maximum power output:	18 bhp/ 6.000 rpm
Maximum torque:
Bore x stroke:	52.5 x 45.8 mm
Compression ratio:	9,6/8,8 :1
Carburetor:	Keihin PWK28
Transmission:	5-speed with in-gear starting
Final drive:	#428 chain
Ignition:	PEI transistorized
Front suspension:	Inverted, leading axle, 18-way adjustable compression damping
Front suspension travel:	275 mm (10.8 in.)
Rear suspension:	Link-type, fully-adj. spring preload, 4-way adjustable rebound damping, 16-way adjustable rebound damping
Rear suspension travel:	275 mm (10.8 in.)
Front brake:	Single hydraulic disc
Rear brake:	Single hydraulic disc
Front tyre dimension:	70/100-19 42M
Rear tyre dimension:	90/100-16 52M
Fuel tank capacity:	5,7 liter incl.reserve (1.5 US gal.)
Color:	Yellow

1977 RL250 specifications
Engine type:	Air-cooled single cylinder 2-stroke with special heavy flywheel
Cylinder displacement:	250 cc
Bore x stroke:	52.5 x 45.8 mm
Compression ratio:	9,6/8,8 :1
Carburetor:	Keihin PWK28
Transmission:	6-speed constant mesh
Final drive:	#428 chain
Ignition:	CDI
Front suspension:	Inverted, leading axle, 18-way adjustable compression damping
Front suspension travel:	275 mm (10.8 in.)
Rear suspension:	Link-type, fully-adj. spring preload, 4-way adjustable rebound damping, 16-way adjustable rebound damping
Rear suspension travel:	275 mm (10.8 in.)
Front brake:	Single hydraulic disc
Rear brake:	Single hydraulic disc
Front tyre dimension:	70/100-19 42M
Rear tyre dimension:	90/100-16 52M
Fuel tank capacity:	5,7 liter incl.reserve (1.5 US gal.)
Color:	Yellow

More: Suzuki RL series

More: All Suzuki models

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