Suzuki Ran (CF50)
1983–1984

I have trying to tell the Suzuki Ran (CF50) model history on this page as I know it. 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.

The Ran (Japanese for “orchid”) was a cute and compact entry model scooter, released in 1983. The model name “Ran” was chosen by Suzuki to appeal to women and beginner riders. Combining a 50 cm³ air-cooled 2-stroke engine that generated maximum horsepower of 3.6 PS with an automatic transmission, the Ran gave an agile riding feel and low fuel consumption, accordning to the manyfacturer. The Ran was designed with beginner riders in mind and incorporates mechanisms such as Suzuki’s own start system, in which the engine cannot be started without pulling the left brake lever. The seat was spacious and the seat height low. Suzuki Ran It appealed to female riders with its automatic structure, lightweight body, and its low 680mm seat height. The more high-end model versions had both a kick starter and a self starter. Many scooter models came and dissapeared in the eighties. The Ran (also called CF50, that was its actual model name was manufactured in between 1983 and 1989.

1983 Suzuki year code: D

The Suzuki Ran was launched for the domestic market in Japan in December 1982. Ran Ito, a famous Japanese actress, narrator, singer and former member of the comedienne group Candies, was used in advertising the new Suzuki scooter model. It had a cute and compact styling and is equipped with a forced air-cooled 2-stroke single-cylinder engine unit, delivering a maximum output of 3.6 ps at 5,500 rpm. Combined with the automatic mechanism and lightweight body, it was easy to handle and the fuel consumption was low. The scooter's slender body and low seat height (680mm) made it easy to get in and out. The ignition system was pointless PEI transitorized ignitionand a ”safe start” mechanism that is easy to operate even for beginners. Starting the engine is not possible unless the left brake is pressed. The scooter had 8-inch wheels and leading and trailing drum brakes front and rear. The '83 Suzuki Ran was available in Japan in three different versions: CF50 (DX), CF50D (Super DX) and CF50DG (Custom with solid color) with only minor differences in appearance between the models. The cheapest of the models, the DX, had 6V electric system and kick start only. The higher end models had 12V electrical system and added electric starter. The Custom model version also had a fuel meter, and an oil level meter and a small Wind visor at the front. Suzuki launched another compact scooter with a flower name, the Bara (Japanese for ”Rose”) in October 1983. The Suzuki Bara was also an automatic scooter, targeted at the female segment. It was even slimmer than and more compact that Ran, and weighed 3 kg (6.6 lbs) less. The bikes looked quite similar. Suzuki Bara had a white seat while the Ran had a black seat. The Deluxe (DX) model was available in Red and White and the other two models were avaialable in Red, White and Blue. Launched in Japan: December 1982 Sales period: 1983–1984 Model code: CF50, CF50D, CF50DG Intial frame number: CA11A-100001 Recommended retail price in Japan: 69,000—89,000 yen

1983 Suzuki Ran Super Deluxe (CF50G), Red with White striping but without the wind visor. The model had kick start and electric start.

1983 Suzuki Ran DX / CF50 Overall Length: 1 505 mm (59.3 in) Overall Width: 640 mm (25.2 in) Overall Height: 920 mm (36.2 in) Seat Height: 680 mm (26.8 in) Wheelbase: 1 070 mm (42.1 in) Ground Clearance: 95 mm (3.75 in) Dry Weight: 42 kg (96.8 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 49 cc 1-cylinder 2-stroke. V-belt automatic transmission. 3.6 hp (2.65 kW) @ 5 500 rpm, 4.9 Nm (0.5 kg-m) @ 4 500 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1983 Suzuki Ran Super DX / CF50D Overall Length: 1 505 mm (59.3 in) Overall Width: 640 mm (25.2 in) Overall Height: 920 mm (36.2 in) Seat Height: 680 mm (26.8 in) Wheelbase: 1 070 mm (42.1 in) Ground Clearance: 95 mm (3.75 in) Dry Weight: 44 kg (96.8 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 49 cc 1-cylinder 2-stroke. V-belt automatic transmission. 3.6 hp (2.65 kW) @ 5 500 rpm, 4.9 Nm (0.5 kg-m) @ 4 500 rpm Here's even larger picture.

1983 Suzuki Ran Custom / CF50DX Overall Length: 1 505 mm (59.3 in) Overall Width: 640 mm (25.2 in) Overall Height: 975 mm (38.4 in) Seat Height: 680 mm (26.8 in) Wheelbase: 1 070 mm (42.1 in) Ground Clearance: 95 mm (3.75 in) Dry Weight: 44 kg (96.8 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 49 cc 1-cylinder 2-stroke. V-belt automatic transmission. 3.6 hp (2.65 kW) @ 5 500 rpm, 4.9 Nm (0.5 kg-m) @ 4 500 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1984 Suzuki year code: E

The second version of the Ran/CF50 was released in May 1984, with no significant changes from the previous model apart from the increase of the engine performance. While the original CF50 c´delivered 3.6 hp at 5,500 rpm, the CF50-2 gave 4.0 hp at 6,000 rpm. The three different versions available in Japan were CF50-2 (Deluxe), CF50D-2 (Super Deluxe) and CF50DG-2 (Custom with solid color). Again, there were only minor differences between the models. Launched in Japan: May 1984 Sales period: 1984–1985 Model code: CF50-2, CF50D-2, CF50DG-2 Intial frame number: CA11A-354672 Recommended retail price in Japan: 98,000 yen

1984 Suzuki Ran Custom (CF50DG-2) had a small wind visor mounted above the headlight. All model version had a luggage rack at the rear.

1984 Suzuki Ran Custom / CF50DX Overall Length: 1 505 mm (59.3 in) Overall Width: 640 mm (25.2 in) Overall Height: 975 mm (38.4 in) Seat Height: 680 mm (26.8 in) Wheelbase: 1 070 mm (42.1 in) Ground Clearance: 95 mm (3.75 in) Dry Weight: 44 kg (96.8 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 49 cc 1-cylinder 2-stroke. V-belt automatic transmission. 4.0 hp (2.94 kW) @ 6 000 rpm, 5.1 Nm (0.52 kg-m) @ 4 500 rpm Here's more Suzuki Ran info.

1985 Suzuki year code: F

The '85 version of the Suzuki Ran was updated and received a different frame number. The CA11A frame was replaced with CA17A frame. The handlebar width was made 5 mm (0.2 inches) narrower and the . The upgraded scooter became 2 kg (4.4 lbs) lighter. Even the engine was upgdade, the original A106 engine was replaced with the A118 engine, with slightly increased performance and fuel economy. No significant changes were made to the Suzuki Ran models after 1985. The '85 Suzuki Ran was available in Japan in three versions: CF50DG-3 (Custom), CF50DC-3 (High Custom) and the Special Edition model CF50DC-3L (High Custom with special pastel 2-tone colors). Launched in Japan: April 1985 (CF50DC-3L: August 1985) Sales period: 1985–1986 Model code: CF50DG-3, CF50DC-3, CF50DC-3L Intial frame number: CA17A-100001 Recommended retail price in Japan: 98,000 yen

1985 Suzuki Ran / CF50 Overall Length: 1 505 mm (59.3 in) Overall Width: 635 mm (25.0 in) Overall Height: 965 mm (38.0 in) Seat Height: 690 mm (27.2 in) Wheelbase: 1 070 mm (42.1 in) Ground Clearance: 90 mm (3.5 in) Dry Weight: 42 kg (92.6 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 49 cc 1-cylinder 2-stroke. V-belt automatic transmission. 4.2 hp (3.09 kW) @ 5 500 rpm, 5.4 Nm (0.55 kg-m) @ 4 500 rpm Here's more Suzuki Ran info.

1986 Suzuki year code: G

The next version of Suzuki Ran was CF50DC-4 (High Custom), launched in December 1986. There were no lower-end version available. Launched in Japan: December 1986 Sales period: 1986–1988 Model code: CF50DG-4 Intial frame number: CA17A-207103 Recommended retail price in Japan: 92,800 yen

1986 Suzuki Ran / CF50 Overall Length: 1 505 mm (59.3 in) Overall Width: 635 mm (25.0 in) Overall Height: 965 mm (38.0 in) Seat Height: 690 mm (27.2 in) Wheelbase: 1 070 mm (42.1 in) Ground Clearance: 90 mm (3.5 in) Dry Weight: 42 kg (92.6 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 49 cc 1-cylinder 2-stroke. V-belt automatic transmission. 4.2 hp (3.09 kW) @ 5 500 rpm, 5.4 Nm (0.55 kg-m) @ 4 500 rpm Here's more Suzuki Ran info.

1987 Suzuki year code: H

1987 Suzuki Ran / CF50 Overall Length: 1 505 mm (59.3 in) Overall Width: 635 mm (25.0 in) Overall Height: 965 mm (38.0 in) Seat Height: 690 mm (27.2 in) Wheelbase: 1 070 mm (42.1 in) Ground Clearance: 90 mm (3.5 in) Dry Weight: 42 kg (92.6 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 49 cc 1-cylinder 2-stroke. V-belt automatic transmission. 4.2 hp (3.09 kW) @ 5 500 rpm, 5.4 Nm (0.55 kg-m) @ 4 500 rpm Here's more Suzuki Ran info.

1988 Suzuki year code: J

The last version. Only one version was available, the Ran High Custom (CF50DCJ). Launched in Japan: June 1988 Sales period: 1988–1990 Model code: CF50DCJ Intial frame number: CA17A-226582 Recommended retail price in Japan: N/K

1988 Suzuki Ran / CF50 Overall Length: 1 505 mm (59.3 in) Overall Width: 635 mm (25.0 in) Overall Height: 965 mm (38.0 in) Seat Height: 690 mm (27.2 in) Wheelbase: 1 070 mm (42.1 in) Ground Clearance: 90 mm (3.5 in) Dry Weight: 42 kg (92.6 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 49 cc 1-cylinder 2-stroke. V-belt automatic transmission. 4.2 hp (3.09 kW) @ 5 500 rpm, 5.4 Nm (0.55 kg-m) @ 4 500 rpm Here's more Suzuki Ran info.

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