Suzuki SB200
1979—1981

I have tried to tell the Suzuki SB 200 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.

Suzuki SB200 was a simple and cheap commuter's bike. While its sibling model, the GT200 X5 had more gears, more power and was sold in the most parts of the world, the downgraded version, the SB200 was made for people who only needed a simple transportation device, nothing fancy. It has not been easy to find correct and trustworthy information about this bike, one of the rarest of Suzuki's machines from the late seventies and early eighties. Even the same sources (Heron Suzuki GB) printed different specifications on different brochures for the same bike model. So don't be surprised if you have seen quite different dimensions and/or engine performance numbers for the Suzuki SB200. There's lots of uncorrect information on the Internet. I usually only believe that the numbers which are printed in the original brochures are true, if there are conflicting information out there. We all make mistakes and I don't want to repeate the mistakes by copying false information from al ess trustworthy source.

1979 Suzuki SB200, Blue with red and white stripes

1979 Suzuki year code: N

The Suzuki SB200 was a simpler and cheeper version of the GT200, both launched in the spring 1979. While the GT200 was a more sporty bike, the SB200 made for commuting. The SB200 didn't have things like tachometer, locking filler cap or polished engine cases. In UK, it didn't even have an electric starter like its sibling. The GT200/X5 had a 5-speed gearbox, while the SB200 had four speeds and less power. The engines looked similar but they were not identical. While the GT200 had 22 mm twin carburetors, the more economical SB200 had 18 mm carbs and while the GT200 sportster ran a 7:1 compression ratio and produced 20 hp at 8,000 rpm, the SB200 had a 6.5:1 ratio and delivered 18,3 hp at lower 7,500 rpm. The SB200 was somewhat lighter (6.35kg/14lbs to be exact) that its sportier brother, but it was still quite a bit slower. According to the measurements made by the British Bike magazine the top speed of the GT200/X5 was 142 km/h (85.27 mph) and the top speed of the SB200 was 127 km/h (76.53 mph). The most obvious differences between the siblings could be seen right away. Whuile the GT200/X5 was based on the GT250/X7 with cast alloy wheels, disc brake at the front and had a small spoiler at the cowl behind the seat, to make the bike look sportier. The riding position was more upgight on the SB200, it had wire wheels, simple drum brakes both front and rear and the overall impression of the bike was... It looked older and heavier (although it was actuall lighter). The price of the Suzuki SB200 in Great Britain August 1979 was 574 British pounds, the GT200/X5 was cost 100 pounds more. The ”commuter version of the X5 GT200” was not only quite cheap to buy, it was also cheaper to insure than bikes with more powerful engines. I believe the Suzuki SB200 was sold between 1979 and 1983. Let me know if you know better. An please let me know where in the world the model was sold. I have only found marketing material from the British islands. 1979 Suzuki SB200N colors: Red, Blue Launched in Great Britain: March 1979 Sales period: 1979–1982 Model code: SB200N Frame numbers: B200-100001~ Recommended retail price in Great Britain: 574 £

1979 Suzuki SB 200 Overall Length: 1 980 mm (78.0 in) Overall Width: 820 mm (32.3 in) Overall Height: 1 070 mm (42.1 in) Seat Height: 790 mm (31.1 in) Wheelbase: 1 295 mm (51.0 in) Ground Clearance: 175 mm (6.9 in) Dry Weight: 116 kg (256 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 2-stroke 196 cc parallel twin. 18.3 hp (14.6 kW) @ 7 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1980 Suzuki year code: T

A Black color option was added, no other noticealbe changes. Three colors of the Suzuki SB200 were now available in Great Britain: Red, Blue and Black. I believ the color names and codes are Champion Blue (19F), Winning Orange (25G) and Black (019).

1980 Suzuki SB 200 Overall Length: 1 980 mm (78.0 in) Overall Width: 820 mm (32.3 in) Overall Height: 1 070 mm (42.1 in) Seat Height: 790 mm (31.1 in) Wheelbase: 1 295 mm (51.0 in) Ground Clearance: 175 mm (6.9 in) Dry Weight: 116 kg (256 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 2-stroke 196 cc parallel twin. 18.3 hp (14.6 kW) @ 7 000 rpm Here's even larger picture.

1982 Suzuki year code: Z

Launched in Great Britain: January 1982 Sales period: 1982–1983 Frame numbers: B200X-103

1982 Suzuki SB 200 Overall Length: 1 980 mm (78.0 in) Overall Width: 820 mm (32.3 in) Overall Height: 1 070 mm (42.1 in) Seat Height: 790 mm (31.1 in) Wheelbase: 1 295 mm (51.0 in) Ground Clearance: 175 mm (6.9 in) Dry Weight: 116 kg (256 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 2-stroke 196 cc parallel twin. 18.3 hp (14.6 kW) @ 7 000 rpm Here's even larger picture.

1979–1983 Suzuki SB200 specifications (Great Britain) Overall Length: 1 980 mm (78.0 in) Overall Width: 820 mm (32.3 in) Overall Height: 1 070 mm (42.1 in) Seat Height: 790 mm (31.1 in) Wheelbase: 1 295 mm (51.0 in) Ground Clearance: 175 mm (6.9 in) Dry Weight: 116 kg (256 lbs) Engine type: Parallel twin, 2-stroke with piston port induction alloy head, alloy barrels with iron liners Cooling metod: Air-cooled Cylinder displacement: 196 cc Bore x Stroke: 50 x 50 mm (1.968 x 1.968 in) Compression ratio: 6.5 Maximum power: 18.3 hp (14.6 kW) @ 7 000 rpm Maximum torque: N/A Fuel economy: 4N/A Carburetor: Mikuni VM18SS x 2 Starter method: Electric and Kick (Kick only in UK) Ignition method: Suzuki ”PEI” flywheel magneto Battery: 12V 7Ah (5Ah in UK) Lubrication method: CCI (separate Lubrication) Lubricating oil amount: N/A Fuel tank capacity: 10 liter Clutch type: Wet multi-plate coil spring Transmission: Constant mesh 4-speed return type Final drive: Chain Chain type: 520 Chain, number of links: 98 Front sprocket: 10 Rear sprocket: 35 1st gear ratio: 2.750 2nd gear ratio: 1.647 3rd gear ratio: 1.142 4th gear ratio: 0.875 Frame code: SB200 Frame type: Full cradle, single front downtube Front suspension: Telescopic forks, fully closed stanchions Rear suspension: Swinging arm, twin shock absorbers Front brake type: 150 mm single leading shoe drum brake Rear brake type: 130 mm single leading shoe drum brake Front tire size: 2.75-18 Rear tire size: 3.0-18

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