Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
#history #offroad #dirtbike
The story of the Suzuki RM250 isn’t just about a single motorcycle. It’s about a dynasty of bikes, championships and riders that goes back to a glorious era in the history of motocross. Forty-five years ago, motocross was an obscure European sport. In America, we loved flat track and hill climbing. Even in Europe, road racing was a far more popular sport. No one really saw any future in the cult sport of motocross.
No one, that is, besides a group of very insightful people at Suzuki. Back in 1965, Suzuki launched a massive development program to build the world’s best motocross bike. It wasn’t based on market research, computer forecasts or industrial analysis. It was all about gut instinct and passion.
The program came to life through the efforts of Mr. Okano, General Manager of Research and Development; and Racing Manager Mr. Ishikawa. Both men were passionate about racing and for some reason, motocross captured their imagination. The first product of the program was the RH66, a prototype 250cc racer with a number of odd features, like a crankshaft-mounted clutch. It wasn’t very good, and the limited production TM250 that followed wasn’t any better. Things didn’t really start happening until Suzuki hired Swede Olle Petersson in 1967 to both develop and race the machine. His first recommendation was for only one change to the existing bike. He told them to throw it away and start over. That set in motion an amazing success story that resulted in a legacy of World Championships, beginning with Joel Robert in 1970. Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki were years behind and even the European makers were stunned.
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#history #offroad #dirtbike
The story of the Suzuki RM250 isn’t just about a single motorcycle. It’s about a dynasty of bikes, championships and riders that goes back to a glorious era in the history of motocross. Forty-five years ago, motocross was an obscure European sport. In America, we loved flat track and hill climbing. Even in Europe, road racing was a far more popular sport. No one really saw any future in the cult sport of motocross.
No one, that is, besides a group of very insightful people at Suzuki. Back in 1965, Suzuki launched a massive development program to build the world’s best motocross bike. It wasn’t based on market research, computer forecasts or industrial analysis. It was all about gut instinct and passion.
The program came to life through the efforts of Mr. Okano, General Manager of Research and Development; and Racing Manager Mr. Ishikawa. Both men were passionate about racing and for some reason, motocross captured their imagination. The first product of the program was the RH66, a prototype 250cc racer with a number of odd features, like a crankshaft-mounted clutch. It wasn’t very good, and the limited production TM250 that followed wasn’t any better. Things didn’t really start happening until Suzuki hired Swede Olle Petersson in 1967 to both develop and race the machine. His first recommendation was for only one change to the existing bike. He told them to throw it away and start over. That set in motion an amazing success story that resulted in a legacy of World Championships, beginning with Joel Robert in 1970. Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki were years behind and even the European makers were stunned.
Subscribe to Dirtbike Magazine:
hi-torque.com/product/subscribe-to-dirt-bike
FREE APP DOWNLOAD
Apple: itunes.apple.com/us/app/dirt-bike-magazine/id497711732?mt=8
Android: play.google.com/storeappsdetailsid=com.texterity.android.DirtBikeMagazine
Amazon/kindle: amazon.com/dp/B009D8V39C
Follow Dirtbike Magazine:
youtube.com/user/DirtBikeMagazine
Dirtbike Magazine Website:
dirtbikemagazine.com
Dirtbike Magazine Facebook:
facebook.com/pages/dirtbikemagazinecom/167554954744?fref=ts
Dirtbike Magazine Twitter:
twitter.com/dirtbikemag
Dirtbike Magazine Instagram:
instagram.com/dirtbikemag
