Suzuki GT550
1972—1977

I have tried to tell the Suzuki GT 550 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.

1972 Suzuki GT550, Candy Corporate Blue (156)

Suzuki introduced a trio of three-cylinder two-strokes in 1972: the air-cooled triples GT380 and GT550 and the new flagship, the liquid-cooled GT750. Both of the air-cooled models featured Suzuki new patented Ram Air cooling system that forced cool air under a aluminum shield mounted on the top of the cylinder heads and improve cooling. The system really worked and the GT models didn't suffer from the problems that usually are attached to air-cooled two-strokes: overheating engines and loosing power as a result of it. According to the test rides from those days the GT380 and GT550 delivered the same amount of power even after hard use. You can read more of the Ram Air Cystem on a GT550 road test, published in Cycle World, Jan 1973. The GT380 had 6 gears but the GT550 with its wider power range worked just fine with its 5-speed gearbox. The GT550 (called Indy in the USA). The model was sold until the introduction of four-stroke GS550 in 1977.

1972 Suzuki year code: J

The first version of the Suzuki GT550 was launched in April 1972. At first the GT550 had drum brakes but a disc brake at the front was introduced already during its first model year (see the pictures). The GT550 wasn't as fast as its big brother but it was a perfect compromise between the GT380 and GT750. The low-mounted exhaust pipes decreased the ground clearance significantly in the curves and the the suspension was quite soft (as in most Suzukis in the early seventies) but othervise the GT550 was smooth, fast and durable. The Suzuki engineers had done a fine job with it. After the introduction of the disc brake at front, the model didn't go through any significant upgrades, expept for the paintjob. Colors available: Candy Corporate Blue, Candy Yellow

1972 Suzuki GT550, Candy Corporate Blue (156)

1972 Suzuki GT 550 Overall Length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall Width: 815 mm (32.1 in) Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 460 mm (57.7 in) Weight: 215 kg (477 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp @ 6 500 rpm, 55 Nm (5.5 kg-m) @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1972 Suzuki GT 550 Overall Length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall Width: 815 mm (32.1 in) Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 460 mm (57.7 in) Weight: 215 kg (477 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp @ 6 500 rpm, 55 Nm (5.5 kg-m) @ 6 000 rpm Here's even larger picture.

1972 Suzuki GT 550 Overall Length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall Width: 815 mm (32.1 in) Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 460 mm (57.7 in) Weight: 215 kg (477 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp @ 6 500 rpm, 55 Nm (5.5 kg-m) @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1973 Suzuki year code: K

The USA brochure says that that available colors were Lime Green and Hermosa Blue. An International version of the brochure says that the colors Pearl Blue Metallic and Grace Lime Metallic. I believe there were same colors, only with different names. The color codes may be (705) for the Blue and (278) for the Green color schemes. Colors available: Green Lime Metallic and Purple Blue Metallic (Hermosa Blue)

1973 Suzuki GT550, Purple Blue Metallic (705)

1973 Suzuki GT 550 Overall Length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall Width: 815 mm (32.1 in) Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 460 mm (57.7 in) Weight: 215 kg (477 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp @ 6 500 rpm, 55 Nm (5.5 kg-m) @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1973 Suzuki GT 550 Overall Length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall Width: 815 mm (32.1 in) Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 460 mm (57.7 in) Weight: 215 kg (477 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp @ 6 500 rpm, 55 Nm (5.5 kg-m) @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1973 Suzuki GT 550 Overall Length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall Width: 815 mm (32.1 in) Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 460 mm (57.7 in) Weight: 215 kg (477 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp @ 6 500 rpm, 55 Nm (5.5 kg-m) @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1973 Suzuki GT 550 Overall Length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall Width: 815 mm (32.1 in) Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 460 mm (57.7 in) Weight: 215 kg (477 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp @ 6 500 rpm, 55 Nm (5.5 kg-m) @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1974 Suzuki year code: L

Minor changes were made to the 1974 model of GT550, that was launched in January 1974. The most visible changes were, apart for the new color schemes, a grab rail that was installed behind the seat and the rubber boots on the front fork legs were now gone. The design of the side covers and the Ram Air head were changed and a gear indicator was now included to the meters. These changed apply to the Japanese domestic version. In those days, the export models and the domestic versions could be assembled in different specs. The color choises were often different as well. Colors available: Candy Turquoise (Hawaii Green), Marble Scarlet (Laredo Red or Marble Red), Stardust Silver Metallic

1974 Suzuki GT550, Stardust Silver Metallic (737)

1974 Suzuki GT 550 Overall Length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall Width: 815 mm (32.1 in) Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 460 mm (57.7 in) Weight: 215 kg (477 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp @ 6 500 rpm, 55 Nm (5.5 kg-m) @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1974 Suzuki GT 550 Overall Length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall Width: 815 mm (32.1 in) Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 460 mm (57.7 in) Weight: 215 kg (477 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp @ 6 500 rpm, 55 Nm (5.5 kg-m) @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1974 Suzuki GT 550 Overall Length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall Width: 815 mm (32.1 in) Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 460 mm (57.7 in) Weight: 215 kg (477 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp @ 6 500 rpm, 55 Nm (5.5 kg-m) @ 6 000 rpm Sorry, no larger picture available.

1975 Suzuki year code: M

1975 was the year when the motorcycle license system in Japan was revised. This revision made it difficult to obtain large motorcycles over 400cc. This affected the sales of the GT550, and its sales volume was low. However, the displacement and body size of 550 can be said to suit the physique of Japanese people and the road conditions in Japan. In October 1975, the domestic version of the GT550 underwent a minor change and became the B4 type. The only change to B4 is the coloring. Colors available: Candy Turquoise (Hawaii Green), Candy Orange No.2, Gloss Black

1975 Suzuki GT550, Gloss Black (019)

1975 Suzuki GT 550 Overall Length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall Width: 815 mm (32.1 in) Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 460 mm (57.7 in) Weight: 215 kg (477 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp @ 6 500 rpm, 55 Nm (5.5 kg-m) @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1975 Suzuki GT 550 Overall Length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall Width: 815 mm (32.1 in) Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 460 mm (57.7 in) Weight: 215 kg (477 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp @ 6 500 rpm, 55 Nm (5.5 kg-m) @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1976 Suzuki year code: A

The 1976 GT550 engine had now a SCEM plated cylinder, increased compression ratio from 6.2 to 6.9 and raised peak power by 3 hp by eliminating the coupler tube in exhaust pipe. The front mudguard mount was changed and the meter lenses were changed from plastic to glass. Colors available: Gloss Black, Candy Rose

1976 Suzuki GT550, Gloss Black (019)

1976 Suzuki GT 550 Overall Length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall Width: 815 mm (32.1 in) Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 460 mm (57.7 in) Ground Clearance: 145 mm (5.5 in) Weight: 215 kg (477 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp @ 6 500 rpm, 55 Nm (5.5 kg-m) @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1976 Suzuki GT 550 Overall Length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall Width: 815 mm (32.1 in) Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 460 mm (57.7 in) Weight: 215 kg (477 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp @ 6 500 rpm, 55 Nm (5.5 kg-m) @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

1977 Suzuki year code: B

No changes were made for the last year of the Suzuki GT550. The model was replaced by the 4-stroke GS550 in 1977. Colors available: Maui Blue Metallic, Gypsey Red No.3, Flake Spark Silver

1977 Suzuki GT550, Maui Blue Metallic (979)

1977 Suzuki GT 550 Overall Length: 2 195 mm (86.4 in) Overall Width: 815 mm (32.1 in) Overall Height: 1 160 mm (45.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 460 mm (57.7 in) Weight: 215 kg (477 lbs) Engine: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp @ 6 500 rpm, 55 Nm (5.5 kg-m) @ 6 000 rpm Click on the image for larger format.

More: Suzuki GT550 magazine articles

More: Suzuki GT550 brochures & adverts

More: Suzuki GT models

More: All Suzuki models

Sources: Alan Hughes etc.

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