Suzuki GT550 model history
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.

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 six 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

At first the GT550 had drum brakes a disc brake 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: Blue, Gold

GT 550 J 1972 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 type: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp / 6,500 rpm, 5.5 kg-m/ 6,000 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

GT 550 J 1972 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 type: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp / 6,500 rpm, 5.5 kg-m/ 6,000 rpm. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

1973 Suzuki year code: K

Colors available: Green Lime Metallic and Purple Blue Metallic (Hermosa Blue), Gold.

GT 550 K 1973 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 type: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp / 6,500 rpm, 5.5 kg-m/ 6,000 rpm. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

GT 550 K 1973 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 type: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp / 6,500 rpm, 5.5 kg-m/ 6,000 rpm. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

GT 550 K 1973 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 type: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp / 6,500 rpm, 5.5 kg-m/ 6,000 rpm. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

1974 Suzuki year code: L

Colors available: Hawaii Green, Marble Scarlet (Laredo Red or Marble Red), Silver

GT 550 L 1974 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 type: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp / 6,500 rpm, 5.5 kg-m/ 6,000 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

GT 550 L 1974 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 type: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp / 6,500 rpm, 5.5 kg-m/ 6,000 rpm. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

GT 550 L 1974 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 type: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp / 6,500 rpm, 5.5 kg-m/ 6,000 rpm. Click on the image for larger format. Sorry, no larger picture available.

1975 Suzuki year code: M

Colors available: Grey Metallic, Candy Orange, Gloss Black

GT 550 M 1975 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 (5.7 in) Weight: 215 kg (477 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp / 6,500 rpm, 5.5 kg-m/ 6,000 rpm. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

1976 Suzuki year code: A

Colors available: Forest Green, Targa Red, Candy Rose

GT 550 A 1976 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 (5.7 in) Dry Weight: 200 kg (441 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp / 6,500 rpm, 5.5 kg-m/ 6,000 rpm. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

GT 550 A 1976 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 (5.7 in) Dry Weight: 200 kg (441 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp / 6,500 rpm, 5.5 kg-m/ 6,000 rpm. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

1977 Suzuki year code: B

Colors available: Metallic Blue, Spark Silver

GT 550 B 1977 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 (5.7 in) Dry Weight: 200 kg (441 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp / 6,500 rpm, 5.5 kg-m/ 6,000 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

GT 550 B 1977 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 (5.7 in) Dry Weight: 200 kg (441 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp / 6,500 rpm, 5.5 kg-m/ 6,000 rpm. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

GT 550 B 1977 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 (5.7 in) Dry Weight: 200 kg (441 lbs) Engine type: Air-cooled 543 cc inline-3, 2-stroke. 50 hp / 6,500 rpm, 5.5 kg-m/ 6,000 rpm. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

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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