Suzuki Consider Entering The 350'500 Cc Motor Segment, Also Supervise Chinese Manufacturers

JAKARTA - Suzuki seems to be preparing to enliven the fast growing 350'500 cc motorcycle market, especially in the upright motor segment that is affordable and easily accessible in the European and Asian markets. This trend is a strong signal that the Japanese manufacturer is starting to see new opportunities in the lower middle class.

"This is a segment where products are increasingly popular among customers. Of course, for manufacturers like us, we need to do it. If there is a customer request, we have to do it," said General Manager of Marketing and Motorcycle Planning Akira Kyuji, reported by Motorcyclenews, Tuesday, December 2.

Suzuki itself actually already has a 398 cc one injection cylinder engine base used in the DR-Z4S trail model and DR-Z4SM supermoto. The 37.5 bhp powered engine has met the Euro5+ emission standard, so it can technically be adjusted to other models with mild internal changes.

Kyuji also emphasized that the trend in demand for a 350'500cc motorbike is now global. For example, the Chinese market, he said, experienced a major spike, along with changes in regulations that made the motor with a capacity even more popular.

Demand for motorcycles with a capacity of 350 to 500cc is now increasingly popular, but not only in Europe, he said.

The British market is one of the strong indicators. According to data from the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA), 1,416 units of 126500 cc motorcycles were registered in October 2025 alone, making this the second largest segment after the 51'125 cc class.

At the global level, the rise of small motorbikes is also reflected in the strategy of Royal Enfield, Triumph, BMW, and KTM in collaboration with Indian manufacturers to produce smaller-capacity models. Royal Enfield has even grown rapidly: from just 30,000 units per year about 25 years ago, they are now producing more than one million motorcycles a year.

Suzuki is not a new player in similar cooperation. Since 2006, the Japanese manufacturer has produced more than nine million motorcycles in India for the domestic market and exports. On May 20, Suzuki inaugurated the construction of a new plant in Kharkhoda, Haryana, which is targeted to have an initial capacity of 750,000 units per year.

Many of the newest naked sports motorbikes carry a retro style to attract young consumers as well as take advantage of brand history. When asked if Suzuki would also play in the heritage realm, Kyuji was reluctant to divulge it.

"We have not been able to share future model plans. However, demand is still a request, and I think our job is to fulfill the request," he said.

Another trend that caught Suzuki's attention was the acceleration of China's motorcycle industry. Suzuki Motor Corporation president Toshihiro Suzuki acknowledged the huge jumps of Bamboo Curtain country manufacturers who performed aggressively at EICMA with futuristic models and revolutionary designs.

"Today, we went to the exhibition and of course visited some Chinese brands, and yes, their development is rapid, so we can't wait. We need to move forward. We think there are some design functions that we need to learn from China," he said.

Despite having a 82-bhp parallel-twin engine with a 270-degree crane, Suzuki still chose to maintain the presence of a 645cc V-twin engine which is now 26 years old. The engine is back to use on the SV-7GX which will come in 2026.