Suzuki RL Series (1974 to 1981)

The Suzuki RL family, comprising the RL250, RL325, and later Beamish Suzuki variants, emerged in the mid-1970s. Produced from 1974 through the early 1980s the RL line began with the Japanese-built RL250 before evolving into the larger-displacement RL325 and finally the Anglo-developed Beamish Suzuki machines assembled in the United Kingdom under license by trials expert Graham Beamish. Power came from air-cooled two-stroke singles, ranging from 247 cc to 325 cc, with the RL325 producing roughly 24 horsepower. All models used chain-driven rear-wheel-drive layouts paired exclusively with manual gearboxes, typically five-speed. The RL and Beamish Suzukis remain historically significant because they bridged Japanese reliability with British trials development expertise, creating machines still prized for their mechanical simplicity, competitive capability, and pivotal role in 1970s trials evolution.