It was all began way back in year 1984 when the Japanese auto giant Suzuki came to India and established as Ind-Suzuki Motorcycles Ltd. They have introduced a bike with modern 2-stroke 100cc engine (made in Japan) Ind-Suzuki AX100, it was the era predominant with the scooters and the choice for bikes were limited to Yezdi and Rajdoot motorcycles.However Yamaha was by far the first Japanese motorcycle company which came to India in year 1983 and had partnership with Escorts India which were the manufacturers of Rajdoot Motorcycles. By the time Suzuki came to India Yamaha already established the image of competent Japanese engineering which was way ahead of its time for Indian 2- wheeler industry, Yamaha had done this successfully with the launch of its legendary RD350 in partnership with Escorts India in 1983.
Suzuki was second Japanese manufacturer entering into India after Yamaha followed by Kawasaki and Honda but they were pioneer of 100cc commuter bikes segment in India. Ind-Suzuki AX100 was a 98.2cc 2-stroke motorcycle producing 8.25 Bhp of power, though initially reluctant but people accepted it with open arms later. In the later years Suzuki came into partnership with south Indian company known for their small mopeds- T V Sunderam, formally known as TVS and the same Ind-Suzuki became TVS-Suzuki and subsequently Ind-Suzuki AX 100 became TVS-Suzuki AX100 (AX100R).TVS-Suzuki AX100R:
- Launched in 1984
- 98.2cc, air cooled, 2-stroke engine
- 8.0 PS of Power
- 9.6 Nm of Torque
- 107 Kg Kerb Weight
- 12.0 L Fuel Tank
The TVS-Suzuki AX100R was essentially Ind-Suzuki AX100 with little detuned engine to return better fuel efficiency, the bike was equipped with 98.2cc 2-stroke air cooled engine capable to produce 8.0 Ps of power. The engine was mated to signature smooth Suzuki 4-speed transmission. AX100R was a reliable bike with minimum maintenance and easily available spare parts thanks to local TVS support. TVS-Suzuki also offered 10'000 Kms Warranty on bike and 20'000 kms Warranty on the engine.TVS Suzuki Supra:
- Launched in 1988
- 98.2cc, air cooled, 2-stroke engine
- 9.8 PS of Power
- 9.6 Nm of Torque
- 106 Kg Kerb Weight
- 12.0 L Fuel Tank
TVS Suzuki Supra was the sports version of AX100R and it was Suzuki's first step towards the ultimate 2-stroke performance machine. The bike was equipped with same 98.2cc engine of AX100R tuned to produce 9.8Ps of power, the bike also received stronger front fork assembly with improved suspension system. It was launched in signature white color with small cowl on rear tail light.TVS Suzuki Supra Power Up:
- Launched in 1991
- 98.2cc, air cooled, 2-stroke engine
- 11.2 PS of Power
- 10.3 Nm of Torque
- 103 Kg Kerb Weight
- 12.0 L Fuel Tank
TVS-Suzuki was also succeeded in bringing down the kerb weight of the bike and they have also introduced better and bigger 130mm drum brakes at both the wheels of super tuned Supra Power up. TVS Suzuki did not stop here and they further enhanced their R&D work on Supra engine and succeeded in manufacturing another variant Supra SS/ Supra Sport which was capable to produce 14 Ps of power, it was also featured with tuned expansion chamber, this Supra SS was actually turned into TVS-Suzuki Shogun to out run Yamaha RX100 completely.
TVS Suzuki Shogun:
- Launched in 1993
- 108.2cc, air cooled, 2-stroke engine
- 14.2 PS of Power
- 11.4 Nm of Torque
- 114 Kg Kerb Weight
- 12.0 L Fuel Tank
The TVS Suzuki Shogun was the best looking motorcycle of that time, it is even still looks great in its all black attire. The TVS Suzuki Shogun was a product of extensive research and development of Suzuki which they carried forward from early AX100 to Supra SS/Supra Sports. The TVS Suzuki Shogun was equipped with 108.2cc 2-stroke air cooled engine mated to 4-speed super sprint gears. The bike was also featured with advanced fibre reed valve with pseudo expansion chamber and many more other hightech parts.TVS Suzuki Samurai:
- Launched in 1994
- 98.2cc, air cooled, 2-stroke engine
- 7.9 PS of Power
- 9.8 Nm of Torque
- 110 Kg Kerb Weight
- 12.0 L Fuel Tank
TVS-Suzuki was also continued with more frugal 98.2cc AX100 engine for the mass commuter market. This time TVS-Suzuki launched TVS Suzuki Samurai with same 98.2cc engine but different styling. The bike had styling ques from its premium sibling Shogun devoid of the all black character and head light cowl of Suzuki Shogun. The bike became very popular among youth looking for a combination of fuel economy, styling and power.TVS Suzuki Shaolin:
- Launched in 1998
- 138.2cc, air cooled, 2-stroke engine
- 12.0 PS of Power
- 12.3 Nm of Torque
- 114 Kg Kerb Weight
- 12.0 L Fuel Tank
With Shaolin, TVS-Suzuki had laid down another foundation for an upcoming performance machine. The Shaolin had big bored 138.2cc under square 2-stroke engine tuned to produce best in class 12.3 Nm of torque, it was also featured with first in class 5- speed gear box for maximum top speed. The TVS Suzuki Shaolin was not developed to exceed Shogun in performance but it was going to be a connecting link between Shogun and an upcoming powerful machine, which would be having 138.2cc engine of Shaolin tuned to produce 16 Ps of power with performance parts and technology used in Shogun. The bike would also featured with Shaolin's 5-speed gear box for maximum top speed.
It was TVS Suzuki Shadow which was produced with the above mentioned featured but unfortunately never launched due to country's strict emission norms. It is sad when motorcycle manufacturers were busy in counter attacking each other with their products and we were started relishing the benefits of competition, the 2-stroke bikes became extinct due to emission norms.
Certainly those were the golden days of 2-stroke bikes and we all know why are the 2-stroke bikes are more fun than 4-stroke bikes.
By: Farhan Kashif