For this edition of Classic Ink, we are going to take a look back at ads for Suzuki’s awesome 1982 lineup of off-road machines.
In 1982, I would have absolutely died to have this all-new Full Floating RM80. Hell, I would still love to have one in this condition to rip around on now. Braapppp!
In 1982, this was one of the hottest machines in motocross. With its Full Floater rear shock and high-tech looks, the RM125 was the epitome of eighties motocross cool.
In 1981, the RM250 was a well suspended and pleasant machine that got the job done. For 1982, Suzuki turned the volume up to eleven and delivered a liquid-cooled fire-breather of a 250 that romped and stomped on the 250 competition.
Suzuki was still in the Open class game in 1982 with the excellent RM465. It was the lightest bike with the best suspension, but its mellow motor held it back somewhat against Honda’s all-new CR480R. Less experienced racers loved it, but true throttle jockeys preferred the more potent Honda in ’82.
Originally launched in 1977, Suzuki’s Pure Enduro line of machines were some of the most popular off-road machines of the late seventies and early eighties. Based loosely off of their excellent RM125 platform, the PE175 was a very capable woods racer and excellent alternative to Kawasaki’s KDX and Yamaha’s IT.
For several years in the early 1980s the RM125 was the bike to have if you were serious about winning in the 125 class.
In 1982, this ad was the thing that dreams were made of. My dad hated bikes and refused to buy me one, but I still stared at this ad endlessly hoping that Santa might come through and make my dreams come true.
If four-strokes were your thing, then Suzuki had you covered in 1982 as well. Personally, I always thought Honda’s XRs were cooler than these DRs but I have never had the chance to ride any of the DRs from this era personally. I did end up buying the all-new DR400 in 1999 and it was a really fun machine.
In 1982, Suzuki and the Bomber were on a serious roll. All three machines were excellent performers with Barnett taking the RM125 to his third and final 125 National Motocross title.
