TS/TM history

[lukeb1961]

I note that Wikipaedia has bugger-all on the various SUZUKI models. eg a single para on the RM !
I'm too young to have been around during the glory days of the early 70's.
Could someone give a brief (or even extensive) history of the TS / TM ? What drove the creation of the TM? Were they in any way similar to the factory racers? Why were they ditched for the RM series? etc.

[VMX247]

There is a wee bit in here,,hope its a bit of help. 
Wish Doc would drop in for a visit  :'(

http://ozvmx.com/community/index.php?topic=5555.0

[JC]

Try suzukicycles.org
Click on "all models" (I think it is) on LH side then TM & TS

[lukeb1961]

so was the TM truly just a TS with tinsel, or did it have some redeeming qualities?
The TM400 obviously had a swag of problems and the TM250 came nearest to a good bike. But where they "different" or just cosmetic changes?

[cyclegod]

TM125 had a different frame/swingarm and was in 1973 a really competitive and reliable motocross bike until 1974 when the CR and YZ wiped the floor with it. The 1975 RM125M/S was the last genesis of the TS based engine before the 1976 RM125 (which had more in common with the works bike) was the first "true" motocross. The larger capacity bikes followed a similar trend.

[LWC82PE]

i would recommend you get the book 'suzuki two strokes' by Roy Bacon. it pretty much says what you would want to know.

ISBN 1 85579 032 7

[lukeb1961]

mmm.. US$70 for a page of curiosity? - You could scan it for me, Leith 
so was the 1968 TM250 part of the same family? The 71-75 TM's seem to be very different machines.
Thank you, cyclegod - most informative and interesting!!!

[pokey]

The R & D arm of suzuki was twofold. both designing thier own models and sharing nothing between them , pity. Can often see early prototype suzukis on the net  and they look entirely different designs.

In the late 60's trail bikes were all the rage so suzuki made a trail version and called it the TS and it was based on one arm of the R & D departments works racers which the TM were also based on. Not a bad strategy for sales and competition.
Meanwhile the other arm of suzuki R & D went on plodding away designing what would become the RM series.

[LWC82PE]

maybe Luke, im not sure how many pages it is, dont think i have time to scan whole book.

[lukeb1961]

The R & D arm of suzuki was twofold. both designing their own models and sharing nothing between them

Isn't that fascinating! Do you have any pointers to that info, so I could read/explore more?

[pokey]

cant remember wher i read it as it was awhile ago.
 heres some info on the RH development

http://www.mxworksbike.com/Suzuki_History_1.htm