GET TO KNOW SUZUKI’S LATEST BABY:
THE NEW SHOGUN R 125

True to its slogan “Ride the winds of change”, Suzuki keeps itself on top of the winds of evolution brought about by developments in a changing market. For one, there is a growing interest for two wheels as a safe and commonplace mode of transport in the Philippines, as in its neighboring Asian countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. Secondly, the motorcycle has graduated from a traditional business workhorse for messenger, delivery or tricycle use, into a modern, sophisticated lifestyle

bike. Nowadays, it is not an unusual sight anymore, even in the countryside, to see very trendy young men and women sporting handsome two wheelers for everyday use.

To keep afloat these positive developments, Suzuki is fast evolving from an established household name in excellent tricycle manufacturing into a trendy creator of four stroke solo bikes. Proof of this new thrust is an impressively promising and formidable line up of four-stroke solo motorcycles, all geared up to compete in every corresponding category. The 110 cc Smash, which was introduced last year, caps a powerful array of underbone bikes flanked by its bestsellers – the sporty Raider 125 and the ideal people’s bike, the Shogun 110.

But to ride the winds of change once more, Suzuki is putting Shogun 110 on the stage of evolution. Today it morphs into a totally new Shogun R, powered by a bigger 125cc signature Suzuki four-stroke engine. Suzuki’s design concept is to put together an everyday urban motorcycle that is both sporty and luxurious. As the highest model in the Suzuki underbone family, the Shogun R 125 is sportier and more refined than other 125cc underbone motorcycles in the market, but designed to offer superior economy and practicality for the Filipino family’s everyday use.

The heart of this new product most importantly though, is its totally new 125 cc engine crafted to offer unique advantages in power, economy and riding comfort. With just a little torque at low and mid-range speeds, you can accelerate smoothly and capably when overtaking in city traffic and can ride uphill easily when carrying a passenger. Because of such power, there is no need for the engine to be revved so hard, therefore the ride is smoother, more quiet, and consumes fuel more efficiently. The Shogun R 125 can run 10% longer distance, making more efficient use of its fuel. Because of this, even emission is improved significantly, making the Shogun R 125 very kind to Mother Earth. This is one outward proof of Suzuki’s intensive move to realize its global Clean and Green Mission. This model was intensively tested in the Suzuki Research and Development Center in Thailand, using the most up-to-date and sophisticated emission testing machine available today, improving not just emission quality itself, but overall durability and performance.

Ironically, this bigger engine displacement is defied by an unbelievably lightweight and rigid frame – a chassis design that is another result of special R & D engineering genius in Thailand. But with such a light body, it is hard to believe that the Shogun R 125 is packed with advanced safety and convenience features any existing or new motorcyclist will find refreshing.

A new head and tail light design conjures up an interesting double-safety story. Apart from multi-reflectorized twin-bulb headlights, safety at night and bad weather is augmented by an extra LED stop lamp built into a raised grab bar above the tail light. Safety is thus doubled at the front and back of the rider.

In spite of a slim and lightweight body, the new Shogun R 125 also boasts of bigger storage space with a 10.5 liter compartment that can surprisingly accommodate even a half helmet.

A high tech instrument panel shows clear and concise digital readings of information from fuel gauge to odometer. The liquid crystal display’s structural simplicity does away with traditional meter cables, rendering the whole instrument panel light and compact. Another breakthrough technology is the ignition switch with a built-in anti-theft device. To maximize security while the bike is parked, a magnetic cover opens up only for the owner’s key upon close contact with the switch.

With such carefully thought-out strengths in every component of the new Shogun R 125, it is easy to see that every product introduced by Suzuki is a result of careful study and rigid testing, taking into account the Philippines’ toughest road conditions. When Suzuki releases a new creation in the market, every detail down to the last screw goes through a stringent process of global quality control.

Because of this perfectionist attitude, Suzuki is confident that it can compete in the fast-growing solo market by creating a formidable line up of models to answer every market segment’s want. And with fighting spirit under its sleeve, Suzuki is rearing to make its mark as a contending four-stroke manufacturer.

Indeed there are many things happening in the motorcycle world today and Suzuki is gearing up for a non-stop evolution to ride the winds of change.