Suzuki launched its air-cooled two-stroke triples GT380 and GT550 in 1972. An water-cooled three-cylinder GT750 had already been presented a year earlier and the 380 and 550 followed the design of the flagship model. The GT engines were less highly tuned than for example the Kawasaki triples. It was tuned for the long run. Porting, timing, compression, carburetor size etc. were all chosen to deliver smooth power at the expence of maximum power. It made the Suzuki GTs more reliable than fast. The odd 3 to 4 exhaust system and rigid foot pegs also limited the leaning angle and the sporting nature of the bike. The GT triples were simply made for touring and not for sport-styled riding.





