TOKYO MOTOR SHOW: Suzuki bikes

The Suzuki motorcycle stand at this year's Tokyo Motor Show has met visitors with a handful of bikes and scooters it says reflects the brand's focus on "meeting the contemporary needs of its customers".

With all of its models honed for better performance and fuel economy, the Suzuki stand shows an obvious level of innovation across the various specification tables displayed at the foot of each bike, even if the "exciting styling" and "huge possibilities" that lie ahead are yet to arise.

Conventionally powered models, including new versions of the GW250, V-Strom 650 ABS, Bandit 1250 F, Gladius 400 ABS and GSX-R1000 share this year's Suzuki stand with all-electric models, including the lightweight e-Let's scooter, ET4D mobility scooter and 2009 Tokyo Motor Show star, the Burgman fuel cell scooter.

e-Let's is a everyday commuter designed to travel 30km from a single charge and is topped-up via a standard domestic outlet. The all-electric model incorporates technology usually associated with hybrid-electric cars, including regenerative braking and lithium-ion battery. Motivation comes from an in-wheel electric motor, improving unsprung weight, while the lightweight chassis means e-Let's weighs no more than a comparable petrol model. The first Suzuki e-Let's was registered in September last year and is currently undergoing validation testing as part of an initiative led by Suzuki's home city, Hamamatsu.

The Burgman fuel cell scooter also graced the scooter portion of the Suzuki stage, the second time the innovative two-wheeler has done so in as many shows. Since undergoing trials in the UK and Japan, Burgman fuel cell has become the first vehicle of its type to earn Whole Vehicle Type Approval with the European Union. The 2011 version sports different fairings and graphics to the model debuted previously.

Although unfamiliar in our local market, the GW250 is a flagship model in booming China, and is developed specially for the needs of a country Suzuki says is becoming more enthusiastic about motorcycle ownership. The simple, yet attractive GW250 first debuted at China's International Motorcycle Trade Exhibition in Chongqing, and will be manufactured at Suzuki's Changzhou Haojue plant in China from 2012 (it is currently manufactured in Japan). Suzuki said it also plans to introduce GW250 into other developing markets from next year, including eastern Europe, Indonesia, as well as Central and South America.

Suzuki's versatile sports-enduro tourer, the V-Strom 650 ABS, again took pride of place at the Tokyo Motor Show, eight years after the model was first released here. Changes to this latest model include a range of comfort and fuel efficiency improvements, and better low and mid-range engine response.

Finally, Suzuki's "top performer", the GSX-R1000 was displayed with surprisingly little fan fare, the "export model" positioned almost away from sight on a separate podium. Despite its shy standing at the Tokyo show, Suzuki said it has made a number of improvements to this 2012 model, include minor changes to "running, cornering and stopping performance" as well as better fuel economy.