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Suzuki TR 750 Daytona 1972
For the 1972 edition of the annual Daytona 200, the most
important motorcycle race in the United States, Suzuki built a two-stroke,
three-cylinder 750 that was directly derived from its largest production model.
With its 100 h.p. and a top speed near 190 m.p.h., the motorcycle looked like
the toughest competition for the semiofficial Honda 750, the Harley-Davidson
two-cylinder 750, and the Kawasaki two-stroke, three-cylinder 750, which had the
same power as the Suzuki.
At the 1972 Daytona trials the Suzuki TR 750 won the first
three starting positions, as had been predicted. The Kawasakis were right
behind.
But during the race all the big Japanese motorcycles had to withdraw with engine
and tire problems. A Yamaha 350 driven privately by an unknown racer, Don Emde,
came in first.
The Suzuki TR 750 had ups and downs in luck and in performance. Its engine was
modified several times, but the motorcycle never performed on a par with other
Suzukis. The only positive result in years of racing came in 1973, when it won
the FIM Trophy, a kind of Formula 750 championship.
Motorcycle: Suzuki Daytona TR 750 Manufacturer: Suzuki Motor
Co. Ltd.,
Hamamatsu Type: Daytona and Formula FIM 750 Year: 1972 Engine: Suzuki
three-cylinder, two-stroke, with cross-port distribution. Displacement 738.9 cc.
(70 mm. x 64 mm.) Cooling: Water
Transmission: Five-speed block
Power: 100 h.p. at 8,000 r.p.m.
Maximum speed: Over 175 m.p.h.
Chassis: Double cradle, continuous, tubular. Front and rear, telescopic
suspension
Brakes: Front, double hydraulic disk; rear, single hydraulic disk
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