Madura

Suzuki introduced this nameplate in the mid-1980s as part of the short-lived V4 cruiser wave that also included rival Japanese muscle cruisers. It arrived as a bold, performance-oriented departure from Suzuki’s earlier cruiser designs, pairing dramatic styling with the company’s then-new liquid-cooled V-four concept. The nameplate appeared on 700 cc and larger 1,200 cc versions in different markets, with the 1,200 cc model becoming the better-known member of the family. Sold only for the 1985 and 1986 model years, it stood out for its low-slung stance, long wheelbase look, and high-profile positioning as an aggressive American-style cruiser rather than a traditional touring machine. Although its production run was brief, it has remained notable among enthusiasts as one of Suzuki’s most distinctive 1980s motorcycles and as an early example of the Japanese power-cruiser experiment.