In the Early 1970's, Honda and Yamaha both produced competitive trials machines to try and end the domination of the Spanish manufacturers, Ossa, Bultaco and Montesa. Suzuki's first competitive trials bike was actually developed and built in the UK by Graham Beamish in 1974. 50 models of the Suzuki built RL250 were sent to Beamish Motors to sell through the Suzuki network, these standard models however were not competitive.

Quick to realise the shortcomings of the machine in its standard form, Beamish enlisted the help of local trials ace Brian Fowler to set about modifying these machines so that they would prove more acceptable to British trials riders. The short front mudguard was lengthened and its mountings modified so that the front wheel would not clog so easily with mud and the overall gearing was lowered too, all 50 modified machines were sold with surprising ease and to the delight of the Suzuki factory.

1977 saw the development of the RL250 gaining a British-made computer-designed exhaust system, revised cylinder porting and alterations to the gearbox. For the season, the colour scheme was changed to black and red (Heron Suzuki colours).

Credit [historics]

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