[Alcoholocaust]

On the scene since the Johnson Light Twin outboard was introduced at the 1922 New York Motor Boat Show, Johnson was once the best-selling outboard brand in the world. But the outboard famous for its Sea Horse icon has been diminished by current owner BRP, which has focused its marketing on the Evinrude brand. Now BRP dealers say that the remaining inventory of Johnson outboards has dwindled to "less than 100 units" of many models and some are sold out. And when they are gone, apparently, that may well be the end of Johnson. BRP is also promising dealers that new, portable Evinrude E-Tec models are on the way to replace the Johnson kickers.

[betty20a]

A new line of premium, small-engine spark plugs from Autolite feature an iridium-enhanced 0.6mm finewire design and anti-fouling technology, according to the company. The company says Autolite Xtreme Sport plugs offer a more focused ignition than standard plugs, and an iridium-enhanced, 0.6mm finewire design for improved ignitability, resulting in easier starting, fewer misfires, improved emissions and power and less fouling. Sounds like they might be just the ticket to replace those oily, black plugs in your old two-stroke kicker. [links]

[darkside]

It was OMC that made Johnson a "four-stroke brand," in a last-gasp effort to stay relevant in a market that was shifting to four-strokes, helped along by the dismal performance if the OMC Ficht direct-injection technology. With all of its engineering eggs in the Ficht basket, OMC was caught short when consumers turned to reliable four-stroke Honda, Suzuki, Mercury and Yamaha motors in the late 1990s. OMC struck a deal with Suzuki to supply it with four-stroke models to fill out its line. The Suzuki motors were painted and badged as Johnsons and gave OMC dealers four-strokes to sell alongside the two-stroke Evinrude models. Just before the bankruptcy, an OMC dealer quipped to me that "those Suzuki Johnsons are the best motors OMC is selling right now." more

[Beelzebuddy]

one thing to watch for is some dealers want alot more money for a used Johnson/Evinrude 4 stroke then the Suzuki version. Then again you can get lucky and find a 99' 70hp Johnzuki for 2700$ with 164 hours on it like me (boat/motor/trailer for 4500 and sold the boat/trailer for 1800$) here

[BrBoy]

Re: Suzuki made Johnson Engines more

[melfn]

Thank you for all the good information. Maybe the mind set of BRP is affected by the Canadian/French mindset? I love my old OMC's, 4 hp Rude, 9.9 Rude, 25 hp Rude, and a 3 hp Johnson. Today I probably wouldn't buy a NEW BRP for the issues noted, and for the other changes going on. [links]

[m0mchil]

In about 1997 the Suzi DF70 was sold as an Evinrude and later a Johnson, and later still a full line of Suzi built 4 strokes were labeled Johnson. I have heard second hand that Johnson (BRP) sold more "JohnnyZukis" than Suzi did and that the deal has ended. [links]

[thomas66mccoy]

Seems to me that it was a good deal for both BRP and Suzuki. BRP had a line of very good 4 strokes to complement the E-tec in their dealerships and Suzuki had the product loyalty (to the Johnson brand name) of a large portion of the market to help sell their engines. more

[jonathanfrank]

This was especially the case in the 2000s when they were delineated by horsepower. [links]

[alex_l]

BRP tried to position Johnson as their lower-horsepowered brand and Evinrude as the more powerful option in the early 2000s. Still, the Johnson brand had been diminished by then, as BRP focused on marketing Evinrude, and sales were low. here

[Unorthodox]

At this point, all Johnson outboards are out of warranty. Some Evinrudes are still under warranty and are serviced by the Bombardier Recreational Products group. more

[joeydangerous]

Johnson Outboards was at one time the biggest-selling outboard in the world. more

[ccdewsxx]

There were several recalls of Johnson motors in the company’s existence. more

[ritobana]

Johnson introduced the first V4 outboard, a 50 HP model, in 1958, and in 1976 they introduced the first V6 outboard, a 200 HP model. [links]

[SteveL]

The info says that Suzuki made some Johnson 4 strokes in the 6 - 70 HP range to the specifications provided by Johnson. Based on this info, I would say they are not the same motors in any size. [links]

[Maykel]

Only the same in the mid to large 4 strokes. The deal between Suzuki and BRP has been terminated in the states for larger 4 strokes so they can only buy etecs there

here

[SylentOdasity]

I keep hearing that Suzuki and Johnson outboards are the same motor. This statement is continually mentioned in many posts and by people I talk to. Does anyone have any evidence to suggest that this is correct or is it a myth?

more

[DELTA9]

here is the old deal announcment more

[destine]

All the 4 strokes were Suzuki engines painted white with Johnson stickers. No different just a bit of badge engineering by BRP. Not sure about the small 4 strokes. Take a look at the Johnson 140 hp 4 stroke same as the zuke.

more

[edgeleyx]

[links]

[fellowtraveler]

Breakdown of hours by RPM: [links]

[Chuck]

Clean Used 2003 Johnson/Suzuki 140 HP 4 Cylinder 4 Stroke EFI 20" Outboard Motor. Model number J140PL4ST. Serial # S 26023137. Weight - 417 lbs. 185 psi compression on all 4 cylinders. We've repainted this due to some sunfading. The computer has the following information stored: here

[ehs]

0-1000 - 29.4
1000-2000 - 13.1
2000-3000 - 13.5
3000-4000 - 6.4
4000-5000 - 9
5000-6000 - 6.2
6000+ - 0 more

[Maykel]

more

[RichardG]

more

[Nerd]

[links]