When launched in 1999, the first generation Hayabusa shocked the motorcycle world by delivering a whole new level of speed, power and overall performance. It instantly gained the title of the world’s fastest production motorcycle and gave birth to the ultimate sport bike category. Even though the industry’s adoption of a self-imposed limit soon put an end to the era of top speed wars, the Hayabusa’s outstanding performance across all metrics combined with its nimble handling and eye-catching appearance to keep it in the category’s number-one position for the past two decades.
The original Hayabusa was much more than the sum of its parts. The abundant power its engine produced offered a wider range of gear selection options for any given speed, and this ultimately delivered a more controllable and pleasurable ride. Aerodynamic styling that instilled the Hayabusa with one of the lowest drag coefficients achieved on a production bike not only contributed to controllability, stability and rider comfort, its striking new design helped realize the Hayabusa’s iconic presence. Sales of the first generation exceeded 115,000 units.
A full model change in 2008 retained all the hallmark features of the original Hayabusa, while increasing engine displacement and introducing new features that included a bold new body design. Further enhancement of performance in 2013 upgraded the front brakes and introduced an Anti-locking Brake System (ABS). These new features helped sell another 74,100 units over the life of the second generation, bringing total sales of the Hayabusa to more than 189,100 units.
Suzuki’s team of engineers and designers have been working tirelessly since to refine countless aspects of the bike’s performance to create an entirely new generation that is poised to further up the overall balance of performance and carry a new generation of Hayabusa riders into the future. The third generation Hayabusa leverages the latest technological innovations to provide greater control and comfort, and ultimately to assist riders in gaining confidence as they enjoy outings on the “Ultimate Sport Bike”.
The HAYABUSA product concept is;“Ultimate Sport” (Upping the ante with yet greater refinement, dignity and ultimate riding pleasure.)
The new-generation Hayabusa was developed not only to achieve an even higher overall balance of ultimate performance and comply with the stringent Euro 5 emissions standards, but also to capture the hearts of both devoted followers and all who lay eyes on the stunning beauty and sharper, tauter form of its bold new design.
Since its original launch in 1999, the Hayabusa has continued to provide riders with greater horsepower and torque than any other sport bike at engine speeds up to 6,000 rpm. The new Hayabusa proudly carries on this legacy as the ultimate sport bike, delivering even smoother torque and more power through the low to mid range, making it even faster and more controllable on the whole. An advanced new collection of intelligent electronic controls lets riders choose how the bike will respond and perform in various situations. This promotes greater rider confidence by helping even those who are less experienced learn how best to take advantage of what the Hayabusa has to offer. It also provides a number of additional comfort convenience features that bring greater pleasure to riding and pride to ownership.
The development team was fully committed to preserving all that made the Hayabusa a legend, while upping the ante in creating a new generation that is poised to carry riders into the future. The result faithfully reflects Suzuki’s ongoing commitment to fine craftsmanship and to sweating every detail to get them right.
The design concept for the new Hayabusa’s styling is “The Refined Beast”. The goal was to visually express the intelligence embodied in the electronic control systems that enhance and advance the riding experience, and skillfully marry that with bold styling befitting a magnificent beast whose stance screams of power, performance, poise and keen perceptive abilities. The result is a due tribute to the Japanese peregrine falcon from which the Hayabusa takes its name.
Design Features
- • Styling conveys a modern image of advanced performance and new features, all while faithfully inheriting the wind-cutting silhouette and overall look for which the Hayabusa is famous.
- • An aggressive stance conveyed by its mass-forward impression, upswept tail, bold new rear combination lights, and the straight, upswept line from the exhaust pipe through the muffler.
- • A modern, luxurious look as expressed in its sharper lines and fine attention to detail, the intricate shaping of its large, bold panel surfaces, the sharp, aerodynamic look of its attractive new mirror design, and the new 7-spoke wheel design.
- • A face with a fresh new countenance as expressed through its tighter, bolder new headlight design and innovative position lights with integrated turn signals.
- • The strategic application of color that creates a visual expression of the Hayabusa’s great potential. This includes the trio of two-tone body colors. The unique theme for each of the available schemes also uses the secondary color to accentuate the sense of aerodynamic performance. Other examples include the chrome-plated V-shaped moldings on side cowlings that convey power and speed, new English and Japanese logos that heighten the image of speed and sophistication, and V-shaped accents inspired by the falcon’s hackles on the black cladding below the fuel tank, air intakes and foot pegs.
Engine features:
- • Inherits the Hayabusa’s legendary high-performance 1,340cm3 liquid-cooled inline-four engine, while implementing refinements to further improve efficiency and durability.
- • New exclusively designed exhaust system contributes to improved low- to mid-range power and torque output, and also to satisfying Euro 5 emissions standards.
- • Improved engine characteristics result in smoother, more consistently powerful output through the low- to mid-range engine speeds most used in daily riding.
Chassis features:
- • Light, strong twin-spar aluminum alloy frame and swingarm constructed using castings and extrusions combine top performance with tried and proven reliability.
- • Wind-cutting aerodynamic design features one of the best drag coefficients achieved by any motorcycle, excellent lift characteristics and wind protection. In addition to contributing to high-speed stability and controllability, this makes the ride more comfortable and less tiring.
- • Handling characteristics achieve a fine balance of confidence-inspiring stability at high speeds and nimble handling with reassuring controllability at low speeds.
- • Internal settings for the fully adjustable 43mm outer diameter KYB inverted front forks and KYB rear suspension changed to better absorb shock and realize even great straight-line stability.
- • 4-piston Brembo Stylema® front brake calipers paired with 320mm outer diameter discs improve braking efficiency.
- • New exclusively designed Bridgestone tires provide better grip.
- • New 7-spoke wheel design improves grip feel.
- • 50:50 front-rear weight distribution.
- • Handlebars mounted 12mm closer to the rider vastly improve comfort, reduce fatigue, and also enhance handling control when enjoying a sporty ride. www.suzukimotorcycle.co.za
