In 1999 Suzuki’s Hayabusa was the world’s fastest production bike, good for 300kph. For 2022 there’s a new model, and it’s a rip-snorter.
When launched in 1999, the first generation Hayabusa – christened ‘ the Hire Bus’ by Aus moto journos at the time – shocked the motorcycle world by delivering a whole new level of speed, power and overall performance. Governments around the world threatened to impose speed limits on bikes as a direct result of the Hayabusa’s performance, and the motorcycle industry responded by adopting of a self-imposed limit of 300kph.
That might sound a bummer, but wait until you’ve tried it. At that speed a Bogong moth hitting the helmet feels as though someone’s trying to take your head off with a baseball bat, and a passing bike creates turbulence that makes a mid-coast low over the Coral Sea look like cow blurt.
The Hayabusa’s outstanding performance, combined with its nimble handling and eye-catching appearance, has kept it in the ‘Ultimate Sport’ category’s number-one position for two decades.
HISTORY
The original Hayabusa was much more than the sum of its parts. The abundant power of fered 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 motorcycle not only contributed to controllability, stability and rider comfort, its striking, unique bodywork and styling design contributed to the Hayabusa’s iconic presence.
The second-generation Hayabusa launched in 2008 and retained all the hallmark features of the original bike while increasing engine displacement to a whopping 1340cc. Several new features were introduced, including a new body design. In 2013 the front brakes were upgraded and an Anti-locking Brake System (ABS) was introduced.
Suzuki’s engineers and designers have worked since to refine countless aspects of the bike’s performance, and next year the third-generation Hayabusa will include the latest technological innovations to give greater control and comfort, and will assist riders to gain confidence on the new model.
WHITE-KNUCKLE RIDING
The new Hayabusa’s legendary 1340cc, liquid-cooled, inline-four engine will continue to deliver more torque and power than any other sport bike at the engine speeds typically used in everyday riding. Borrowing technology used on the arse-tearing GSXR1000 – the editor still drools at the thought of one memorable session on that bike at a track in Sydney’s west – the 2022 Hayabusa bristles with high-tech electronics and superb performance features – things like Suzuki’s Twin Swirl Combustion Chamber (TSCC), Suzuki Side feed Injector (S-SFI), Suzuki Clutch Assist System (SCAS), forged pistons with chrome nitride PVD coated oil control rings, new con rods and titanium valves. In keeping with modern trends Suzuki’s electronic throttle control system is ride-by-wire, so there’s no throttle cables. The editor has been in a daze since the pics first hit his desk. He’s smitten!
CATCH THE ’BUS
The 2022 Suzuki Hayabusa is expected to arrive in Aus during the middle of this year and will be available in two colours: Glass Sparkle Black/Candy Burnt Gold and Metallic Matte Sword Silver/Candy Daring Red.
With high demand and limited supply – seriously, Suzuki had sold a heap of these bikes before the factory had even started building them – reservations are exclusively online via Suzuki’s ‘Build And Order’ feature on suzukimotorcycles.com.au.
As an added bonus, pre-order customers will also receive a Hayabusa-branded garage mat, leather race gloves, hat, rubber keyring, bike cover and a Suzuki backpack valued at $1000 with their bike delivery.
It’s smooth, aerodynamic, fast as, and is expected to go for a recommended retail price of $27,690 ride away.