One of the fastest production bikes in the world has returned, keen to retake its crown as the ultimate motorcycle.
Suzuki has taken the wraps off its legendary Hayabusa, named asfter the Japanese Peregrine Falcon. It has refined various aspects such as its frame, aerodynamics, electronics, power, and of course, thrill.
Fans of the ‘Busa will no doubt notice its new sleek, aerodynamic silhouette. Built under the design concept, "the refined beast", the new Hayabusa's long, low stance was created to evoke power, performance, poise and keen perceptive abilities possessed by a bird of prey.
Design
The fairing features splashes of color and chrome accents to contrast against blacked-out panel sections. It features an upswept tail and mufflers tweaked to provide an aggressive mass-forward stance. The new mufflers take on coloring unique to one’s riding style over time, adding a personal touch to the bike.
To reach top speeds nearing 300 km/h, aerodynamic performance is critical. As such, the Hayabusa has undergone extensive wind tunnel testing, full use of the latest CAE tools and years of experience to create a slippery form. The Hayabusa features one of the best drag coefficients found on any street legal motorcycle, while also achieving excellent CdA and lift values to maximize top speed potential and stability at top speed.
For its iconic façade, the Hayabusa has retained its vertically stacked low beam and projector-type high beam headlights, now with LED lighting. Its position lights now integrated turn signals, neatly flanking the outer edges of the large SRAD air intakes. In the rear, Suzuki has fitted a bold new LED taillight and rear turn signal design for a single wide, sharp form.
Power
Powering it is a 1,340cm³ liquid-cooled inline-four engine tuned for an even better balance of overall performance, greater efficiency, and durability, while also satisfying Euro 5 emissions standards. Maximum power is rated at 187.7 bhp at 9,700 rpm while peak torque is 150 Nm at 7,000 rpm. It’s paired to a six-speed transmission.
The engine was built with new pistons and connecting rods to reduce the weight of moving parts. The combustion chamber itself was redesigned to facilitate better combustion efficiency. It’s paired with a new dual injector design. These, together with a new air cleaner and longer intake pipe were integrated for better low- to mid-range power output, needed in daily riding situations.
Chassis
It’s all built on a twin-spar aluminum frame and swingarm. It’s built with extruded aluminum sections to return the balance required by a machine capable of a nominal top speed of 299km/h. It tips the scales at 264 kg.
It rides on KYB inverted cartridge forks in front with 120 mm of front wheel travel and features diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating on the 43mm outer diameter inner fork tubes to reduce friction. Spring preload, compression damping and rebound damping are all fully adjustable.
Behind is a fully adjustable KYB link-type rear suspension also revised to maximize comfort and straight-line stability. It’s brought to a stop with Brembo Stylema front brake calipers biting on 320mm front discs.
For the Hayabusa’s tires, Suzuki worked exclusively with Bridgestone to design new Battlax Hypersport S22 tires. The new tires boast of improved dry grip, performance in wet conditions, greater all-round traction and agility, while retaining a great level of durability. The tires are mounted on new seven-spoke wheels.
Electronics
Naturally, the Hayabusa comes with an extensive array of rider aids. They’re all controlled by the Suzuki Drive Mode Selector Alpha (SDMS-α) which groups together five advanced electronic control systems while enabling riders to select individual settings for each.
SDMS-α comes with three factory presets: A, B, C, and a choice between three user-defined groups of settings: U1, U2, U3.
Besides the drive mode selection, the Hayabusa also comes with an Anti-lift Control system (prevents front wheel lift), Engine Brake Control system, Motion Track Traction Control System (leaning stability), Launch Control System, Active Speed Limiter, Cruise Control System, Emergency Stop Signal, Motion Track Brake System, Slope Dependent Control System, and Hill Hold Control System.
Another feature is its Bi-directional Quick Shift System which allows quicker shifts without the need to operate the clutch or throttle with various modes.
All of these can be seen and controlled on the instrument cluster. It features a mix of digital and analog displays. There’s bigger, bolder numbering on the analog tach and speedometer. In the center is the new TFT LCD panel tha shows the current SDMS-α systems settings. It also features an Active Data display with functions like real-time lean angle (with peak-hold function), front and rear brake pressure, rate of acceleration, and throttle position.
Suzuki has yet to announce the price and availability of the new model though interested customers can expect announcements from their country’s official Suzuki retailers soon.
