ROAD MISSILE TORE UP THE RULEBOOK
Iconic is a word that is bandied around all too easily these days, but in the world of motorcycling there are one or two worthy of the honour. Suzuki’s GSX1300R – the Hayabusa – is surely one of those.
With its love-it-or-hate-it silhouette and awesome power, the Busa caused shockwaves when it was introduced in 1999. Since then, there have been a number of overhauls and relaunches. Production ceased in 2018 but, with rumours of a new model swirling, let’s look back at the development of the bike.
The design brief for the Japanese engineers at Suzuki in 1999 was simple – wade into the supersport market… and come out on top. And the Hayabusa – which means peregrine falcon – did just that when it was launched at the Catalunya circuit. The Busa made an instant impression, with its flowing lines and distinctive rear end aimed at making it as aerodynamic as possible.
Head of design on the project, Koji Yoshiura, told Mirror Motorcycling: “The concept was to create an original and dominating impact, with superior aerodynamics, as well as being the most powerful sports motorcycle.
“I designed it with the intention of getting attention. It needed to be the ultimate road-legal motorcycle with the highest performance.”
It immediately became the fastest production bike on the market. At the launch, top speeds were clocked on the track which matched the 500cc GP race of the year before.
Suzuki test rider Yuichi Nakashima said at the time: “The Hayabusa’s engine feels so overwhelmingly powerful and finely tuned, there is nothing like it. After riding it, you won’t want to ride another motorcycle.”
It may have had a top speed of 190mph at launch, but the Busa wasn’t all about phenomenal power.
The smooth, 1299cc inline-four engine provided masses of torque, making the Hayabusa more than just a road-legal missile – it was a user-friendly, realworld motorcycle. The first proper overhaul came in 2008, with a more powerful 1,340cc engine, a redesigned gearbox and broader torque through the rev range. There was also lots of wind-tunnel testing.
Brembo monobloc front calipers and all-round ABS were added five years later, as the Busa became known as a fast, comfortable, long-distance sports tourer. However, with ever-tightening emissions regulations coming into force, the Hayabusa disappeared from European model ranges in 2018.
Whispers of its return have never gone away, though, and are currently at a peak among insiders.
Could a new one finally be imminent? Well, watch this space…