IT MAKES NO SENSE. PERFECT…
» Power: 182bhp » Weight: 268kg » Engine: 1340cc 16-valve DOHC inline four » Price: £16,650
Until recently I’ve never been the Busa’s biggest fan. I’ve ridden loads over the years and never really enjoyed the fact it could get you into a lot more trouble than it could get you out of. The Suzuki would propel you to silly speeds, silly-quick, but it was so heavy with such weak brakes that stopping in time for corners from full chat was never a given, and getting round them once you’d slowed down enough was always a wrestle. The Kawasaki ZZ-R1400 was the same: great in a straight line, if you like that sort of thing…
Over the years the Hayabusa has become less relevant as Superbikes got more powerful and there are many more fast and comfortable ways to ride down to the south of France in a day for moules et frites. Understandably Suzuki dropped the Busa from its range two years ago, but now it’s back. It’s basically the same bike, albeit crammed with electronics (it doesn’t really need) and slightly less power (182.3bhp on our dyno) thanks to Euro5 restrictions, despite a complete engine overhaul. Not that you’d notice any drop in performance because it’s still obscenely quick.
When we sent it up our test strip earlier this year, our Mike rattled off
10 second quarters without trying, 0-60mph in 2.69 secs and 181.97mph top whack – superbike crushing stuff.
It’s still a child of the ’90s with a cramped riding position that makes the new Blade feel like a tourer and there’s more bodywork sticking out in front and behind than a Cadillac.
It still tolerates corners more than excels at them, the brakes aren’t a huge improvement and it even rolls on an old-school 50-profile rear tyre that looks like an elastic band compared with new generation balloonshaped sports rubber. It doesn’t really make any sense at all, but that’s now the point… and the big irony. Suzuki might now be one of the most conservative of all the manufacturers, but the Busa is one giant middle finger to the establishment. I love it for that.
Even in a world full of 200bhp-plus superbikes the way the Hayabusa pins you back in its seat in sixth gear under hard acceleration is spectacular and no motorcycle is so unshakable at speed. Its newly tweaked suspension is a magic carpet-fest and it isn’t even that expensive when you look at the performance you get for your money. The Busa is back and we can’t thank Suzuki enough.
‘The Busa is a giant middle finger to the establishment’