How the Suzuki Hayabusa Changed Motorcycling

The Suzuki Hayabusa broke cover in 1998 and shattered our perception of motorcycle performance at its 1999 introduction. Cycle World Technical Editor Kevin Cameron and Editor Mark Hoyer discuss the Hayabusa’s impact after 25 years, and how other bikes relate, like the Kawasaki ZX-11, ZX-12, and ZX-14, plus Honda CBR1100XX. Hoyer talks about what the bike was like to ride at the press introduction held in Spain at MotoGP race track Circuit de Catalunya, and “On-Road Touring” at 190 mph on Spanish freeways. Plus, record-breaking performance in the quarter-mile and its 194-mph top speed recorded by the CW radar gun, and how that brought about the “gentleman’s agreement” to limit peak speeds of motorcycles. Kevin talks turbos and the surprising things Suzuki did during development of the Gen III ’Busa. Strap your helmet on an tuck in!
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[@cjljr41]

Owned a Gen 1 for 12 years and 65,000 miles. I’ve only owned 7 motorcycles, but that one is my favorite.

[@randytolle6706]

Jay Leno said something like " It behaves so well at lower throttle that you would never guess how much is there at the higher throttle until you try it."

[@barryhope2953]

The remarkable Hayabusa is also at the heart of the world's largest selling sports racing car. The stock 1340cc engine is stroked to 1500cc, utilises forged Arrow crank, rods and forged Cosworth pistons and is dry-sumped to deal with the g-forces involved. It produces 226.2bhp and 134.3 ft/lbs. Over the last 20 years they (Radical Motorsport in the UK) have sold some 2,000 of these production sports protoypes around the world. Even better - they also build a 72 degree flatplane 2.7L V8 version which sounds absolutely incredible!! That produces 431.3bhp and 236.5ft/lbs. These are not short-life engines for drag racing - just the opposite - they retain that Suzuki reliabilty and performance for endurance racing.

[@busabobsgarage9876]

I owned a 2005 and 2006. I heavily modified the 2005, built the engine myself, and turned it into a 1441cc naturally aspirated monster, with 220whp. I pinned that thing in every gear at the Mojave Mile and topped 200mph multiple times. The Hayabusa is legendary and holds a special place in my heart.

[@user-kv9mr1yb6n]

Kevin Cameron is a national treasure. More stuff from KC! Cool you guys are doing this.

[@shoominati23]

It's kinda amazing that you can fit an extended swingarm, fit a turbo and do the supporting mods to the engine and trans. And you have a bike that can run faster than a Pro Stock Motorcycle, yet is perfectly happy to take you to Jack in the Box on the way home..

[@dawievandermerwe5525]

Got a Gen1 recently with 62000 km, beautiful condition. What a ride. It is a keeper. Absolutely in awe of your technical knowledge.

[@russellbuonasera4786]

Cannot get enough of these two. Cameron’s legend only expands.

[@1vincej1]

My reading skills as a kid weren't that good. Luckily my dad bought his first motorcycle in 1974. Honda CB360, blue. And my mother saw I really liked my dad's new/first bike. So she decided to get me a subscription to Cycle World magazine. And my reading skills greatly improved. When all was said and done. I ended up with a closet full of boxes of Cycle World magazines. I wish I still had them. I'm now 59 yrs old. 17 bikes later, I'm still riding. And yes, I had a Glacier White 2012 Hayabusa. Bought it new. One of my 17 bikes. 1 KZ900, 4 Suzukis, rest Hondas. Thank you guys for all the yrs of motorcycle information and fun!

[@jesus2400]

Suzuki’s are so underrated as a brand.

[@TreadTalk247]

For a year I’ve been trying to finish up my Gen 2 Hayabusa by adding a TTS Performance/Rotrex Supercharger to her!!

[@sippinga.wiskey5664]

Never ridden a Hayabusa but do own a ‘08 BKing. There is something special with that engine. The way it spins up is something special and puts a smile on my face with every wick of the throttle. Cheers 🥃🥃

[@thedogsbutler7046]

I was a Suzuki technician when the first Hayabusa's were delivered to the dealerships in 1999. They had a series of recalls because the cam chain tensioner's failing. Which resulted in bent valves and about a dozen or so broke the crankshafts. The first automatic/ratcheting cam chain tensioners would break the ratchet mechanism causing the hyvo type cam chain to jump time. So the first recall was replacing it with a manual type cam chain adjuster. Same thing happened to a few more bikes. The last recall was around 2001 and the recall kit was a replacement shoe, ratcheting type adjustor, and hose so it could be assisted by oil pressure from the front oil galley. I honestly have no idea how many of those engines I rebuilt, but I think those chrome plated bores look amazing.

[@jeffsappington9704]

Awesome discussion, interesting, educational!

[@richardho5955]

Thank you Mark and Kevin! I’m loving these chats, the Hayabusa was a revelation back in ’99 and its progeny are a testament to its brilliant original design! Please keep them coming! 👏🏍️🇿🇦👍

[@vxe6vxe6]

I "borrowed" a used 2012 from my local dealership and rode it around for an hour.

[@thomasdeir6212]

Awesome story Mark & Kevin! I remember this time and even the television commercials.

[@etienneprinsloo6799]

Remember the superbike revolution the 1985 through 1988 GSXR 750 caused? Light, fast, well handling and a a revolution for the era. The Busa is still around, 25 glorious years later. It’s still fast, comfortable, reliable and beautiful (obviously not all agree). The motor is bulletproof and has become a favourite donor heart for many vehicles. There is however that issue with a ravenous appetite for rear tyres.

[@josephreisinger33]

I remember a Brit mag doing a run to south France with Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha. The xx got the jump and toped out at 178 I think and a little bit later, here comes the Busa at 190+. Like the XX was standing still.

[@dereknagy-ew2ki]

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