Hayabusa is as famous and awkward looking a bike. Review on Suzuki Hayabusa 1300

(Design & Engineering)

The Hayabusa is designed with a view to be the fastest accelerating bike on the planet with fantastic wind-cheating ability. Its standout, bulbous, lengthy style is instantly recognisable.

Up front, an oversized but shapely mudguard goes upwards into the headlight cluster which with a 70mm projector-type high beam works brilliantly at night. The indicators sit flush in the fairing, while the pair of smoothly rounded rearview mirrors work well even at high speeds.

(Ride & Handling)

The latest Busa uses a lightweight and rigid twin-spar, aluminium alloy frame. Weighing in at 260kg, the 2190mm-long Busa sits in a 1480mm wheelbase void that can be felt every time one turns the bike at low speed. The Busa deploys adjustable upside-down forks as well as a fully adjustable single rear shock that works in unison with a bridged alloy swingarm.

(Interior)

This new Busa gains a massive 25bhp in peak power output over its predecessor, with 197bhp now spinning out at the crank. The ram air fed, in-line-four, liquid-cooled, four-stroke engine retains its earlier bore dimensions, but has increased stroke by 2mm to 65mm to bump up displacement to 1340cc. Maximum torque is now 15.7kgm developed at 6200rpm.

(Performance & Economy)

The ubiquitous ‘Mileage kya hai?’ in India features last on the list of anyone looking to buy a bike as quick as the Hayabusa. That didn’t however keep us from putting it through economy testing. Our test bike delivered 17.7kpl in the city, and 22.3kpl when zipping on the highways.

(Verdict)

Hayabusa is as famous and awkward looking a bike as any. While most owners will find its wall of power impossible to scale, the unbelievable acceleration, surefooted straightline manners and acceptable cornering all come together to make one heck of a motorcycle. And it’s as easy to ride as any motorcycle that develops as close to 200 horses as has ever been. Like its predecessor, the new Hayabusa is for those brave enough to scale the Mt Everest of motorcycling, provided you can afford one.

Overall Rating 9 /10

(Tech Specs)

What it costs

Ex-showroom(Delhi) Rs 12.5 lakh

Engine

Type 1340 cc

Bore/stroke 81/65 mm, titanium, 4 per cylinder dohc

Valve gear titanium, 4 per cylinder, dohc

Suspension

Front Upside down telescopic forks

Rear Link type monoshock, alloy swing arm

Brakes

Front 310 mm disc

Rear 260 mm disc

Economy

City 17.7 kpl

Highway 22.3 kpl