Suzuki HAYABUSA 1300 cc

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.

The bike comes with silver-outlined four-pod analogue instruments for the speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge and temperature gauge. A centered LCD displays the bike’s odo and twin trip readings as well as Suzuki’s Drive Mode Selector (S-DMS), which allows easy switching between three engine maps as can be operated on the fly. On offer are A mode for maximum performance, B for a relatively tame power curve, and C that subdues the Busa to make it as sedate as a Busa can possibly be. The Busa comes with beautifully sculpted, reach-adjustable, buffed alloy clutch and brake levers, comfortable grips and adequate switchgear bolted onto its clip-on bars. The tank area offers firm grip to the rider’s thighs, and the saddle is comfortably padded for both, rider and pillion.

The new Busa’s fuel tank is slightly lower than on the earlier model, while its visor sits 15mm higher, both combining to allow improved wind protection when a rider tucks in. The Hayabusa comes with smartly flattened and chrome-tipped twin silencers. An angular tail fairing section leads into its wide, easily distinguishable-at- night LED double lens taillight and oval turn indicators. Paint quality, fit and finish and overall quality are acceptable.

Drivetrain & Performance

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.

The compression ratio is now higher at 12.5:1. A pair of overhead, hollow camshafts power a fleet of 16 titanium and bucket tappet-supported valves. Cam-chain tensioning is hydraulically achieved which helps bring down noise levels. Pistons are lighter and propped up by shot-peened chrome molybdenum steel alloy connecting rods. An advanced digital fuel injection system finds place on the new Hayabusa, as do twin 44mm double-barrel throttle bodies. The new Busa uses a curved, compact radiator that is controlled by the bike’s engine management system. This Busa’s six-speed, one-down, five-up shifting transmission is smooth, always precise and positive with oil spray for its top three gears reducing sound levels during high speed cruising. The Hayabusa’s twin exhausts let out a soft, yet menacing exhaust tone that provides a nice background to its silken smooth engine. The new Busa’s back torque limiting hydraulically operated clutch is as good as it gets and offers perfect feel.It takes no more than a few moments of experiencing the violence of nearly 200bhp to understand what a Hayabusa is all about. Throttle response is instant with an equator-wide power band starting close to idle. Once past 7000rpm, there is no letup till slamming into the bus’s stop at 11000rpm.

No other bike can rocket as quickly from rest with such consummate ease. We managed 0-220kph in 10.26seconds, 0-200kph in 8.39sec, 0-160kph in 5.84sec and 0-100kph in 3.35sec. Make no mistake; this is an expert’s motorcycle. It commands respect and should be ridden with utmost care and responsibility.

EconomyThe 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.

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.

Saddle height is relatively lower than the outgoing model, and allows for a comfortable pillion perch. The Hayabusa’s riding position is in between — not as radical as an R1-type sportsbike, but not upright either. This big, heavy bike hates being flicked around and loads up its rider’s wrists over long distances. Although it can be cumbersome to ride, especially in city traffic conditions, it does offer some degree of comfort, a lot of predictability and surefooted, forgiving handling. It does take effort, plus weight-shifting to wrestle it down into a corner, but once stuck into a corner, the ‘Bus’ glides through with adequate poise. Ride quality is impressive with its suspension readily soaking up every road undulation and bump.

In terms of straightline stability, the Hayabusa is unshakeable and feels absolutely planted when laying down its brutal power.The front brake calipers are radial mounted, and chomp on a pair of 310mm front rotors, with a smaller 260mm single piston, single disc unit used at the rear. Braking requires some effort as speeds build up, but is powerful, with good bite and a solid feel at the lever. We wrestled the Busa from 100kph to rest in 40.5 metres, with the 60kph-0 breakup being 14.6 metres.

Verdict

9/10

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.

Data

Specification

SUZUKI HAYABUSA 1300 cc (L/W/H) 1480 mm/735 mm/165 mm Wheel base 1480 mm Kerb weight 260 kg ENGINE Layout Four cylinders,liquid cooled,4 stroke Displacement 1340 cc Max power 197 bhp at 10200 rpm Max torque 15.7 kgm at 6200 rpm Instalaltion In-line four Valve gear titanium,4 per cylinder,dohc Bore/stroke 81/65 mm,titanium,4 per cylinder dohc Ignition and fuel tci, fuel injection GEAR BOX Type 6 speed 1-down,5 up SUSPENSION Front Upside down telescopic forks Rear Link type monoshock,alloy swing arm WHEEL&TYRES Made of 3-spoke alloy Tyre size(f/r) 120/70x17-190/50x17 inches BRAKES Front 310 mm disc Rear 260 mm disc BRAKING 100-0 kph 40.5 m/3.2 seconds ACCELERATION FROM REST (SURFACE DRY) 0-60 kph 2.07 seconds ACCELERATION IN GEAR 20-50 kph in second gear 2.2 seconds 40-70 kph in third gear 2.04 seconds FUEL ECONOMY(KPL) Highway 22.3 kpl City 17.7 kpl WHAT IT COSTS Ex-showroom India Rs 12.5 lakh

Posted in: First Rides - Apr 2011