Suzuki’s Hayabusa is one of those famous nameplates that immediately brings something to your mind. You hear “Hayabusa” and motorcyclists automatically picture the hawk-like shape of the world’s fastest motorcycle. That curved front fairing, the extended swingarm, the slanted tail that barely looks big enough to keep you glued to the seat as you crank the throttle and watch the speedometer and tachometer climb almost simultaneously.
‘Busa is big. It is loud. This is unmatched. Well, it was a time. But not really yet.
Recent years have revealed that Hayabusa is no longer the leader of the group. Superbikes from Ducati, Aprilia, Kawasaki, and even Honda all have more horsepower, more speed, more downforce, and are, in general, faster than the Hayabusa. And they’re equipped with all that technology, plus being lighter than the Hayabusa, which means they’re not as fast in a straight line; They are really fast everywhere. In some cases, they are even cheaper.
Yet, while other brands have seen their competitors grow and gain momentum, which has spawned updated or full-scale all-new platforms and models and engines, Suzuki has kept the Hayabusa much as it was when it first introduced the motorcycle several decades ago. Bigger, faster, and that’s it. Still a great motorcycle, but with little or no updates every year it becomes easier to tell its age. And because of this, it feels like it’s time for Suzuki to either give consumers an all-new Hayabusa or, sadly, give this legend the rest it deserves and let it pass on a high note.
I’ve come to this conclusion after seeing another fancy paint job slapped on an aging icon for the tenth year in a row with little or no significant change to speak of. it is still Now! A Hayabusa. The iconic look hasn’t really changed since Suzuki first introduced the motorcycle in 1999, even though the company claims the motorcycle is now in its third generation – maybe if you peek really, really, really hard.
Even the powertrain, a naturally aspirated 1,300 cc inline four-cylinder, has barely changed since its debut. The biggest change since the Gentleman’s Agreement is the more limited top speed, although it doesn’t really matter. It’s still the old Hayabusa, which may speak to the staying power and charm of the original design, but in my eyes, after seeing this motorcycle for nearly 30 years, it just looks old, and Suzuki doesn’t know where to go with the nameplate.
And for what it’s worth, I don’t think Suzuki needs to lose the Hayabusa ethos. The concept of a big, heavy, badass motorcycle that people can customize, tune, and drag race to their heart’s content is a cool one. As is the obvious ability to go ungodly fast on closed circuits. But there’s room for the Hayabusa to grow, evolve, and come into the 21st century in a real and solid way, just as Kawasaki’s H2 platform has done since taking over the ZX-14. Suzuki will have to do something to make this happen. However, what that looks like, I don’t know.
What I do know is that the longer the Hayabusa stays like that, the more likely it will go out not like the champ it was but like Suzuki didn’t care about its lineage. Didn’t care about ‘Busa’s’ legacy or influence. Didn’t care about how to ensure Hayabusa in the future. It turns out like the dodo, which is definitely not a peregrine falcon.
