Suzuki has made some incredible motorcycles over the decades, even though it has usually been one of the smallest Japanese motorcycle manufacturers. The philosophy it follows is one of doing things slowly but getting it right the first time, and once it engineers a winning formula, it doesn’t mess with it. If you look at Suzuki's range, it is full of if-it-ain't-broke-don't-fix-it models. But there is one model that Suzuki made that hit it out of the park. Suzuki Has No Shortage Of Class-Defining Machines Suzuki Motorcycles While this is the Suzuki that all the others in its segment look up to, there are others that can make a claim to the title. They span across segments and prove that you don't need to reinvent the wheel to make a brilliant machine that riders will happily take home. This is what Suzuki has always done well amongst the Big Four from Japan.SuzukiTalking about such bikes, the DR650S has been around for a very long time, and it is one of the unbreakable motorcycles. It is low-output, low-stress, and, being a big 650 single, it has a lot of vibrations. However, its capability both on- and off-road makes up for it, and it has the legs to do highway runs as well. If you truly want one bike to do everything, the DR650S is a great choice. By ‘everything’ we mean ‘service and repair at home as well’.Action shot of a rider cornering on a blue Suzuki SV650This is another example. Suzuki has stubbornly stuck to its 90-degree V-twin for its other 650 cc engine. This engine powers an adventure bike and a street bike, with the SV650 being our favorite of the two. It isn't just a joy to ride; it is also very stylish, and that is a unique combination to have. It still sells in good enough numbers for Suzuki to consider an update to meet new emission norms, so we are quite excited to see how it evolves in the future.SuzukiLastly, there's the Boulevard. The word “power cruiser” is thrown about quite casually these days, and there are more and more entrants into this sub-segment. However, Suzuki was one of the original entrants into the space two decades ago with the Boulevard M109R. Not only did the brand give it a big V-twin engine, but it had some of the largest pistons on any automobile. It has the highest horsepower figure of any cruiser below $20,000 to this day. The Hayabusa Proves Suzuki Still Knows Best SuzukiThe Hayabusa is one of Suzuki's legendary models for multiple reasons. At launch, it wasn’t restricted and had one of the highest top speeds in history. It is one of those nineties bikes from when manufacturers were still pushing the envelope without an eye on emissions, safety, or common sense, which is what makes it such a great product.The myths surrounding its name are another reason why it is legendary. To this day, it remains a popular product, especially with drag racers and tuners. It is the last motorcycle of its kind, and we do not expect it to disappear anytime soon, unlike the competition. This just goes to show how right Suzuki has gotten the Hayabusa. Through three generations, it hasn't lost its identity. All of which goes to show the Hayabusa is the motorcycle that proves Suzuki still knows best. A Reasonable Price, Considering The Performance You Get SuzukiSuzuki has priced the Hayabusa at $19,499. There is also a Special Edition with a price tag of $20,129. This is a really good value price for a motorcycle that is one of the fastest in a straight line and, in this current avatar, is reasonably good at going around a corner as well. If you are into drag racing, this price also allows you to get into the sport reasonably cheaply. The equivalent sport-tourers or hyperbikes of today will command a price that is at least 50 percent more than the Hayabusa, and the Hayabusa doesn't lack any electronic aids or power in comparison. This Has One Of The Great Engines In Automotive History Suzuki CyclesThe original Hayabusa was developed in a time when the production bike top speed record was a very desirable target and a matter of pride for manufacturers. So Suzuki engineered one of the great engines in automotive history. It has changed a little bit over the years, but it is still very similar to that original engine launched in 1999. Today, it displaces 1,340 cc, has a compression ratio of 12.5:1, and the output figures stand at 187 horsepower and 110.6 pound-feet at 7,000 RPM. The interesting thing is, despite it being naturally aspirated, it still has one of the highest torque figures in its segment, even more than the Kawasaki Ninja H2R.SuzukiA short-ratio six-speed gearbox has been fitted to this engine to optimize acceleration. But top gear is tall for better efficiency and comfort on the highway. A two-way quickshifter is standard, as is a hydraulic clutch that also has an assist and slipper feature. Another unique thing about the Hayabusa engine is that it has oil jets to cool the fourth, fifth, and sixth speeds in the gearbox. And it has a specially developed final drive chain because of the immense torque and power that goes through it. Nimbler Than You'd Expect In Its Latest Avatar Suzuki CyclesSuzuki has fitted the Hayabusa with a twin-spar aluminum frame, just like a sports bike. This is paired with an aluminum swingarm and a steel subframe. Understandably, the chassis uses the engine as a stressed member. All of this is done to reduce weight. The chassis is tuned more for stability rather than flickability because, again, the purpose of the Hayabusa is not to go screaming around a corner as fast as possible; it is to rule others at the drag strip.Suzuki There are 43 mm KYB inverted forks at the front with a DLC coating that reduces friction. And the rear single shock has stepless spring preload, rebound, and compression damping adjustment. There is a factory-fitted steering damper as well. The brakes consist of two 320 mm fully floating discs at the front with Brembo Stylema radial four-piston fixed calipers and a single-piston Nissin caliper with a 260 mm disc at the rear. 17-inch alloy wheels with radial tubeless tires round it out. This Is A Not A Compact Motorcycle The Hayabusa belongs to what was once known as the hyperbike class. So it isn't a sports bike. But you are best off thinking of it as a really fast sport-tourer, and its dimensions reflect that. It is 85.8 inches long, 29 inches wide, and has a 58.3-inch wheelbase. Seat height is normal for a street bike at 31.5 inches. But it does have quite a low ground clearance of 4.9 inches. Despite all the weight saving, it is still quite portly at 582 pounds wet. A Back-To-The-Future Kind Of Feature List SuzukiThe Hayabusa has decided to stay grounded in its ‘90s roots as far as its instrument cluster is concerned, but has also updated itself to extract the best from the present technology available. The instrument cluster has four analog dials. The dominant dials show the revs and speed, and they are flanked by an analog fuel gauge and coolant temperature gauge. In the center is a small vertical TFT display that offers a lot of information about the electronics. It also includes a display for the clock, ambient temperature, and a full trip computer. Above the screen are all the warning lamps and the most important lamp of them all: the shift light!Suzuki While the dash is properly Busa-like, the electronics it lets you access are thoroughly modern. A six-axis IMU and a by-wire throttle enable bits like ride modes, cornering traction control, ABS, and engine-brake control. Each of these things is also individually adjustable depending on the mode you are in. There is also anti-wheelie, hill-hold, cruise control, and launch control. As part of its latest update, the cruise control allows you to shift gears. Only Two Real Competitors In The Market Today KawasakiThe Hayabusa is from an era that valued performance more than emissions, which is why its class seems to be dying out today. It has only one competitor that has carried over from the nineties and 2000s: the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R. This is just as technologically advanced as the Hayabusa in the engine department and, in fact, has more power and torque. However, it does not sell anywhere near as well as the Hayabusa. This is also the reason we expect that Kawasaki will pull it from the lineup once emission norms catch up with it.KawasakiA more modern alternative would be the Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX. It uses forced induction to produce its 207 horsepower and 101 pound-feet. It is a unique experience riding a bike with a supercharger, but it does not have the wheelbase to compete with its sibling and the ‘Busa at the drag strip. There is also the small matter of it being at least $10,000 more expensive than either the ZX-14R or the Suzuki!Source: Suzuki Cycles USA
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