12 minute read
Suzuki Hayabusa
HUNTING PREY
Words: Lee Allen Photographs: Suzuki GB - Paul Currie - Lee Allen - Showcase Bikes Special thanks to James Sharpe and Tim Davies
It’s 1999 and Honda’s Super Blackbird holds the title of the World’s fastest production bike with a top speed of 178.5 mph - topping the Kawasaki ZZR1100’s 175 mph two years previously. Along comes the Suzuki Hayabusa and flies past at 194 mph. What makes this even more legendary, is the fact “Hayabusa” is Japanese for peregrine falcon, a bird that often serves as a metaphor for speed due to its vertical hunting dive with a speed of up to 202 mph, the fastest of any bird. Not only that, but they also prey on blackbirds! Suzuki created a legend that still stands today and is still spoken about regularly with stories of highly illegal speeds. This legend has now been updated this year with a third generation.
Firstly, it is blatantly obvious the only reason DAF Driver has released me from my cage is due to my obsessive lunacy with two-wheels (thanks to my parents!) and the fact everyone else is plain scared with just the thought of sittng on this legal missile. Let alone hitting that start button and firing up all 190bhp! Even with roughly 40 years on two wheels and the last 30 of those riding on the road mixed with some off-road enduro racing, I was still apprehensive about what I was getting myself into. Back in 1999 I had a brief go on a mate’s brand new Hayabusa. It scared me – and I was running a ‘98 Blade that was by no means a slouch! Those extra ccs mean a lot and it just felt it had endless grunt and would just keep going and going. The third generation has received a huge list of updates and if the part has not been updated - it’s new.
Ten days A picturesque train ride (would have preferred steam or diesel) from Stafford to Milton Keynes, followed by a dizzy taxi journey round one too many of MK’s roundabouts and I was stood in Suzuki GB headquarters, workshop, signing a disclaimer that I would be responsible for anything resulting in action from the boys in blue. Great. Now the nerves are bubbling! Aftersales Marketing Coordinator, Aftersales Operations Tim Davies eased my nerves by taking me on a tour of the workshop and warehouse, where I got to see some of the Team Classic Suzuki collection, including a Kenny Roberts Jr GP bike, along with one of Barry Sheene’s race bikes kindly on loan from the Sheene family. The HQ is also the hub for the car and marine operations, which was really interesting to see - especially the £28k outboard motors! The parts department was also an eye opener and just as impressive. All this rapidly became a distant memory, once I sat on the bike and put the key in the ignition. The ‘dash’ quickly comes to life and the fuel pump starts whining, before I hit the starter button and the beast erupts into a roar of inline four music. Every part of your body can sense you’re sat on something insanely powerful, yet upon releasing
HUNTING PREY
the clutch, the bike pulls away like a calm and well mannered luxury car. It takes me about a mile to get used to the fly-by-wire throttle which is the only mild issue I have, before I feel right at home, piling into roundabout after roundabout and spending almost a good half hour to eventually stop going round and round in circles and actually get out of MK! Once the merry-go-round is over, I’m on the A5, heading north and very well aware of just how much power this thing has and how smoothly it does everything. Nothing feels awkward. The brakes, steering, switchgear, the quick shifter clutchless gear changes all come naturally and make riding relaxingly enjoyable. It becomes quite apparent the Hayabusa brings out the smoother rider in yourself and corner after corner are executed with smooth precision, as is fast paced filtering and slow 5mph filtering through town. Surprising to be honest, as the Hayabusa is a big bike, but not once did I notice its size or weight, even when negotiating the snail like traffic through Towcester. The bike is so well balanced and the centre of gravity is so low, you never have that feeling of struggling you have with the normal top heavy weight of a big bike if you lean a little too far to one side and start dabbing your feet in slight panic.
The Hayabusa is a time machine Pulling away from the lights, you quickly notice you’ve hit warp factor five in a split second, from looking in the mirrors and seeing the vehicles 60 metres behind are only just starting to pull away. This is without taking advantage of the launch control setting in the long list of rider aids, including various settings for traction control and quick shifting, to name but two. The Hayabusa is so advanced with its S.I.R.S (Suzuki Intelligent Ride System) which includes an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) supplied by Bosch, that combines accelerometers and gyroscopes in a single compact package, that measures angular rate and acceleration to constantly monitor pitch, roll, and yaw movement. The new Motion Track Traction Control, Anti-lift Control, Active Speed Limiter, Cruise Control, Motion Track Brake, Slope Dependent Control and Hill Hold Control systems employ data provided by the IMU. For my first ride from Milton Keynes to
Image courtesy of www.facebook.com/showcasebikes/ “Papped” arriving at the Raven Bike Night, Midway Truck Stop, Prees Heath, Whitchurch.
Below right: Midway Truck Stop and Beeston Castle
home just outside Stafford, I was really surprised at how amazing the Hayabusa performed and the two hour, 94 mile ride was relaxed and very enjoyable. As well as exhilarating!
Day to day riding made easy Day two was spent riding some local routes taking in the views of Ironbridge, Bridgenorth, Much Wenlock, Oswestry and Ellesmere, before ending up at the Raven Bike Night at the Midway Truck Stop on the A41 at Prees Heath, Whitchurch, where I was “papped” by the Showcase Bikes photographer, as I went round the roundabout. Obviously I had to park next to a DAF too, once the posing had finished. Day three and I was on the A41 again, this time a flyby of the Midway Truck stop, as I needed to be at The Royal Cheshire County Show ground for a photoshoot with the new generation trucks DAF were setting up in preparation for Truckfest North West over the weekend. Needless to say, the Hayabusa held its ground and looked at home, parked up between the new XF and XG+. Sadly, due to the Hayabusa’s time travelling ability, I was there a few hours ahead of the new XG’s arrival and first public appearance. The ride there and back was great fun, the A49 being the perfect hunting ground for the Hayabusa, with sweeping bends, drops and climbs, that included a brief stop off at Beeston Castle for a quick photo opportunity. The Hayabusa is a bit of a poser and far from camera shy, with it’s new swooping lines and curves in all the right places.
Day four was a few local chore trips, proving the Hayabusa is at home with short hop trips, just as it is with eating up big mileage at a rapid rate. I live in the sticks, surrounded by single track roads that resemble a cross between a muddy field and a cow’s shitty backside, which the Hayabusa handled like a farmer on a mission with its traction control making sure I was not ditch finding.
Day five was proof that owning a time machine means a typical day of rest Sunday does not exist. However much the Hayabusa looked at home, snuggled up to my collection of bikes in the garage, it was just begging to hit the tarmac and enjoy the sun. Back on the A41 to Whitchurch, left on to the A525, then you’re pretty much alone, as most people stick to the main routes. Left onto the A539 and the road becomes very quiet and twisty. Even the 20mph limit through Penley does
Rhos-Y-Gwaliau
Rhos-Y-Gwaliau
The Ponderosa Cafe Lake Vyrnwy
not deter the bike that is capable of almost adding another zero to the 20mph speed limit! Even the 90 degree turns through the centre of Overton do not upset the Hayabusa. A brief moment on the A538, then back on the A539 to Raubon, under the A5, past the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which is worth a visit just to see the feat of engineering and spectacular views, unless you’re scared of heights! Through Llangollen, then onto the Horseshoe Pass - just what the doctor ordered for a happy Hayabusa, sucking up the cooler fresh air. The twisty climb up to the Ponderosa Cafe was just as excillarating as the first time I rode it three years ago and the proceeding 50 or more times I’ve done that route. A slightly sucidal sheep tested my reactions, along with the Hayabusa’s combined, ABS braking. Utter panic in my brain and the seat of my pants, but total calm and precision from the faultless braking system. Some chops and leg of lamb avoided.
Sasuage and bacon bap Quick bite to eat at the Ponderosa Cafe, surrounded by a sea of other two wheeled fans and a blast from the past - a gen two Hayabusa, proving the gen three is now a Charlize Theron and not a Charlize ThreeChins. Next along the A543, then the amazing A525 to Ruthin, taking in the race track like chicanes through the Nant Y Garth Pass. The Hayabusa corners perfectly, even the odd times I cocked up going in too hot, having to slam the brakes on thinking I’m not getting round this bend, the Hayabusa just takes over like it’s on rails and effortlessly guides you round the corner. Through Ruthin and onto the fast A494 to Bala Lake. Then along a tiny road off the B4391 through Rhos-Y-Gwaliau, with some of the most spectacular views that take you to Lake Vyrnwy. Round the lake, then back to Bala via the just as spectacular B4391 and back home via the same route in reverse. This trip included every imaginable road and road conditon, yet the Hayabusa did not struggle one bit, or make for difficult riding. Just constant confidence and enjoyment, whether the road was perfect sticky tarmac, shredded tarmac, wet corners from waterfalls, mud from tractors and all the cattle grids dotted round Wales. You’re also conscious that nearly all other bikers spot it’s a new Hayabusa and that it is a special bike and far from common.
The next few days saw more trips into Wales to include the Elan Valley and back up to Mold. Also had a fish and chip run through the Peak District to Matlock Bath, Bakewell, Buxton and the famous Cat & Fiddle run (almost ruined by the 50mph average speed cameras!) to Macclesfield.
Conclusion? Is there a Suzuki Santa, because I want one! If I had a spare £16,500 I wouldn’t hesitate, other than choosing which colour to have. Everywhere I went, bikers would come over and all say the same, “I don’t like it. It’s ugly and too big. Didn’t like the pictures, when it was announced”. Within two minutes of walking round, then sitting on the bike, they all say the same, “Actually, it’s a lot better in the flesh. I quite like it. Blimey, it actually feels nice and light and not like a big bus”. I loved the look of the new Hayabusa when I saw the first images and footage. Loved it even more in the flesh. Then fell totally in love once I started riding it. After riding nine out of the 10 days I had the Hayabusa and covering just over 1,400 miles, I was gutted to give it back to Suzuki. If I were to have one, I’d probably swap the screen for a “double bubble” and look at the potential of some bar risers - just an inch, which I feel would make the riding position perfectly comfortable for longer journeys. I found after six hours riding in a day, my right wrist ached every now and then. Maybe I should have utilised the cruise control....
Craig Goch Dam, Elan Valley
Heading to Bala Lake, B4391
Rudyard Lake, A523
The Cat & Fiddle, A537 SPECIFICATIONS Overall length 2,180mm (85.8 in.) Overall width 735mm (28.9 in.) Overall height 1,165mm (45.9 in.) Wheelbase 1,480mm (58.3 in.) Ground clearance 125 mm (4.9 in.) Seat height 800mm (31.5 in.) Kerb weight 264kg (582 lbs.) Engine type Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, in-line four Bore x stroke 81.0mm x 65.0mm (3.189 in. x 2.559 in.) Engine displacement 1,340cc Compression ratio 12.5:1 Maximum power 140kW (190PS)/9,700rpm Maximum torque 150Nm/7,000rpm Fuel consumption 42.1mpg (WMTC) Fuel system Fuel injection Starter system Electric Lubrication system Wet sump Transmission Six-speed constant mesh Suspension (front) Inverted telescopic, coil spring, oil damped Suspension (rear) Link type, coil spring, oil damped Rake/trail 23° 00’ / 90mm (3.54 in.) Brakes (front) Brembo Stylema®, 4-piston, twin disc Brake (rear) Nissin, 1-piston, single disc Tyres (front) 120/70ZR17M/C (58W), tubeless Tyres (rear) 190/50ZR17M/C (73W), tubeless Ignition system Electronic ignition (transistorised) Fuel tank capacity 20.0 L
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