Flashback Friday: Suzuki Hayabusa: Altar Of Speed

The Suzuki Hayabusa has been a bedroom poster on millions of people's walls for years and is worshipped at the temple of speed. After more than two decades and three generations, the following and appeal are still strong. And there's good for that.

Most extreme performance vehicles live for a short while. They dominate until either a rival or successor usurps the throne. Some are exceptions to the rule however, and the Suzuki Hayabusa is an excellent example. Imagine a motorcycle so well engineered, it was as violent as it was well mannered. Twenty years ago the world's fastest bike was also a bike you could go around the world on. 

In the 90s the Hayabusa was Suzuki's answer to the Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird and the Kawasaki ZZR1100, two motorcycles that fought it out to be the fastest production motorcycle. With roughly 174PS extracted from its 1298cc and excellent aerodynamics at play, the Busa snatched the crown like a Peregrine falcon would its prey (blackbird) swiftly. Having broken the 300kmph barrier, a new age of speed was upon us. Generation 1 of the Hayabusa dominated the scene from 1999-2008 when it was phased out to welcome Generation-2. 

Gen-2 of the Hayabusa witnessed a massive influx of power, introduction to basic rider aids and minor but significant tweaks to the hardware and aerodynamics. Now strapping close to 197PS from a larger 1340cc heart, the motorcycle had somehow managed not only to retain its savagery but also its versatility. Gen-2 which sold in decent numbers from 2008-2020 was arguably the most favourite generations among the enthusiasts. Enough to convince our ex-Editor Kartikeya to get one. From being his daily rider to touring and even clocking lap times at the race track, he swore by the Busa's ability to handle it all with equal confidence. And then all of sudden the mighty Busa was gone! 

But in 2021, Suzuki yet against felt it was time to bring the old soldier of fortune in for refresh and in 2022 we got the all new Suzuki Hayabusa Generation-3. Now we must admit, unlike the jump from Gen-1 to Gen-2, generation-3 stirred up some controversy. Although the new styling is still unmistakably 'Hayabusa', the lines were sharpers, its nose tucked lower and butt rounded horizontally, and it all looked a little 'eh'. But what hit the most was that the power was down -190PS. Fans and followers didn't take very kindly to it, but for those who have been fortunate enough to ride the new gen-3 Busa will equivocally tell you one thing - it's mental AF! Full loaded with rider aids like multi-level traction control, power modes, wheelie control and more, the Busa is now more idiot-proof than ever. Tapping in to nearly 200PS has never been easier. 

The Busa is a machine that, unlike few other motorcycles, has been tweaked to extremes in order to extract more than twice as much power as the stock motorcycle, and the engine has seen it all. From Hayabusas with extra-long swingarms, 240-section rear tyres, NOS, turbocharging, and other modifications have dominated quarter-mile drag strips to stunt arenas. 

There are rumours that this generation-3 will be the Hayabusa's last hoorah. Sure she's no longer the fastest bike in the world, or even a member of the 200PS club, she does not have to be. She's the first chapter - genisis - in the Bible of speed and she will always be one of the greatest ever to run rubber on road.