2021 Suzuki Hayabusa Hopes: Speed & Simplicity

“What’s the top speed?”

This question, although academic, has a certain purity and simplicity to it. The answer is uncomplicated, comparable, and absolute. It stirs the mind and establishes the subject’s place in an irrefutable hierarchy. This simple pecking order saw frenzied action at the turn of the 21st century. Faster and ever faster the motorcycles got, and then just as the madness looked likely to get out of hand, a gentleman’s pact between the European and Japanese motorcycle crafters brought the speed war to an end.

That was right after Suzuki’s Hayabusa captured people’s imagination by becoming the fastest production motorcycle by a mile!

This voluptuous and ungainly motorcycle seemed to be there to take you into a future where the edges of reality had been pushed much further away. So good was the formula that the Busa has barely tinkered with it over the twenty years of its existence.

With Suzuki teasing the new Hayabusa's arrival, we can’t help but wonder what new realms it is hoping to conquer? What could the new Suzuki’s glory be built on? And as a Hayabusa owner and enthusiast, what would I like to see preserved from its past and what should be better for the next generation?

More bread and eggs please!
Sure, unusable and ridiculous speeds defined the Busa and crafted its cult, but its legendary status was down to its affable boy-next-door demeanour. Over the last twenty years (and two generations), more and more people have been drawn to the Busa because of its speed but stayed in love with it because of its wholesome goodness. The combination of drivability, comfort, refinement, and handling, combined with Suzuki’s endless hunger for speed, was absolutely intoxicating.

Imagine being able to bang down the door of the 300-kmph mark with a mad grin on your face but without gasping for breath! And then being able to trundle to the kirana wala for a grocery run smiling a monk’s placid smile. This has been the real beauty of the ‘Busa. Even when Suzuki developed more power and performance with the second-generation bike, the everyday usability was only beefed up. The new-gen Hayabusa has some avenues to better its regular usability. A dual-clutch transmission, or turbocharging, we hope not! Variable valve timing for better responsiveness. Absolutely!

A bit more green
For me, the Busa’s beauty was etched deeper because of its rival, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R. Some vital figures were either exactly the same or virtually indistinguishable -- from wheelbase and kerb weight to wheel and tyre size and horsepower. Both were equally unabashed about professing their lust for speed. So, it would be safe to assume that these two Oriental missiles would be similar to ride. Wrong.

A good dust-up between these two showed that they were both incredible, potent, and bruising motorcycles, but very different from each other. The Kawasaki’s performance was so fierce that it could beat an unprepared rider into submission. Paradoxically, it was absolutely velvety smooth. This effortless but brutal performance earned it the, rather well-deserved, intercontinental-ballistic-missile tag.

In comparison, the Busa wasn’t violent. It felt predictable and encouraging to ride even without traction control, which made getting to grips with the Hayabusa a more satisfying and enjoyable experience for sport riders. However, the Busa could do with an added dash of wickedness to bring a new streak of excitement. This can also be reined in by the new suite of electronics that the Busa is bringing, which should multiply its appeal manifold!

Sharper. Lighter
The Busa’s handling is enjoyable, and considering its 270kg kerb weight, it’s frankly remarkable. For a twenty-year-old motorcycle, it is magical even. But, in the company of modern-day motorcycles, the Busa is starting to feel podgy and just a bit lazy. A lighter feel and more agility through tighter and slower corners will help Suzuki bring that sparkle back to the Busa. Dropping the kerb weight to under 240kg doesn’t sound unreasonable. Also, better feel and consistency from the brakes would up its pitlane cred dramatically. Brembo Stylemas? Why, not!

Stay simple. Stay granular
In true Suzuki fashion, the Hayabusa was built to last. Which meant, newer technologies were used sparingly. Reason why the only form of electronics on the second-generation Hayabusa, even at the end of 2020, were power modes and ABS. However, time and again the Suzuki proved it was thoroughly engineered. The superb Kayaba suspension is a shining example of the vast ability packed into every aspect. As a result, the Hayabusa glides over bad patches with suppleness and lightness that belies the ‘bus’!
Hopefully, Suzuki keeps electronics to a minimum so that this long-haul machine stays a low-fuss machine too. Even in terms of design, I am delighted to note that the Porsche-esque beautiful interlocking-circle design for the instrument cluster has been carried forward to the upcoming Hayabusa.

A bit more 21st century, please
Yes. Right after we wanted it to stay simple, we are asking for more. But just for essentials to make their way to the Hayabusa to strengthen its purpose. A colour digital screen should provide much-needed information for tourers, like distance to empty and navigation information. For the more enthusiastic riders, a quickshifter, traction control, and maybe some data-logging features for track use, would be just about right!

Make in India
Suzuki Motorcycle has to start assembling the Hayabusa in India again. The decision to assemble the epitome of high-performance motorcycles in India was genius! The resulting reduction in price made this iconic motorcycle cheaper by about Rs 3 lakh and as many times closer to the Indian Busa buyer!

Bring Busa Back!
Well, it is almost here. Suzuki plans to unveil the Hayabusa on February 5, 2021. What all it brings we shall happily dissect here on ZigWheels. But, when could it come to India, seems unclear for now. Hopefully, the wait isn’t too long!