Several recent media reports, including in the U.S., have indicated that Suzuki has discontinued production of the Hayabusa model. Yesterday, Suzuki issued the press release (below) clarifying that the Hayabusa will continue in production for the U.S. market.
Here is the press release from Suzuki:
Brea, CA (December 13, 2018) – Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (SMAI) has confirmed that U.S. market production of the Hayabusa sport motorcycle continues uninterrupted. Production of European specification Hayabusa models has been discontinued due to Euro 4 emission regulations. This situation, and resulting media reports, may have caused confusion and misunderstand among U.S. consumers, media, and dealers.
Commenting on the status of the iconic sports motorcycle, Kerry Graeber, Suzuki’s Vice President, MC/ATV Sales and Marketing, said the following, “From its inception 20 years ago, the iconic Hayabusa motorcycle has been a visually- and technologically-stunning representation of Suzuki’s commitment to motorcycle performance. Literally tens of thousands of riders have owned this beloved model and it continues to be sought after even today. GT riders, drag racers, and customizers worldwide are obsessively devoted to the Hayabusa and we are looking forward to continuing its legacy. Suzuki Motor Corporation’s commitment to this model means a new generation of motorcyclists can experience the unmatched performance and style that the Hayabusa is known for globally.”
See more of MD’s great photography:
Apparently there will be a third generation of the Hayabusa launched in 2020.
https://www.motorbeam.com/2019-suzuki-hayabusa-launched-gets-2-new-colours/
My wife wants to get me one for Christmas. We like the 2018 White and Red. It looks like a Ducati collided with a Guernsey at full speed.
Is there any mechanical difference or evolution in the models since 2008?
“My wife wants to get me one for Christmas”
Your wife is effing awesome. The white and red is one of my favorites…
The brakes being upgraded with ABS and Brembos in… 2012? are about the only real change, other than graphics.
She just wants to collect your life insurance.
Now that’s funny right there!
The Hyabusa is a living legend. Enjoy it and petrol while it lasts.
One of the greats at Bike Night – I was looking at a graph of carbon footprint world wide and sources. Power plants, buildings, transportation. Global warming or not, fossil fuels are bad. We will have to shift more towards needs than wants and more towards making each other happier, going fishing, playing chess, low carbon vehicles, than what kids are learning; constantly being on electronic devices that are not solar or hydro or otherwise powered.
Climate change is happening… because it has always been happening. Carbon dioxide levels have very little if not anything to do with it.
Current carbon dioxide levels have been rising since the industrial revolution and now sit at about 403 parts per million of the atmosphere. In the past, over many millennia, carbon levels have exceeded 5,000 ppm… while the earths average temperature was in decline at the same time. Carbon dioxide levels rarely coincide with rising or falling temperatures when the data in the past is scrutinized.
Listen to people like Freeman Dyson, not Al Gore.
Just let me beat you once at chess before I kill myself.
So in 2020 Suzuki gives a turbocharged Hayabusa?
I owned a Bandit 1200S for 55,000 miles and it was a decent enough performer. The Hayabusa might be a bit much for me with the lower bars. The extra oomph would be great fun to play with, especially where I now live in rural Oregon. I think the Hayabusa might be due for a facelift to bring it new life.
There’s a limit to how far over they can be leaned (compared to 600s/750s) but it don’t matter. In capable hands they lunge to the next corner like some kinda superpowered cat, big fun. In my experience, they have no problem keeping up with the so-called lighter/fun bikes on twisty roads. Some would call that cheating. I called it a great show.
Will never forget seeing a ‘busa lunging into my 750’s mirrors out of slow/med turns. We did that for miles, laughed our asses off over that ride later, was a lot of fun!
“Hayabusas in mirror are approaching much faster than they appear!”
What is normally done with this High-abuser? Abusing law of traffic? Just curious.
I like motorcycles but this is way over the top.
It’s been over the top for 20 years now. God Bless Suzuki! 🙂
+1 and amen bmbktmracer
Yes we all exceed the speed limit even on bikes with 600cc. Hayabusa owners traditionally are older in age with more experience, primarily because of motorcycle insurance restrictions. Having owned 101 motorcycles in my life, I find the Hayabusa THE BEST ALL AROUND MOTORCYCLE EVER CREATED. I have 2 now and if I buy any other motorcycle, it will be another one!
I had once VTR1000, good enough for me. Every single ride I was way past the limit. Then I had Hornet 900….. now just memories.
The VTR was way underrated. The industy wasn’t ready for in in the 90s. Besides the horsepower increasing, it is in line with the current nakeds.
Had a 98 VTR for 12 years. Loved that thing. May have to get another.
Give an MT-10 a try. I think that is the modern evolution. Road focused and not parts binned.
I think it is a landmark bike, and it still looks pretty good to me actually.
One thing that seems almost universal is the the owners seem to love them. A good friend of mine bought a Busa in Y2K. Many bikes have passed through his garage in the 18 years since, but the Busa is still there. With 160,000 miles on it now, he said he was ready for a new one and is delighted with the color scheme on offer now.
The Busa is definitely a landmark bike. 160k is impressive.
I think the Hayabusa really does emulate a bird of prey in these photos.
https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/news/2018/january/2019_suzuki_gsx1400r_hayabusa
It does.
I still have my 2000 Red/silver and just can’t part with it. I’ve upgraded a few things… SS brake lines, Power commander, retard eliminator, slip on’s, etc… and after a ride in the canyons I get home, park the bike and still smile at it. I’d like to have a KTM 1290 SuperDuke, but just can’t part with the Busa.
I own a Super Duke with the intention of making it a long term bike. Keep the Busa. It does everything you want and isn’t a “belly button” bike. It is fun being the guy with “that bike” 20 or more years later.
I appreciate the advice Pacer. What do you think the KTM does better than the Busa… anything?
Maybe having both bikes is the answer?
First off, if you can have both? Yeah.
The KTM is extremely good around town. I only have one bike, and will take it before the truck if the weather is good. It also goes like hell. To the point I rely on rain mode to keep things civil on occasion. That said, it is not a track bike or barely a sportbike. Before I rode mine I was told it is like a big dirtbike, it is. Not a negative, just different, and personally prefer it. One thing it doesn’t do with out some accessories is highway miles. Overall it’s a cool bike. If you did have both, they may complement each other.
All good to know… thanks. I can easily imagine it being like a big dirt bike and I’ve never thought of that. Maybe the GT is the answer.
Sit on them, that will tell the tale. Both go like hell.😎
It’s a chic bike. I was joking based on Daytona bike week videos only. I’ve seen these around sometimes traveling in packs in my area usually with an extended swing arm and big rear tire and custom paint jobs. Some people are saying it’s dated but there’sy tried and true engine mods that are done to these and since it’s been around it might be easy to find parts for it.
A landmark machine right up there with the Honda Super Blackbird.
+1 on the ZX-14r. Love mine.
The give it “Katana”s сolor scheme now.
I’m not usually a fan of gray/silver/matte motorcycles, but I have to admit the color combination is perfect for this motorcycle. I’d love to see a test of the latest model. Not sure what’s been going on with them over the years and am curious how it measures up today.
Unfortunately, “You meet the nicest people on a…..” doesn’t apply to the ‘Busa. If you see anyone dismounting a ‘Busa in my neck of the woods, you stay away from them. Fine bike but a magnet for trouble.
substitute ‘nice’ with ‘shady’ and you have it. Actually, that’s kinda a stereotype. Lots of Busa riders are just fat guys.
“In the ghettooooooooooo”…
“And his ‘busa cried”…
LOL!
Have no idea what made you make that leap to that song, but WELL DONE!!
This machine is legendary. I had one for a short period of time but I had a mile of gravel road to get to pavement. The ‘Busa does not like gravel. Glad to see it sticking around.
I’ve owned 3 of them and a great bike. I’m to old for it now. Refined and very FAST. Agile for size.
Nice to clear that up. I was sad when I read reports they were ending production.
Only problem is there are a ton of people who equate the Busa with squids.
That has kept me from owning one to be honest.
But fear of losing the Busa had me feverishly looking on Craigslist, lol!
Love the ‘busa. It’s my favorite squidmobile. If I had lottery money, I’d own a crapton of ‘em. The only drawback is it’s an ergonomic nightmare for me, but again, lottery money, and I’d buy it just to look at it.
Looks dated.
News flash: it IS dated.
It IS aerodynamic
True dat.
The performance of the Hayabusa was never in doubt, but the exaggerated bulbous fender fairings (the stuff needed for good aerodynamics to go fast) made it look goofy. And, because of that, over the years I would walk away, pass on thinking about buying one. If Suzuki would just accept some discount as to how funky the styling is, clean it up, just a little, it would make a comeback.
When the Hyabusa was new, Suzuki and Kawasaki were in an operating partnership. Kawi were developing the ZX12 as a competing bike and their CFD and wind tunnel analysis concluded that unless they “left some aero on the table”, they would wind up with a bike that looked very similar to Suzuki’s. They decided on bodywork that was much more mainstream looking (and better looking, imo), but was never anywhere close to the sales success that the Hyabusa was and is.
The ‘Busa is an example of a product that had controversial looks when it was released, but the consumer got over it and accepted that it’s looks were driven by a functional benefit. They’re still making and selling it in the US despite the big changes in the market that have taken place. Very few designs have carried on so long.
If I was going to build a turbo bike, that would be the platform.
News flash: it IS dated.
Rode one in 1999 – smooth, deceptively fast. Motor was pretty docile without a big hit. It just went really fast very smoothly is what i remember. I do have some $$$ burning a hole in my pocket….
The Hayabusa is one of the few bikes where, given the owners I’ve met, has simply never disappointed. To the single one (again, just my experience), Hayabusa owners love their bikes. None of them have been lukewarm about them, or had looked to “trading up” every year or two.
Some will say they’re heavy and ugly. On the counter, they’re basically impossible to break (without 600+ HP turbo kits, anyway), they are silly fast through the whole rev range, they’re impossibly comfortable for a sportbike, they actually don’t turn nearly as badly as some would have you believe, the brakes are pretty great, and the components are all of good quality. Considering you don’t even have to pony up $12k OTD for them in most places (sometimes less!), it’s tough to argue with the design’s maturity and effectiveness. Compared to most of the market (some cruisers aside), the Hayabusa is an OLD design now – just over a decade, with brakes as about the only outstanding change I can think of. It’s an “old” bike, but it is still an oustanding one, that does its job well. I’m more partial to the ZX-14R, myself, but the Hayabusa is another that I wouldn’t pass up if given a good opportunity.