Suzuki has revamped its Hayabusa for the modern age, but is this bird of prey still
in the hunt? We're hitting both the track and the road to find out. Let's get into it.
[pause]
Suzuki's Hayabusa has been the brand's speed demon since 1999, but with Euro 5 looming in Europe,
it was high time for an update. Now that update is here with this 2022 Gen III Hayabusa retaining
the same basic formula, but sharpening its talons to meet the demands of modern riders.
So what's new? Well, in addition to the Euro 5 compliance and a host of other engine updates, the
new Busa boasts a raft of fancy electronics, new instrumentation and lighting, new brakes, revised
suspension, tweaked ergonomics and refreshed styling. Oh, and the price has had an upgrade,
too, to the tune of an eye-watering eight grand or thereabouts over the cost of its predecessor.
And the biggest benefit is something you can't even see,
with the bike's Suzuki Intelligent Ride System featuring a host of modern safety tech.
We're talking cornering ABS and traction control, six ride modes, a quick shifter,
engine brake control and wheely control, along with launch control, a hill holder, cruise control
and a speed limiter, the latter allowing you to set the bike's maximum speed. There's a full LED
lighting package, and the updated instrumentation now includes a TFT display, nestled between those
big analogue dials. The brakes, too, have come in for attention, with larger-diameter rotors
now gripped by Brembo's latest Stylema, four-piston, radial-mount callipers.
[pause]
But talking about a Hayabusa with the thing at a standstill is tantamount to a crime,
so we hit a track day at the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit to put it through its paces.
[pause]
If you really wanna experience what a Hayabusa is truly capable of,
this is where you wanna be, on the track and on one of the world's best circuits for that matter.
Our time at Philip Island was only brief, but the at times damp circuit underlined
the seamless integration of its new safety tech, the bike's more refined,
more communicative nature, and the superb power and feel of those Brembo Stylema brakes.
Peak engine output is in fact down a little from its predecessor, but Suzuki says this new
bike is actually stronger at low to mid-range engine speeds. In any case, this is still an
exercet of a machine, and the slick quick shifter is also a big plus on the track.
That's not to say it's irrelevant as a road bike, far from it.
While taller riders may find the legroom a little compact, most will find the Hayabusa's
ergonomics quite accommodating. The ride position is more sports tourer than outright sports bike.
And its road credentials are now boosted immeasurably by all the new tech,
from the license-saving cruise control and speed limiter
to all the lean-angle sensitive safety aids. There's also three-level launch
control and a stop warning signal function that flushes the indicators under severe braking.
It's actually a really enjoyable road bike, tame when you want it to be and easy when you don't.
It's far safer, and now it's easy to tailor the ride to suit your mood and the conditions.
On the down side, at this price point, it's surprising to see the Hayabusa miss out on
features like electronic suspension, keyless starting, a USB outlet and Bluetooth connectivity,
no supporting smartphone app either. It may have lost its bargain-basement pricing, but the new
Hayabusa has gained plenty in terms of feedback, refinement, safety and all-round sophistication.
Over two decades since its introduction, Suzuki has breathed new life into the Hayabusa,
which lives on as an iconic model on the road bike landscape.