2008 Suzuki Hayabusa First Look

Just added! More photos, info and video on Suzuki’s ’08 models, plus a gallery of custom Hayabusas, a 246-mph ’Busa, Hayabusa history and more!
By David Edwards
Somebody at Suzuki is really smart. After nine years, its franchise model, the 1300 Hayabusa—100,000-plus unit sales and counting—needed an update. The Kawasaki ZX-14 had stolen some of the Big ’Busa’s thunder. Wisely, Suzuki did not overreact and has just shown the world the new-for-2008 Hayabusa—which is much like the old ’Busa, only more so. Smart.

There will be no “New Coke Syndrome” screw-up here, Suzuki fans. (Remember Ducati’s recent troubles with its 916-series replacement, the 999?)

Quick glance at the new bike shows the same silhouette as before, but ’Busa buffs will immediately note some subtle differences. This bike has spent hours in the wind tunnel, the results showing in the new headlight, more smoothly contoured fairing and the double-bubble windscreen that’s a half-inch higher than before—factor in a lowered fuel tank, and now it’s easier to crawl under the paint at the dragstrip or flat-out across Your Own Private Bonneville Salt Flat.

Out back, no turnsignal stalks; the blinkers now live in their own speed pods in the tailsection. The latter appears to have been stretched for cleaner passage through the air; while wheelbase remains unchanged at 58.5 inches, the bike’s overall length has grown 2.3 inches to 86.6, fender tip to fender tip.

Hidden behind the new bodywork is the same basic mountain-motor inline-Four, but with some speed-demon tweaks. First a 2mm bore job (now 81.0 x 65.0mm bore/stroke) takes displacement from 1299cc up to 1340. Compression ratio goes from 11.0:1 to 12.5:1, a significant boost. Now we add titanium valves, shotpeened chrome-moly connecting rods and a refined fuel-injection system for what Suzuki claims is “12 percent higher performance.”

Which means…? Well, we know the new bike won’t go faster than 186 mph, the agreed-upon top-speed limit. But a 12 percent bump in horsepower—going by our 2006 Hayabusa testbike—would yield a stonking 179 hp at the rear wheel! A similar jump in torque would mean 110 foot-pounds. Both numbers top those churned out by our last ZX-14 Kawi (170 hp/104 ft.-lbs.). No word in the early press materials as to what kind of electronic hocus-pocus (if any) will be used to keep the new ’Busa from becoming a human fly-swatter at the dragstrip, but certainly the ZX-14’s production-record 9.78-second pass is in danger.
Welcome to Speed Wars 2008!

Suzuki Hayabusa Review
Here's my initial 2008 Hayabusa review. It's been awhile since I have had to write up a Hayabusa review and it feels odd yet familiar! Ride report, review and comparison to the original Hayabusa to follow since my new 2008 Hayabusa is still being run in. This is the stationary experience see the following pages for the first ride report.

Overall the new Hayabusa does not look all that different from the last model. It certainly does not have the wow factor like the original. Side by side the original model is definitely a classic. It's lines are simple and pure. The original designers didn't really care how it looked to the public all that mattered was that its shape was aerodynamic enough to break 300kph.

The 2008 model's lines are fussy in comparison to the original and the decals likewise. Of note the crescent like front indicators. Perhaps its the conservative colour scheme detracts from the physical design. The filigree design like the foot pegs, especially the rear set are an interesting touch but does not present the image of speed like the original's aero wing like extensions.

The rear end in the flesh is not as weird as the photos suggest. When viewed as a whole it actually works. Side by side the original's rear design is honestly odd by comparison. That didn't occur to me until I saw the two treatments.

The bulges on the rear and front that house the indicators are not part of the main fairing but are actually pods that can be removed. They are put together very well so they look like they are all one piece. This would also explain reports that this model was going to have an adaptive fairing.

What is actually really odd is the design of the pipes, in particular chrome ends on the exhaust pipes. I commend the redesign of the pipes themselves purely because its different. Nevertheless the black coating looks OK (which you can still see the stainless steel braiding) if you take into account that its the same colour as the frame.

I am not happy with the new Hayabusa instrument panel design. Yes it's all new and yes it shows more things and yes green, yellow, red and blue warning lights, graphics but the raised bezels and flat plastic windows looks cheaper than the original. The Hayabusa is a top range motorcycle and it should have a bespoke instrument panel. After all the original had one that was classier than the rest...

More to the point it has whole lot more functions than the original. Almost all useful! New for '08 is dash light brightness control, a gear indicator, a power mode indicator, a programmable rev 'limit' light and 2 trip meters. So they seem to have catered for the drag racers, track day riders and the tourers! The only thing I wished they included was a outside temperature gauge.

*Update it is missing the fuel computer! I really like that feature on the original.

Here's a close up of the power mode switch. Not much to look at but its effect is noticeable. 3 different power modes which makes the Hayabusa suitable for even the less experienced? According to the manual the power modes make significant differences - BUT I have only used the A mode so far.

Quality of the plastics is the similar to the original but the garnish panels on the side of the dash appear less sturdy? Back to the dash plastics, the new Hayabusa has a 4 piece dashboard surround whereas the original had only 2. I prefer the original Hayabusa - only because it looks better.

Paint work on me new one is nice and glossy - more so than the original. Less attractive where the decals which did I feel adds to its appearance. Since the decals extend to the fuel tank and is covered by the clear coat it will be hard to change graphics colors or remove them all together. (I have a Blue one)

The rear hump is smaller the the original and so is the rear seat pad. However they have now included body colored passenger grab rail as opposed to the grey originals. The hump is not as obvious as the original Hayabusa. Also of note was the rear view mirrors. They are the same as the original!

Ride position is very similar to the original for me others claimed it was more up right. I think its more leant over. The feel was like the original but to me seemed more solid. Engine noise was the familiar Suzuki bag of bolts and the exhaust a more car like than before in the open the engine noise is quieter than the original.

So far I am not as impressed with the 2008 Hayabusa as I was with the original which I bought the after the the first showing. The new model is a lovely bike but I wish they had done less physical 'improvements'. They should have kept the fairing but redesigned the rear end and with the saved funds spent more on the dash board (eg. added a larger LCD panel) and engine.