Hayabusa......Ups and Downs

[NeedsaNewBike]

I know all about the extremely awesome specs on the Hayabusa and the amazing power it produces but I was wondering if anyone could list a few disadvantages for me that I wouldn't know about unless I had owned or ridden one for a while.

[kyro2000]

Just about anybody on a 600cc sportbike should be able to hand the Busa it's a$$ on the track. It takes a bitttt more effort to get that thing to turn.

Insurance, well I will say no more here

I'm sure others will have a few things to chime in on, but I'll leave it there for now.

Oh, and WELCOME to the forum

[Audiomechanic]

Um...from what I know, the Busa isn't a true supersport street bike. It's too heavy and bulky. Bout the best thing a busa is good for (racing I mean) is shooting the 1/4 mile. It has wicked power for that. But like the post above me said, the GSXR1000 is the largest and meanest supersport bike on the street and to race the two together on a track...well...the busa wouldn't know what hit it.

[NeedsaNewBike]

Originally Posted by kyro2000

Just about anybody on a 600cc sportbike should be able to hand the Busa it's a$$ on the track. It takes a bitttt more effort to get that thing to turn.

Insurance, well I will say no more here

I'm sure others will have a few things to chime in on, but I'll leave it there for now.

Oh, and WELCOME to the forum

Thx for the welcome. What about any mechanical issues?

[kyro2000]

I can't say that I know much about any mechanical problems. If you are serious about geting this bike I hope that you have a great amount of experiance and skill in your rideing. The raw power that that bikes puts down can easily jump up and bite you if disrespected for even 1 second.
Try a google search for Busa Forums if you don't find all your mechanical answears here. Hopefully some of our Busa owners will post up in the next day or so to give you better information than what I have.

[kyro2000]

http://www.hayabusa.org/cgi-bin/busa...i?;act=SF;f=10

just one site I found during a quick trip to Google

[prekarious1]

there is also www.suzukihaybusa.org

No real mechanical issues for the newer years.
Kickstand needs to come forward just a little bit for extra stability though. Other than that is good straight from the get go

[NeedsaNewBike]

What about the piece mounted behind the rider's seat? Is that removable to allow for a passenger? I was just wondering because all the pictures I have seen have it and all the bikes I've personally seen have it too and I just never thought to ask.

[Hardware]

Originally Posted by NeedsaNewBike

What about the piece mounted behind the rider's seat? Is that removable to allow for a passenger? I was just wondering because all the pictures I have seen have it and all the bikes I've personally seen have it too and I just never thought to ask.

That's the "hump" - a plastic piece with a base that fits into the tail section. The ignition key unlatches it and the passenger seat fits right in to replace it. All new Hayabusas will come with both the passenger seat and hump. It takes about 8 seconds to switch back and forth.

The bike should also come with a grabrail - the hump and grabrail will not mount together unless you do the "hump mod" - in Hayabusa speak that means cutting notches in the bottom edge of the hump for the grabrail mounting tabs to clear.

There are a couple of different plans floating arond on the net showing how to put a door in the bottom of the hump to use it as a storage space. Smaller guys might be able to squeez raingear in there. Linebackers such as myself could fit one glove in there...

Mechanically, '02 & newer 'Busas are as reliable as hammers. There were various issues with pre '02 models that can be readily fixed with certain mods (all the details escape me at the moment - i.e. one year had problems with starters - it's been addressed).

A lot of guys into BLING go for Hayabusas and bolt on lots of mods. I've kept mine stock. I've been riding for close to 20 years, used to be an instructor and have owned other big bore Japanese bikes. I figure that when my skills outstrip the capabilities of a stock Hayabusa, Suzuki will be knocking on my door with a ride for the next year's WSB series...

Some common mods:

Almost every Hayabusa owner (that's taller than about 5'8") installs an aftermarket windshield. The trailing edge of the stock screen bisected my gauges nicely and I either had to rear my head up and look down through the screen to see my gauges (when sitting at a light) or go into a full tuck when rolling. It seems that about 90% go with the Zero Gravity brand Double Bubble. I went with a different brand - a Power Bronze Airflow screen and I would recommend it in a heartbeat.

I also have a centre stand - GSXR's do not come from the factory with them but for the Hayabusa, it is available as a dealer installed accessory. I prefer the convenience and versatility of the centre stand which allows for easier maintenance, espcecially on the roadside during trips.

There were also issues with the sidestand in that it doesn't fold forward far enough to lock properly. Gentle pressure from behind can supposedly cause the sidestand to fold and allow the bike to fall over. The fix for this is to use a Dremel tool (with a small grinding wheel) to grind away a small amount of metal on the stand where it meets two lugs on the stand bracket - this allows the stand to open farther forward. I did this mod to mine but never had problems with this before or after.

I'm 6'2" and about 275 lbs - I find the bike to be very comfortable but many opt for slightly higher bars. Heli-bars is a popular brand.

Overall Hayabusas are very low so even shorter people can ride them. They're not the greatest for two-up touring though unless you go for an aftermarket seat with a backrest and possibly hard luggage.

Hayabusas are heavy and hard to push around in the garage. My '99 Bandit was heavier but much higher. I could roll it around much easier than the Hayabusa.

There is a huge selection of aftermarket accessories and parts from turbo kits & extended swingarms; to shiny farkles; to understated touring luggage.

People banter back and forth and debate on how much faster say, a 2K GSXR 1000 will be in the twisties...blah blah blah. When you get a Hayabusa on the open road for the first time and cane it - you will understand...

Another Hayabusa sites: http://www.hyp4r.com/hayabusa/hayabusa.htm

[Uncle Bob]

Please reassure us that you aren't considering a Busa as your first bike.

[NeedsaNewBike]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

Please reassure us that you aren't considering a Busa as your first bike.

No, it definately would not be my first bike so no worries my friend.

[Gixxerdale]

Originally Posted by Hardware

People banter back and forth and debate on how much faster say, a 2K GSXR 1000 will be in the twisties...blah blah blah. When you get a Hayabusa on the open road for the first time and cane it - you will understand...

In the twisties, it's skill and experience. If you're pushing that hard, best take it to the track. Both great bikes. I'd like one of each!

[IncubusIncarnate]

What I'd like to see is a 3-way race, including twisties, 1/4 mi, and flat out top speed between a Gixxer 1000, Busa, and a Yamaha R1.

[tlwisner]

I've read a lot of 'busa reviews, and the riders always express amazement at what an awesome bike it is. Quite a few people fix them up as sport-touring bikes. I've never ridden one, but I would say yes to a test drive offer.

Some folks want them as an ultimate riding machine, others want an utlimate posing machine. I'm guessing it will do either quite well.

[tlwisner]

I'm a dork who can't click on the edit button instead of the quote button to correct my crappy typing. Please disregard this rude interruption....

[MagnumForce]

Originally Posted by tlwisner

I'm a dork who can't click on the edit button instead of the quote button to correct my crappy typing. Please disregard this rude interruption....

Better a dork than a chucklehead.

[inspiron]

Originally Posted by IncubusIncarnate

What I'd like to see is a 3-way race, including twisties, 1/4 mi, and flat out top speed between a Gixxer 1000, Busa, and a Yamaha R1.

What about the 2006 Kawasaki ZZ1400?

What I'd like to see is someone who owns a Gixxer 1000, Busa or a R1 who can really ride the machine to it's potential.

With the exception of the handful of guys who ride in the MotoGP, there are very few people in this world who have the skill to ride even a Gixxer 600 to its full potential.

[azoazc]

Originally Posted by IncubusIncarnate

What I'd like to see is a 3-way race, including twisties, 1/4 mi, and flat out top speed between a Gixxer 1000, Busa, and a Yamaha R1.

ZX-10R?

[stp1971]

The 'Busa has become the latest bike of bling here in Atlanta. It is quite popular with certain groups of people and there are packs of 'Busas running around the city limits with the reckless abandonment of deciding they want to run 140 mph through the downtown connector. Now keep in mind the speed limit is 55 mph through there.

I have seen lots of them "Blinged" out with more chrome and gold than a full dresser cruiser. Personally myself I like the in your face stock look of them without all that chrome on them. But like they always say,,, Chrome makes your motor go faster,, so that must be it.

As far as sportbikes go,,, the Busas I have sat on in the showroom have been by far the more comfortable bikes that I have sat on. I would have to say that my boyz aren't big enough to get one of those up to top speed. So I will opt for me a M109R when it comes out if I want a faster bike than my LC.

[NeedsaNewBike]

Originally Posted by stp1971

The 'Busa has become the latest bike of bling here in Atlanta. It is quite popular with certain groups of people and there are packs of 'Busas running around the city limits with the reckless abandonment of deciding they want to run 140 mph through the downtown connector. Now keep in mind the speed limit is 55 mph through there.

I have seen lots of them "Blinged" out with more chrome and gold than a full dresser cruiser. Personally myself I like the in your face stock look of them without all that chrome on them. But like they always say,,, Chrome makes your motor go faster,, so that must be it.

As far as sportbikes go,,, the Busas I have sat on in the showroom have been by far the more comfortable bikes that I have sat on. I would have to say that my boyz aren't big enough to get one of those up to top speed. So I will opt for me a M109R when it comes out if I want a faster bike than my LC.

Yeah, I went to an informal bike show on Wednesday night and their were quite a few hayabusas with an absurd amount of chrome and other "bling" as you say. I also prefer the more stock look, minor changes can't hurt though.