Kevin Varner
Year: 1999
Age: 36
Miles: 24,000
Mods: Lee's Performance Stage 3, ported head, intake cam swap, bored throttle bodies, Marchesini wheels, Brembo 19x20 brake master cylinder, Galfer Wave rotors, Goodridge lines, Akrapovic exhaust, Power Commander III, BPD Quickshifter, Traxxion Dynamics Axxiom kit in front forks, modified stock shock, 1-inch raising links, Double Bubble screen, Raptor shift light
Best Upgrade: N/A
Favorite Aspect Of Bike: "I am one of the unusual Hayabusa owners-I actually do track days on mine. Back in October 1998, I had added a new machine to my budget, and being a Suzuki man-so to speak-and being good friends with Lee Shierts (Lee's Performance), I put a deposit down on a Hayabusa. After the longest six-month wait of my life, my new addition arrived at the dealership I work for in Asheville.
"Working at a dealership and getting to ride all sorts of new machines every year, it still amazes me how well the Hayabusa can do so many things, from top-speed runs and drag racing to, yes, even track days. Now, 24,000 miles later I am still impressed with the all-around capability of the mighty'Busa."
Shawn Scandell
Year: 2001
Age: 30something
Miles Done: 6000
Mods: Power Commander, TRE with GIpro (no more looking for seventh gear), full exhaust, pair valve removed, lowered 1 inch, chrome pieces, undertail, lighted see-through clutch cover, custom paint
Best Upgrade: lowering (for the not-so-tall)
Favorite Aspect Of Bike: "The guy who owned the bike previously drag raced. I guess he changed the clutch at one time and didn't tighten the clutch spring-plate bolts properly.
"I was headed to take my motorcycle road test and wouldn't you know it, a bolt let loose and took out the whole clutch assembly and clutch cover. I pushed the bike to a local motorcycle repair shop just a few blocks away and called my friend, who was going to meet me for my test. Luckily he let me take the test on his ZX10, and, yes, I passed!
"I really enjoy the responses I get when out riding. Even the cruiser guys give positive comments."
Eric Anderson
Year: 2007
Age: 43
Miles: 2700
Mods: Brock/Hindle exhaust, Power Commander III, airbox mod, TRE, sprockets, lowered
Best Upgrade: N/A
Favorite Aspect Of Bike: "I can ride it all day and I'm still ready to ride more. It's very comfortable compared to my Gixxer1000."
Terry Lawley
Year: 2006 LE
Age: 58
Miles Done: 22,000+
Mods: Throttlemeister, Valentine One radar detector, modded stock pipes, hump storage mod, tank bra, Amsoil synthetic motor oil, K&N oil filter, Galfer brake pads, Michelin Pilot Power tires
Best Upgrade: Valentine One radar detector
Favorite Aspect Of Bike: "Acceleration, and, of course, control and stability at speed. It's just rock-solid no matter what!
"I tour/ride it quite a bit considering I also ride and tour on a 1979 Honda CBX and a 1982 CBX. The Hayabusa simply does most (if not all) that a rider wants it to. I happen to have very long arms and found that I didn't need HeliBars or risers or lowered pegs for extended comfort while touring. I even like the stock seat, and I have Corbins on my Hondas!
"My only complaint about the Hayabusa's riding position is riding downhill, slowly. I can see the trees but not the treetops. My neck gets a little sore sometimes. Some complaint, eh?
"I flew to Southern California on a frosty Saturday morning in February 2006 and taxied to the dealer carrying a tailbag and rode it home from the dealer on Highways 1 and 101-all 460 miles.
"It had 4 miles on it at the dealer. It was a terrific ride and allowed me to break in the motor properly by varying the speed and revs due to the road conditions."