Bike-A-Pedia: Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa

1999
The first Hayabusa was launched at a superfast Spanish racetrack-Catalunya-underlining its serious sporting potential. With a 175 HP (crank), 1,298cc motor pushing a 473-pound chassis it blew the minds of the collected journalists before doing the same to everyone who rode it. Colors were bronze/silver, red/black, or silver black.

2000
Panicked by the notion of the lawmakers spotting a near-200mph roadbike for under $10K, the Japanese manufacturers self-impose a speed limit. The Hayabusa gets a rev limiter in top gear, which cuts the power at 186mph (300kph).

2001
Ongoing product development meant the fuel injection and cam chain tensioner received minor tweaks. Performance was unchanged, but reliability improved.

2002
The original aluminum subframe was swapped out for a stronger steel unit to combat some cracking issues. Suzuki claimed that the stock exhaust system helped support the rear subframe, so lightweight four-into-one systems and/or luggage systems were cracking the rear castings.

2008-Present
For 2008, we got an all-new model with a revised 1,340cc engine, swoopier fairings, updated fuel injection, radial-mount brake calipers and a three-way power mode switch. The engineers hadn't re-invented the wheel: it was still definitely a Hayabusa. But the extra grunt, better brakes and updated equipment gave it a better chance against the mighty ZX-14.

THE NUMBERS

1999-2000
Quarter-mile: 9.85@145 mph
Top Speed: 191 MPH
Weight: 474 pounds
Power: 160 HP

2001-2007
Quarter-mile: 9.95@143 mph
Top Speed: 186 MPH (limited)
Weight: 474 pounds
Power: 158 HP

2008-present
Quarter-mile: 9.68@148 mph
Top Speed: 186 MPH (limited)
Weight: 485 pounds
Power: 170 HP

Which Model?
That's pretty easy: the new one has more cubes, more power, better brakes and better handling. But if you're not sold on the newer model's looks or just don't fancy dropping all those extra Benjamins on it, try and track down a 1999 bike. The original didn't have the 186 mph speed limiter of later bikes, so it's actually faster on the top-end (in stock trim) than even the 2010 bike. And as the first of its kind, the '99 is the one collectors will be trying to track down in years to come.

What Breaks?
Considering the amount of power the Hayabusa makes it's remarkably reliable. In fact, if they're left stock you won't find any real problems with the powerplant or chassis, apart from the usual stuff high-powered bikes wear out. Clutches can suffer if you're buying from an ignorant wheelie merchant or a drag racer wannabe, and a badly burned clutch can send friction material through the lube system. The slave cylinder can also crack and leak fluid, a rattle on startup can be a tired camchain tensioner, and watch for cracks in the subframe on early bikes-especially if you've changed the pipe and often carry a passenger.