Nothing beats a Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300R. Riding position, styling, performance, handling, reputation No other two-wheeler conveys the same overwhelming feeling of endless, immeasurable, bubbly speed.
And the Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300R’s engine that prides itself: a monumental engineering gem that seamlessly blends manners and ease of use with enough ridiculous, undiluted power to get your brain halfway through the six clean-shifting gears. Third does it all: from mindlessly loitering around town at 50 km/h, eyeing tasty mummies, to clocking 100 km/h on the test track and smearing the landscape into a painting of a three-year-old. futile? Definitive. But fantastically life-affirming a clean recording of the wonderfully monstrous in our cotton wool world.
There’s such a glut of drive, even the ZZR feels lacking and the BMW is sharp and harsh alongside Suzuki’s transcendent long-travel power. It’s behind a GSX-R1000 or Fireblade in terms of power-to-weight ratio, but with massive torque throughout the rev range, nothing comes close to its fluid, instantaneous punch. For most of us, it brings a new meaning to effortless power. For those with Bruce’s feel and balance, that means 100 yard black lines from every corner. And a new tire within 1000 miles.
In their generosity, Suzuki included a three-way switch on the right handlebar: Mode A gives full power and response, while B and C gradually reduce both response and power. Clever, and I understand the theory behind limiting the amazing torque in tough conditions. But in C mode on a cool wet morning I just end up using bigger throttle openings to get the drive I want. The engine is so civilized that I’m happier in full-fat A mode, where it delivers exactly what I expect.
Even the riding position subtly evokes the bewildering speed of the Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300R. They don’t sit on a Hayabusa, but drape themselves over it, buttocks close to the ground, feet out of the way, and upper body stretched low toward the wide bars. Looking across the low screen and enveloping panel, the potential is unmissable.
However, it’s not the best stance for control. Both ZZR and BMW sit higher, with narrower bars that are easier to push and pull. They feel sportier, more modern. Both also feel lighter than the Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300R, with the Kawasaki being more nimble, especially at low speed. The 1400 also has a better chassis for our squirming B-road stretch, remaining level and unmoving over bumps and fast sections that made the Busa crouch and squirm. It never looks like it will flick you into the scenery, but it’s easier for the others.
Open federal roads are friendlier terrain. The Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300R hovers with graceful violence; better cushioned than the Kawasaki and shrugs off the BMW at the lightest touch. It’s point and squirt king. Motorways are equally stress-free, with just a low screen to moan about. Gadget nerds might rant about the lack of trip gizmos on the excellent watches, but there’s a fuel gauge and you don’t really miss the extra info.
But such peripheral details don’t matter. It’s a Hayabusa. It doesn’t handle as easily as the ZZR, doesn’t have the BMW’s handy gizmos and is wasted at legal speeds. Instead, it’s the fastest that will have you chattering away with the clearest mission statement after every bike encounter. do you want the most Buy the Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300R.
