20 YEARS OF THE SUZUKI GSX-R1300R HAYABUSA
P90
Feature
lic with a "new" Hayabusa for at least
five years now. Much like the turbo
Recursion model, we're unsure if we'll
ever see one. Suzuki's banked on the
Hayabusa for 20 years, and perhaps it's
time has run, at least until the emissions
police finally put the 'Busa on the chop-
ping block.
Be that as it may, there's no denying
the Suzuki Hayabusa's place in mo-
torcycle history. To call the Hayabusa
legendary would be an understatement,
especially considering its longevity. The
Hayabusa has been around one year
longer than Valentino Rossi has been
racing 500cc/MotoGP, so that gives
you an idea of its endurance.
Happy 20th birthday, Hayabusa. CN
Suzuki has
teased a new
Hayabusa for
years, but even
if we don't get
one, it doesn't
take the shine
off what a
legendary bike
the current
model is.
those provided by Radical.
Aesthetically, the 'Busa is from an-
other time. Put it next to anything from
Suzuki's current lineup, and it looks ab-
solutely out of place, which is probably
an endearing quality. It's fat, low and
funny looking, with a tailpiece that was
ripped straight from the 1998 Suzuki
RGV500 of Nobuatsu Aoki. Motorcycle
design has changed somewhat since
then.
But it's unapologetic in its appear-
ance. You were exactly aware of what
bike just passed you simply because,
unlike the GSX-R1000, for example, the
shape has barely changed in 20 years.
It's as recognizable as Jay Leno.
Suzuki has been teasing the pub-
