P86
RIDE REVIEW I 2022 SUZUKI HAYABUSA
Between 5-8000 rpm, right where
so many bikes run into a self-induced
emissions roadblock, the 'Busa just
powers on through. Mated to Suzuki's
beautiful Ride-by-Wire throttle, you
can dial in power with precision of a
dentist's drill.
Like a power weightlifter doing yet
another set, the 'Busa's sheer force
of acceleration is impressive. The
loss of top-end bragging rights to the
outgoing model means diddly squat,
because the motor spins up with the
same ferocity as before, but now with
every electronic aid Suzuki could pos-
sibly throw at it as part of the Suzuki
Intelligent Ride System (S.I.R.S).
There's 10-stage traction control,
10-stage wheelie control, six different
power modes (three preset and three
customizable), a two-stage up-and-
down quickshifter, a three-stage
engine brake control, a three-stage
launch control, cornering ABS, cruise
control, an active speed limiter, hill
hold control, and even slope decent
control, which prevents the rear wheel
from lifting under heavy braking when
descending.
Considering our ride was a brief
two-hour jaunt through the Malibu
hillsides, I'll reserve judgement on
absolute performance until we get to
the drag strip, which will happen in
May. Suffice it to say there are very
few machines on the road that will
accelerate like a Hayabusa. Pinning
the throttle and watching the revs rise
on the gorgeous analog rev counter in
almost perfect unison with your speed
is one of the great feelings you get
from a Hayabusa. This is an experi-
ence machine, a premium product
few will get to ride but many want to.
As you charge up the rev range,
you're equipped with one of the finest
quickshifters on the market today. Such
is the precision with which you can
change gears on a 'Busa that it makes
grabbing that next cog a joy, and you'll
barely even notice when you click first
gear in the morning leaving your garage.
