The Suzuki Hayabusa is undoubtedly some of the iconic bikes in popular culture. Revered for its loopy efficiency and otherworldly appears to be like, even non-motorcyclists are nicely conscious of the ‘Busa’s madness. Within the fanatic neighborhood, the bike has been the topic of quite a few {custom} creations starting from slammed and stretched builds to loopy performance-oriented builds just like the TTS Super Busa.
The affect of the Suzuki Hayabusa goes nicely past the bike world, too, as a variety of off-road and race automobile builders have taken the Hayabusa’s engine and stuffed it into their very own machines. As it will end up, the Hayabusa’s 1,340cc four-banger is kind of the versatile and reliable little bit of package, discovering its method in all types of loopy builds similar to a hill-climb Fiat 500 and a {custom} Volkswagen pickup truck. Simply sort “Hayabusa engine” within the search tab above and go down the rabbit gap.
Thank me later.
With that being stated, yet one more loopy construct centering on the Suzuki Hayabusa’s engine has managed to land on my lap but once more. This time, it’s from Australian automotive YouTube channel SnailTV, and it takes the type of an insane 800-horsepower go-kart. In the video above, we’re given a walkthrough of the go-kart’s options because it’s prepped and began for the primary time.
SnailTV retains the insane go-kart fairly lowkey by choosing a jet-black end on all of the components. Plus, jet black means it’s straightforward to the touch up when stuff will get all scratched up as increasingly more enhancements are made to the go-kart’s design. It will get a custom-built body to deal with the extra stress offered by the highly effective engine, in addition to an aerodynamic entrance beak with a turbo peeping out from the entrance, able to suck in air because the go-kart strikes alongside.
Over within the cockpit, the go-kart is provided with a Sparco steering wheel and two shows that hold the driving force knowledgeable of significant info. A shifter on the left aspect of the driving force enables you to row via gears with minimal modifications to the Busa’s engine and transmission.
The setup is managed by a FuelTech FT550 system
It makes use of a rear-mounted gas cell
Speaking of the engine, the Hayabusa engine within the go-kart pumps out a claimed 800 horsepower. To do that, in depth modifications needed to be made together with a compound turbocharger setup. The go-kart options two turbochargers—one on the entrance and one other one on the again—working in tandem to feed as a lot air into the engine as attainable. The complete setup is managed by a FuelTech FT550 digital gas injection system and ECU.
Needless to say, I can’t wait to see this loopy go-kart in motion. Regular go-karts are already tons of enjoyable, and I can solely think about how wild an 800-horsepower Hayabusa-powered go-kart could possibly be. Are you loopy sufficient to take this dangerous boy for a spin?
The Kawasaki might outrun the Hayabusa, however the Suzuki would not again down with out a battle. Equipped with taller gear ratios, the Hayabusa is initially quicker in a straight line, dashing from zero to 60 mph in 2.77 seconds. Meanwhile, the Ninja H2R takes 2.93 seconds. It’s related within the quarter-mile rush, with the Hayabusa taking 9.91 seconds at 150 mph in comparison with the Ninja H2R’s 9.76 seconds.
But at that time, the Ninja H2R is simply warming up. With its four-cylinder engine able to spinning to a heady 14,000 rpm (the Hayabusa redlines at 11,200 rpm), the Kawasaki explodes to 180 mph from a standstill in simply 11.77 seconds. On the opposite hand, the Hayabusa takes 16.81 seconds to succeed in 180 mph, over 5 seconds slower than the Ninja H2R. Data exhibits that Hayabusa has a bonus on the road, however the Ninja H2R’s explosive high finish makes it a vital monitor weapon.
The 1999 Suzuki Hayabusa was the quickest bike of the twentieth century, reaching a prime velocity of 194 MPH.
The Hayabusa’s design was unconventional however optimized for velocity, with a bulbous fairing that decreased drag.
Despite its velocity, the Hayabusa was additionally versatile and dependable, making it a novel hyperbike that might be used for sports activities touring.
Suzuki referred to as it the world’s first “Ultimate Sport” bike, and right now, we name it the world’s first hyperbike. But this specimen goes by many names within the wild: recreation changer, icon, legend, piss missile, and even a sports activities tourer. It’s none aside from the 1999 Suzuki GSX-R1300R Hayabusa, the quickest bike of the twentieth century. Whether you hate it or adore it, you’ll be able to’t deny that this beast made an impression on you.
When it was launched, the Hayabusa instantly received acclaim and have become the quickest bike, topping out at 194 MPH, obliterating every other production motorcycle built before it. And in contrast to different superbikes, the Hayabusa wasn’t a race reproduction or a GP bike with license plates. This one was purpose-built to be not solely the quickest manufacturing bike but additionally versatile, snug, and dependable. The Hayabusa is an instance the place engineering and design can come collectively to create magic (and beat all superbikes and a few supercars alongside the best way).
In order to provide the most recent and correct data potential, the info used to compile this text was sourced from Suzuki and different authoritative sources, together with Motorcycle Magazine, Motorcycle News, Cycle World, Zero to 60 Times, and Ultimate Specs.
After 24 years in manufacturing, the Suzuki Hayabusa continues to be in a category of its personal
Performance: Over-Engineered Perfection On Two Wheels
Top Speed: 194 MPH
One take a look at Hayabusa’s spec sheet, and also you’ll discover that it wasn’t something outstanding, per se, even for the 90s. The bike had a traditional transverse-mounted inline-four engine, a fringe body, and USD forks — issues that had been current on many different superbikes of the time. The design wasn’t even something to put in writing house about. Yet, it set a precedent so nice, that it’s simple to check with the Busa because the world’s first hyperbike, and right here’s why.
Engineering At Its Finest Without Any Innovations
Starting with the engine, the Busa featured a liquid-cooled inline-four engine with sixteen valves and DOHC. While this wasn’t something particular, it nonetheless produced record-breaking horsepower figures on the crankshaft. This was potential because of two causes: RAM air consumption that pressured air into the engine and the biggest displacement for sports activities bikes on the time. The Hayabusa is what you should utilize to point out somebody that there’s no alternative for displacement (though trendy bikes just like the H2 have disproved that!).
The energy supply was brutal, but it felt acquainted when you had ridden different Suzukis of the time. This halo bike was as Suzuki as a Suzuki may get within the 90s. The power delivery was raw and linear, however the distinction was how a lot horsepower it was delivering on the pavement. The Busa flew via its fifth gear like most different bikes did in third. Immaculate energy.
The engine was additionally fairly over-engineered for the time. Despite being the quickest two-wheeled missile on the street, the engine was not too confused, and you could possibly all the time squeeze out extra energy. Slap a turbo or an ECU replace, and you could possibly push the Hayabusa to 300 to 500 horsepower. No wonder Turbo-Busas are so common these days — the engine simply doesn’t wish to break underneath stress.
When A Conventional Chassis Is Good Enough
The Hayabusa featured a traditional twin-beam body with absolutely adjustable USD forks and specially-made Bridgestone tires. And for the reason that engine was so clean, due to a gear-driven counterbalancer, Suzuki may solidly mount it to the body, including extra body rigidity. The outcome was a hunky bike that danced within the corners, albeit like a chubby dancer. The Hayabusa shocked everybody with its composed dealing with traits.
1999 Suzuki Hayabusa Engine And Chassis Specifications
There are loads of quick bikes right now, however solely a few of them are lightning quick.
A Missile-Like Design That Divided People Just Like A Real Missile
Mecum
When it was launched, the Hayabusa drew flack for the design. It was ugly at first sight, however little did bikers know the way lovely the bike carried out on the street. And that’s the factor that bikers nonetheless overlook in regards to the Busa. It’s not ugly, it’s presupposed to appear to be that. The bulbous, curvy fairings made the bike slice via the air like a bullet — no shock right here, the Busa was designed in a wind tunnel.
Koji Yoshiura, Hayabusa Designer
“To create a somewhat grotesque design and create a strong initial impact… The mission was to create a totally new styling that will not be out of date within a few years, and a styling that will be the Face of Suzuki.”
Fun Fact: Yoshiura additionally designed the Bandit 400, RF600R, TL1000S, and SV650.
Everything got here collectively to make the Hayabusa the quickest bike of the twentieth century. But it wasn’t good. The brakes had been spongy and pale rapidly, and at full lean, the fairings and engine covers would scrape the tarmac. Yet, you’d be dumbfounded on the gracefulness of the bike.
Suzuki Hayabusa Design Highlights
The RAM air ducts and the drooping, rounded nostril squeezed the entrance finish for much less drag
The slim frontal space meant the headlight needed to be stacked with a excessive beam behind a single lens
The low and lengthy design opened up the rider triangle, making certain higher consolation
The pillion seat cowl was made like a hump to cut back drag produced by the rider underneath full tuck
Faster And Faster Until The Busa Overtakes Most Things With Wheels
When the bike was first revealed, it didn’t win many hearts, however onlookers had no thought they had been wanting on the quickest bike of the time. Once reviewers rode the bike, the Busa took the world by storm. In some ways, the 1999 Suzuki GSX-1300R Hayabusa was the world’s first hyperbike.
Here’s a enjoyable truth: Hayabusa is Japanese for peregrine falcon, a fowl that’s identified for its vertical dive of as much as 202 MPH — it’s the quickest fowl. And guess what the falcon preys on — blackbirds, just like the Hayabusa preyed on the Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird. The Hayabusa beat the then-fastest motorcycle by a 10 MPH margin — no different manufacturing bike had ever crushed the highest velocity file by such a margin.
The Bulbous Falcon Didn’t Spare Supercars Either
The Hayabusa was so quick that evensome 90s supercars seemed slow in front of it. With its beneficiant energy supply and acceleration, the Hayabusa in its inventory kind was able to overtaking many supercars of the time, together with Ferraris and Lamborghinis. Imagine spending six figures within the 90s solely to be overtaken by somebody carrying shorts, a tank prime, and flip-flops.
Suzuki Hayabusa In Comparison With The Honda Blackbird And Nineties Supercars
Specs
Suzuki Hayabusa
Honda Super Blackbird
Porsche 911 GT1 Strassenversion
Acura NSX
Engine
1,298cc inline-four
1,135cc inline-four
3,164cc boxer six
2,977cc/3,179cc V6
Max Power
172.60 HP @ 9,800 RPM
164 HP
536 HP @ 7,000 RPM
290 HP (3.2 L mannequin)
Top Speed
194 MPH
180 MPH
193 MPH
168 MPH
0 to 60 MPH
2.47 seconds
2.77 seconds
3.5 seconds
4.8 seconds
1/4 Mile Acceleration
9.7 seconds
10.3 seconds
11 seconds
13.2 seconds
(Specs sourced from Suzuki, Motorcycle News, Cycle World, Zero to 60 Times, and Ultimate Specs)
But It Was A Hyperbike For The Streets And The Long Haul
Wikimedia Commons
Some folks elevate their eyebrows when we refer to the Hayabusa as a sports tourer, but it surely’s true. The Busa has all the time been a flexible bike, regardless of being constructed for prime velocity. Unlike its rivals, the Busa didn’t really feel like a superbike on steroids; it was a one-of-a-kind bike. As Jay Koblenz of Motorcycle News Magazine put it, “The Hayabusa is Speed in all its glory. But speed is not all the Hayabusa is.”
The plentiful energy and a slick gearbox made the bike a lot simpler to journey in your alternative of substances for any velocity with out lacking out on acceleration; the engine was additionally as dependable as any Suzuki of the time. Suzuki didn’t low cost out on practicality, both. The Hayabusa got here with bungee twine hooks, underneath seat storage, a hinged gas tank, and an enormous windscreen. You may even buy an elective heart stand for it!
From beating its Japanese contemporaries to breaching the 300kmph mark, the Hayabusa has loads of accolades. Let’s examine them out
A Legacy To Last As Long As Motorcycles Do
Mecum.com
With the Hayabusa got here backlash from European regulators, who threatened an import ban on Japanese bikes. This led to a casual Gentlemen’s Agreement between European and Japanese producers to hurry lock their bikes at 186 MPH. The Speed Wars ended; even the post-2000 Hayabusa didn’t cross the 186 MPH mark. Even right now, most bikes, besides a number of outliers just like the MV Agusta F4 R 312, are capped at 186 MPH.
The Hayabusa was updated twice, and is now in its third technology. Both up to date fashions retained the appeal of the gen-one Busa. The design continues to be bulbous, and the ability supply continues to be linear but searing on the prime finish. The Hayabusa might now not be the quickest bike on the street, but it surely’s simply probably the most influential bike of contemporary occasions.
There’s just one downside with the Hayabusa, and that flaw is the time at which it was born. A world of rules and emission norms — possibly, the world may by no means be prepared for the Hayabusa. But the Hayabusa will all the time stand prepared so that you can swing your leg over and take it as quick as you’ll be able to. And when you’re within the temper, even tour on it.
Modern Motorcycles Faster Than The Suzuki Hayabusa
What do a classic Volkswagen Rabbit Cabby Pickup, a Suzuki Hayabusa motorbike, a C10 pickup truck, an MG Midget, a BMW, a Ford Ranger, CityEl, and a Dodge Viper have in frequent? Not an entire lot. But. Rich Rebuilds, a automobile rebuilder on YouTube, thinks the automobiles can come collectively in a hodgepodge of components to create one nice one.
In late 2023, Rich Rebuilds took to YouTube to do the unthinkable: put a Hayabusa engine in a VW Rabbit Pickup. Along the way in which, he swapped out the cabby truck’s rear finish with 1996 Ford Ranger components, put in Dodge-branded seats, added a C10 Chevy radiator, traded the outdated steering wheel for one from a CityEl, and threw in a BMW 5 Series coolant system. The consequence? A hybrid pickup truck with an entire lot of character and a facet of torque. Here is how Rich Rebuilds did it.
Who’s your cash on — a first-gen S 1000 RR or a second-gen Hayabusa?
In order to provide the latest and correct data potential, the info used to compile this text was sourced from varied producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with Rich Rebuilds (YouTube), Suzuki, and Volkswagen.
A World’s First: How The Turbo Pickup Is Created
If there’s one factor Rich Rebuilds needs viewers to remove from the rebuild is that it takes time. Rebuilding automobiles is not the dash that automobile reveals faux it’s. Rather, it’s a prolonged marathon with a number of journeys, skinned knees, and water breaks alongside the way in which.
“Good things take time,” Rich Rebuilds insists. Some rebuilds have been within the works for 10-plus years, so a handful of months in video importing instances is not outrageous within the grand scheme of issues. In an age of 30-second TikTookay clips and Instagram reels, typically the most effective issues in life are proven intimately, the YouTuber stated.
How The VW Turned Hybrid
Rich Rebuilds
First, issues appeared to be going easily for the rebuilding crew. The preliminary rebuild concerned plenty of plasma chopping, another and faster option to slice by way of steel that saved the staff roughly 4 hours of hand-sawing. But fairly a little bit of the automobile was outfitted with hand-altered components.
In order to connect the engine to the truck body, 4 factors of contact needed to be shaped all whereas hand-heating a dry shaft adapter after taking off the rear sprocket. The staff then tackled the largest concern: ensuring the facility may successfully and effectively join from the motor to the rear axle.
Learning Along The Way
Rich Rebuilds / Youtube
The automobile appeared slightly completely different all through a number of rebuild levels. In the method of trial and error, the Volkswagen proved to be tougher to tweak than initially anticipated. From the Bondo restore resolution drying too shortly to the engine refusing to show over, at instances the automobile appeared extra like a science venture than one thing that would truly hit the highway.
But, these hiccups have been cured because the staff labored. The outdated Saab turbo wheels that got here with the Volkswagen Rabbit Cabby Pickup Truck have been custom-cut three-spoke tires. But, these eight-inch vast tires weren’t initially what Rich Rebuilds had in thoughts. The staff additionally needed to contemplate that the Ford Ranger rear finish meant the automobile now had 5 lugs whereas the bespoke three-spokes had 4.
After switching the tires out for 10-inch stretch wheels that gave the truck a large berth and utilizing wheel adapters to repair the lug concern, the staff swapped again to the Saab wheels for each aesthetic and efficiency causes. The wheels, with a bigger diameter in comparison with the stretch wheels measuring 15 inches in diameter, allowed the truck to succeed in larger high speeds. The automobile additionally had different upgrades. From new air shocks to a swapped-out “Swiss cheese-like” rear bumper in trade for a easy roll pan, the rebuild went from a $300 rear finish to simply $2,000 in upgrades.
Hybrid vans mix the effectivity of a hybrid powertrain with the ruggedness of a truck, and these hybrid vans will at all times get the job performed.
How It Compares To The Stock VW Rabbit And Suzuki Hayabusa
While it isn’t fully truthful to stack up the Volkswagen Hybrid towards right this moment’s rising market of hybrid vans, it’s intriguing to pit a Volkswagen Rabbit Cabby Pickup Truck towards a Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle in technical specs.
Minimal Power vs. A Wild Engine
The Volkswagen Rabbit Cabby Pickup Truck solely has round 78 ponies and 88.2 pound-feet of torque. However, the newer variations (2007) scaled up that energy to 150 horsepower and a high velocity of 130 MPH, in accordance with Road and Track. It’s no shock then that the motorbike’s engine paired with an electrical motor created a wild journey.
While the VW Rabbit Pickup has minimal energy, in accordance with a Volkswagen dealer, it does have 4 inline cylinders identical to the Suzuki. The Volkswagen Pickup Truck additionally has a water-cooled system that additionally comes with a thermostatically-controlled electrical radiator fan and a cross-flow radiator that’s each closed and pressurized.
The Rich Rebuilds staff tried to amp up the cooling system and used a Chevy C10 radiator balanced within the rear of the truck to assist stop the Suzuki Hayabusa engine and the electrical motor from overheating. The pickup truck additionally options an inner temperature sensor within the radiator.
Not each sports activities bike can sustain with the previous king of velocity.
This Hybrid Volkswagen Rabbit Is A Torque Fest
While different automobiles disguise the great things below the hood, the rebuild’s high function was its transparency. A fast look within the mattress of the truck provides an eye-full. Rich Rebuilds stated he preferred the look of it, together with the enormous radiator tilted within the rear. However, the open-plan structure additionally has sensible advantages: all the pieces is simple to succeed in. When the automobile would not flip over at first, the problem — the facility committer refused to remain on — was easy to identify.
Speedy and Powerful
It’s spectacular that the Suzuki Hayabusa’s 1,340 cubic-capacity engine did not “blow these tires off” as anticipated (that is extra energy than some MotoGP groups are allowed to play with). However, the automobile was filled with torque. While a contemporary Suzuki Hayabusa does not attain too far above 100 pound-feet in torque, it is fairly a bit greater than the Rabbit’s 88.2 pound-feet of torque.
Even earlier than the Hayabusa engine was hooked up, the automobile’s torque shocked the staff. As they stated, it has “more than enough torque to go anywhere” and was “as fast as a diesel was.” The automobile appeared fairly fast, even with a half-changed battery connected.
According to Suzuki, the Hayabusa’s “torque-rich 1,340 cc engine effortlessly delivers a strong wave of power so the Hayabusa accelerates quicker and smoother than ever before.” With a Hayabusa engine, named after a chook that exceeds 200 MPH in flight and deemed the quickest chook species to exist, it comes as no shock that the regular purr of the hybrid rebuild would end in a fast-paced automobile.
The Turbo Hybrid Truck’s Special Features
Rich Rebuilds
Besides being a novel one-of-a-kind powerhouse, the VW pickup truck has a couple of tips up its sleeve that push it over the sting. A couple of items are, in truth, utterly distinctive. The staff introduced the 3D printer out to finish the job in an odd combine of contemporary, electrical, classic, and gas-guzzling. The automobile includes a thumb throttle faraway from the cyber quad and mounted on the steering wheel to manage the electrical motor and provides the entrance motor additional enhance — like a Mario Kart turbo enhance.
The automobile additionally features a Pingel auto-shifter that typically is attached to a Hayabusa’s handlebars however permits for management over the paddle shifters within the VW with the additional benefit of an electrical shift adapter. Rich Rebuilds, dwelling as much as his identify, rebuilt the rear differential by gutting the gears and including new seals and bearings.
The truck additionally options an air inlet to chill the rear engine down together with a seize deal with in case issues go sideways and, ultimately, the automobile may have a voltage monitor to gauge the 72-volt battery with a change to activate the EV portion. In the longer term, the staff stated a second worth for air shocks would have made the automobile higher. “This thing’s an adventure,” Rich Rebuilds stated when test-driving it. “So much is going on, you don’t know what to do.”
Trying to conquer Hell’s Gate on a Hayabusa is, in a phrase, audacious. So, the truth that it did not go precisely to plan the primary time is not fully a shock, despite the fact that enduro rider Matt Spears’ using abilities in sketchy conditions gave us hope.
You cannot preserve an excellent bike down for lengthy, although. That’s why Spears, his ‘Busa, and his buddy Kevin determined to return out and do some journey tenting in stunning Canyonlands National Park in Utah. At the start of the journey, the Hayabusa is again to full well being and looking out fairly defiant with its cage.
It’s additionally been modified even additional this time round, with a full set of Mosko Moto Reckless baggage. For these not acquainted, this can be a baggage system that does not require any extra racks to mount, so it is comparatively simple to stay on a large number of bikes. Even bikes that do not normally carry baggage, akin to a Hayabusa.
It’s not clear how a lot additional weight this baggage places on the again of the bike, however we do get to see simply how a lot stuff Spears has packed after they get to the camp website. Kevin’s on a GasGas, and he has one massive backpack on his again and one massive bag strapped to the entrance of his bike, the place a windscreen could be on a special machine.
Inside of Spears’ packs is a plethora of tenting requirements for each riders. There are two tent and sleeping setups, a JetBoil camp range to cook dinner meals (no fires allowed the place they are going), packs of tenting meals to rehydrate with water heated within the JetBoil, and extra. Spears even has some toasty slippers, and his buddy has quilted Frogg Toggs overalls and toasty slippers to mitigate the chilliness in a single day.
Speaking of which, we have not talked in regards to the climate. You can see a little bit of snow and ice on the bottom in some spots within the video. How chilly does it get in winter in southeast Utah, the place the park is situated? High temps vary between 30 levels Fahrenheit/-1 Celsius to 50 F/10 C. Low temps vary from zero to twenty F (or -17 to -6 C). It’s doable, however provided that you are ready for some chilly nights.
After an evening spent sleeping beneath the celebrities, Spears’ plan is to attempt to take the ‘Busa again to Hell’s Gate for an excellent quaint run at redemption. Unfortunately, this time he is thwarted not by a crash, however by the rim on his rear wheel cracking in two locations. Since he is operating a tubeless tire, it simply cannot maintain all of the air in. Pretty quickly, it is unseated itself fully and the Slime inside is on full show.
A Daring Rescue
In some other video, which may have been the tip of the story. However, on this case, they’re on the filth bike path, not removed from the place it meets up with the 4WD path. Even although Spears says that his Toyota Tundra with a bazillion miles on it is not actually set as much as do hardcore stuff, he sees that there is not a lot selection if he desires to get the ‘Busa again dwelling to get a brand new rear wheel placed on.
This video is basically three movies in a single. You get some Hayabusa ADV using, some motocamping, and even a bit 4WD Tundra motion in on the finish. How does all of it pan out? That, pals, is why you must watch the video and see.
When Suzuki began designing the Hayabusa, it is a protected guess that it most likely by no means pictured some man and his buddies building a crash cage around it, sticking a paddle tire on it, and taking it to the sand dunes. Still, that is the enjoyable of modification, is not it? You do not modify your bike to swimsuit anybody however your self.
So far, we have seen enduro rider Matt Spears do loads together with his modified Hayabusa. Utilizing his distinctive mixture of abilities to the fullest, he is on the market doing issues most riders would not dream of doing. Even seasoned, expert off-road riders would possibly suppose twice earlier than making an attempt the hill climbs, sand dune ripping, and sure, sand dune wheelies that he is conducting with fun.
With him on this video are sand professional brothers Braxton and Briggs Tomlinson, who’ve introduced correct dirtbikes. One is very modified, going from making about 50-ish horsepower to now making about 75. Naturally, there is a drag race on sand, as a result of why would not there be if there is a Hayabusa?
Ah, however critically, this video is just a little bit totally different from among the earlier ones. Here, the ‘Busa (nonetheless unnamed, at the very least publicly) appears to be in its aspect. We’re clearly seeing an edited, curated model of all of the shenanigans that went on whereas they had been recording the footage that ultimately made it into this video, however you may see Spears and the bike begin to be much less tentative and extra assured because the video progresses. His ranges of abilities and confidence at what he is doing right here is perhaps above what numerous us would most likely really feel, however it’s all relative.
In any case, that is the uncommon video the place they’re simply out doing loopy stuff on the Hayabusa and nothing ends in tears. No leaving the bike sadly in a single day whereas they determine a approach to get better it; no want to repair a damaged bike on the finish. It’s simply smiles and sand all the way in which down, and it is good to see.
Few motorcycles have achieved such a legendary status as the Suzuki Hayabusa. First introduced in 1999, the Hayabusa held the crown of the fastest production motorcycle in the world during its launch. Some 25 years later, that title no longer belongs to the peregrine falcon, but nonetheless, it remains a mainstay in motorcycle culture, and still provides impressive performance.
To mark the success of the Hayabusa over the years, Suzuki unveiled the 25th Anniversary Edition of the Hayabusa back in July 2023. Draped in a loud orange colorway, the special-edition model of this high-performance sportbike was meant to pay homage to the first generation Hayabusa that was released in 1999. Suzuki calls this paint scheme “Glass Blaze Orange and Glass Sparkle Black.”
Apart from the bright orange colorway, the 25th Anniversary Edition also receives an anniversary logo on the fuel tank, as well as laser-etched logos on the mufflers. Adding to the bling are gold-anodized brake disc carriers and chain adjusters, as well as a 3D Suzuki logo on the tank. The bike also gets a single seat cowl and gloss black trim.
On the technology side of the equation, the 25th Anniversary Suzuki Hayabusa is built atop the new-generation Hayabusa that was unveiled in 2021. It’s powered by a 1,340cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, inline-four-cylinder engine with a powerful 190 horsepower and 111 pound-feet of torque on tap. Unlike the first generation Hayabusa that was an analog beast, the current generation comes equipped with all the tech you could wish for: lean sensitive ABS and traction control, engine brake settings, cruise control, hill-hold assist, and even launch control.
With all that being said, the 25th Anniversary Hayabusa has already started making its way to multiple markets, with the UK being the latest addition. Over there, it carries a retail price of £18,599 (about $22,700) on-the-road, with 2.9-percent APR finance options for both PCP and HP deals. Commenting on the UK launch of the special-edition model, Jonathan Martin, Suzuki Great Britain’s head of motorcycles, told VisorDown, “There aren’t many – if any – motorcycles that can boast the same sort of history, legacy, and standing that the Hayabusa does. It’s not hyperbole to call it an icon, or game-changing, or legendary; it is all of those things.”
For reference, in the US market, the Suzuki Hayabusa 25th Anniversary Edition is already available, and it carries a retail price of $19,599, or $800 more than the standard Hayabusa. Do you think the fancy orange colorway and celebratory touches are worth the premium?
In July 2023, Rich Rebuilds gave us a sneak peek at their latest project: a turbo Suzuki Hayabusa Volkswagen Rabbit pickup. The idea was to take a lightweight VW Caddy from the 80s, install a Gen One Hayabusa engine in the bed, and make it a mid-engine truck. Sounds simple, right? Well, not really.
Problem-solving has been a major theme in the past two episodes of this series. In the previous episode, they encountered issues with mounting the ‘Busa engine due to the angle not aligning with the driveshaft. They also had to address the lack of a reverse gear and the imbalance caused by the rear-wheel power. But the team has been hard at work finding solutions.
One solution they came up with was to convert the VW into a hybrid electric vehicle. They added an electric motor and battery setup to power the front wheels and handle reverse gear duties. This solved the problem of reversing and improved control of the front end.
Another major breakthrough was the decision to cut out the entire bed and create a subframe to mount the ‘Busa engine lower down. This allowed for better shaft angle and the possibility of incorporating a fuel cell.
In the latest video, we get to witness the Turbo Hayabusa Hybrid VW Caddy Pickup running under its own power. Although the engine and electric motor are not connected yet, the build is coming together nicely. There are still some challenges to overcome, such as figuring out how to shift the ‘Busa engine, but the Rich Rebuilds team is up for the task. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting project!
Unlock Your Automotive Passion and Explore the Road Ahead
