THE wait is over: The 2021 Suzuki Hayabusa has arrived, with a sharper styling, a raft of new and updated electronics, and an updated frame.
Ever since the first batch of teasers began to arrive, the entire motorcycle media has been tentatively waiting to see what Suzuki had up its sleeve for this legend of the motorcycle world. And it hasn’t disappointed, the new Hayabusa is everything we hope it would be, and will a March 2021 arrival date in dealers, we aren’t going to have to wait long to try it out!
Engine
The engine of the bike remains fairly faithful to the original layout and design, although that doesn’t mean Suzuki didn’t consider going in an altogether new direction. Suzuki’s engine designer, Naoki Mizoguchi admitted that the team did indeed consider other avenues, including forced induction, larger layouts, and even six-cylinder engines – they even got to the stage of building prototypes.
In the end though the original engine with its neat packaging provided the best of everything and helped to retain the ‘Busa’s identity.
One of the main aims for the team was to boost power and torque in the low and mid-range rpm. To succeed Suzuki used lighter pistons than before, more rigid, and lighter conrods, a new camshaft with revised cam profiles to reduce valve lift overlap and new cam chain tensioner, revised crankshaft and crankcases, new gearshift stopper, cam, and cam plate, and gears with revised bearing widths to improve shift feel, new slipper clutch assembly, and new magneto.
Changes to the combustion chamber promote faster and more efficient burning of the fuel-air mixture. Further machining on the combustion chamber around the intake valve expands the valve curtain area and improves the flow coefficient by 5% as the valve begins to open and reaches 5mm in lift height.
The result is a 1,340cc engine that produces 190ps (187bhp), 110lb-ft of torque, is Euro5 certified, and is claimed to accelerate harder and faster than any of its predecessors.
2021 Suzuki Hayabusa electronics
The last generation Hayabusa was released in 2007, and even then, it was a light revision over the generation one bikes. With that in mind, one of the biggest advances of the new bike is in the field of electronics - the new ‘Busa is absolutely dripping in systems!
Encompassed within the latest version of Suzuki Intelligent Ride System (SIRS) is the below:
- Suzuki Drive Mode Selector Alpha (SDMS-α) featuring a selection of three factory preset and three user-definable modes, combining:
- Motion Track Traction Control System (10 modes plus off Power Mode Selector (three modes)
- Bi-directional Quick Shift System (two modes plus off)
- Anti-lift Control System (10 modes plus off)
- Engine Brake Control System (three modes plus off)
- Active Speed Limiter
- Launch Control System (three modes)
- Emergency Stop Signal
- Suzuki Easy Start System
- Low RPM Assist
- Cruise Control System
- Combined Brake System
- Motion Track Brake System
- Slope Dependent Control System
- Hill Hold Control System
Chassis
Hayabusa has always been known for its remarkable combination of high-speed stability and its planted feel alongside surprising agility and nimbleness. As a result, Suzuki engineers focussed on evolving the existing chassis setup to build on the proven base, as opposed to ringing the changes unnecessarily.
The tried and tested twin-spar aluminium frame uses extruded aluminium sections which lend the right amount of suppleness and strength, achieving a better overall balance. A new subframe reduces weight by 700g.
A new setup of the fully adjustable front and rear suspension units help improve the bike’s stability at speed as well as its ability to turn, and also deliver improved grip from the specially-designed Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22 tyres.
Mounted to new seven-spoke wheels are bigger 320mm discs up front, with improved stopping power also coming from Brembo Stylema calipers.
Longer journeys on the new Hayabusa are not only made easier thanks to the extensive electronics package, but changes to the bike’s ergonomics see the ‘bars brought closer to the rider by 12mm, aiding rider comfort while ensuring the rider remains directly connected to the front wheel.
Availability
The new Hayabusa will be available in authorised Suzuki dealerships in March 2021, with an RRP of £16,499.
