5 years is long enough without changing things up. I think the fact that they did not change or retool things now is due to the costs and because sales are probably still acceptable. They are probably planning a completely new model (IMO) to drop into the game when the ass kickin finally happens. Which I don't think is all that far away. Not to mention a digital speedo is probably cheaper to make.I think your wrong on this one bro. The Busa is still as hot now as it was in 1999. Suzuki is a corporation and they are a success. They won't just leave things alone if sales are slidding into the crapper, but just like the Katana series of bikes, don't fix it if it ain't broke.You gotta be F'n kiddin me. You can put me on record, if this is true and I am not doubting you, that this will spell the end of the Hayabusa and they will put a completely different model out to replace it when sales slow enough, and/or another bike kicks its ass. Digital gauges - I like the analog but that is cool, new color schemes - what a joke they are not doing paint as well as the others out there, clear turn signal lenses - yeah I can get those for $60. Thanis for the info and please scan it!
I am not surprised... The Hayabusa is unique in all of motorcycling, it's no longer the CLEARLY dominant street bike it once was, but it's still the One, the Target, the Top... Until it's clearly dethroned in every aspect, I wouldn't expect Suzuki to spend development money...
Since when is it good enough, once at the top, to just relax? Keep rasing the bar. Remember that when these types of things happen,a motorcycle gaining cult status and such wide recognition, it is a weird collison of timing, press, economies, and of course performance. Who knows how to predict what will be that successfull and what wont. But once you have attained it, don't let it go. Keep your competition, whether it be Kawi or BMW always talking about dethroning the king. McDonalds was a great example of not desparaging the competition, while letting them advertise for you. Always spend your $ talking about yourself and your product, not the competitions short comings. You never had to wonder who was on top when MCDS would advertise Big-Macs while the competitor advertised how it beat them in so & so.
I can see the write up now when it happens, "DETHRONING - Suzuki, arrogantly, thought the king would last forever!"
I guess RaiderDm had it right - "bold new graphics"