Buying An Older Hayabusa

[mblee3728]

Hey Guys,
My name's Mike. I recently have finally saved up to buy my dream bike (The Hayabusa). Now that I finally have how much I went to spend on the bike and I'm now actively bike shopping, I've raised a couple of questions I need answered before I pull the trigger. My first one is are they all they're cracked up to be? I've been riding around on a Yamaha Yzf-R1 and I'm pleased with its low end torque and overall speed. I've heard from a lot of people that they actually get more of a "thrill" or rush from riding a 1000cc bike, and that the Hayabusa's low end torque doesn't really measure up and overall can be a let down, is this true? Secondly for the price range I'm looking at, I've really been looking at a 2002 model. Is there a significant noticeable to the every day driver increase in performance? My last question is what is the 2nd gear problem associated with Hayabusa's; is it noticeable to the every day rider who just wants to go fast and if so, is the solution to this problem expensive? I'd greatly appreciate everyone's honest opinions because ultimately I just want to know if the extra money spent on a Busa is worth it.

 

[twotonevert]

Welcome to the oRg. Yes, you will notice a difference. Go check out some threads in the new owners section and you will see what I mean, but you wont know what it means until you ride one. I will let other chime on the 2nd gear issue. Where are you located?

 

[kromdom]

1. My first one is are they all they're cracked up to be?
2. the Hayabusa's low end torque doesn't really measure up and overall can be a let down, is this true?
3. I just want to know if the extra money spent on a Busa is worth it.

Firstly, welcome. To answer your questions/concerns above:
1. YES
2. FALSE
3. YES. extra money??? Someone just posted buying a Gen II for $6500. Gen Is can be had for less.

Curious who gave you the gouge above, guessing NOT from Busa owners. Best of luck.

 

[dadofthree]

to the oRg

R1's are nice, never had an issue out performing one in a dig, especially once the R1 reaches top The Busa just keeps digging.

Gen I '99-'00 were unrestricted otherwise the performance of the '99-'07 remained the same. The Gen II changed that in '08.

Second gear issue is a Gen I issue. From what I can tell a small percentage. Test ride the bike and ride it hard through 2nd gear. Not to be mistaken with hitting neutral when shifting from 1st to 2nd . You have to shift these bikes like you mean it. False neutral between 5th and 6th.

Warning : stupid quick bike, in a matter of seconds you go from 0 to 100. Be careful

 

[Trout]

I've done a bunch of research on the so-called 2nd gear issue. I discovered that it's not a problem that is unique to the Hayabusa and not unique specifically to the Gen 1 Hayabusa. If you search the Gen 2 forums, you will find several hits on the 2nd gear issue. Then go to your choice of sportbike forum(s) and search for 2nd gear issues. You will find boat loads of information. It's a sportbike transmission issue (sometimes) and not a Hayabusa issue specifically.

I quit worrying about 2nd gear.

 

[TallTom]

The newer R1s are weapons on the track. Not real comfortable for riding for long periods of time.

Older R1s are not as potent but sre still meant for tracking more than comfort.

Both can get a Busa's attention if you catch it by surprise. But it better be a big jump because the Bus can reel them in pretty quickly if they are on a straight stretch.

The R1 is better at cornering, but not by that much. A good rider on a Busa can carve a turn like an R1.

 

[1busa]

Everybody is gonna be partial to a particular brand or model so you are gonna hear alot of good things about a busa All i can tell you is go look at a busa seat and then go take a look at an R1 seat??? You tell me what you would rather have your sitting on for an all day ride. The Busa is big, powerful, and feared on the street. To this day when people ask me what bike I ride and I tell them a hayabusa, they look at me like i'm crazy Never got that response on any other bike

 

[pcs]

i got rid of my r1 for my busa. 2007 model with full acropoic ti exh, k/n filter, 2 bros tuner, 166rwhp so it was a strong bike and i too was questioning the ability of the busa.
first off, r1's arent well known for making any low end power comparable to other 1000cc bike, they all fell like a 600cc to me and all have to be reved up to make any decent power. ive riden a 2001,2002,2004,2007. so if you think and r1 has good low rpm power then the busa will wake u up easily.
big difference with a busa is that it doesnt care what gear im in, if i roll on the throttle it will pull unlike my r1 that needed to be down shifted to get going fast.
comfort goes to the busa, not by much IMO but it is more comfy on longer rides than the r1.
big factor for me was the large aftermarket support, custom parts and availability was important to me.
good luck on your choice

 

[mabupa]

Welcome aboard!! Good luck shopping!!!

 

[1styearbusa]

Having ridden several liter bikes and owing a Hayabusa my opinion is like this ...
A literbike will pull 95% as hard as a 'Busa , but the 'Busa has that type of pull over a broader RPM range.
That makes it much easier to get the meaty power.
Even with a passenger onboard the 'Busa pulls hard at low RPMs really showing off the torque.
But you have to consider the target market for these two different style bikes.
Obviously the R1 is expected to be sold to the consumer really wanting near "track ready" character.
Obviously the 'Busa is marketed to a crowd of people who are willing to compromise a small amount of handling for comfort.
Only you can decide what group you belong in.

 

[newman]

Welcome.

 

[The Big Red One]

Hey Guys,
My name's Mike. I recently have finally saved up to buy my dream bike (The Hayabusa). Now that I finally have how much I went to spend on the bike and I'm now actively bike shopping, I've raised a couple of questions I need answered before I pull the trigger. My first one is are they all they're cracked up to be? I've been riding around on a Yamaha Yzf-R1 and I'm pleased with its low end torque and overall speed. I've heard from a lot of people that they actually get more of a "thrill" or rush from riding a 1000cc bike, and that the Hayabusa's low end torque doesn't really measure up and overall can be a let down, is this true? Secondly for the price range I'm looking at, I've really been looking at a 2002 model. Is there a significant noticeable to the every day driver increase in performance? My last question is what is the 2nd gear problem associated with Hayabusa's; is it noticeable to the every day rider who just wants to go fast and if so, is the solution to this problem expensive? I'd greatly appreciate everyone's honest opinions because ultimately I just want to know if the extra money spent on a Busa is worth it.

Get an 03 or up....by 03 they had the first gen perfected and it had all the upgraded parts, same bike up till 07. And the busa is a whole diff breed of bike from the 1000's, they are super smooth and don't feel near as frantic and revvy as a 1000, but they have a ton of low end torque (shifting is pretty much optional), they ride like a caddy compared to a 1000, but don't handle quite as well since they weigh over 100lbs more. And the only 2nd gear prob the busa has is the same as any other bike, you shift sloppy under hard throttle for too long and you damage 2nd gear.
It really depends what you're looking for from the busa......if you want to go a slightly more sport-touring oriented direction, the busa would be perfect. Or if you want to try your hand at drag racing get the busa. But if you like the R1 and the way it handles and accelerates, I'd suggest keeping it.

 

[Adox]

... are they all they're cracked up to be? I've been riding around on a Yamaha Yzf-R1 and I'm pleased with its low end torque and overall speed. I've heard from a lot of people that they actually get more of a "thrill" or rush from riding a 1000cc bike, and that the Hayabusa's low end torque doesn't really measure up and overall can be a let down, is this true?

I owned a Yamaha liter bike at the same time I had (and still have) my Busa. I love both bikes and both have strong points. I would go on rides with both of my bikes with friends and would switch bikes on the same ride so I could compare. There is a noticeable difference but maybe not to someone who is riding on the back. If you want more torque on any bike just put a smaller drive sprocket on it. The people who say a liter bike is more of a thrill (in my opinion) are generally people who are just used to a different bike. So my suggestion is: Go for a ride on one and decide for yourself what you like... Just don't crash.

 

[Trash_Panda_44]

Everyone above pretty much covered everything I wanted to say. You said you had an R1- so did I, a 2006 to be exact. It was a fun bike- power, speed, the looks, etc. But for long rides- not so much. Liter bikes are good in the city to scoot around on. Everybody has an opinion, this is just mine. I loved the bike until I wanted to do all day riding- 3-4 hour trip one way and vice versa on the way back home. Being that the R1 is a liter bike (Race Bike) the Busa will have the same yet more power and a more comfortable riding position so it doesn't take a toll on your back. Give the Busa a chance. You wont be disappointed. And if you don't like it, give me a call- I'll be happy to pick it up! Lol! Welcome to the org my friend