Caps quick thoughts on Gen 3

[captain]

I've waited to post my thoughts on the Gen 3 because I wanted to have some time to digest all of the data Suzuki has released.

I started by journey with the Hayabusa in 99 when I ordered by 2000 Busa and replaced it with a 2007 and then my 3rd busa was my 2008 Gen 2.

I have had just about every mod on the bikes over the years at some point and have ridden the bike on the quarter mile, across the country on weeks long tours and had full weekends on road tracks.

On very few occasions have I ever opened the bike up full throttle and just let the bike run out to the top end speed. 1st of all there just isn't a good place to do this for top end and 2nd it's just not safe on public roads.

What I did see from Suzuki is a lot of effort in changing the motor to make it more efficient and powerful where it's typically needed as opposed to power in a speed band that very few ever touch. What I have consistently heard over the past couple of days is that people wanted the increased HP and bike spec numbers for bragging rights for a bike in which the war is already over.

I started looking at all of the mods I have had over the years and I remembered Steve Holl and Ken from Suzuki coming to the Robbinsville Bash with us and watching them go over all of the mods that we had put on our bikes. They asked in detail why we made the changes and what the benefits were. We tried to explain to them but I clearly recall the best way to explain the changes was to let them ride on so Ken threw his leg over Zukracers Gen 1 and off on the Dragon we went.. When Ken came rolling back in he raised his visor and was grinning from ear to ear he got it, he understood every single mod that Brian had put on his bike. Ken had an all new appreciation for the mods

Fast forward to Scar's 1st annual Reno event and American Suzuki was there and our old friend Steve Holl again and they asked us about colors, mods and the future of the busa. I remember telling them that some of the best mods would be HID's and cruise control and we were told there wasn't any way they could put those features on a bike because of liability.

I started making a list of the mods I have had on my bikes and the new features on the new Gen 3

The list goes on and on of things that have been included in standard bike. What I think is important is that the top speed wars are over so why are so many focused on the HP and top grunt. The bike is more aerodynamic and if you notice the mid-range get up and go is better than the Gen II. So while I understand it would have been great to have an even bigger motor between your legs that you won't ever use Suzuki offered up a bike that really meets the needs of most of the riders out there.

Folks might want to wait until someone actually rides one before they put a nail in the coffin for the Hayabusa.

The biggest detractor for me is the price, I get there is a lot of bike there but GEESH… I will have to wait a few years and buy a used one from someone else.

Thanks Suzuki for keeping the bike going!

Someone tell me if the trashcan mod got added to the Gen 3

Cap

 

[Bumblebee]

Another great perspective on the new bike...

 

[pashnit]

I bought my 2008 three years old with 900 miles on it for $8000 cash in showroom condition.

Wanted: Three-year old 2022 garage queen Gen-III Hayabusa that's barely been ridden last couple years. Call me.

 

[c10]

Something to note the Gen 3 has stronger pistons / rods / stiffer valve springs that all lend to a better out of the box Boosted application
My brother is getting out of condition to ride his like new modified lightly 2015 with 3xxx miles , and eyeing my Tiger 1200 .

 

[captain]

Something to note the Gen 3 has stronger pistons / rods / stiffer valve springs that all lend to a better out of the box Boosted application
My brother is getting out of condition to ride his like new modified lightly 2015 with 3xxx miles , and eyeing my Tiger 1200 .

Exactly, I look at this situation and think to myself that the bike might be down a few HP but with all the work done on the engine, he refinements in the suspension and ride the bike is going to be faster all around...

 

[Bumblebee]

Exactly, I look at this situation and think to myself that the bike might be down a few HP but with all the work done on the engine, he refinements in the suspension and ride the bike is going to be faster all around...

It might have a bit less power but the electronics will allow the power to get to the ground easier....just like one of the videos said-it will make an average rider a great one.

I know I can't get too right hand crazy with my bike in certain situations or I'd end up in a farmer's field.

 

[mabupa]

The price is what will keep me away from this one too. I bought 2 bikes for a little more than the price of this new busa, my 2009 left over busa in 2011 and a used concours14.

 

[captain]

The price is what will keep me away from this one too. I bought 2 bikes for a little more than the price of this new busa, my 2009 left over busa in 2011 and a used concours14.

The price is painful for sure.

 

[bigoltool]

I'm not really down on anything they did on the new bike except for the HUGE price increase and possibly the master cylinders, & new Kanji. A lot of the stuff they included on the Gen3 came from the parts bins of other bikes including the (I think) B-king master cylinders. The electronics, styling, Brembo Stylema calipers (pinching Sunstar rotors???), the new wheels, cruise etc. are all welcome additions, but they most assuredly do not tally up to a ~$3800 price increase over the outgoing model. In pricing it where they have, it puts it into BMW and Ducati territory, and there are lots of options at that price point! Performance figures will come eventually, and I am sure they will be respectable, it seems a lot of the internal mods to the engine were done in anticipation of a vibrant hot rodding future for the platform so that's a good thing. I think what disappointed me most was the complete ignorance of the suspension needs. A lot of bikes at this price point are offering near premium Suspension and Braking components as standard fare, on that mark they have missed, and had they just borrowed some suspension bits from the GSXR1000R parts bin that $3800 might be an easier pill to swallow.

 

[Mythos]

If one needs time to think about how the Gen3 is better than the previous Gens, it isn't better. If Suzuki would have just put a bigger motor in it, they would have had more midrange AND more top end like the ZX-14R does. It also would have been a lot less expensive like the ZX-14R is. SO what do you do if you're in the market for a new hyperbike, pay $20k for a less powerful bike with electronics or go for the one that's fastest and spend $5000~$6000 less? Aside from looks, it comes down to faster or more electronics. I'll take faster.

 

[captain]

If one needs time to think about how the Gen3 is better than the previous Gens, it isn't better. If Suzuki would have just put a bigger motor in it, they would have had more midrange AND more top end like the ZX-14R does. It also would have been a lot less expensive like the ZX-14R is. SO what do you do if you're in the market for a new hyperbike, pay $20k for a less powerful bike with electronics or go for the one that's fastest and spend $5000~$6000 less? Aside from looks, it comes down to faster or more electronics. I'll take faster.

Better engineering can provide better performance would you agree with that? So it might just be too early to arm chair quarterback if the Gen 3 has what it takes.

 

[Mythos]

Yes but it doesn't seem plausible that a 1340 engine will outdo a 1441 and that is what we were all really hoping for.

 

[Red05]

Yes but it doesn't seem plausible that a 1340 engine will outdo a 1441 and that is what we were all really hoping for.

It's not plausible and you're right it would have been super cool but the point being made is the focus (and expense) went into applying that new 1340's considerable abilities to the pavement. The slipper clutch and QS are cool too. I'm not much for electronic help; I keep all the adjustable safety functions on the Tuono at a minimum but not everyone feels that way.

 

[rd99]

For those of you who are sticking with the Gen 2 .....I would recommend getting forged aluminum wheels or carbon fiber,(if you haven't already),this is an upgrade that will put a smile on your face at every corner......It will transform your bike.

 

[Dopey]

For those of you who are sticking with the Gen 2 .....I would recommend getting forged aluminum wheels or carbon fiber,(if you haven't already),this is an upgrade that will put a smile on your face at every corner......It will transform your bike.

I wanna see the weight when someone gets their hands on the gen3 rims. I like the 7 spoke and if they're lighter I'll be looking for a set in the future.

 

[Mythos]

For those of you who are sticking with the Gen 2 .....I would recommend getting forged aluminum wheels or carbon fiber,(if you haven't already),this is an upgrade that will put a smile on your face at every corner......It will transform your bike.

I have Carrazzerias on my ZX-14 and I like them. Actually, I was a bit apprehensive of them in a corner for the first couple seasons because I could feel reduced gyroscopic force but I got used to that and never had a problem. I've been seriously planning to buy BSTs for the busa for two years. Got the money, just haven't pulled the trigger.

I think wheels and a lot of other aftermarket parts for the Gen2 will fit the Gen3.

 

[mark3evo]

For those of you who are sticking with the Gen 2 .....I would recommend getting forged aluminum wheels or carbon fiber,(if you haven't already),this is an upgrade that will put a smile on your face at every corner......It will transform your bike.

absolutely - i love my Rotobox boost Carbon wheels, when you jump back on to Stock Gen2 it feels like turning an oil tanker

 

[Bumblebee]

Here we are talking about a motorcycle which debuted 22 yrs ago...a motorcycle which was the benchmark for other performance motorcycles to be judged against...a motorcycle which made it's name through it's ability to out accelerate and out perform any other motorcycle in it's class.

We leap forward to today and we see a motorcycle which (like a has-been movie star) is clutching to it's former glory yet unable to create any future glory. This bike has created a "cult" like following for what it could/can do, not for what it should do.

In my opinion, Suzuki has thrown the Hayabusa under the proverbial bus and has destroyed it's reputation...and has done so for many years...ever since Kawasaki launched their gen 2 ZX14R and Suzuki didn't respond, the demise of the Hayabusa was in the cards.

Now Suzuki has sealed that fate by not pushing the limits and create a bike which re-established it's position in the pecking order.

This is not a gen 3 Hayabusa, this is a revisited gen 2 or a gen 2.5 if you will. The bike is a technical step up from the gen 2 bike but will it have the same soul as the previous bikes....only time will tell I guess.

The engine is the heart of the bike, this bike needed a new heart to keep ours pumping.

 

[prg]

Here we are talking about a motorcycle which debuted 22 yrs ago...a motorcycle which was the benchmark for other performance motorcycles to be judged against...a motorcycle which made it's name through it's ability to out accelerate and out perform any other motorcycle in it's class.

We leap forward to today and we see a motorcycle which (like a has-been movie star) is clutching to it's former glory yet unable to create any future glory. This bike has created a "cult" like following for what it could/can do, not for what it should do.

In my opinion, Suzuki has thrown the Hayabusa under the proverbial bus and has destroyed it's reputation...and has done so for many years...ever since Kawasaki launched their gen 2 ZX14R and Suzuki didn't respond, the demise of the Hayabusa was in the cards.

Now Suzuki has sealed that fate by not pushing the limits and create a bike which re-established it's position in the pecking order.

This is not a gen 3 Hayabusa, this is a revisited gen 2 or a gen 2.5 if you will. The bike is a technical step up from the gen 2 bike but will it have the same soul as the previous bikes....only time will tell I guess.

The engine is the heart of the bike, this bike needed a new heart to keep ours pumping.

More inane piffle.
It's a new shape, has a considerable hike in torque and more horsepower in the most used range.
A nigh on completely new, stronger engine, apart from the cases.
Stronger transmission.
Improved riding position.
More electronic gizmos than you can shake a stick at.
This constitutes a New model.
We should be grateful it hasn't been discontinued.

 

[mabupa]

More pointless piffle, if not drivel.
It's a new shape, has a considerable hike in torque and more horsepower in the most used range.
A nigh on completely new, stronger engine, apart from the cases.
Stronger transmission.
Improved riding position.
More electronic gizmos than you can shake a stick at.
This constitutes a New model.
The End.

The way a lot of people look at it is, the busa was wayyyy behind and this gen 2.5 (like some are calling it) has enough electronics to somewhat make it catch up with the rest of the pack, but not surpass them.
These new busa videos and ads remind me of the 2020 Toyota Tacoma advertisement pointing out how it now has a power driver seat with more adjustments........................ my 1991 accord had power seats................. and for the record, I love the Tacoma and want one to park next to my outdated 2009 busa.