Harley to Hayabusa - Old man

[Tommy Tunes]

Thank you all for being so willing to provide me with your valuable insight into the world of the Busa and what mods can be done to make it work for me. Now, I just have to make the leap. Maybe tomorrow (Saturday). I will let you all know... Again, thanks!
Tommy

 

[BowDown]

Just remember... there's nothing wrong with an 07'. The 08's are still being 'tested' out there. If you can get a killer deal on an 07' you should grab it.

 

[captain]

Make the change, if you dont like it you can turn the bike right back around and get something else (that never happens)

 

[Cblast]

Hey TT, go for it bud! You are gonna love it. It may take you a couple of days of riding for your body to become accustomed to the new riding position, but with a little love and devotion, the Busa will treat you like nothing else! Heli-bars, maybe a riser as well, buell pegs, your gonna be loving it. You will have a hard time falling asleep at night thinking about tomorrows ride. I still get up out of bed to go down to the garage to look at her one more time! Welcome to the org brother.

 

[LCB]

One thing I can't get used to is having a single directional control switch, that isn't even self-cancelling. I guess time will fix that.

Yeah - that drives me nuts too... I'll be miles down the road and the darn thing will still be blinking.

Like everyone has said - it's a totally different feeling riding this bike. I have a Low Rider and I still love to ride it but I find I'm taking the 'busa out more and more unless one of the kids is riding with me. I don't regret getting mine one bit and I'm sure you won't either.

 

[Bernard]

I'm 53 and switched from a V-Rod to an 07 Busa, what a difference. As I pass the Harley guys, I feel almost sorry for them. They give up so much to be a part of the "in crowd". The different riding position does alert me to muscles I have'nt used for a while but some mild exercise and stretches to prepare for a longer ride take care of that. Consider your first mod a radar detector!

 

[05 Busa LE]

Welcome to the .Org! I'd say buy the bike and ride for a while before you make any mods. You won't be disappointed, except when some of your H-D buds don't wave at you anymore. Keep us updated, and good luck

 

[Cerberus]

I don't think you can go wrong with a 'Busa. It is a great bike. I'm 33, 6'7" and 220lb's. With a few minor adjustments, I found it very confortable. The only mode I have done for confort is a sport/touring windscreen to give me more protection going down the highway. As far as numbers go. My stock 07 was 149.6 hp and 91.6 tq when it was dyno'ed in Sept. Thoes are low numbers but the way a 'Busa pulls is way different then any HD. You won't be disapointed by the 'Busa I don't think.

 

[Tommy Tunes]

Many of you have mentioned Buell pegs... are those actually Harley Buell pegs? What exactly do they do? Also, I met a Busa at a light today and off we went... he had a full face helmet on so I had no idea who I was facing (possibly a female - would have loved it) I got blown off and we stopped at the next gas station. Turned out the gentleman - and he was - was 69 years old and rides like he stole it.
Told me to do the mods many of you have suggested, but did not know about the buells foot pegs. Also, he suggested I lower the bike 1" in the front and 2" in the back... Any input on these suggestions?
Tommy

 

[Professor]

Many of you have mentioned Buell pegs... are those actually Harley Buell pegs? What exactly do they do? Also, I met a Busa at a light today and off we went... he had a full face helmet on so I had no idea who I was facing (possibly a female - would have loved it) I got blown off and we stopped at the next gas station. Turned out the gentleman - and he was - was 69 years old and rides like he stole it.
Told me to do the mods many of you have suggested, but did not know about the buells foot pegs. Also, he suggested I lower the bike 1" in the front and 2" in the back... Any input on these suggestions?
Tommy

Yes Harley Buell pegs. Here is some info on the Buell and Suzuki TL pegs
Link

Everything thing you are asking depends on your height, joint mobility, and personal preferences. I wouldn't lower it unless you are vertically challenged or just like the look. It will handle better at stock height. If you need to lower it, it is likely you won't need to change the pegs. 2 inches is a lot. If you have to drop it, I would only lower it what is required and lower it the same front in rear. Aggressive riders actually raise the rear for it to turn in better.

Age is in the mind. There is a man that comes to the track every once in a while riding his busa. He has made a few 11 second passes and he is 70 or so. The man who helps me on my bike at the track is 69 and wants one.

It is pretty versatile and as mentioned, there are plenty of mods to make it fit you and your riding style.

 

[Tommy Tunes]

Professor,
Thanks for the input. I'm still not certain why the Buell pegs? Is it just the length, or do they vibrate less as well? Thanks for your input.
Tommy

 

[GSXcite]

Professor,
Thanks for the input. I'm still not certain why the Buell pegs? Is it just the length, or do they vibrate less as well? Thanks for your input.
Tommy

They LOWER the peg position about 1 1/2" and make it a little more comfy for someone with long legs as you do not have to bend your legs as much to get your foor under the shifter.

 

[michael t]

I got mine end of June turned 4400 today. Iam 61 and no HD or any other bike Ive ever owned can come close to this one. You will need to adjust to the riding position takes about a week of good rideing.

 

[Hurc]

Professor,
Thanks for the input. I'm still not certain why the Buell pegs? Is it just the length, or do they vibrate less as well? Thanks for your input.
Tommy

Mr. Tunes... look here at the stock pegs height and position.

Now the Buell Pegs. Notice it's approx 1.5" lower

Also, the Risers people are talking about help you sit more in an upright position.. not completely vertical, but more upright and it's definately something that a person can get accustomed to. There are a few different types of risers out there.. but I chose these from our forum member seller and couldn't be happier. Mine were only 1" lift, but there are higher you can get.

For long trips, I would recommend a throttle lock of some sort, either a vista cruise clamp type or the bar end one (can't remember the name right now, but I'm sure someone else will).

Also something that helps is if you already have upper back and/or neck problems is a taller windscreen. I personally have the PUIG sport which is a good 4 to 6" higher so at 6', the wind hits me in the top of the helmet instead of middle of the chest. A lightweight helmet can be your friend as well, but they can be VERY pricey. Totally a matter of personal preference.

I've had a couple different types of cruisers, including a Harley sportster and I couldn't be happier with the Busa.

Good luck with you decision, and keep us posted.. and if you do get it, better not tell us about it until you can come with pics.. these pic police around will hunt you down and you'll have flashes going off like crazy

 

[chrisr]

Tommy, my dad is 65 and has been all harley for a while. We were at the bash 2 years ago he brought his harley but I think he got the bug to the busa. Last summer I broke my ankle and he rode my busa while I was on crutches. This spring I was looking for a busa for him and he spotted a sv1000 that he loved and we took it to the spring bash and he rode the wheels off of the thing and had a blast on it. Now the harley is parked and the sv is daily driver when he goes out. He always complained about sport bikes, but it was the busa that changed his mind...Go for and have a blast on one incredible motorcycle....

 

[chrisr]

Tommy this is my dad on his sv at this years spring bash...

 

[Professor]

Tommy,

My previous bike was a Road King. (2000 classic 95" big bore, stage Two cams w power commander) Had it about 5 years. At times I miss the wind protection and storage. Your initial reaction to the position may not be favorable. Give it some time for your body to adjust and you should be amazed at the bike.

I just reread your posts and noticed your size inseam etc. You should be fine with it stock"¦.try to put a 1000 miles on it before you mod the position. A set of Heli bars or riser is you want to be more upright and a windscreen "¦.. you should be good to go. The peg mods listed are going to increase vibration slightly over the stock with the rubber insert. But us guys coming off of Harleys laugh at anyone complaining about the increased vibration!

Let your body adjust"¦.it is a sweet bike.

 

[Cblast]

Got any more pics yet Tommy?

 

[dr_ekj]

Tommy,
I had a Harley Nostalgia, a Ninja, and a Virago. I traded the Ninja and Virago for a 2007 Black Hayabusa. I am 57, 5'11", and 200lbs. The Busa is comfortable stock. Give it a month or so and your body will adjust. Just be careful when you jump between the Harley and the Busa...twisting your right wrist is drastically and dangerously different...I know.
Still love my Harley, but I ride my Busa all the time.

 

[bigmac0331]

I traded my Harley(2005 Heritage Softtail) For my busa...Best move I've ever done...like everyone else said give it some time to let your body adjust to the bike...then make some mods...like its taken me about 3000 miles to realize I want a new seat....just give it time...