Rate the Gen II update

[Justyntym]

I too have owned an 07busa and now have the 08. I am ok with what they did, but believe they could have done a lot more, I know the bar was set high when the busa first came out, but still believe suzuki could have done way more..I also think waiting til 2008 to make any changes on a bike is so wrong, I hope they don't wait another 10 years! I know the zx14 isn't going to wait around. Just my 2 cent

I guess my rant is on because I don't see Suzuki giving the same commitment,
resourses, and dedication to the one update they did in 10 years on "the King"
that they give to a liter EVERY OTHER STINKIN' YEAR.

I also wonder if the people who think the update was awesome if Kawi drops
a zx15 that's hitting the ground with 200+hp and weighs 30lbs less than the Bus
will still hold true to their opinion.

I delayed mentioning...there is no ryhme or reason to believe
Suzuki will touch the busa again for another 10 years (heck they barely
touched it this time), soooo...if your (speaking rhetorically) expecting
another update in the next couple of years don't forget they didn't
even throw on better brakes...

As far as price goes...Kawi just dropped a brand new (note tons of R&D and
tooling required) Voyager, base price $12,299.
Also BMW's new liter with again tons of R&D and tooling (and BMW is not know
for econo pricing) traction control, etc....base price $13,800
So for the people who think that a redesigned bike would drive the price up
substancially...I don't see it...at all.

 

[The Big Red One]

I don't own a gen 2, but I do own a gen 1 and a 14. I honestly expected a clean sheet design for the gen 2. Personally I think the gen 1 is the better looking of the 2, and is lighter. But overall the second gen is the better machine performance wise. I still think after 10 years the busa deserved a clean sheet design tho, so thats how I voted

 

[likeapuma]

Alot of the R&D on the liters and 600's come from the racing teams don't they? Not 100% sure, but if that was the case, then that's why there's a new update every 2 years, look at the money teams throw at the bikes. Just saying...

 

[steelkite]

Have an 04 & an 08. The 08 is much stronger, much sharper, more safe(breaks). Just the way it is. Want to buy an 04?

 

[BusaWizard]

I had an 04LE and now an 08, the GenII's are definitely a better bike, It's not that the Gen I's are bad, the Gen II's are so much better. Of course there's always room for improvement.

 

[jetsetter]

The Gen II is not that big of an improvement on paper, I'll give you that. On the other hand, I don't remember anyone who has had both saying that they were disappointed in the Gen II. I bought my first Busa in 06, and when I found out about the new bike, I wished I had waited. Then the specs were released, and I didn't feel so bad because the new bike didn't look so impressive. Then my Gen I gave up the ghost at 24,000 miles, due to getting too hot sitting in traffic. I figured I might as well just trade up instead of having the money in the 06, it really was a difficult decision. I traded for an 08 and couldn't be happier with it. It is a great bike, I now have 25,000 miles on it, and the temp gauge has never been above the half way mark (ridden in the same conditions).

Oh, it is faster than the gen I. In fact, it's better than the gen I. I understand how people feel about the power issue, but lets get real, it's amazing that these companies are willing to sell something like this to any average Joe with a good banker. Have you read the posts about having a Busa for a first bike? Can you imagine that same thread with the 400 horse beast that you wish they would build? All of these modern sport bikes are crazy fast, and I love it! The aftermarket provides all the performance upgrades you could possibly need, if you think it's just too slow.

Don't hate, appreciate!

 

[Shadowside]

I don't own a Gen II nor have I ridden one. Based on reviews I've read and comments on this site it seems that Suzuki did a good job in addressing the Gen I's shortcomings. Better brakes, better suspension, more power, updated instrument panel, better cooling, better fit and finish, updated looks and with all that managed to keep the bike cost reasonably low. Sure Suzuki could have really tried to knock it out of the park like Yamaha did when they updated the V-Max but look at what happened to the cost of the bike, $17K msrp. How much more can you realistically do to improve the Busa more than it already has been without significantly affecting the cost? Bigger motor? It already has tons of power. Reduce the weight? Only so much you can do there. Newer technology? Increased cost.

 

[Justyntym]

Well of course the Gen 1.5 is better than the original 10 year old design,
you could put steel bake lines on a Gen and it's better than the original.

The point of poll isn't saying which bike is better, it's if the new version
is all you could have hoped for or was is something lacking.

You guys kill me with the rave on the better brakes...the Gen I brakes suck hard,
shame on Suzuki for not at least upping the brakes in '02 or '03 or '04
'05, '06, or '07, lotta chances here. (which is partially my point)
And to my bigger point, I can tell you they are not as good as the brakes on
the 14...so your update is LACKING...even in the brake department.

It's pretty hard to take a ten year old design that never been touched,
throw in a few new parts and not make a little difference. My point is...throwing
in a few new parts after 10 years of nothing is a shoddy effort. I expected at
least one complete overhaul and improvement made across the board in time
frame they've overhauled the liter 5 TIMES....or is it 6 now.

As far as the last several posts...of course you guys are going to like your bike, and
I hope everybody is happy with it. I'd hate to see someone go out and kick
the ground and go "aw shux". I love Selene, my Gen I and I will NEVER trade her
(there is always room for 2...or 3...or 4..or) and the Gen II is a great bike as
well. The point of the post though is...did Suzuki do right by the Busa faithfull,
did they do all they should have done or could they, should they have done more.

 

[F=MA]

Well of course the Gen 1.5 is better than the original 10 year old design,
you could put steel bake lines on a Gen and it's better than the original.

The point of poll isn't saying which bike is better, it's if the new version
is all you could have hoped for or was is something lacking.

You guys kill me with the rave on the better brakes...the Gen I brakes suck hard,
shame on Suzuki for not at least upping the brakes in '02 or '03 or '04
'05, '06, or '07, lotta chances here. (which is partially my point)
And to my bigger point, I can tell you they are not as good as the brakes on
the 14...so your update is LACKING...even in the brake department.

It's pretty hard to take a ten year old design that never been touched,
throw in a few new parts and not make a little difference. My point is...throwing
in a few new parts after 10 years of nothing is a shoddy effort. I expected at
least one complete overhaul and improvement made across the board in time
frame they've overhauled the liter 5 TIMES....or is it 6 now.

As far as the last several posts...of course you guys are going to like your bike, and
I hope everybody is happy with it. I'd hate to see someone go out and kick
the ground and go "aw shux". I love Selene, my Gen I and I will NEVER trade her
(there is always room for 2...or 3...or 4..or) and the Gen II is a great bike as
well. The point of the post though is...did Suzuki do right by the Busa faithfull,
did they do all they should have done or could they, should they have done more.

I guess when the faithful start defecting en masse to the competition we'll know Suzuki has failed. Until then we're all free to make changes to our bikes as we see fit to improve performance.

 

[F=MA]

Then my Gen I gave up the ghost at 24,000 miles, due to getting too hot sitting in traffic.

Traffic in Chetopa, KS? ???

Let me guess...a fire truck, a police car, a mail truck, and a busa all arrive at the town's four way stop at the same time...who has right of way?

(former S.E. Ks. resident)

 

[Justyntym]

I guess when the faithful start defecting en masse to the competition we'll know Suzuki has failed. Until then we're all free to make changes to our bikes as we see fit to improve performance.

Well that's the big point I wish was seen on release date.
IF we wouldn't of slogged and gulped down the hommie brew kool-aid and been
happy for the "few new parts" and table scraps Suzuki finally threw us after
a decade...and we sat on our wallets saying it wasn't enough...you would
have a brand new redesigned GEN III comming out as we speak...probably
with a new ligher frame with a lighter bike and 200hp.

Maybe I expect to much...I just think treating their "flagship King Busa" like a
liter bike one time...the one time they update it (vs the 6 times they updated the liter)
is just not to much to ask.

This poll is interesting though, we go back and forth opinion wise but to see the
numbers

 

[Leviathan]

I rode a Gen 1 and went & bought a Gen 2. Why buy an old new bike when you can buy a new new bike. The engine is bigger, better, stronger. The brakes are are bigger, better, stronger. Aero package is better, it has selectable engine maps....but you are right, they could have done better - a cup holder would have been nice

 

[dadofthree]

I guess my rant is on because I don't see Suzuki giving the same commitment,
resourses, and dedication to the one update they did in 10 years on "the King"
that they give to a liter EVERY OTHER STINKIN' YEAR.

I also wonder if the people who think the update was awesome if Kawi drops
a zx15 that's hitting the ground with 200+hp and weighs 30lbs less than the Bus
will still hold true to their opinion.

I delayed mentioning...there is no ryhme or reason to believe
Suzuki will touch the busa again for another 10 years (heck they barely
touched it this time), soooo...if your (speaking rhetorically) expecting
another update in the next couple of years don't forget they didn't
even throw on better brakes...

As far as price goes...Kawi just dropped a brand new (note tons of R&D and
tooling required) Voyager, base price $12,299.
Also BMW's new liter with again tons of R&D and tooling (and BMW is not know
for econo pricing) traction control, etc....base price $13,800
So for the people who think that a redesigned bike would drive the price up
substancially...I don't see it...at all.

Yes, but, if, when, whatever..... 30 pound diet, and 200 HP doesn't equal a complete redesign in my mind. For Suzuki and any other businesses it's all about money and they've got it going on with the Busa.

 

[dadofthree]

Alot of the R&D on the liters and 600's come from the racing teams don't they? Not 100% sure, but if that was the case, then that's why there's a new update every 2 years, look at the money teams throw at the bikes. Just saying...

Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner. That's driven by race based competition and trying to stay out front.

 

[Justyntym]

Yes, but, if, when, whatever..... 30 pound diet, and 200 HP doesn't equal a complete redesign in my mind. For Suzuki and any other businesses it's all about money and they've got it going on with the Busa.

Yes Yes Yes That's my point

They have made a PILE OF MONEY off the Busa and returned...NOTHING
for over a decade. Then when they get their chance...
All that money they've made, you think they could have given the Busa a
first class redesign treatment....but...they...didn't.

A few new parts and the Busa hommies drool...

It's like a bad football team that sells out every year regardless of record...
why spend money on free agency or players, the dummies buy a ticket anyway.

But anyway...yeah, it's about money (my point) and they went cheap.

 

[Jaysus]

Could of done better?? You can say that about anything and everything. Bottom line, it's the best open classer on the market to date.

 

[dadofthree]

I get that you're not happy with the Gen II. I've actually known this since the release in '08

But you keep stating so many things that aren't exactly true. For the pile of money they've made on the Busa they have given many many people the ride of there life. Just go to new owners forum and start reading. In my opinion based on talking to owners and reading almost daily here for the past 3 years, most if not almost all owners feel they have gotten a big return.

I guess you're referring to all Gen II owners as dummies. I are one, but feel that a lot of intelligent folk own them.

I wasn't drooling over the Gen II, even complained about the tail section at first. Ended up getting one and I can tell you from experience; I'm glad I did. The Gen I was getting boring after all those miles, but I've yet to push the Gen II, doubt I ever will.

Regardless of your constant bashing of my beloved Busa; it is an amazing ride that out performs the Gen I in every way. Yes, you can say you don't like what the tail looks like, and you can say they could have done a lot more.

But do you need to say it every week

 

[outlawbusa]

Some pretty good opinions on here...

I'll keep mine simple and to the point...

I like the GEN II~!~

Besides my wife has been wanting me to go Busa for years, one of her reasons is the back seat is so much more confortable than the liter bikes...that and she likes stomping arse~!~

GEN II came out and I said, ok...time for a Busa~!~

 

[Justyntym]

But do you need to say it every week

Well I don't say it every week

And no I don't think that Gen II owners are dummies
with 1.5% financing if my job wasn't sucking wind, I'd
probably have one in my garage (sitting next to Selene).
They're both great bikes but...doesn't mean I think zuk
did what was right or let them off the hook.

 

[dadofthree]

Well I don't say it every week

And no I don't think that Gen II owners are dummies
with 1.5% financing if my job wasn't sucking wind, I'd
probably have one in my garage (sitting next to Selene).
They're both great bikes but...doesn't mean I think zuk
did what was right or let them off the hook.

I understand that you're disappointed. Everyone would have liked more, that's human nature my brother.

Are you sure it wasn't every week