Who has a busa as their first bike?

[generalchaos]

Hey, I was wondering to any of you that have a hayabusa as your first sports bike what is your opinion on it, hard time handling? gotta be careful? or no problem?

any thoughts appreciated.

 

[mcoyote]

Boy, you stepped in it now .

The Hayabusa and it's high-powered cousins are all good handlers, have decent brakes, and are generally more civilized than folks give them credit. In fact, they're great bikes.

Anyone considering this as a first bike, however, should look past this. Even if one (you?) has taken the MSF course, which I would consider a must in any case if only for the low-speed skills, the power on tap and the likelihood of cranking the throttle (even by accident) will detract from the capacity to negotiate traffic and other common on-road situations, such as questionable pavement, unusual turns, etc.

This is already very hard for a beginning rider (really, through the first couple of years if they ride all of the time), so the extra power doesn't really do them any favors.

OTOH, most folks who buy it on a bike and aren't inebriated do so when their right-of-way are violated or they blow a turn, usually at pretty low speeds (40-60mph). 160mph isn't even an issue -- the novice rider probably doesn't have the nerve, skill, or (hopefully) even the desire to go that fast, so arguably 1300cc's of engine shouldn't make anything worse, right?

Look, the first bike I owned was actually pretty big (600lbs, 1200ccs, 130hp), and I did ok and have moved on to the Hayabusa with only a few little hiccups, and no real mishaps related to all that power -- even my single speeding summons has been for a relatively/pathetically slow 86mph.

However, I've spent a good deal of time on smaller bikes, paid for professional, one-on-one training, and absolutely will not -- knock on wood -- crack the trottle open without ten miles of straight, visible, cop-free road/track in front of me (even by accident). If said newbie rider doesn't have that kind of will, a bike like the Hayabusa will be like giving crack to a baby: they won't see it coming and it's patently unfair.

At least with something that tops out short of 100mph, such as the SV650, somebody like that will have the opportunity to live through their first couple of object lessons in basic physics. If they make it to 140mph in traffic, it'll be all over, one way or the other.

 

[Guest]

If I get a Hayabusa (very likely) it will be my first Sport Bike. I grew up riding all kinds of dirt and dual purpose (on/off road) bikes and crashing them so I have a healthy respect for what can go wrong. I've also been in law enforcement for about 11 years so I've seen my share of bike mishaps.

I considered starting out with a smaller bike but I just don't think it's necessary as long as I treat whatever I get with respect. I have matured enough and seen enough (read as, lost enough nutz

) that I don't think I'll be the least bit interested in topping out a Busa.

I actually think I'll have more respect for the Busa because I know without a doubt that at full tilt it would be more than I can currently handle. This healthy respect should be enough to keep me in check until I grow into the bike. Looking back, it is a fact that every mishap I ever had in my fast cars happened when I thought I was good enough to handle them. As long as I felt that they were too hot for me I respected them and stayed out of trouble.

One of the main reasons I like the Busa better than most others is the styling. Two of the baddest tricked out bikes I've ever seen in person were Hayabusas. Ever since I saw them I have wanted one. Power and speed had nothing to do with it either, as they were on a trailer behind a two vehicle when I saw them and had no idea at the time how fast they were, or even what cc the engine was (decals were stripped off). They could have been 100mph 600cc bikes for all I knew.

Since I am going with a sport bike for the styling and the Hayabusa has exactly the look I want I just don't think I'd be happy with anything else. Maybe if I'd never seen a busa...

I may be making a mistake but I don't think so...

 

[generalchaos]

yes actually I am looking into this as a first sport bike, ive rode plently of 2 wheeled vehicles, and really dont plan on doing 150mph down the highway...because I know a few people who have got killed from doing stupid crap in just cars, so I know better.

I just really like the busa, I also like the gsx 600r, but for 2k more why not just get the biggest and best so you can brag?

I think I might know a guy with one as his first, ill have to talk to him, but thanks for the reply

 

[Revlis]

There are a few folks on the board that have a Busa as their first ever bike. I think they are doing just fine.

IF we assume the rider is in tune with his/her abilities and limitations there shouldn't be any problems. The Busa is a pussycat below about 5500 RPMS.

BUT, I would still advise against it for financial/mass reasons.

First financially, dinging the busa in a low speed/garage tip over can get real expensive fast. There are several rookie mistakes that you will probably make, most everyone does. I am not saying high speed doom and gloom stuff, just goofy crap that we all go through. This leads into the Mass equation. You add silly mistakes to the mass/physical size of the Busa and things tend to just go downhill. Ding here, scratch there....

I recommend buying a small CHEAP POS for your first bike. Ride it for a few months, go to MSF Beginers course, get all of your wobbles and awkwardness out of the way. Then sell the beater, and buy the Busa. Just a thought...

 

[Revlis]

ONE more thing I haven't heard mentioned in regards to the Busa as a first bike.

The size and power of the Busa could be a little intimidating. You may wind up feeling a bit overwhelmed and never really improve your riding abilities, to nervous to really explore the limits and end up having less fun on a Busa than you might on something a little less powerful/heavy.

 

[mcoyote]

...The size and power of the Busa could be a little intimidating.  You may wind up feeling a bit overwhelmed and never really improve your riding abilities, to nervous to really explore the limits and end up having less fun on a Busa than you might on something a little less powerful/heavy.

This happened to me, sort of. No real problems with a heavy bike, just "riding on eggshells" all of the time because of my fear of its bulk (the BMW was 130lbs heavier and had a higher CG than the 'Busa, FWIW). The power never really came into the picture because I was always trying to be extra-conservative. Kind of a downer

.

 

[mcoyote]

...The Busa is a pussycat below about 5500 RPMS. ...

...There are several rookie mistakes that you will probably make, most everyone does. ...

From what I recall, the 'Busa is basically detuned (in its FI map) in low gears/at low RPMs to improve traction, and it really helps when you're getting used to it. It takes off real easy and the throttle is nice and manageable.

The only couple of things that you should watch for (maybe) is that on mine the throttle cables had stretched before I got the bike (adjusted at the grip) and the idle was below 1000RPM (adjusted under the tank).

The former resulted in a dead/slack spot from idle to about 1/4" of throttle -- very annoying when you're trying to learn the friction zone on a new bike. The idle should be at about 1150RPM -- it's easy to adjust -- this will make low speed manuevers a lot easier.

The bit about "rookie mistakes" can't be understated -- they happen, which is unfortunate, but nobody's going to die. There'll just be some scratched paint, which hurts like heck when you see it again, and again, and again...

.

 

[Guest]

The tame low end is another reason I feel better about going with the Hayabusa right off the bat. Again, I have no interest in topping the bike out. As I get more comfortable with the bike and it's operation I'll probably look at maybe changing the gearset to add low end humph. To me, fun driving is taking it up through the gears under power and then backing off. I'm more of a drag racer type than a road racer.

I think the muted low end performance of the Hayabusa will help cover me where I'd be most tempted to play until I got used to the bike. After I get used to it I might look at boosting low end power with a gear change. If I do any real insane riding it would most likely be on a drag strip with an occasional romp through the low gears on an open road.

The rookie battle scars will just have to be fixed. Since I can do body and paint work that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[generalchaos]

thanks for the info guys.

yea the possibility of rookie dings always sucks, but im used to that sort of thing now because I have a really nice modded car, and it gets paint chips and the like, drove me nuts for a while but you get over it, and you can fix it.

I do not think the busa will intimidate me to much to where ill never get better. Yes I realize it could easily kill me, and I respect its power, but all it takes is a bit of time untill I do a little bit more on it.

being a sissy under 5500 rpm is kinda nice to hear as well.

 

[Mr. Busa]

put me in your will please.

 

[techbum]

The 'busa' was the first sport bike for me and the first new bike I ever purchased. I had always bought used ones. The 'busa' is a new learning experience for me but I feel I am learning how to handle it and enjoy it quickly. Very responsive machine. In fact, I feel that it is making me a better rider. Just have to know your limits and stay within them. One point I want to make that I haven't heard mentioned here, is like I said, this was my first new bike. Didn't realize that the tires would be as slick as the dealer had warned me about. And as fate would have it, dumbass me turned into a side-street a little too fast, laid it down on the left-side going about 7 or so miles an hour. And this was after only owning the bike about 2 hours. Did about $1000 worth of damage. The bike is back to better than new but sure hurt my wallet and ego.
Soooooo.......when you first buy it.......Please be careful on those new tires.......Dang it hurts!

 

[Guest]

Maybe a good burnout in the dealership parking lot would scuff the new meats and help this situation?

Just kidding of course... Sorry to hear that you dropped your bike that quick. That had to be sickening...

 

[dezzy7]

I've got mixed emotions about this issue. Typically I don't recommend it as a first bike, and wouldn't think of letting any underexperienced rider take mine for a spin. However, if you are committed to the course, then I would say take it very slow and easy, and don't let your ego take you where your skills can't go.

 

[generalchaos]

tewchbum sorry to hear that!

but it is definately a nice reminder.

wannabusa when I worked at a suzuki dealership they would actually recommend them burning the tires before the left for some reason or another to do with grip I beleive, unless they were just dumbasses, I dunno.

 

[Guest]

Yeah, most new tires, car tires too, are a little greasy until they get a little wear. Makes sense but I wonder if your work mates didn't just want to see a good burnout.

 

[generalchaos]

hey I wasnt complaining! definately made a good show

a few occasions my comment of "how you gonna buy something that cost 12k and not even see if its got some balls?" edged em into doin it

 

[bird1300]

Was the busa my first bike? Nope.

 

[Revlis]

Doing a Burnout to remove release compound from your tires is just not going to work. The slippery Sh*t is dangerous out on the edges of the tires not so much the center. You ride a few miles and the center is pretty much clean.
If you really must be in a hurry to get that release compund off and get to riding I recommend scrubbing the mess out of them with some dishsoap (rinse well) or grab a few fistfulls of Kitty litter and get out there and massage your tires...(Get to know your rubber) Be sure the litter is clean though.... Also slow riding down a nice road give it gentle back and forth weaves...(Gentle) then a little steeper etc till they are nice and sticky. Don't mess with new slippery donuts, I have heard of plenty of people falling and I have seen one personaly that I would say was directly caused by new rubber.

 

[Guest]

I didn't plan on trying to burn it off. Just joking. I will try the weaving/leaning suggestion you made, Revlis. I may also try the soap. No kitty litter at my house. NO KITTYS!

Anyway, as I said in my other thread I'm going tomorrow to look at three bikes in stock. Mayeb they'll get right and deal with me. We'll see...