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07-08-2002, 03:48pm
MCN OVERALL RATING: 95%
Average used price: £6200
Typical insurance cost: £560
Owners' satisfaction rating: 92%
Fill your boots
TOO much is never enough, and Suzuki knows it. That’s why it’s produced the GSX1300R Hayabusa; to be the most powerful, fastest and most downright awesome motorcycle in the world.
With its eyes firmly on the 200mph prize, the GSX is all about shrinking horizons and cleaving the air with ruthless efficiency. Everything about the bike smacks of the Grand Plan, from the 173 crankshaft horsepower to the specially designed and constructed Bridgestone BT56J tyres.
Named after a Japanese bird of prey, the Hayabusa’s beak-like fairing has been wind tunnel tested to smooth the airflow around the bodywork and join it seamlessly behind the hump-backed seat unit. Drag is the thief of speed, so everything’s designed to cut it to a minimum and prevent the robbery of vital miles per hour.
Stacked headlights keep the nose slim and slippery, while faired-in indicators and an extended bellypan ensure a smoothness to rival Duncan Goodhew.
But aerodynamics is only part of the equation. Not only is the 1298cc engine immensely powerful, but it also grunts out a ground rippling 102ftlbs of torque. That’s enough to almost turn the Hayabusa into an automatic – just stick it in top gear then trickle down to 1500rpm before pulling away without a snatch.
Brain re-calibration is needed to fully exploit the monster power and a reappraisal of bank accounts might be in order as well, considering the bike’s propensity for eating rubber. At 215kg (474lb) and with double the power of the average family saloon a rear tyre can be dispatched in as little as 500 miles. Best get those rubber plantation shares bought.
Power might corrupt, but absolute power without absolute control would be absolutely useless, so the Busa uses a twin-spar beam frame to harness it all. Given the size, weight and power, the Hayabusa is surprisingly agile and feels much lighter once on the move.
The low seat height helps here, making it easy to heal over into stable cornering mode. Weight distribution is a front-end biased 51/49%, which helps plant the weight in corners as well as partially calming the wheelie potential of all that urge.
It might be a cliché, but the old adage " the throttle works both ways " is especially relevant to the Hayabusa. It’ll trundle along on a whiff of throttle all day, but pull the trigger and learn what it feels like to be a bullet in a gun.
Alternatives: Kawasaki ZX-12R Ninja; Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird, Kawasaki ZZ-R1100, Yamaha FJR1300, BMW K1200RS
See the article on MCN by clicking here Edited by: Fox at: 8/7/02 2:52:26 pm
Average used price: £6200
Typical insurance cost: £560
Owners' satisfaction rating: 92%
Fill your boots
TOO much is never enough, and Suzuki knows it. That’s why it’s produced the GSX1300R Hayabusa; to be the most powerful, fastest and most downright awesome motorcycle in the world.
With its eyes firmly on the 200mph prize, the GSX is all about shrinking horizons and cleaving the air with ruthless efficiency. Everything about the bike smacks of the Grand Plan, from the 173 crankshaft horsepower to the specially designed and constructed Bridgestone BT56J tyres.
Named after a Japanese bird of prey, the Hayabusa’s beak-like fairing has been wind tunnel tested to smooth the airflow around the bodywork and join it seamlessly behind the hump-backed seat unit. Drag is the thief of speed, so everything’s designed to cut it to a minimum and prevent the robbery of vital miles per hour.
Stacked headlights keep the nose slim and slippery, while faired-in indicators and an extended bellypan ensure a smoothness to rival Duncan Goodhew.
But aerodynamics is only part of the equation. Not only is the 1298cc engine immensely powerful, but it also grunts out a ground rippling 102ftlbs of torque. That’s enough to almost turn the Hayabusa into an automatic – just stick it in top gear then trickle down to 1500rpm before pulling away without a snatch.
Brain re-calibration is needed to fully exploit the monster power and a reappraisal of bank accounts might be in order as well, considering the bike’s propensity for eating rubber. At 215kg (474lb) and with double the power of the average family saloon a rear tyre can be dispatched in as little as 500 miles. Best get those rubber plantation shares bought.
Power might corrupt, but absolute power without absolute control would be absolutely useless, so the Busa uses a twin-spar beam frame to harness it all. Given the size, weight and power, the Hayabusa is surprisingly agile and feels much lighter once on the move.
The low seat height helps here, making it easy to heal over into stable cornering mode. Weight distribution is a front-end biased 51/49%, which helps plant the weight in corners as well as partially calming the wheelie potential of all that urge.
It might be a cliché, but the old adage " the throttle works both ways " is especially relevant to the Hayabusa. It’ll trundle along on a whiff of throttle all day, but pull the trigger and learn what it feels like to be a bullet in a gun.
Alternatives: Kawasaki ZX-12R Ninja; Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird, Kawasaki ZZ-R1100, Yamaha FJR1300, BMW K1200RS
See the article on MCN by clicking here Edited by: Fox at: 8/7/02 2:52:26 pm