Here is the model alongside the full size 99 Copper/Silver
At a press conference for the June 18th launch of the weekly Suzuki Hayabusa GS1300R, published by DeAgostini Japan, Hayabusa development project leader Etsushi Kato of Suzuki Motorcycle headquarters talked about the birth of the bike.
The original Hayabusa development team were consulted for the making of this quarter scale model. Gazing at the model for the first time, Mr. Kato said, "I am surprised by the amazing workmanship." He disclosed how at the beginning of the bike's development he didn't even have permission for the full sized version. He disclosed four stories of those days that left a deep impression on him during that continuously difficult time.
"Unthinkable hardships are required when making the world's greatest bike. They told me, 'developing the 1300 will be hell.' But we were able to overcome all that thanks to the efforts of everyone involved."
"I remember the time when the prototype was first test ridden by a European rider. Usually after a test ride they'll give us feedback on various things. But he just got off the bike and stared at it without saying anything. He finally uttered a single word, 'unbelievable!' It was a moment during development where we finally made it over a giant mountain."
"To make a bike that runs faster than 300 km/h requires unimaginable durability compared to a normal bike. We went through countless all nighters repeating durability tests with no real results. However, the final test was over in practically an instant. I'll never forget the words my senior manager gave to that test chapter: 'The divine wind blew.'"
"During the preliminary arrangements for a test ride event in Spain, one of the local staff said to me, 'congratulations.' He said he had ridden bikes for over a decade but never felt anything like the Hayabusa. This was before the actual test ride event even began. We were moved by the fact that we had created such an amazing bike."
In the latter half of the 1990s all the motorcycle companies began aggressively develop bikes for super sports. Taking the influence of the Honda CBR1100XX and Yamaha TXF-R1 the Hayabusa was outfitted with a 1300 cc engine. The Hayabusa's development went through many ups and downs in order to reach the top. Mr. Kato finished by saying, "I will be very happy if the readers can feel the passion we had during the development of the Hayabusa."
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In Japan the kit was offered with the alternate colour panels as an addition
Red/Black and the Charcoal/ Grey