HAYABUSA GEN III

The Hayabusa's unique styling and striking aerodynamic silhouette have made it instantly recognisable since the first generation was launched in 1999.

Low, long and wide, it's a magnificent beast of a machine whose majestic stance screams of power, performance and instinct, much like the Japanese peregrine falcon from which it is named after.

The new generation faithfully inherits this DNA while bringing it firmly into the present. Suzuki's design team worked hard to create the fresh new look which incorporates sharper lines with a tough, modern exterior that expresses refinement and ultimate performance. They also applied a tasteful blend of textures, colours and design elements intended to lend visual expression to immeasurable potential offered by the power of the engine and controllability provided by latest electronic control systems. The overall result is a look of unmatched quality and greater luxury fused with the daunting image of a fierce bird of prey.

While the Hayabusa continues to employ forged pistons with chrome nitride PVD coated oil control rings, it now adopts a new piston shape that has been optimised to match the new TSCC shape. Changes to the crankshaft oil passages increases the flow of the piston cooling oil jets, which in turn cool the pistons more efficiently. Advances in CAE analysis made it possible to remove enough material to reduce the weight of each piston by 26 grams. This reduces internal vibration, which in turn contributes to enhanced durability.

The new Hayabusa adopts the latest version of Suzuki's Intelligent Ride System (S.I.R.S) a robust collection of electronic systems designed to optimise performance characteristics to match the needs of the moment and make the motorcycle more controllable and predictable. Riders can opt for settings that best suit riding conditions and varying road surfaces as well as their level of confidence and experience. They can benefit from the feedback those settings provide and take advantage of it to further hone their riding skills and gain greater confidence as they enjoy the ultimate riding experience. Countless hours of repeated track testing, analysis and revisions to the programming for each setting aimed to achieve optimal performance in every conceivable situation and to ensure the reliability of each system.

Suzuki's advanced fuel-injection system with tapered, 44mm double-barrel Suzuki Dual Throttle Valve (SDTV) induction improves combustion efficiency and makes throttle response feel more natural.

One standout new feature is the TFT LCD panel mounted in the centre, between the two main meters. It displays either the current SDMS-a systems settings or an Active Data display that shows lean angle (with peak hold function), front and rear brake pressure, rate of forward/reverse acceleration, and the current accelerator position. The panel also shows clock, gear position, odometer dual trip meter, ambient temperature, instantaneous fuel consumption, riding range, trip time, and average fuel consumption on and voltmeter displays. An ambient light sensor automatically adjusts the instrument cluster's brightness level based on surrounding conditions, but the rider can also opt to make manual adjustments.

An additional feature of the LCD panel is a brief animation of the Hayabusa kanji character that plays when the ignition key is turned on. This playful presentation is pleasing to the eye and heightens anticipation of the ride to come. A second animation featuring the Suzuki logo plays before the display is turned off.

Featuring a lighter, more compact and carefully sculpted design, these new calipers increase airflow around the brake pads assisting them to cool more quickly and deliver immediate response. The diameter of the front discs has been increased from 310mm to 320mm and a new hole pattern is adopted to further help optimise cooling efficiency.

The Hayabusa's chassis is designed to empower the rider with sure footing, nimble handling and predictable control that inspires confidence and enhances the riding experience. It delivers a smooth and comfortable ride that absorbs everything the road surface throws at it and responds faithfully to the rider's will. It effectively transfers the power of its legendary powerplant to the pavement while fully leveraging its intelligent control systems to run and brake effectively, whether riding straight or leaning through corners.

The Hayabusa's tried and true twin spar aluminium frame and swingarm incorporate aluminium castings along with extruded aluminium sections that lend the right amount of suppleness and strength to its overall rigid alloy frame structure. While more costly and demanding to fabricate, extruded aluminium sections pay off in achieving the optimal overall balance required by a machine that delivers ultimate performance and reaches a top speed of 299km/h. This is why extruded aluminium can also be found used on a number of supercar frames, and why the Hayabusa also leverages its benefits.

The new sub frame designed in conjunction with the bike's styling changes features straighter pipe sections and reduces weight by 700 grams.

A selection of three mode settings lets the user match the engine speed at launch to their level of experience or confidence. Mode 1 limits engine speed on launch to 4,000 rpm, Mode 2 operates at 6,000 rpm, and Mode 3 - the fastest mode - operates at 8,000 rpm for the most aggressive take-off

Although the Hayabusa engine is already renowned for its reliability, durability and longevity, the development team was committed to further evolving it to a higher level. The result of the engineering changes (highlighted in yellow) is better torque and power delivery with a more linear power curve in the low-to-mid speed range, which is where riders ultimately spend most of their time.

The new Hayabusa proudly carries on the legacy of the previous generations by providing riders with greater output and smoother torque than any other sports bike at engine speeds up to 6,000 rpm. The Gen III is also the fastest-accelerating Hayabusa yet, boasting quicker 0-100km/h and 0-200m times than the previous iterations.