@@robertlee4172 You need an amazing stretch to Air this bike out. I haven’t taken my Hayabusa over 120 And I don’t remember how long. Which actually makes the bike safer. Off the line & AT SPEED, - if you get stupid and aggressive? The torque will just SPIN rear tire. You’re not going to go anywhere. You have to really know how to ride. OR Be totally fearless (I.e. an IDIOT) For this bike to be dangerous 💡
Fun fact: “Hayabusa” translates to “falcon”, in specific, the peregrine falcon which has a dive speed of 240 mph. Yes, you read that correct, and no, it wasn’t a typo. 240 mph!
@@franko8572so you just click on a video without paying it any real attention, leave a mindless comment that repeats what the video said, then leave? You're insufferable 😂
I was a kid when the Busa came out and I honestly was blown away by it's looks 😁 especially the distinct Japanese writing on the faring and the way the bike looks from the side.. believe me, this bike was the dream for every kid I knew at the time
@@ABunchOfBusas it's not "Chinese kanji", that's a huge oversimplification, and really isn't even true. Kanji is one of 3 scripts or alphabets used in the Japanese language. Those 3 being Katakana, Hiragana, and Kanji. Kanji are ideograms, meaning the characters represent whole words rather than individual letters. Kanji script is used in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese languages. It originated in China, but has been used in Japan for thousands of years. Japanese, Korean, and Chinese people can often make out parts of eachother languages because of the similarities. Either way, the Kanji on the bike is Japanese, because the bike is made by Japanese people, regardless of if those same characters are also used in Chinese and Korean. It means "strong and fast", and is pronounced "Hayabusa". To give an analogous example.. English, like we're typing here, uses the Latin or Roman alphabet. So do about 100 other languages, like German for example. Just because we use the same letters, and even use some of the same words (kindergarten for example) does not mean we are speaking German. We are still speaking English. Hope that helps clear things up!
Probably the best Motorcycle I've ever ridden Effortless Massive Power Bullet Proof Reliability Incredible Speed Totally Smooth and Comfortable, Suzuki Absolutely Nailed it 💪
Agree completely. I've had a Gen 3 Hayabusa for a year and a half now and love it. It's a missile that is perfectly happy to cruise around town and chill. It's very easy to ride with great brakes and a great throttle as well. It gives you a lot of confidence and is a great all rounder. Bart did a very good job with this video as I think he captured the essence of the experience of the Hayabusa.
I've had a couple bikes with 1/2 the power and you have to shut those down so early before you are going supersonic I found them kinda boring after a while. That and 3 new tires every 2 years got tiresome. I now have just as much fun if not more on a PCX 160. The girls prefer the VFR tho. 2 up @ 240 kph leaves an impression.
@@k1mura92 Honestly, they just are. Both very common and the definition of meh. They both have superior rivals, which are more desirable for most. The new bikes are not as common, but that's because they are so vanilla that nobody wants one. I love all bikes, but Suzuki is definitely the meh of motorcycles. Sorry.
What people don't realize about the Busa is how confidence inspiring it is to ride. Yes, the sheer numbers come off as insane, but what you don't realize until you have one is that the Busa's 200mph feels like another bike's 130. It's just such a rewarding platform.
I’ve owned a 1999 Gen1 from new and still have it, it’s never missed a beat in 24 years despite utilising its performance regularly! 208 on the clock, no safety systems whatsoever I even fitted a TRE to allow full power in the lower gears a truly amazing machine a legend and a major part of my life.
Objectively, no it's not. lol I remember in 1999 laying eyes on it for the first time and laughing quizzically at what that awful thing was. When I found out a few minutes later what the deal was, well, it started to look pretty freakin' great. Haha!!
The Hayabusa is, was and always will be Quasimodo on two wheels, Quasimodo on ACID on two wheels, but Quasimodo non the less. The evidence: It’s designer’s intent was to create something grotesque. He considers that he succeeded. Quasimodo is the very definition of grotesque. I rest my case case. 🧐😎😜🙈 Blackbirds are better. Peace
It's hard to say if some things are beautiful or ugly. Is a rattlesnake ugly or beautiful? It's sleek and quick and has a pretty diamond design on it. It's also deadly and it's a killer. So is it ugly or is it beautiful? Different people will see it differently.
I bought a black and grey one in 2005 and still have it today. It still has the original drive chain on it and it has around 22,500 mile on the odomenter. It looks like NEW. The low miles are because I have 3 other bikes. A 2001 BMW R 1150 GS, a 2001 BMW K 1200 RS and I just bought a used 2016 BMW S1000R in late '21. I rode a 1986 GSXR 1100 for about 30K and then traded it for the R 1150 GS. I traded my 1975 BMW R 90 S in on the 2001 K 1200 Beemer. When the piano player in a band I played with died in '05 , whoops , time for the BUSA! At my age I probably shouldn't have bought the S 1000 R, but it is what it is. I have been riding since I was 16 and am 76 now. You do the math. 😜 PS: Back in the '60's I had two Norton 750 scramblers. A '64 with a Matchless tank emblem and then a '65 candy apple red Norton . In '69 I had to have the Honda CB 750 SOC 4 cylinder and kept that bkie until the 1975 R 90S stole my heart. I wish I had kept the R90S.😢
@@jlrutube1312 , Thanks , but No , I'm just an old man that has loved motorcycles and riding all his life. My wife rode with me on back for 49 years until her death from Altzheimer's in 2014. Thanks again for your kind thoughts.
@@dadams1947 Sorry to hear that. Sounds like she loved bikes as much as you. And I have to say what a great history of motorcycling you have behind you. Hopefully still many miles ahead :)
Put 34000 miles on my candy red 2000 model. Best bike I've ever owned hands down. GOAT street bike. Ruled in drag racing but it's design was really Bonneville. Bulletproof, brilliant Bomb!
Can you talk about the brakes and the absence of ABS? How difficult it is to use that kind of bike? I am thinking of buying a used one(1st or 2nd gen) but here in Albania I can find very few hayabusas and most of them are 1st gen. I made some research about the 1st gen and there a lot bad comments about the tokico brakes not being strong enough for that bike.
ABS is great but I never missed it on my bike. The Busa is best appreciated imo as a sport tourer and as such I never felt like I didn't have enough brake. But my first bikes had drum brakes so when disc brakes came along (single disc in front only) we thought we were "state of the art." If you want to upgrade the Toxico then you can always use stainless lines and change to a quality brake pad. Otherwise I would suggest if you buy a Gen 1 Busa make sure its had the cam chain tensioner recall done and if it has much mileage then make sure to look at the "in tank" gas filter. You can buy a simple unit to bypass the timing governor on the 2000 + bikes and other than that the GSXR engine is bullet proof. I hope you find a Busa for yourself. I'll say to you what the young mechanic at the Suzuki shop said to me when I took delivery of my new 2000 Busa. "Your a lucky guy Mr."
Back in 2005 I treated my self to this outstanding motor bike, nothing like it, its poise at any speed, great suspension out of the box. However the brakes needed more bite and were not up to par to its dynamic capabilities.
Replace the stock pads with sintered metal HH race pads. The pad type is 90% of the brakes performance. HH pads will give you more braking power and much better bite and less fade. Always get pad advice and try options before you criticize the brakes, and never listen to journalists they have no fecking idea.
From the first time I laid eyes on the Hayabusa, I’ve thought to myself, “What an ugly bike.” Your video, while not converting me to a fan, has given me a new appreciation for the “somewhat grotesque” oddball in the motorcycle world. Thanks, Bart! Love your videos. 😊
I don't know if it's actually "ugly" - it' was certainly unconventional, but it's also purposeful - it's obvious where it's capabilities lie, and most people do say that the looks grow on them.
I wanted to buy my first bike and I remembered of my childhood dream of Hayabusa. But buying Hayabusa as first motorcycle is a crazy decision. So I went to see it first at a showroom and after that trial ride everything changed. I did bought my Hayabusa year later and it has been absolutely phenomenal journey. Hayabusa is pure love no other bike can ever give.
Memories. I bought the first model new, before they put the 299 speed limiter on. Time it right, and you could lift the front wheel at 245. 270 is where you would hit the twilight zone, where you knew your reaction time to handle unexpected situations, was slower than was comfortable. It would start to slow down by about 280, and would slowly climb to 305 before running out of road. It was also capable of commuting through heavy city traffic, although it would get a bit hot with no air getting through the radiator, and was a bit heavy. Build quality was amazing for the times, with beautiful little touches like the mufflers laser etched, and (mostly) quality metalwork. And a bulletproof engine capable of insane power output by enthusiastic tuners. My second favourite bike. (Speed in kmh)
I was working at a dealership at the time it came out, but couldn't appreciate the bulkiness of it. It just looked outlandish. After a while, it became apparent from observing that owning a Hayabusa must have been cooler than owning a Blackbird. You know, at that time (2000's) many great bikes were made, such as the GSXR-600 EFI (model 2001) I think. Also the Cagiva Raptor with a TL1000 engine. That bike was nuts!
Good vid dude. I will never forget hitting 309 (gps) on my mates Busa on the Autobahn, the speed itself is scary but the way it got there was even more impressive.
I don’t own one, but I remember when these things hit the scene. It was an exciting time to be a rider. All of the big four were making really innovative motorcycles. I don’t think there’s been a time in motorcycling that was quite as cool, before or since.
I was a lead technician for a Suzuki and Kawasaki dealer in the 1990s and 2000s. There were two recall for the cam chain tensioners for the '99 and '00 models. The original automatic/ratcheting cam chain tensioners failed causing the cams to jump time and either bend the valve and split the guides and/or break the crankshaft. We/I had to replace the crankshaft, head, and pistons when that happened (at least a dozen times if I remember right). The first recall in 2000 replaced the ratcheting tensioner with a manual adjusted tensioner. The second recall was ratcheting tensioner assisted by oil pressure from the front oil galley. I serviced and performed that recall repair on so many Busa's back then that I know the bike at 4:42 is a 1999 without the final recall repair.
I bought my childhood dream now m 34 years old and I enjoy my dream every weekend the sound and the presence of this beast with this beauty makes everyones head turn. Love my 2002 gen 1 busa.
Wow! so much passion in this video. Keep up the good work mate! The fact that Busa has changed so little over the period says a lot about how well it was designed in the first place!
Great article Bart. I remember when they first came out I was like everyone else and not a fan of the bulkiness but it grew on me. Here we are approaching the 25 year anniversary model of it I've owned 5 and still have 2 of them. I've put over a 100k miles on one and turbos on others. Such a great machine!
My first new vehicle was a 2006 Busa Loved that bike. Did nothing to it except put a defeat in that told the PCM that it was in second gear all the time so it would defeat the nanny system. Never did top it out on speed. It had a habit of making what looked like flat road into waves of hills you never even knew were there. Awesome machine. Sold it for 10 k after paying 14 for it with like 2200 km on the clock . The new buyer was so happy to get one so clean and unmodified.
I borrowed one from a friend and rode with my mate from the Gold Coast (Australia) to McKay, about 1200 kms over two days.. we took the inland route and hammered it.. fantastic ride!
I have gone through each and every fact for the bike, countless times. Yet! It always gives me pleasure to view every video about it. There is something in its name, The Hayabusa
I don't have Busa, but I got ZZR1400, in my eyes they're pretty much identical, but got ZZR cause of tons cheaper insurances. It's indeed insane how so-to-say civil these bikes are. It can be insanely fast if you want, but you can ride it anywhere so effortlessly, but like I had the bike for sale for brief moment, some young called about it and sounded almost scared asking question like "I don't know, I've got 600 sports bike for two summers now, but that bike is I think too intimidating?". I was like now "hold on, ZZR1400 is maybe the tamest and easiest bike to ride I've ever had and that it will NOT surprise you UNLESS you begin to feed to it bit more revs and knowingly keep flaps open". In the end of conversation I told him that if he comes up to test ride it, I won't hesitate to give it to him at all, cause if he indeed has 600 sports bike, that thing is way more scarier to ride to the high powerband. Conversation ended where he murmured something like "I gotta think if I dare to come see it". All-in-all Busa and ZZR (=ZX14R) they're actually really user friendly bikes that have plenty of ooomph if fed. Only thing that makes bit clumsy in very tight spots in parking lots etc. is the bit longer wheelbase, which in turn goes to insane stability. Both also have really low center of gravity that helps with ease of ride. Like I had ZX9R and it wanted to wheelie so much and it wanted to turn to it's side in curves almost demanding to be rode really fast. These big brothers aren't anything like that.
I own both a Gen 1 Hayabusa and an injected 2003 Blackbird. The Hayabusa is less refined but stronger power. They are both good for different reasons. The Hayabusa is more economical too!
I have been riding motorcycles since I was 6. I bought the 1999 Hayabusa right when it came out. I'm 54 about to be 55 now and I had to buy the 2022 black and candy burnt gold Hayabusa because I missed my Hayabusa from long ago and this is the most beautiful bike I have ever seen. It rides like a dream and it does everything effortlessly. The quick shifter is a game changer and the cruise control is amazing. It is a perfectly balanced bike and I think it and it does it. It's like feeling what Superman feels like when he's flying. It's just an absolutely amazing motorcycle to ride and beautiful to just look at it.
Really nicely done with your video 👏 congrats . I’ve had 3 Gen1’s and now have the new Gen3 . For me it’s the 🐐. Perfect blend of speed, overall performance and comfort. I raced a Suzuki Superbike in the mid 2000’s so I am a corner lover not a drag racer so I have modded my Gen3 as per my last 2 gen 1’s . Mettisse rear suspension links, that raise the rear by 25mm and reduce the wheelbase by 5mm, 1.0 kg front fork springs , valving to suit my rider weight (85kg). Yoshi slip ons , custom remap and de-limit , 180hp/116ft lbs at the wheel and 203 mph . Ballistic and beautiful and bullet proof.
Purchased new a Black FZR1000 EXUP in 1990. Loved that motorcycle so much. I don't live in, or ride my motors in, the 1/4 mile so I don't relate to that world. I do know, however, that the US government came very close to banning the FZR1000 due to the unbelievable power to weight ratio that the FZR possessed at that time. What a cool motorcycle, FZR1000.
@@kbearpro I loved that color scheme. I had the red white and blue 93. Got that bike up to 174mph. The only bikes I had trouble with in the 1/4-mile were the Gizzer 1100s with bore kit back then…well…until the busa. Haha
Ive owned a busa and a blackbird. The busa is all about its engine, torque and hp are quite a bit better than the blackbird. The bird is smoother. And for covering hundreds of miles at insane speeds, i prefer the cbr1100xx. And i prefer the busas crazy looks. Both are able to crash in one county and be swept up in another.
So glad you brought up the ZX-12r, seems like it often get overlooked. I bought a new 2003 just because it wasn't a Hayabusa. lol Edit: BTW, the the ZX12-r actually had a bit more horsepower and was the most powerful production motorcycle at the time. The Hayabusa was a tiny bit faster because of better aerodynamics (and possibly torque?). The Kawasaki engineers said they could have produced better aeros but then the bike would be ugly like the Busa.
Its an Iconic bike, Its not fair to compare it to any other bike, it looks amazing, handles really well the motor is Gem. The way its sounds when you rev it up in the city junction, it sounds like a heavy monster waiting to be unleashed, What a bike man
Nice job on the video man. The R1 and the Busa closed out the 90s. I was 16 at the time, 40 now. The Busa is still an incredible feat of engineering and deserves every bit of its legendary status.
Great vid! I had been wanting a 'Busa for many years. I had/have a '78 Honda CX500 (sport-tour), a 2003 Honda Interceptor 800 (sport-tour but only for 30 minutes/ride), a 2010 Honda VF1200F (sport-tour but max 2 hour ride) and then finally got my dream bike, thee mighty GSX-1300R. Total beast-mode. NEVER any fatigue, always enough power (sickth gear roll-ons will smoke most vehicles), never been beaten by any other bike or suped up car in the se7en years I've owned and absolutely loved it. Put some Yoshimura R77's on it to replace those ugly-azz stock slip-ons (dropped about 40lbs.) and I get a lot of compliments on the sound, it sounds like total power. Does it flick like the wifey's Ninja? No. It doesn't even matter though because it is all-around the best bike I've ever ridden, even over the Gixxer 750 and 1000. The sick Brembo's up front kept me from eating trunk more than a couple times. Almost total coverage in the rain (wear waterproof boots). I put a Zero Gravity Double-bubble on it as I felt the stock windscreen was a little low, even tucked in. Yeah it's considered fugly by design, but I think it's a beautifully designed machine. 2016 black/grey/red and p.s. you'll need a Schnitz racing clutch lock ring upgrade after some years of pushing the stock slipper clutch. It starts to get clunky. Only defect so far and I ride year 'round.
I have the new gen3 Busa in black and bronze colour. Fantastic bike. Incredibly stable, awesome suspension, brakes far better than you would believe from journalists. Best power, brakes and handling out of any bikes I have ever owned and I come from a sportbike background. All the negatives are minor; bit of a reach to the bars if you are not tall, its heavy and clumsy to push around, especially on grass, can get a bit hot in traffic. Foot pegs a bit high for some riders you have very bent knees like a sportbike. I really love it, stable like a battleship but still turns into tight corners like a sportbike. Unbelieveable midrange torque for a 4 cyl bike. I tell my friends its a "big block" sports bike, sure you can get a lot of power from a small block Chevy but it will still never pull like a big block Chevy. If you understand that, you understand the Busa.
The Hayabusa was made popular in India because of an action movie , where robbers steal and smoke the cops on superbikes, and Hayabusa was the highlight because the main villain rode on it. And it definitely became every boy's favourite bike in India. If you do some research you'll know Hayabusa was a culturally impactful bike because of bollywood, but because of Indian roads being uneven , many practical people would opt for buying it , as potholes and poor driving regulations can cause accidents. Beside it was very expensive to own one back in the day
I owned one for 6 mos or so and loved it for highway riding. Unfortunately, the bike weighed more than 4 times what I did and the insurance was nutter high. One fond memory was the bike's ability to just accelerate madly in top gear from 75mph "to infinity". Zoooom!
I know a guy who bought a first gen. Short little dude, kind of nerdy. Had to lower it to get it home. Not one you’d ever think of riding a Busa. Not long ago I seen him still riding it. It was slightly modded with a stretch and rims but otherwise stock. Super super clean, not a speck of dust on it. I asked him if he ever rode it. He told me he just passed 100,000 miles! I was blown away. He said other than a water pump he has had zero issues. What an amazing motorcycle.
I have a 97 TLS myself , with TLR swingarm , Hyperpro shock , revalved and stiffer forks . Full Yosh exhaust . Welded clutch center , Scotts steering damper , corbin seat . Most fun bike ever .
I'm a street/track guy. Bought a used Gen 1 couple years ago. Love it. It's endless what you can do to them and best platform. I ride with other Busa owners who have performance Busa's. From 260hp- 500 HP. I rode a turbo Busa and it rode like a gentleman. Once I played around above 6k like the Millennium Falcon. Look at Busa's at the Texas Mile or EJR Performance. Anyways great all around bike
In Australia the largest bike a 17 year old (earliest age for a licence other than a moped) is now a 650CC. You then have to have this licence for at least a year, then sit another riding test to get your open licence. When I got my bike licence (I was 18) in 1976 all you had to do was go for your (first) licence on a bike 400CC or bigger. At the time I owned a Suzuki air ram GT 380 (great bike) so I borrowed my mates Honda 400 four..., which was like riding a mini bike..., the biggest bike around then (for 99% of the population) was the Honda Goldwing 1000CC.
im a (small) bike rider. The Busa is probably one of my fav(dream) bike of all time. It does live to its reputation as one of the most iconic and legendary bike. EVER!
Fantastic video and commentary. I owned a '99 copper Hayabusa and a green '00 ZX-12R at the same time from new. They are very, very different animals indeed. My younger self preferred the big Kaw, but I've owned 2 more Hayabusa's since, and a B-King. My older self prefers the comfort of the Suzuki.
Here in India, it is well known as "the Dhoom Bike" made famous by a superhit movie where the villian rides a Busa. High aspirational value and responsible to birth of a generation of motorheads back in 2000s. Hats off to Suzuki for its groundbreaking enginnering.
That was so accurate what you said about the Ducati super leggerra! Yeah might be a greater engineering fee but who even rides one? meanwhile Hayabusa are out in Frankenstein form kicking ass! Great writing!
It was performance without compromise; they didn't sacrifice comfort or rideability. I nearly bought one of these being sold second hand near where I work. I'd see it everyday. What impressed me first and foremost was the seat position. It was more comfortable for me to sit on than many big bikes, since I am NOT a member of the long inseam club. The guy selling it was asking just a bit more than I had available, oh well... but in another parallel universe, I'm on that thing and cruising. Here in Australia we have a system knows as LAMS, Learner Assistance Motorcycle Scheme. Basically new riders and young riders are limited to what bikes they can ride, until more experienced, by limiting the engine capacity or power to weight ratio that can be chosen. It's a good scheme because for many years top end sports bikes were known as "apprentice killers". 17 year old with a learners permit would wrap litre bikes around power poles. Great video, great info, thanks for sharing.
Learner approved motorcycle scheme. Power to weight ratio, once upon a time it was 250cc Max for learners or provisional licence. But this did include proper weapons like 2 stroke RGV's and similar.
I bought one back in 1999, the gold and bronze. It was amazing and way above the performance of other bikes and cars available at the time. I had it a good while and then traded it. Bought a new Gen2 in 2017 because I thought I’d enjoy one again but it was slightly underwhelming really. Obviously still fast but the world has moved on since that first bike and I’d got more used to big powerful bikes over the last 20 odd years. Didn’t keep it long. The Gen3 looks good but I doubt I’d ever buy one. Many cars especially EV’s can out accelerate it and litre sports bikes will runs rings around it. It’s lost it’s USP.
I love this bike and still dream in having mine. My first top speed was 260km in a R1 and the second was 240km in a Hayabusa, the second one felt way better, the Hayabusa is like a airplane in the bike world, so comfortable to ride even in high speed.
Rode a turbo-busa once. 264hp and 198nm at the rear wheel and boy did it feel strange. With the extended swing it turned like an oil tanker and under 60mph the wheel would just burn if you even dare look at the throttle, but after 60 if you give it a lil twist it would fly off like nothing else i've ever ridden. You could cruise at 60 on 4th and don't bother shiftin down, cause with throttle alone the thing would be at 150 before you could even shit your pants. Crazy machine!
I don't know the first thing about bikes, I eventually grew to be a car guy, but I distinctly remember having a die cast toy Hayabusa as a kid. What an unforgettable shape
Growing up i didn’t really like the looks of the busa. Now grown and after riding one I finally understood the significance, impressive performance and confort this bike represents. To bring it all together is the flexibility of rolls this motorcycle can do. Is absolutely incredible. Is not perfect at anything but will hold its own in many scenarios. Today my uncle owns a 03 gen 1. My dad a 2012 gen2. I own a 2022 gen3. They are all incredible machines.
Had an early gen 1 ('99) which I put a full Yoshi 4-1 system on, airbox mod & tune. It was bonkers fast, super smooth & refined. I really liked it but it always felt like it was never really trying too hard & as a result to get a buzz from it you had to go fast which in that context is very fast! Super capable & mostly misunderstood. I had a second gen ZX12R a bit later on which I never gelled with, it pretended to be a smaller bike than the busa but actually isn't, the engine was a lot more buzzy & it just generally felt more rough around the edges. I've often looked at gen 2 busas as they are a lot of bike for the cash, B Kings also but they seem to be on the up value wise. The latest incarnation of the busa was a bit of a disappointment but then I guess a lot of the gen 2 (which was very close to the gen 1) was still fit for purpose which has to be the ultimate vindication!
I opened a 2000 Busa for 3 years, and put over 20,000 trouble free miles on it, and sold it for $2k less than I bought it for. Talk about max fun for $⚡️an amazing machine that had so much torque that downshifting was minimized. Smooth amazing power and insane speed. Mine would go just under 200 on the right day, 185 was easy. Best fun toy ever, including aircraft that I have owned and flown. It was slightly heavy but that just made the ride even more smoothly at speed and in twistys👍👍
Dream bike, and I find it very striking and beautiful, I know alot of people dont like it, but I love it... Makes me think of the latest generation Supra a bit! Always liked them ever since they first came out, I was in my late teens then, would not been legal for me to ride one until a few years later, as I think I'd have to be 20 or 21 to ride a bike like this over here. Crazy that they can be bought by 16 year olds in the states...
I remember 99 when I first heard about the busa. My dad rode cruisers and so did my stepdad. They were both interested in giving that bike a look. Much more bike than I could ever handle on the daily but man are they wicked.
I'm the proud owner of a 2000 (un-speed limited) Hayabusa I purchased new. I'm now 81 years old and still ride it. I started riding motorcycles when I was 11 years old.
I can't say as I thought much one way or the other of the looks of the bike back when it was released, but looking at it again now I have to say I rather like it. I think the design has held up remarkably well over time, or maybe the rest of the world just caught up.
In '98 whispers came out, in '99 the 'Busa arrived in showrooms. I laid down the $9,999, with another $395 for better rubber, to pick one up. It was scary, it was exhilarating, it took you beyond. You had to pay attention 99.9% of the time you were on it. Moved the pegs back to fit me. Made me buy a much better helmet. Spent time on I-81 in Pennsylvania winding it out. Damn thing convinced me I wasn't immortal.
The Hayabusa is so iconic that even before I got into riding and knew nothing of motorcycles I knew what it was
Yes!
Same!
You people are CRAZY for riding those things.
Nice engineering tho.
This and the 1000 GSXR for me lol. I could hear my buddies from a mile away with how loud it was, then I got into bikes.
@@robertlee4172
You need an amazing stretch
to Air this bike out.
I haven’t taken my Hayabusa over 120
And I don’t remember how long.
Which actually makes the bike safer.
Off the line & AT SPEED,
- if you get stupid and aggressive?
The torque will just SPIN rear tire.
You’re not going to go anywhere.
You have to really know how to ride.
OR
Be totally fearless (I.e. an IDIOT)
For this bike to be dangerous 💡
Do I need a Busa? Of course not. Do I want one? Oh yes.
Yuuuup
it's the other way around
@@lazypotato4889does he wants a Busa? Yes, does he needs one? no
You are welcome.
The correct response is Hell yeah.
Drop the A and you get what I can afford to ride on
Fun fact: the Shinkansen E5 bullet train shown at 5:45 is also called the Hayabusa. it runs between stations at 200mph
Fun fact: “Hayabusa” translates to “falcon”, in specific, the peregrine falcon which has a dive speed of 240 mph. Yes, you read that correct, and no, it wasn’t a typo. 240 mph!
@@franko8572 we watched the video too!
@@shahan484 I’ma just be honest, I skip and click off videos throughout the day. I didn’t really watch.
@@franko8572hope I never meet people like you irl, commenting on a video you have not even finished is insane and borderline criminal
@@franko8572so you just click on a video without paying it any real attention, leave a mindless comment that repeats what the video said, then leave?
You're insufferable 😂
I was a kid when the Busa came out and I honestly was blown away by it's looks 😁 especially the distinct Japanese writing on the faring and the way the bike looks from the side.. believe me, this bike was the dream for every kid I knew at the time
It's a Japanese word, but it's a Chinese Kanji on the side.
@@ABunchOfBusas didn't know that, thanks. guess you learn something new everyday 😁
@@ABunchOfBusas it's not "Chinese kanji", that's a huge oversimplification, and really isn't even true. Kanji is one of 3 scripts or alphabets used in the Japanese language. Those 3 being Katakana, Hiragana, and Kanji. Kanji are ideograms, meaning the characters represent whole words rather than individual letters. Kanji script is used in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese languages. It originated in China, but has been used in Japan for thousands of years. Japanese, Korean, and Chinese people can often make out parts of eachother languages because of the similarities.
Either way, the Kanji on the bike is Japanese, because the bike is made by Japanese people, regardless of if those same characters are also used in Chinese and Korean. It means "strong and fast", and is pronounced "Hayabusa".
To give an analogous example.. English, like we're typing here, uses the Latin or Roman alphabet. So do about 100 other languages, like German for example. Just because we use the same letters, and even use some of the same words (kindergarten for example) does not mean we are speaking German. We are still speaking English.
Hope that helps clear things up!
Believe me, this bike is still the dream for every kid from that day hehe
@@trnh.196that’s why I bought a used one finally this year, my inner child with the hayabusa poster on the wall couldn’t be happier
Probably the best Motorcycle I've ever ridden Effortless Massive Power Bullet Proof Reliability Incredible Speed Totally Smooth and Comfortable, Suzuki Absolutely Nailed it 💪
I hope I get to one day
Agree completely. I've had a Gen 3 Hayabusa for a year and a half now and love it. It's a missile that is perfectly happy to cruise around town and chill. It's very easy to ride with great brakes and a great throttle as well. It gives you a lot of confidence and is a great all rounder. Bart did a very good job with this video as I think he captured the essence of the experience of the Hayabusa.
I've had a couple bikes with 1/2 the power and you have to shut those down so early before you are going supersonic I found them kinda boring after a while. That and 3 new tires every 2 years got tiresome. I now have just as much fun if not more on a PCX 160. The girls prefer the VFR tho. 2 up @ 240 kph leaves an impression.
Yo ❤ está 🏍️... Extraordinaria!!!!! Única, icónica... El canto del cisne de la motocicleta del siglo XX!!!!!
@@Roof_Pizza ... 3 tyres every 2 years?
I used to buy a new back tyre about every 6 to 8 weeks.
As a Suzuki owner just sitting down to eat dinner over here in Europe... This was perfect timing!
Suzuki - the meh of motorcycle makers
@@Anonymouseys ah yes, the GSX-R is such a meh motorcycle, same with the 'Busa!
@@k1mura92 Honestly, they just are. Both very common and the definition of meh. They both have superior rivals, which are more desirable for most. The new bikes are not as common, but that's because they are so vanilla that nobody wants one. I love all bikes, but Suzuki is definitely the meh of motorcycles. Sorry.
@@k1mura92 Suzuki haven't made a desirable bike since the K5 Gixxer 1K and now that's just an antiquated relic for squids to crash.
@@Anonymouseysso what is your motorcycle brand/brands of choice?
What people don't realize about the Busa is how confidence inspiring it is to ride. Yes, the sheer numbers come off as insane, but what you don't realize until you have one is that the Busa's 200mph feels like another bike's 130. It's just such a rewarding platform.
I worked at a Suzuki dealer in '99 and the Busa was and still is the fastest motorcycle I have ever ridden.
try a 14r
I’ve owned a 1999 Gen1 from new and still have it, it’s never missed a beat in 24 years despite utilising its performance regularly! 208 on the clock, no safety systems whatsoever I even fitted a TRE to allow full power in the lower gears a truly amazing machine a legend and a major part of my life.
hey, it you don't mind explaining, what's a TRE?😅😅
“He wanted to make a grotesque design ” . Well he failed, the HAYABUSA is BEAUTIFUL.
Objectively, no it's not. lol I remember in 1999 laying eyes on it for the first time and laughing quizzically at what that awful thing was. When I found out a few minutes later what the deal was, well, it started to look pretty freakin' great. Haha!!
The Hayabusa is, was and always will be Quasimodo on two wheels, Quasimodo on ACID on two wheels, but Quasimodo non the less.
The evidence: It’s designer’s intent was to create something grotesque. He considers that he succeeded. Quasimodo is the very definition of grotesque. I rest my case case. 🧐😎😜🙈
Blackbirds are better.
Peace
It's hard to say if some things are beautiful or ugly. Is a rattlesnake ugly or beautiful? It's sleek and quick and has a pretty diamond design on it. It's also deadly and it's a killer. So is it ugly or is it beautiful? Different people will see it differently.
@Ava-qe4qeTell Allah to get his arse on a Hayabusa and do a review, I then might listen if he/It gets back to us.
Lol nope, it's hideous
I bought a black and grey one in 2005 and still have it today. It still has the original drive chain on it and it has around 22,500 mile on the odomenter. It looks like NEW. The low miles are because I have 3 other bikes. A 2001 BMW R 1150 GS, a 2001 BMW K 1200 RS and I just bought a used 2016 BMW S1000R in late '21. I rode a 1986 GSXR 1100 for about 30K and then traded it for the R 1150 GS. I traded my 1975 BMW R 90 S in on the 2001 K 1200 Beemer. When the piano player in a band I played with died in '05 , whoops , time for the BUSA! At my age I probably shouldn't have bought the S 1000 R, but it is what it is. I have been riding since I was 16 and am 76 now. You do the math. 😜
PS: Back in the '60's I had two Norton 750 scramblers. A '64 with a Matchless tank emblem and then a '65 candy apple red Norton . In '69 I had to have the Honda CB 750 SOC 4 cylinder and kept that bkie until the 1975 R 90S stole my heart. I wish I had kept the R90S.😢
Amazing. You are an impressive person.
@@jlrutube1312 , Thanks , but No , I'm just an old man that has loved motorcycles and riding all his life. My wife rode with me on back for 49 years until her death from Altzheimer's in 2014. Thanks again for your kind thoughts.
@@dadams1947 Sorry to hear that. Sounds like she loved bikes as much as you. And I have to say what a great history of motorcycling you have behind you. Hopefully still many miles ahead :)
You are my hero... I have the same taste as you do... I want to buy the busa and the s1000r one day.
Put 34000 miles on my candy red 2000 model. Best bike I've ever owned hands down. GOAT street bike. Ruled in drag racing but it's design was really Bonneville. Bulletproof, brilliant Bomb!
Can you talk about the brakes and the absence of ABS? How difficult it is to use that kind of bike? I am thinking of buying a used one(1st or 2nd gen) but here in Albania I can find very few hayabusas and most of them are 1st gen. I made some research about the 1st gen and there a lot bad comments about the tokico brakes not being strong enough for that bike.
ABS is great but I never missed it on my bike. The Busa is best appreciated imo as a sport tourer and as such I never felt like I didn't have enough brake. But my first bikes had drum brakes so when disc brakes came along (single disc in front only) we thought we were "state of the art." If you want to upgrade the Toxico then you can always use stainless lines and change to a quality brake pad. Otherwise I would suggest if you buy a Gen 1 Busa make sure its had the cam chain tensioner recall done and if it has much mileage then make sure to look at the "in tank" gas filter. You can buy a simple unit to bypass the timing governor on the 2000 + bikes and other than that the GSXR engine is bullet proof. I hope you find a Busa for yourself. I'll say to you what the young mechanic at the Suzuki shop said to me when I took delivery of my new 2000 Busa. "Your a lucky guy Mr."
Back in 2005 I treated my self to this outstanding motor bike, nothing like it, its poise at any speed, great suspension out of the box. However the brakes needed more bite and were not up to par to its dynamic capabilities.
Replace the stock pads with sintered metal HH race pads.
The pad type is 90% of the brakes performance.
HH pads will give you more braking power and much better bite and less fade.
Always get pad advice and try options before you criticize the brakes, and never listen to journalists they have no fecking idea.
@@klementomeri5910 I once crashed mine on a track due to the lack of ABS
From the first time I laid eyes on the Hayabusa, I’ve thought to myself, “What an ugly bike.” Your video, while not converting me to a fan, has given me a new appreciation for the “somewhat grotesque” oddball in the motorcycle world. Thanks, Bart! Love your videos. 😊
Yes , many of us have a fascination with it's unconventional aesthetics ?
It's a well known fact that motorcyclists have terrible taste when it comes to design and aesthetics.
I don't know if it's actually "ugly" - it' was certainly unconventional, but it's also purposeful - it's obvious where it's capabilities lie, and most people do say that the looks grow on them.
Ugliest bird I ever rode was the best ride I ever had....
I find it beautiful..
When it first came out, and even today.
That introductory color, the copper and silver with the Japanese script was quite a sight. Only the much later pure white model looked as good.
I wanted to buy my first bike and I remembered of my childhood dream of Hayabusa. But buying Hayabusa as first motorcycle is a crazy decision. So I went to see it first at a showroom and after that trial ride everything changed. I did bought my Hayabusa year later and it has been absolutely phenomenal journey. Hayabusa is pure love no other bike can ever give.
It isn't really that dumb as a first bike. Significantly safer than a 1000cc, though it does cause insane speed-blindness.
Memories. I bought the first model new, before they put the 299 speed limiter on. Time it right, and you could lift the front wheel at 245. 270 is where you would hit the twilight zone, where you knew your reaction time to handle unexpected situations, was slower than was comfortable. It would start to slow down by about 280, and would slowly climb to 305 before running out of road. It was also capable of commuting through heavy city traffic, although it would get a bit hot with no air getting through the radiator, and was a bit heavy. Build quality was amazing for the times, with beautiful little touches like the mufflers laser etched, and (mostly) quality metalwork. And a bulletproof engine capable of insane power output by enthusiastic tuners. My second favourite bike. (Speed in kmh)
errrm ... just curious, but what was your #1 favourite bike?
I was working at a dealership at the time it came out, but couldn't appreciate the bulkiness of it. It just looked outlandish. After a while, it became apparent from observing that owning a Hayabusa must have been cooler than owning a Blackbird. You know, at that time (2000's) many great bikes were made, such as the GSXR-600 EFI (model 2001) I think. Also the Cagiva Raptor with a TL1000 engine. That bike was nuts!
Good vid dude. I will never forget hitting 309 (gps) on my mates Busa on the Autobahn, the speed itself is scary but the way it got there was even more impressive.
I don’t own one, but I remember when these things hit the scene. It was an exciting time to be a rider. All of the big four were making really innovative motorcycles. I don’t think there’s been a time in motorcycling that was quite as cool, before or since.
Always a good day when bart uploads!
HIS NAME IS FLUUUMP AND ROCKET LEAGUE MISSES HIM! :(
I'm on my 6th Hayabusa. Darned things are so addictive. The Gen3 is by far the best incarnation of this iconic machine.
I was a lead technician for a Suzuki and Kawasaki dealer in the 1990s and 2000s. There were two recall for the cam chain tensioners for the '99 and '00 models. The original automatic/ratcheting cam chain tensioners failed causing the cams to jump time and either bend the valve and split the guides and/or break the crankshaft. We/I had to replace the crankshaft, head, and pistons when that happened (at least a dozen times if I remember right). The first recall in 2000 replaced the ratcheting tensioner with a manual adjusted tensioner. The second recall was ratcheting tensioner assisted by oil pressure from the front oil galley. I serviced and performed that recall repair on so many Busa's back then that I know the bike at 4:42 is a 1999 without the final recall repair.
I bought my childhood dream now m 34 years old and I enjoy my dream every weekend the sound and the presence of this beast with this beauty makes everyones head turn. Love my 2002 gen 1 busa.
Wow! so much passion in this video. Keep up the good work mate! The fact that Busa has changed so little over the period says a lot about how well it was designed in the first place!
Great article Bart. I remember when they first came out I was like everyone else and not a fan of the bulkiness but it grew on me. Here we are approaching the 25 year anniversary model of it I've owned 5 and still have 2 of them. I've put over a 100k miles on one and turbos on others. Such a great machine!
My first new vehicle was a 2006 Busa Loved that bike. Did nothing to it except put a defeat in that told the PCM that it was in second gear all the time so it would defeat the nanny system. Never did top it out on speed. It had a habit of making what looked like flat road into waves of hills you never even knew were there. Awesome machine. Sold it for 10 k after paying 14 for it with like 2200 km on the clock . The new buyer was so happy to get one so clean and unmodified.
Suzuki created a bullet with two wheels. Amazing.
Thank you. It was the best video i saw today. I am a hayabusa fan long befor this video,but today i really remember why i love it so much
I borrowed one from a friend and rode with my mate from the Gold Coast (Australia) to McKay, about 1200 kms over two days.. we took the inland route and hammered it.. fantastic ride!
Mackay* NQ
I have gone through each and every fact for the bike, countless times. Yet! It always gives me pleasure to view every video about it. There is something in its name, The Hayabusa
Old school suzukies will always be one of the legends. Also thanks to the riders who handled that power.
I don't have Busa, but I got ZZR1400, in my eyes they're pretty much identical, but got ZZR cause of tons cheaper insurances. It's indeed insane how so-to-say civil these bikes are. It can be insanely fast if you want, but you can ride it anywhere so effortlessly, but like I had the bike for sale for brief moment, some young called about it and sounded almost scared asking question like "I don't know, I've got 600 sports bike for two summers now, but that bike is I think too intimidating?". I was like now "hold on, ZZR1400 is maybe the tamest and easiest bike to ride I've ever had and that it will NOT surprise you UNLESS you begin to feed to it bit more revs and knowingly keep flaps open". In the end of conversation I told him that if he comes up to test ride it, I won't hesitate to give it to him at all, cause if he indeed has 600 sports bike, that thing is way more scarier to ride to the high powerband. Conversation ended where he murmured something like "I gotta think if I dare to come see it". All-in-all Busa and ZZR (=ZX14R) they're actually really user friendly bikes that have plenty of ooomph if fed. Only thing that makes bit clumsy in very tight spots in parking lots etc. is the bit longer wheelbase, which in turn goes to insane stability. Both also have really low center of gravity that helps with ease of ride. Like I had ZX9R and it wanted to wheelie so much and it wanted to turn to it's side in curves almost demanding to be rode really fast. These big brothers aren't anything like that.
I had mine since 3 months and for now it’s the best compromise with the SPORT/Touring side of riding.
I own both a Gen 1 Hayabusa and an injected 2003 Blackbird. The Hayabusa is less refined but stronger power. They are both good for different reasons. The Hayabusa is more economical too!
The busa is iconic. Always will be till this day. Will always be a head turner when you see one out in public
I have been riding motorcycles since I was 6. I bought the 1999 Hayabusa right when it came out. I'm 54 about to be 55 now and I had to buy the 2022 black and candy burnt gold Hayabusa because I missed my Hayabusa from long ago and this is the most beautiful bike I have ever seen. It rides like a dream and it does everything effortlessly. The quick shifter is a game changer and the cruise control is amazing. It is a perfectly balanced bike and I think it and it does it. It's like feeling what Superman feels like when he's flying. It's just an absolutely amazing motorcycle to ride and beautiful to just look at it.
Really nicely done with your video 👏 congrats . I’ve had 3 Gen1’s and now have the new Gen3 . For me it’s the 🐐. Perfect blend of speed, overall performance and comfort. I raced a Suzuki Superbike in the mid 2000’s so I am a corner lover not a drag racer so I have modded my Gen3 as per my last 2 gen 1’s . Mettisse rear suspension links, that raise the rear by 25mm and reduce the wheelbase by 5mm, 1.0 kg front fork springs , valving to suit my rider weight (85kg). Yoshi slip ons , custom remap and de-limit , 180hp/116ft lbs at the wheel and 203 mph . Ballistic and beautiful and bullet proof.
90s motorcycle industry battle for speed was so cool
Had a 93 FZR 1000 built for the 1/4-mile. Once the busa came out it rendered most other bikes irrelevant in the 1/4-mile.
Purchased new a Black FZR1000 EXUP in 1990. Loved that motorcycle so much. I don't live in, or ride my motors in, the 1/4 mile so I don't relate to that world. I do know, however, that the US government came very close to banning the FZR1000 due to the unbelievable power to weight ratio that the FZR possessed at that time. What a cool motorcycle, FZR1000.
@@kbearpro I loved that color scheme. I had the red white and blue 93. Got that bike up to 174mph. The only bikes I had trouble with in the 1/4-mile were the Gizzer 1100s with bore kit back then…well…until the busa. Haha
Ive owned a busa and a blackbird. The busa is all about its engine, torque and hp are quite a bit better than the blackbird. The bird is smoother. And for covering hundreds of miles at insane speeds, i prefer the cbr1100xx. And i prefer the busas crazy looks. Both are able to crash in one county and be swept up in another.
Love my Gen2 2008 Orange & Black.. Turns heads and gives smiles every time I ride it!!
So glad you brought up the ZX-12r, seems like it often get overlooked. I bought a new 2003 just because it wasn't a Hayabusa. lol Edit: BTW, the the ZX12-r actually had a bit more horsepower and was the most powerful production motorcycle at the time. The Hayabusa was a tiny bit faster because of better aerodynamics (and possibly torque?). The Kawasaki engineers said they could have produced better aeros but then the bike would be ugly like the Busa.
And Kawasaki sure know ugly. 😎
Sucks to be Kawasaki
I have a 2000 model unrestricted zx12. My dad hated suzuki so we didn't like the busa. I'd love to ride one but just never had the chance
@@tangybuttfrogfpv8772 ... my 2022 black Busa is very nice.
In a "cruise missile" kinda way 👍😎
Busa was and is the Fugly bike on the block very popular in the inner cities in the US
Its an Iconic bike, Its not fair to compare it to any other bike, it looks amazing, handles really well the motor is Gem. The way its sounds when you rev it up in the city junction, it sounds like a heavy monster waiting to be unleashed, What a bike man
Well said. It is like no other new bike out there.
Nice job on the video man. The R1 and the Busa closed out the 90s. I was 16 at the time, 40 now. The Busa is still an incredible feat of engineering and deserves every bit of its legendary status.
I'm 60 in a few weeks. Just treated myself to my 6th Hayabusa. A brand new Gen 3 all-black one.
Great vid! I had been wanting a 'Busa for many years. I had/have a '78 Honda CX500 (sport-tour), a 2003 Honda Interceptor 800 (sport-tour but only for 30 minutes/ride), a 2010 Honda VF1200F (sport-tour but max 2 hour ride) and then finally got my dream bike, thee mighty GSX-1300R. Total beast-mode. NEVER any fatigue, always enough power (sickth gear roll-ons will smoke most vehicles), never been beaten by any other bike or suped up car in the se7en years I've owned and absolutely loved it. Put some Yoshimura R77's on it to replace those ugly-azz stock slip-ons (dropped about 40lbs.) and I get a lot of compliments on the sound, it sounds like total power. Does it flick like the wifey's Ninja? No. It doesn't even matter though because it is all-around the best bike I've ever ridden, even over the Gixxer 750 and 1000. The sick Brembo's up front kept me from eating trunk more than a couple times. Almost total coverage in the rain (wear waterproof boots). I put a Zero Gravity Double-bubble on it as I felt the stock windscreen was a little low, even tucked in. Yeah it's considered fugly by design, but I think it's a beautifully designed machine. 2016 black/grey/red and p.s. you'll need a Schnitz racing clutch lock ring upgrade after some years of pushing the stock slipper clutch. It starts to get clunky. Only defect so far and I ride year 'round.
I have the new gen3 Busa in black and bronze colour.
Fantastic bike. Incredibly stable, awesome suspension, brakes far better than you would believe from journalists. Best power, brakes and handling out of any bikes I have ever owned and I come from a sportbike background.
All the negatives are minor; bit of a reach to the bars if you are not tall, its heavy and clumsy to push around, especially on grass, can get a bit hot in traffic. Foot pegs a bit high for some riders you have very bent knees like a sportbike.
I really love it, stable like a battleship but still turns into tight corners like a sportbike. Unbelieveable midrange torque for a 4 cyl bike. I tell my friends its a "big block" sports bike, sure you can get a lot of power from a small block Chevy but it will still never pull like a big block Chevy. If you understand that, you understand the Busa.
Another Outstanding Video! So well done! Thank You for all your hard work!
The Hayabusa was made popular in India because of an action movie , where robbers steal and smoke the cops on superbikes, and Hayabusa was the highlight because the main villain rode on it. And it definitely became every boy's favourite bike in India. If you do some research you'll know Hayabusa was a culturally impactful bike because of bollywood, but because of Indian roads being uneven , many practical people would opt for buying it , as potholes and poor driving regulations can cause accidents. Beside it was very expensive to own one back in the day
Blew me away when they came out but I couldn’t afford one. Now I have two 1999 Hayabusa’s and love them
I owned one for 6 mos or so and loved it for highway riding. Unfortunately, the bike weighed more than 4 times what I did and the insurance was nutter high. One fond memory was the bike's ability to just accelerate madly in top gear from 75mph "to infinity". Zoooom!
Bought a 2006 in 2012 when I was 51 years old. Still have it today, 31,000 miles.
I just can’t part with it.
I know a guy who bought a first gen. Short little dude, kind of nerdy. Had to lower it to get it home. Not one you’d ever think of riding a Busa. Not long ago I seen him still riding it. It was slightly modded with a stretch and rims but otherwise stock. Super super clean, not a speck of dust on it. I asked him if he ever rode it. He told me he just passed 100,000 miles! I was blown away. He said other than a water pump he has had zero issues. What an amazing motorcycle.
Love my Busa and you are completely right when you say after all the hype the Busa is just a damn good road bike In fact it’s the best
Great video! Miss my 2003 and all the great adventures it took me on
I have a 97 TLS myself , with TLR swingarm , Hyperpro shock , revalved and stiffer forks . Full Yosh exhaust . Welded clutch center , Scotts steering damper , corbin seat . Most fun bike ever .
I would love a video talking about the Honda VFR 1200F ❤
I love your video, very accurate.
For me it was a dream come true and I couldn't be happier.
I'm a street/track guy. Bought a used Gen 1 couple years ago. Love it. It's endless what you can do to them and best platform. I ride with other Busa owners who have performance Busa's. From 260hp- 500 HP. I rode a turbo Busa and it rode like a gentleman. Once I played around above 6k like the Millennium Falcon. Look at Busa's at the Texas Mile or EJR Performance. Anyways great all around bike
In Australia the largest bike a 17 year old (earliest age for a licence other than a moped) is now a 650CC. You then have to have this licence for at least a year, then sit another riding test to get your open licence. When I got my bike licence (I was 18) in 1976 all you had to do was go for your (first) licence on a bike 400CC or bigger. At the time I owned a Suzuki air ram GT 380 (great bike) so I borrowed my mates Honda 400 four..., which was like riding a mini bike..., the biggest bike around then (for 99% of the population) was the Honda Goldwing 1000CC.
im a (small) bike rider. The Busa is probably one of my fav(dream) bike of all time. It does live to its reputation as one of the most iconic and legendary bike. EVER!
I use to own a 04 black purple busa and it was for me the best experience ever I had on a sport bike 🔥
Worked at a bike shop. Rode a Lot of bikes. Never a hyabusa. Maybe Someday! Great videos!
Ohh busa…my dear busa….busaa..busa.busa❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Great Documentary!!! I have a 2008 Busa with over 212,000 miles...To God be the Glory...truly a great all around Bike 🏍
Fantastic video and commentary. I owned a '99 copper Hayabusa and a green '00 ZX-12R at the same time from new. They are very, very different animals indeed. My younger self preferred the big Kaw, but I've owned 2 more Hayabusa's since, and a B-King. My older self prefers the comfort of the Suzuki.
Hayabusa is my dream bike❤❤❤❤
Young man. MV Augusta was a Gran Prix road racing marque decades before the Hayabusa.
Outstanding video and fantastic footage from Suzuki.
Here in India, it is well known as "the Dhoom Bike" made famous by a superhit movie where the villian rides a Busa. High aspirational value and responsible to birth of a generation of motorheads back in 2000s.
Hats off to Suzuki for its groundbreaking enginnering.
That was so accurate what you said about the Ducati super leggerra! Yeah might be a greater engineering fee but who even rides one? meanwhile Hayabusa are out in Frankenstein form kicking ass! Great writing!
Suzuki have made some incredible bikes over the years
Grotesquely beautiful if you ask me, there's no mistaking it when you see it. I've loved the look of them ever since they came out over 20 years ago
It was performance without compromise; they didn't sacrifice comfort or rideability. I nearly bought one of these being sold second hand near where I work. I'd see it everyday. What impressed me first and foremost was the seat position. It was more comfortable for me to sit on than many big bikes, since I am NOT a member of the long inseam club. The guy selling it was asking just a bit more than I had available, oh well... but in another parallel universe, I'm on that thing and cruising.
Here in Australia we have a system knows as LAMS, Learner Assistance Motorcycle Scheme. Basically new riders and young riders are limited to what bikes they can ride, until more experienced, by limiting the engine capacity or power to weight ratio that can be chosen. It's a good scheme because for many years top end sports bikes were known as "apprentice killers". 17 year old with a learners permit would wrap litre bikes around power poles.
Great video, great info, thanks for sharing.
Learner approved motorcycle scheme. Power to weight ratio, once upon a time it was 250cc Max for learners or provisional licence. But this did include proper weapons like 2 stroke RGV's and similar.
This is my dream bike.. i would not ride it at super light speed but i just love it! The motor sounds so incredible! What a bike this is
If you buy it I can guarantee you WILL ride it at high speeds. 120mph feels like bicycle speeds on a busa. It is insanely stable even at 160+
I like the way that it looks. Form follows function. I think the color scheme of that first production year was the best.
If I have to hear "Hayabusa means PFalcon because Honda..." one more time i'm gonna headbutt my computer
I bought one back in 1999, the gold and bronze. It was amazing and way above the performance of other bikes and cars available at the time. I had it a good while and then traded it. Bought a new Gen2 in 2017 because I thought I’d enjoy one again but it was slightly underwhelming really. Obviously still fast but the world has moved on since that first bike and I’d got more used to big powerful bikes over the last 20 odd years. Didn’t keep it long. The Gen3 looks good but I doubt I’d ever buy one. Many cars especially EV’s can out accelerate it and litre sports bikes will runs rings around it. It’s lost it’s USP.
Well your issue is not the Busa but your urge to be the faster one on the street. The Dom Toretto syndrome.
Yes you have a fair point, I don’t deny that. I suppose I’ve grown up and feel very different about lots of things to how I did 30 years ago.
I love this bike and still dream in having mine. My first top speed was 260km in a R1 and the second was 240km in a Hayabusa, the second one felt way better, the Hayabusa is like a airplane in the bike world, so comfortable to ride even in high speed.
Best beginner bike to add a turbo to
In the name of alley or whatever it's name is. I invite you to turbo charge your busa.
Rode a turbo-busa once. 264hp and 198nm at the rear wheel and boy did it feel strange. With the extended swing it turned like an oil tanker and under 60mph the wheel would just burn if you even dare look at the throttle, but after 60 if you give it a lil twist it would fly off like nothing else i've ever ridden. You could cruise at 60 on 4th and don't bother shiftin down, cause with throttle alone the thing would be at 150 before you could even shit your pants. Crazy machine!
I don't know the first thing about bikes, I eventually grew to be a car guy, but I distinctly remember having a die cast toy Hayabusa as a kid. What an unforgettable shape
Growing up i didn’t really like the looks of the busa. Now grown and after riding one I finally understood the significance, impressive performance and confort this bike represents.
To bring it all together is the flexibility of rolls this motorcycle can do. Is absolutely incredible. Is not perfect at anything but will hold its own in many scenarios.
Today my uncle owns a 03 gen 1. My dad a 2012 gen2. I own a 2022 gen3. They are all incredible machines.
Had an early gen 1 ('99) which I put a full Yoshi 4-1 system on, airbox mod & tune. It was bonkers fast, super smooth & refined. I really liked it but it always felt like it was never really trying too hard & as a result to get a buzz from it you had to go fast which in that context is very fast! Super capable & mostly misunderstood. I had a second gen ZX12R a bit later on which I never gelled with, it pretended to be a smaller bike than the busa but actually isn't, the engine was a lot more buzzy & it just generally felt more rough around the edges. I've often looked at gen 2 busas as they are a lot of bike for the cash, B Kings also but they seem to be on the up value wise. The latest incarnation of the busa was a bit of a disappointment but then I guess a lot of the gen 2 (which was very close to the gen 1) was still fit for purpose which has to be the ultimate vindication!
I just bought an 07 Hayabusa, and it truly surprised me. It’s everything i wanted a bike to be.
the name Hayabusa became so synonymous with speeed during early 2000s
I opened a 2000 Busa for 3 years, and put over 20,000 trouble free miles on it, and sold it for $2k less than I bought it for. Talk about max fun for $⚡️an amazing machine that had so much torque that downshifting was minimized. Smooth amazing power and insane speed. Mine would go just under 200 on the right day, 185 was easy. Best fun toy ever, including aircraft that I have owned and flown. It was slightly heavy but that just made the ride even more smoothly at speed and in twistys👍👍
Nice video. Very well put together. Congrats!
What an amazing writing for the beautiful legend!
Dream bike, and I find it very striking and beautiful, I know alot of people dont like it, but I love it...
Makes me think of the latest generation Supra a bit!
Always liked them ever since they first came out, I was in my late teens then, would not been legal for me to ride one until a few years later, as I think I'd have to be 20 or 21 to ride a bike like this over here. Crazy that they can be bought by 16 year olds in the states...
Insane how americans can start riding 1000cc bikes at 16, here in europe I think you need to be at least 24 to ride them
20, actually
@Bart - Always heard about the Hayabusa, but really didn't know what all the fanfare was all about; now I know. Thanks.
Fascinating. Well done fine sir!
I’m addicted. I admit it. I’ve just bought my 5th. Phew! I’m glad I’ve done that😀
It’s not the speed, but the sudden stop. Beautiful bike.
I remember 99 when I first heard about the busa. My dad rode cruisers and so did my stepdad. They were both interested in giving that bike a look. Much more bike than I could ever handle on the daily but man are they wicked.
I'm the proud owner of a 2000 (un-speed limited) Hayabusa I purchased new. I'm now 81 years old and still ride it. I started riding motorcycles when I was 11 years old.
Not a Hayabusa owner, but great review for a legendary bike.
Beautiful
I can't say as I thought much one way or the other of the looks of the bike back when it was released, but looking at it again now I have to say I rather like it. I think the design has held up remarkably well over time, or maybe the rest of the world just caught up.
Excellent video!
In '98 whispers came out, in '99 the 'Busa arrived in showrooms. I laid down the $9,999, with another $395 for better rubber, to pick one up. It was scary, it was exhilarating, it took you beyond. You had to pay attention 99.9% of the time you were on it. Moved the pegs back to fit me. Made me buy a much better helmet. Spent time on I-81 in Pennsylvania winding it out. Damn thing convinced me I wasn't immortal.
This is the first time I watched an 18 minuite youtube video without skipping as I remember.