Suzuki Hayabusa 2019 — Specifications

It has been a long time since a motorcycle has carried a name so heavy to live up to. Since its launch in 1999, the Suzuki Hayabusa is not just a model; it is a legend, an absolute benchmark in the world of speed. And in 2017, this icon shows some signs of age, but none of fatigue. Its engine, this 1340 cm3 inline-four, remains a monument. It delivers 198 horsepower at 9500 rpm, a figure that still makes the competition tremble, and a torque of 155 Nm that arrives with a disconcerting authority at 7200 rpm. We are talking about a machine that, despite its 266 kg when fully fueled, remains capable of flirting with 310 km/h. That is the whole paradox of this sport-GT: it is massive, yet it flies like a rocket.

The frame is a classic but effective aluminum twin-spar, and the suspension, even though it is not the most high-tech on the market, ensures a compromise between handling and comfort acceptable for this kind of beast. The real notable progress in this 2017 version lies in its braking equipment. Suzuki has finally installed Brembo monoblock calipers and standard ABS. It is a necessity, not a luxury, when riding an engine of this mass and power. The tires, in 120/70 and 190/50 sizes, are designed for stability at high speed, the primary characteristic of the Hayabusa. For approximately 15600 euros, you get this mythical motorcycle, but also its flaws: a seat height of 805 mm that is not very welcoming, a 20-liter tank that empties quickly when you are playing with the 198 horsepower, and an ergonomics that frankly leans towards grand touring sport, not pure agility.

Compared to its contemporaries, such as the Kawasaki Ninja H2, the Buse stands out by its more traditional, almost brutal approach. It has no supercharger, just a large naturally aspirated engine that breathes power. It is less crazy, but perhaps more noble. It is a motorcycle for touring riders who want extreme performance without excessive technological frills, for those who seek legendary maximum speed and an unparalleled presence on the road. The market for used Suzuki Hayabusa remains very active, as many seek to acquire this icon without paying the price of new. And for tuning enthusiasts, Suzuki Hayabusa turbo projects prove that its engine block is a quasi-infinite modification base.

The 2017 Hayabusa is not a motorcycle for beginners, nor even for pure track riders. It is a cruiser, a flagship. It demands respect, foresight, and a substantial budget, especially if you add accessories like the Sport pack with its screen and Yoshimura exhaust. It is no longer the most modern, but it remains, undeniably, the most charismatic. Suzuki set the bar so high in 1999 that even today, this machine continues to define what a ultimate speed motorcycle is. It transcends time, and despite the arrival of the new Suzuki Hayabusa in 2021, this 2017 version retains the prestige of an object that has marked history.