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2008 Suzuki Hayabusa

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2008 Suzuki Hayabusa

Suzuki brought out the new 2008 Suzuki Hayabusa and there is more displacement, 1340cc versus the old 1299cc. Like the new B-King, the rider can choose between engine settings, but the Hayabusa rider has a choice of three instead of the B-King’s two, there’s probably something labeled “light speed” on the Hayabusa.

A Hayabusa with more power is certainly no surprise and if you are riding a ZX-14 you may want to check your mirrors, objects may be a lot closer than they appear, … and about to pass. We’ll see.

Full features and specifications from Suzuki press release follow:

New

  • Redesigned instrument cluster now features four analog meters for speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge and water temperature with a new S-DMS mode indicator, gear position indicator and adjustable engine rpm indicator.

New Engine

  • New 1340cc, DOHC liquid-cooled engine with 16-valves, Twin Swirl Combustion Chambers provides 11% higher performance and smoother operation
  • New Suzuki SDTV fuel injection system with dual injectors per cylinder and ram air intake with large volume airbox
  • New S-DMS (Suzuki Drive Mode Selector) allows the rider to choose from three different engine settings depending on riding conditions or rider preferences
  • New lightweight titanium intake and exhaust valves with narrow 14 degree valve angle for high combustion chamber efficiency
  • New lightweight aluminum alloy pistons feature a revised shape and a higher compression ratio of 12.5:1 for maximum performance in all conditions.
  • SCEM (Suzuki Composite Electro-chemical Material) plated cylinders minimize cylinder size and improve heat dissipation and new hydraulic cam chain tensioner for reduced mechanical noise
  • New ventilation holes at the cylinder skirt for reduced pumping losses and increased performance
  • High efficiency curved radiator now features dual electric fans controlled by the ECM for increased cooling capacity. Oil cooler now has 10 rows cores for increased heat dissipation.
  • New large volume 4-2-1-2 exhaust system with a large capacity catalyzer, dual triangular canisters and closed loop system that meets Euro 3 and Tier 2 regulations
  • New Shot-peened chrome-moly steel connecting rods for maximum durability
  • Ion plating treatment utilizing PVD (physical vapor deposit) method is applied to piston rings providing a smoother surface treatment for increased durability, reduced friction loss and reduced oil consumption
  • Slick shifting 6 speed transmission working in conjunction with an innovative back torque limiting clutch for smooth and controlled downshifts

New Chassis

  • All new aggressive aerodynamic fairing design with low drag coefficient retains it’s signature Hayabusa look and features an updated, muscular look to work with the new more powerful engine and updated chassis
  • New fully adjustable inverted front fork featuring DLC coated inner tubes for minimal friction resistance and outstanding suspension performance over a variety of riding conditions.
  • Fully adjustable rear shock absorber with a 43mm piston and 14mm rod diameter
  • Lightweight and rigid twin-spar aluminum frame minimizes weight while maintaining high torsional strength
  • New bridged aluminum alloy swingarm features a new cross-sectional shape for increased rigidity and to cope with improved rear tire grip and increased engine output
  • New radial-mount front brake calipers for maximum braking performance and allows for smaller 310mm front brake rotors resulting in reduced unsprung weight and improved handling
  • Lightweight single piston rear brake caliper working in conjunction with a new larger 260mm rear brake disc
  • Newly designed wheels mounted with high performance Bridgestone BT-015 tires for unmatched handling and control
  • Passenger seat and rear subframe are lowered for improved passenger comfort
  • Fuel tank height is lowered to allow riders helmet to tuck in and windscreen height is increased for improved wind protection and optimum aerodynamic efficiency with the rider in place.
  • Newly designed vertically stacked twin headlights provide increased light intensity, improved light distribution and match the elegant flow of the new Hayabusa styling.
  • LED taillight utilizes a double lens structure with a clear inner lens and a red outer lens for maximum visibility and a high quality finish
Specifications HAYABUSA
Model Number GSX1300RK8
Type Sportbike
Warranty 12 month unlimited mileage limited warranty.
Suggested Retail $11999
Engine 1340cc, 4-stroke, four-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve, TSCC
Bore & Stroke 81.0 x 65.0mm
Compression Ratio 12.5:1
Fuel System Fuel Injection
Lubrication Wet sump
Ignition Digital/Transistorized
Starter Electric
Transmission 6-speed, constant mesh
Final Drive #530 chain
Overall Length 2195mm (86.6 in.)
Overall Width 740mm (29.1 in.)
Overall Height 1170mm (46.1 in.)
Seat Height 805mm (31.7 in.)
Ground Clearance 120mm (4.7 in.)
Wheelbase 1485mm (58.5 in.)
Dry Weight 220 kg (485 lbs)
Suspension Front Inverted telescopic, coil spring, fully adjustable spring preload, adjustable rebound damping and adjustable compression damping
Suspension Rear Link-type, gas/oil damped, fully adjustable spring preload, adjustable compression & rebound damping
Brakes Rear Single hydraulic disc
Tires Front 120/70-ZR-17
Tires Rear 190/50-ZR-17
Fuel Tank Capacity 21 liter (5.5 gal.) 20.0 liter (5.3 gal.) CA. model
Color Orange/Black, Black/Gray, Blue/Black

Posted on Filed Under: Motorcycle Business

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Comments

  3. oh well, we all knew they didn’t have the guts to whip out a premium superbike with the inline six from the stratosphere….. somehow I still feel crushed. maybe honda will follow up the blackbird with a CBX1200RR.

    It does look great though!

  4. Wow. One hell of a stylish one to break all known speed limits. Mr Turbo, where are you…

  7. Why the incrimental changes? Why not just build a two liter motor with 300HP if that’s what’s important?

    -todd

  10. It’s certainly better looking than the Kawi ZX-14, but will it be faster?

    They know what the competition is offering; I don’t think they’ve made a big enough step to snatch back the #1 spot, but we’ll have to see.

  11. Well…I like it…I think. The front is nice, I’ll get used to the rear. I hope they don’t call it a 1400, it’s still a 1300. Should be as fast as the ZX-14…or faster, I hope.
    Aaron….forget about Honda…They’re in scooters now.

  12. IMAO, only Busa enthusist will purchase this bike. A true performance minded person will stick with a ZX-14.

  13. This Busa is not a 1300 cc (the older one as 1240 cc) and this 1340…
    So it’s more like a 1400 than 1300 cc… i think….

    But it’s not simple to say that is just a face-lift as many people said…

    ‘Cause it has a new engine, new chassis, new suspensions, new radial brakes, two electric fans for dissipating the heat, new “restyling fairings to improve better performance…and so on…

    I’m really impressed with this new Busa. Not like those “hand made in Photoshop”…that were showed around the web all the way…

    I have one for 7 years…and i see in this new model “not another” but a “new point of view” to improve and offer to all Busa fans, and all others“ the second stage after eight years of difference, and pole position between all the other motorcycles.

    As the Vice President of Suzuki America Mel Harris said:
    “Sorry competitors, try again.”

  14. I think the new busa is sick!!!! and it will murder the kawi!!! i cant wait untill it comes out to buy one, probably trade my 07 limited ed. for it!

  15. I’ve owned the 1st generation Busa for 3 years & loved every bit of it. In fact, selling it was probably the worst decision i’ve ever made in my life.
    I just placed a deposit on a black ’08. She’ll be a keeper & her name will be “Suzi” 😛

  16. I would have liked a bigger jump in displacement, say 1499cc, a 1500. However, the higher compression and reworked fuel injection and other improvements should be quite nice! I have a 2001 from day one with 25K on her and have had no issues whatsoever. A word to the wise: Wait till the 2009 model year before buying- Jim

  17. A quick note to above comment on the Hayabusa displacement 99-07 1299cc not 1240cc. minor detail…I think not. As for the war between the new busa and the kawi… No matter how well the new busa runs it’s still a suzuki and that’s all I need to know!

  18. THE ZX14 ALREADY PUT THE NUMBERS ON THE GROUND, ENOUGH TALKING AFTER I SEE THE NUMBERS ON THE NEW BUSA THEN I LET YOU NOW. RIGHT NOW ZX 14 RULES

  19. The old generation Hayabusa has been out since 1999 and it’s performance is so close to the ZX14. I’d be very surprised if the new 11% more powerful version with roughly the same weight (I believe a 4kg increase) doesn’t kick ZX ass, with a serious advantage.

  20. I’m on my third busa and I’ve already put a deposit down on the blk/org 08. I’m a little scarrrrrrrrred but I have faith in Zook so I guess I’ll be one of the people laying the rubber for this discussion to take on real meaning. It will be up to the die hard riders to push the new zuk to its limits so we will know the true story. For all you zuk riders wish me luck and cheer me on, for all you “cow” riders-I’ll see you on the Streets. I’ll be the guy with one leg and a pingle shifter.

  21. You busa guys are all the same ….Show me a stock motored Busa like my zx14 and the other zx14 i race with running 8s with no power adders …The zx14 is the first stock motored bike to run 8 sec 1/4 passes…..The old Busa was no where close to the zx14s on the drag strip , stock for stock or mod for mod the zx14 wins …Now the NEW busa has 198 HP at the crank and the zx14 has 197 hp at the crank …I don’t call that a win , it will be a draw at best because the new Busa is 11 pounds heavier than the zx14 …What you zooky guys wanted was a brand new Busa and got got a warmed over 99 Busa …

  22. well i think the new BUSA is gona kick ZX’s ass severely…. comeon guys we all know suzuki, they have been the king for more than 7 years …. it has taken such a long to take this crown for kawasaki…. and its time for revenge and retake it…and i think suzuki will do it in style… dont worry suzu fans, Suzuki is a company….they know better than us that who is their rival and what they need to make in order to recapture their kingship…. chill guys suzuki is gona launch a monster again!

  23. i will keep it simple on the kawi 14 i can drag knee on the busa i keep going straight end of story peace

  24. Remember the ZX12 … suzuki helped build the ZX10 so kawy could go fast, they used that technology to build the ZX14… BUT SUZUKI didn’t give away the farm… now they’ll be two bikes on the road Kawasaki can’t catch 07 GSXR 1000 and the BUSA.

  27. ….muscular looking new 2008 ‘HayaSeeya’……been waiting to see this before buying a ZX14….

    ….now I like the BKing…. but why is a naked bike $1,700 more than the Busa?

    ….I was going to put a deposit on a BKing and now I hear the new 2008 VMax is coming with
    210 HP…..

    You gotta love the horsepower wars.

  28. I have a 2006 Busa, and it’s quick, BUT I sat on the ZX-14 and it felt like a toy. And it sat higher. The Busa felt like a hammer between my legs.Nuff

  29. Just sold my 01 busa and got 7k for show me any kawi that pulls down that kind of dough!Just needed to sell her cuz my new 08 will be here before sept.O by the way never have I ever been beatin by a zx14 ever and we ride hard out here in flat lands of texas.Hell my 86 gsxr1100 even runs 9’s Dont be mad Kawi fans you do know Suzuki ownes most of Kawasaki and gives them a little tec form time to time G’s out

  30. I wonder, with the new DMS, if it would be possible for beginners to learn on a busa? Wouldn’t it be easier to to learn if you can “dumb it down” while you learn, and then go to the B setting once you have gained more confidence with the bike?

  31. I LOVED THE FIRST ONE AND IM IN LOVE WITH THE SECOND!!!
    AMAZING BIKE.
    I WILL GET THIS ONE!

  34. I have been riding a superhawk for years… when the ZX 14 came out i almost bought one…. then the new busa was anounced …. “DADDY LIKES” I went down and put a deposit on the orange & black one! NICE …

  35. Quote from Garyo1busa

    “Dont be mad Kawi fans you do know Suzuki ownes most of Kawasaki and gives them a little tec form time to time”

    Sorry to burst your bubble but the motorcycle division is just a small part of the kawasaki heavy industries company… in fact, something like a peanut in the jar. They could buy suzuki cash and sell them to you for a 100 years 0% interest rate loan.

    There’s a partnership suzu-kawi for development of low end motorcycles… like scooters, dirt bikes, small customs. But the flagship models of both company are developed with their own team, knowledge, and a rivality.

    I’m a kawi fan, but you must admit that the zx-12/busa and zx-14/busa2 are so close in term of performance that the pilot make the difference, and it’s just a matter of personal taste.

  36. Hi from the UK,

    I’ve got a seriously tuned ’99’ Red and Black Busa’ and keep improving it , latest being PVM Magnesium Full race wheels ($3000) ,brake upgrades ($2000+) , etc etc !

    I was looking into a turbo or supercharging ( Very popular in UK) next, but may get the new one and possibly do it to that, should be interesting!!!!

    Just hope we get the White and Silver and Black colour options in the UK, hate the blue one with gold wheels , looks like an early UK VFR 750 Honda colour scheme, ugh !!!

    Love the Front ( very similar to my original !) but the back end is pig ugly, i know it’s all down to aerodynamics trying to gain a bit hear and there but please, couldn’t they have listened to what people were asking for with the new model design .

    Still ,will probably go and by one , only thing is the price in the UK compared to what you pay in the US.

    In the UK we will expect to have to pay around $18,000 to $20,000 dollars for one on the road !! bit dearer than what you guys will have to pay over there don’t you think !

    Was thinking about getting one imported from the US then getting the UK legal mods done , may look into it !

    Anyway, ‘Busas’ in the UK have got Cult Status, and always will have.
    The original and best ballistic bike missile !

    Fast and safe riding everyone,

    Busadon.

  37. i would just like to say in theory the hayabusa never lost the fastest bike title because of 1 good reason the busa can be deristricted taking it over the 200MPH mark wheras the ZZR-1400 is too wired into the ECU so it can only be overidden for a short ammount of time meaning only 185MPH

  38. also rumour has it the new hayabusa will go into production this month Sepember 2007 to be available to the public in the beggining of november i have been calling the factory in JP weekly but nothing set in stone yet

  39. 2008 busa is not too impresive in my opinion but what did you expect? It is an improvement mechanically but looks?????…….I think I will stick to my limited 2007.

    Which is faster ? and Is the Hayabusa the fastest production motorcycle in the world? :

    The answer is YES in particular reference to the 1999 and 2000 models. After those year manufacturers agreed to artificially limit the top speed for all motorcycles to about 290kph.That means that no-one can now claim to be the next fastest production motorcycle in the world because the Hayabusa will retain that title until the limit agreement has been lifted – if ever. So the ZX14 is not the fastest nor is the GSXR1000 etc… there is effectively no FASTER production motorcycle in the world any more. Even if they can reach Hayabusa speeds you would need to modify them hence no longer production. What is the fastest non-production motorcycle ? Who knows…
    Now you say which is faster round the track. Well again this sort of thing is asked by new or inexperienced riders. And the answer is it depends to who’s riding it. An average rider will never do a better lap time on the Hayabusa than the same rider on a proper sports bike. Why? because the Hayabusa is a more difficult bike to ride. Its main mission was never to go round a track the fastest – its mission was top speed. It just happens that it handles very nicely too. It eats tracks too but only if you can actually ride properly.

  40. Thankyou for the link but there were two sentences that are a little vague.

    ‘A ZX14 prepared by Brocks Performance Products’. and
    ‘it was very close to stock’

    Read into it as you will but personally both bikes are unbelievable pieces of modern engineering that are sure to put a huge smile on your face with too little between them to really matter.

  41. Hi all,

    As beefybusa says, the ’99’ and’ early ‘2000’ Busas’ will always lay claim to being the fastest ‘production’ motorcycles in the world and the first to crack the 200mph barrier.
    We had two of the independent bike mags crack the 200mph barrier over here in the UK with ‘unmodified’ stock ’99’ Busas when they came out in ’99’, one at 200.3mph the other at 203.8mph, properly timed ( not by a Micky Mouse watch!)

    Any bike that comes out now ( including the new Busa) no matter how powerful will not be able to claim the title unless they terminate the 186mph top speed agreement between the manufacturers.
    New bikes will have to have some restriction removed or some mods done to overcome this , end of story!

    Then of course the sky’s the limit with any bike, as i know with my own ’99’ tuned Busa .

    I expect the debate will rattle on, but we all know the truth really, don’t we !

    Busas Rule !
    Take care out there,

    Busadon.

  42. Interesting theory on the 186mph limit being Suzuki’s idea but i can tell you the ‘true’ reason behind it.

    When the Busa came out over here in Europe (Especially the UK) there was ‘so much’and some said ‘too much’ publicity about it in the main stream tabloid press and tv motoring programs being the first road going motorcycle to be able to do 200mph.
    All the do gooders , police and government officials said that the power and top speed of modern bikes was getting out of hand and if their wasn’t a speed limit imposed on all new superbikes by the manufacturers then the government would step in and impose limits that would probably be more draconian than what we’re stuck with at the present time, pain isn’t it! but there you go!
    As to what VENEMOUS says about the 14’s 1/4 mile times i think the new busa should edge it, it’s going to be close but with the new Busa having the extra power and being more aerodynamic than the 14 (proven!) i think it should take the title.
    We will have to wait and see , it won’t be long before all the mag’s are running them against each other.
    Apparently the new busa has got full unlimited power in the first five gears and is restricted only in sixth so 1/4 times should be blistering! it’ll be fun to see any way.

  43. Nice to keep the chat going on the subject.

    Are you sure that was a ‘5.48’ 1/4 mile time and not the’8.4′ that you said Ricky Gadson did, aren’t we getting a bit carried away here ? not that i don’t want to believe you !

    And continuing with the Suzuki involvement question about the power limits, apparently it was the first Honda Super Blackbird model that lit the original fire under the backsides of the government over here and the Busa that pushed it over the edge when they called time and said there had to be power /top speed limits .

    The trouble is the bike accident statistics over here had been going through the roof with superbikes being the biggest percentage of these , i think this was just the excuse they’d been waiting for to cap the power and speed on superbikes!

    You would not believe what they’re talking about bringing in over here in the future to curb the speeds of bikes !
    Electronically capping the speed of all bikes so that it would be physically impossible to break any national speed limit on any road, linked to sensors on the roads !
    So enjoy your time on the bikes we have today( i know i will!) as if they get their way our fun days may well be numbered unless you spend all your time on a drag strip !

  44. Hi Venomous,

    Sounds good to me, it’ll be interesting when they put them all up against each other before long on standard pump fuel!

    By the way, are they talking about electronically limiting bikes so they can’t brake the speed limits in the states ?
    There was another article about it in the UK Motorcycle News today.

    Big Brother’s looming!

  45. Hey Venomous and everyone else out there,

    Was reading today about the new Desmodici Ducati road going MotoGp bike( about to be released!)
    Looks like its going to be totally unrestricted and definitely brake the 186mph agreement between the manufacturers !This could totally lift the lid off any power/top speed limits!(for the while being anyway!)

    Only problem is it’s going to cost us in the UK £40,000 or $80,000 to you US guys on the road !!!

    So i guess it’s back to the real world for now!

  46. LoL VENOMOUS, what are you smoking?

    “5.95@ 180 MPH on a stock wheelbase ZX-14 at a corrected altitude of over 2200 ft. Unbelievable!”

    Yeah right, cause it’s just impossible. You’re in the top fuel league or rocket car category (i know, top fuels can be faster, but that’s not my point here).

    The article you refer to is a test conducted by bikeland.org , and the correct version read as follow:

    Quote from Bikeland “…with borrowed leathers that don’t fit correctly, just ran a 9.15@152.60 MPH on a stock wheelbase ZX-14 at a corrected attitude of over 2200 ft. Unbelievable! The additional torque definitely helps on the front ½ of the track as the stunning 5.95@124.69 MPH indicates.”

    9.15 … that’s a lot more believable. And the 5.95 is on the 1/8! Good, but only half the distance covered.

    I nearly dropped off my chair when i have read the 5.95@180 🙂

  47. Quote from DARK KNIGHT

    “Just when you Busa fans thought you had it all. Rumor has it that on September 25th Kawasaki is introducing a really more powerful motor into the ZX 14!!! ”

    We’ll know tuesday if you have a good source dude 🙂

  48. As an addition to my last post, i expect Kawi to unleash some more ponies but i would not dream about a “really more powerful motor”.

  49. the 1999 stock unrestricted hayabusa went 203 mph. If you want your busa to break 200 just buy a timing retard eliminator or tre. They are on ebay for 40 bucks. Cow took how long too figure out how to beat the 1999 busa? Anything above 186mph either one has to be modified now anyway. Try to break 200 on a cow for 40 bucks.

  50. i think take the same rider. have him test the 1/4 mile on the 2008 busa and 14. then also have the same rider take a few laps around the track with both bikes and time it. in fact do this using few rides, each one testing both bikes. no racing since again you can blame the riders. have each rider on both bikes the track and time them. have them also give their comments. TALK IS CHEAP. busa people say busa is best. kawa people same 14 is best. so who do you believe. WHO ME RESULTS OF BOTH SIDE BY SIDE ON PAVEMENT.

  51. All you big bike guys are crazy. Look I had an 05 busa, nice parts on it and I thought it ran real good till I came up against a bad azz 1000. I traded the busa and now run a yamaha (worked). I’ve had the big bikes but I would put my R1 up against any big bike ( with or without the bottle) Someone said zx-14 was 197 at the crank, wup de do, my R1s pumpin out 193 at the wheel and with me on it, we probably weigh less than that pig of a 14. last note: I’m always a suzuki fan but the R1 is the best looking bike out there and with a little work one of the fastest but go busa haha.

  52. Even if were talkin stock bikes, I dont know much about the 14 but with a busa your gonna need somethin else to run with an R1 or a gsxr 1000 stock. Without at the very least a timming retard eliminater were not even talking the same ball park. Tuners? Paleeze, all rwhp here. I’m not tuner guy (’04 whipple carged snake & a srt8 grand cherokee) I havent come up against a zx 14 but a busa just dosent have it. Plus I’m on an R1, and I know those gsxr’s have me by about 15-20 rwhp with just a simple powercommander.

  53. VENOMOUS, are you trying to convince anyone a zx-14 can make a 5.95@180mph pass on a quarter mile? lol

    No it couldn’t. It never will. In fact if something run a 5.95 on a quarter mile, it will have a much higher end speed than 180mph… something over 250. But you’ll never make that with any miracle fuel in a stock, unrestricted in the magic way you want, zx-14.

    You talk about the same article than me, comparison between a TRE and secondary butterfly removed. It has been published in Bikeland and the only thing you have wrong, is the end result, wich is 9.15@152mph, wich is quite amazing in itself.

  54. I visit the drag strip a lot.. and I can tell you now that 5 second ZX14 is nothing short of.. wrong!! Our track is a 1/8 mile and the 14 can barely do that in the 1/8th with a good rider. I saw the times.. I watched the races.. I watched very good drag riders race. I watched a slightly modded BUSA smoke everything on the track including a very fast and highly modded GSXR1000.

    Funny thing is.. never saw one guy race and R1.. why? No one cares about the R1 and its not as bad as you say because my best friend owns one.

    I own a slightly modded 05 busa that smokes most anything. I have seen the guys with their 14’s.. nice bike.. take a close look though.. poorly built.. bad body part fit etc.

    My 08 busa.. rides NOTHING LIKE MY 05! Matter of fact… My 08 would more than likely chew up and eat my 05. The 08 is 100 times smoother and you want to talk about pull in low gears?? Holy!

    And.. when I ride my 08 my shirt tail stays on my lower back.. it doesn’t try to hide over my head.

    If that ZX-14 did a 5 second 1/4… that would pretty much end it all..thats why thats a typo or mis-reported.. thats a 1/8th mile number. Try again.

  55. One more thing. I get my info not from internet sites.. not from second hand info passed on.. I get it from real time riding and going to the drag races. Is the BUSA the Fastest bike? yeah.. nothing can change that unless the speed limit is lifted.. is the ZX-14 a fast bike? Uh…yeah!

    Either bike can easily out do the other with a good rider and a few hundred bucks. I personally chose Suzuki over Kawi based on personal use of both.. and Suzuki in my opinion proves to be a better built bike in terms of all around performance and Quality.

    People look at the engine specs on the busa.. it spells nothing short of drag race.

  56. The Big Busa 2008-style busa,power busa, speed busa and The New Hayabusa just ROCKS,ROCKS,ROCKS and keeps ROCKING

  57. Guys it’s absolutely typical,

    They’ve just got the first new ’08’ Busas in at the local dealers in the UK and we’ve been told the only colours they’re going to import are a lack lustre all over graphite grey and the blue with gold wheels version, ugh!!

    One of the sales guys i know in my local dealer said people having been asking for their deposits back in droves over here !!
    Everyone thought we would be able to get the orange and black version and the white and silver one ! both of which the majority of people over here would prefer over what they’re giving us !

    Some guys have been phoning Suzuki direct to complain but ‘no go’ at the moment !

    Any of you guys in the states got one yet and derestricted it? had one on the dyno yet ?
    Is it the ‘usual’ to derestrict the ’08’ version i.e junk the exhaust system, on with a full race version , power commander etc. Would like to know?

  59. Watched the MCN video clip, it does look like that when watching the clip all though they were damn close ! but read all the details in the MCN in the UK today.

    From what i read the ’08’ Busa smokes the new high power 14 in practically every result in the drag strip/sprint stakes !! standing 1/4 times all the rollons 20-100mph and higher, same gear runs etc, but when they tested the 14 the ’07’ Busa and the new ’08’Busa (all restricted) they were all within 1/2mph too 1 mph of each other in the max top speed tests !!in the low 180mph’s.

    Just goes to show how religiously they’re all sticking to the manufacturers 186mph self imposed limit !

    The interesting test will be when they put the 14 and new Busa up against each other when they’ve both been derestricted !
    Time will tell !!

    What was interesting in the right up was that all the busa owners they questioned that were at the test day and have either the original full power ’99’version (As myself, although mines extensively modified !) or a later year model didn’t think the improvements on the new ’08’ model were enough to make them trade theirs in for one ! even though there’s more power on tap, the engines smoother and it’s got better brakes!
    The rear end put some off as well!!

    I’m waiting for a test ride before i decide, and also want to know if they’re going to relent over the crap colours they say we’re going to get over here in the UK!

  60. Forgot to mention guys,

    When MCN put the new ’08’ Busa (restricted) on the dyno they got 183.01bhp ‘at the rear wheel not the crank! with 108.14ftlb of torque – Wow!!

    The new ZZR14 (restricted) ‘only’ managed 167.55bhp with 104.36ftlb of torque, ‘15.46bhp’ and ‘3.78ftlb’ of torque down on the new Busa.

    So i guess it’s business as usual, if you want the most powerful hyper bike out there it’s got to be a ‘Busa’.
    The test riders and the guy on the dyno couldn’t believe how powerful the new Busa was, especially as they say the new engine is in a very mild state of tune !! what the hell will they get out of it with some mild tuning ? race exhaust, power commander etc, mouth watering thought isn’t it !

  61. Busadon,

    I’ve just my deposit down on a black/orange Busa and I have been PROMISED one. I think they are only bringing 100 into the UK, and I am being told January delivery. I’ll actually take it in March to get the new plate (and avoid the freezing weather). Anyway, if you want a black/orange Busa in the UK, call Bridge Motorcycles in Exeter and ask for Mark Rufus – tell him Dale sent you.

    Now, anyone know which brand of leathers come in black and orange?

  62. Hi aZooZa,

    Someone from the UK !

    Hope you have some luck getting the orange and black version, like i said I’d like to see the white and silver one as well.

    I want that test ride first though as my modified ’99’ Busas already putting out 198bhp at the rear wheel, brembo racing brake set up , magnesium race wheels etc ! so its got to be good!
    Also I’m still not sure about the rear end, i know the styling is all down to aerodynamics but thought they might have been able to make it look a bit better than that, thought the new one would be really radical !

    My local dealer P&H Motorcycles (MCN dealer of the year!) said their was a small possibility of a few orange and black bikes coming to the UK but it depended if the US took all the allocation of that colour, if they do we might not see any!!
    As for the silver and white version apparently we have no chance of seeing that over here and i think that colour version looks great !

    When will they listen to what colour schemes people want instead of telling us what we should have !
    They could have an online vote on it , give us all the colour options then have a pole in that country to see what people would actually like brought in !!

    Never happen will it! one day maybe!

  63. Busadon,

    I agree. Manufacturers have no colour sense at all. I had 3 ZX-9s before – all green. Looked at the ZZR1400 and was about to buy one – crap colours (black okay but why no green?) then the 08 Busa was announced and I was gobsmacked with the spec. I fancy the Suzi build is better than the Kwaka. I don’t mind the rear end of the Busa. I plan to get a good slogan on the rear plate — plenty of time to think of one 🙂

    Cheers!

  65. Keep believeing that article you posted. That way when your big head decides to run up against an 08 with a talented rider the laugh will be that much funnier. There is people getting low 9’s (9.32 at 150+ MPH) on the 08. I own both and I can tell you now my modded 05 can’t take my 08 especially in the corners. The 08 is so much better in corners. Have you seen the 08 ZZR-14? Nothing special there….Engine or looks.

    All new haybusa’s (RPM limited top end) are going to be slower than the original bike and so are all other bikes. Now some maybe be quicker off the line and reaching 186.. but very few.

    Everyone is a critic of the 08 but so few actually own one or even rode one. One article based on one rider doesn’t mean squat. Try reading some forums of real world riders putting it to the test on the strip or street.

  66. That Cycle World test is based on 2…yes, count ’em, 2 runs at a 1/4 mile strip. They rode the 08 Busa at a press event and were limited in the number of passes they could make due to time constraints. NONE of the riders were even familiar with the bike. It’s no surprise they didn’t make blistering passes. Know the whole story so you don’t look like a ‘tard..

  67. Well funny I have seen articles and times of people faster than 14’s or the older model…. so guess its like it has been and always will be.. comes down to the rider. I have seen foreign reveiws of the bike as well, and most shelf the 14 and older busa for the new one.

    I own both.. I ride both and I can see a major difference between the two. Especially how much better the new one feels in curves and all around.

    If anything is to slow down the new model its the extra weight from the massive exhaust. Like I said everyone is a critic. Try riding one. The 08 is a major attention magnet.

  68. I made a couple posts with reviews and they were deleted I guess. Aaron yates managed a 9.4 sec 1/4 on the busa… and the guy from superbikes on the speed channel did a 15 sec quarter mile on one wheel.

    There is plenty of reviews backing up the New Busa as bigger and badder.

  69. I’m talking stock bro.. I have not heard or seen any bike that was stock do that time. I spend lots of time at the track… and read lots of articles… not once have I read anything about a stock 14 doing an 8.4

  71. The 14 that Gadson was riding was not stock. It was lowered, had an air shifter, extended swingarm, a drag tire, and had some tuning performed. Nowhere near stock. I have a 2001 Hayabusa, unrestricted with a tre, full Yoshimura exhaust with an rs3 can, PCIII, K&N air filter, and a custom dyno tune. I just bought a 2008 three days ago and though it is completely stock, it feels much quicker than my 01, has much better brakes, handles better though I haven’t set up the suspension yet, and has better wind protection. It’s everything I like about my 01 but much better. I have a friend with a ’99 Hayabusa and another friend with an ’06 ZX14 so we pretty much have the three bikes in discussion covered. My 08 is faster than my ’01 and the ’99 busa and the 14 while looking better the whole way. And this talk about the ZX12 or 10 being faster than any busa of any year is just ridiculous. Even the ZX12 didn’t have the power or aerodynamics to even hope to compete with the Hayabusa. It was just another failed attempt to topple the Hayabusa. The busa destroyed the Blackbird so bad that Honda didn’t even try to compete. The 14 was the first and only competition that Suzuki has faced since it’s introduction in 1999. The 14 was about a tenth of a second faster in the 1/4 and the Hayabusa was about a mile and a half faster top speed when the limiter was taken off both the 14 and the busa. Reading through these posts makes me feel like almost every person on here has never rode either of these great bikes and I have a suspicion that most on here have never ridden a bike period while also being very young and hot headed. Don’t be upset because one could be faster than the other, truth is that they are so close that it comes down to who is riding the bike. They are both excellent machines and either one you decide to ride would be a great decision.

  72. You’re obviously incredibly biased for some reason, so nothing anyone is going to say is going to matter. You’re just going to continue to make up stupid crap. Oh well. 🙂

  73. I have seen a few intelligent posts here so if that applies to you no need to read mine. But for the rest of you. I was embarrassing the brand new R-1’s when they first came out on a ’97 ZX9R (yes the near 500 lb one) with only a jet kit, D&D Exhaust, K&N Filter and a few timing adjustments to lean it out a bit.

    The point is no matter what bike it only matters who is in the saddle, how hard and efficiently they’ll crank down with their right hand. On the street there are only two things that matter.

    1.) There’s no replacement for displacement.
    2.) Personal preference.

    R out!!

  74. Oh, I forgot I am hitting the line for a new Busa in March!!

    No more Kawi’s for me got tired of watching my Suzuki buddies ride like demons and have very little problems while I was throwing money at mine to keep the thing up to par mechanically!!

    It’s been proven for many years that Kawasaki is an all around inferior product on the street and on the track!! Scott Russell was the only one who could succeed consistently on one, but hey who else can crash and still win the 200??? It wasn’t the bike that made him the king of Daytona!!

    R

  75. The Hayabusa & the ZX-14 has been tested and tested and tested. The dyno results and whatever else machine they use to test it is fact…

    The bottom line is and what it actually boils down to is…

    …The Rider!

    If “you” can shift the gears nice, smooth, & fast AND hug those turns nice & smooth… Then you can beat Busa or ZX-14 on a smaller bike on any given day. And that has been proven as well.

    Here’s a good example: A Pro on 2006 Busa or a ZX-14 competing against a Joe Shmo on a 2008 Busa or ZX-14 on a track or a straight track. Who’s going to win? The guy with skills and more experience is going to win.

    I know all you die hard love your Busa or your ZX-14 but the numbers states the facts. So if you’re really that good, then you should be Pro… But you’re not! HA!

  79. I had a 2003 Busa, just stock and have just moved over to a 2006 ZX14.

    Being 6’2″ and weighing in around 17st the ZX14 is a far better bike for me, more comfortable all around and so gives me more confidence – so handles better for me too.

    Even the 03 Busa has more initial grunt that the 14, but that said I prefer less low down grunt for town riding.

    Love both bikes, comes down to preference and like most people say – it all comes down to the skill of the rider when racing…hell why can Rossi whupp Stoner on his slower yamaha!

  80. hello there,

    kudos to Rob and 08 busa owner for writing real mature and bringin it to the table straight up. I own a brand new K8 orange and black Hayabusa and absolutely love her. Nuff said!

  81. The ’08 ‘Busa has performance well beyond the capabilities of the average rider. It doesn’t need more displacement than 1340 cc. And it certainly doesn’t need a turbo. All the bike needs is a little less weight and a decent exhaust system so it doesn’t sound like a sewing machine. I put a Yoshi full exhaust system on mine and saved 35 pounds! – And it now sounds fantastic (like it should have from the factory).

  82. i have owned an 08 busa since sept 07 with megacycle slip ons put front sprocket up 1 tooth and then tested off the clock as thay are rev limited not speed limmited so i have joined the 200mph club and oh yes i am 50 years old

  83. zx-1400 with a 5.95 sec 1/8 mile run. huh! pretty impressive……..183 pound rider on a 08 busa with no power adders….5.76 sec 1/8 mile run…..INSANE!…….ZX-1400 is a dead kaw…….busa eats……….get a busa!

  84. You have to be a motorcyclist to ID the ZX14 in the street, however, everybody knows and IDs the Busa. I own a 2008 Busa and every time that I wait at the stop lights I make an statement. I used to be challenged to street race with all my past bikes but all that stopped when I got the Busa. I also ride the curves along with lighter bikes and I never loose. Bottom line: Put all the dogs together and then set aside the Pit Bulls…round up all the bikes together and set aside the Busa. You can ride the bike of your choice, the best bike in the world is the bike that fits you and meets your wants and needs!

  85. Iv got the 08 busa but still wish id got my 99 it was a better bike.As for the kwak looks nice from the front but the rest looks very 70s.