Several Internet moto-news outlets are reporting the Suzuki Hayabusa is in its final days of production.
For a while now, there’s been a hot rumour that Suzuki is planning a re-launch of the Hayabusa line, with some sort of turbocharged monstrosity replacing the current 1340 cc hypersport. Suzuki has teased all sorts of patent applications and has applied for interesting trademarks, but for now, that’s all we’ve seen—and trademarks and patents are no guarantee of a new machine.
What is a guarantee is the adoption of Euro4 emissions standards in the European Union in the new year. That means the Hayabusa can no longer be sold there, as it doesn’t meet Euro4. It’s a 20-year-old platform, introduced in 1999 with the latest version unveiled in 2008. Suzuki would have to do a major overhaul to meet EU emissions requirements.
And, if gossip is to believed, that’s what the company is working on, although we haven’t seen any evidence of this in a long time. What we have seen is a stream of reports saying the ‘Busa is destined to end production, with the current stock planned to be sold in North America and other markets less concerned with pollution in coming months, and no more headed to Europe. Supposedly, Kawasaki is doing the same thing with its iconic, but now canceled, KLR650.
Remember, Suzuki is also undergoing some shifts in production, as the company opens a new mega-plant in Hamamatsu. In theory, this will allow for modernized production, and is possibly the precursor to a radical shift in the Suzuki lineup, as now would be a perfect time to set up new production lines.
Maybe that’s just wishful thinking, but the ‘Busa is still an iconic machine, even if it’s not top dog in the horsepower wars anymore. Several superbikes now make more power than the Hayabusa, and the Kawasaki H2 line has arguably grabbed the spotlight as the world’s craziest hyperbikes. However, the patents and trademarks do indicate Suzuki was working on plans to modernize the Hayabusa in the past few years. If those plans actually come to fruition, the results could be very exciting. The ‘Busa was the first production bike to top 200 mph—what could Suzuki be planning on next?
It still looks better than all the origami/transformer sport bikes on the market. I’d like to see them keep updating it, perhaps more towards the sport touring category, or use the chassis in a quasi adventure touring bike such as the BMW XR and Versys style bikes.
I agree. I think its looks have aged better than most 90s-era machines.
Its still going to be available in the U.S. for 2019 – https://www.cycleworld.com/is-suzuki-hayabusa-replacement-in-works
“Several Internet moto-news outlets are reporting the Suzuki Hayabusa is in its final days of production.”
The Suzuki JPN web site certainly indicates that this is its final year for the domestic market. With that in mind, it is no surprise that it would also meet its demise in international markets.
Actually, a review of Suzuki’s full lineup in JPN shows a remarkable number of models exiting the market:
* e-Let’s series of electric scooters
* Party 50 series of step-throughs, including the paper-delivery model
* Address V125 scooter series (replaced by new Address 125 step- and flat-seat models)
* Van Van 200
* Skywave series of scooters (all displacements)
* Grasstracker 250
* ST250 E-Type
* GSR250 series
* Intruder 400 V-twin cruisers
* Bluebird 400 V-twin cruiser
* GSR400 twin
* Gladius 400 V-twin
* Bandit 1250 series
That’s a LOT of outgoing models. 😳
I’ve seen these used for as little as $4200.00. That’s bang for buck. Scary bang for buck.
Yep, they’ve been on the market long enough now that there are deals to be had. I had a friend who bought a Kawi ZX-12, which is a very similar bike, for $3500 and I think he sold it for $3k the next year. Old-school musclebikes are becoming a real bargain.
I didn’t know the ZX was comparable in performance. It’s a better looking bike, also. The Busa is so iconic it eclipsed the ZX out of history. Both are way too much bike for me.
I don’t think the ZX-12 had the same top end, but I believe it had more mid-range performance.
Not to mention that most of them are in pretty decent shape–the ones that have been ridden hard have usually crashed.
Unless they go tho the drag strip on a regular basis, people who ride ‘Busas in an abusive manner usually excuse themselves from the gene pool.
I’ve seen one at $3000 last winter in Halifax.
Yep. If you crash a ‘Busa at speed, it’s a write-off.
I’d love to own one someday. When I was a kid, the guy who used to do my wrenching had one, all custom-painted and set up with extended swingarm for the drag strip. He was fast, fast fast there, one of the top two in the admittedly small pool of fast guys on PEI.
“I’d love to own one someday. ”
So given your… “preference” for bikes of a certain age (you could call it historical appreciation I suppose) a 1999 Hayabusa would be Kurylyk-approved” in what, about 2029?
I’d add a grinning emoji if I knew how. Or if I cared enough to figure out how. All in good fun.
Hey now, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I own a modern bike. It’s an, errrrr …. 2003 DR650 …. (slinks back into corner in shame).
Maybe it’s time to start one of those “trade my way from a paper clip to a new motorcycle” stories on here. Hrm.