Rennie Scaysbrook | February 5, 2021
Just when you thought the Suzuki Hayabusa was confined to the history books, Suzuki has breathed new life back into the old girl for the 2022 model year.
VIDEO | 2022 Suzuki Hayabusa
Dropping the GSX1300R tag and now just calling it was everyone else has been for the last two decades in ‘Suzuki Hayabusa’, the machine that stole the term ‘World’s Fastest Production Motorcycle’ from arch-rivals Honda in 1999 has gone through a ground-up makeover, but it’s not a full redesign as you might expect.
Available in Glass Sparkle Black and Candy Burnt Gold, Metallic Matte Sword Silver, and Candy Daring Red, and Pearl Brilliant White and Metallic Matte Stellar Blue, the new Hayabusa uses a revised version of the 2008 model’s 1340cc inline four-cylinder powerplant, with 187 horsepower registered at 9750 rpm, and a stout 110 lb-ft of torque at 7000 rpm. Interestingly, that’s less than the 2008 model, which produced 194 hp/114 lb-ft, however, that model wasn’t slung with all the emissions laws the 2022 ’Busa must abide by to get under the Euro 5 threshold.
Everything in the DOHC cam motor has come under the microscope—cams, valves, springs, cylinder head, rods, crank, block, clutch, and gearbox—it’s all shaved, lighted, or redesigned for the third edition of the ’Busa.
The chassis is similar to what it was before in the twin-spar aluminum frame; reworked, fully adjustable KYB suspension, new wheels wrapped in Bridgestone S22 rubber, and new Brembo Stylema brake calipers in the same vein as the Ducati Panigale V4 S.
However, the big difference is in the electronics. The 2008 model didn’t have anything other than an early version of the Suzuki Drive Mode Selector with its three preset throttle maps. The 2022 Hayabusa has basically every electronic aid you can think of and more in the new Suzuki Intelligent Ride System suite—here’s what you get: an Inertial Measurement Unit, 10-stage traction and 10-stage wheelie control, six different power modes (three preset and three customizable), two-stage up and down quick shifter, three-stage engine brake control, three-stage launch control, cornering ABS, cruise control, active speed limiter, hill hold control, and even slope descent control, which limits the rear wheel lifting under heavy braking when traveling down a hill.
There are more electronics in the new Hayabusa than any previous Suzuki production motorcycle, marking a turning point for the machine as it tries to find its place in the new speed-limit-loving world we live in (the active speed limiter will be a welcome addition here).
The new Hayabusa’s body is very similar to what was on offer before, although extensive wind-tunnel analysis has given birth to a slipperier shape than in 2008. There’s a new fairing, headlight assembly, tank design, and a new tail, but it still looks very much like the ’Busa shape we all love, the original of which drew inspiration from the 1998 Suzuki RGV500 Grand Prix racer.
Suzuki has yet to announce the price and availability of the 2022 Suzuki Hayabusa, but we’ll update this story when they do so. Until then, rejoice, people! The Suzuki Hayabusa is back…
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