New Suzuki Hayabusa set to soar

With the press launch of the next-generation Suzuki Hayabusa slated for early next week, the countdown is on before Suzuki’s revamped ‘king of speed’ touches down in Australian dealerships.

While COVID has pushed back the global release of the updated model, the new Suzuki Hayabusa – or GSX1300RRQ, to give its exact model denomination – should be reaching Aussie showrooms around the middle of this year, for those lucky enough to snare an early example.

Suzuki Australia says the new model will reach our shores in July, but all but 10 of the first shipment of 60 bikes are already spoken for. A second shipment is due in August, but buyer interest remains strong for the next instalment of a motorcycle that enjoys cult status among its loyal devotees.

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The revised machine has undergone a heart massage, its 1340cc inline four-cylinder engine featuring a host of changes and now Euro 5 compliant, while its peak power and torque stats have dropped slightly – down 7hp and 5Nm respectively.

However, Suzuki says the new machine actually offers more performance at low to midrange engine speeds and, in any case, we'd suggest that 190hp (140kW) at 9700rpm and 150Nm at 7000rpm is nothing to be sniffed at!

While the styling has also been refreshed, the biggest headline concerns the arrival of the brand’s Suzuki Intelligent Ride System (SIRS).

First seen on the 2020 Suzuki V-Strom 1050XT, the package adds a six-axis Bosch Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and comprises a raft of rider-assist tech, including Cornering ABS, 10-level traction control, three engine braking modes, wheelie control, launch control, and – in a first for the motorcycle industry – a speed limiter.

Along with electronic cruise control, the speed limiter may well coax buyers otherwise wary of buying a road bike capable of 299km/h, given modern policing strategies!

The brakes have also copped an upgrade – there are now Brembo Stylema calipers up front gripping larger rotors – as has the instrumentation, which now features a TFT display between the two large analogue dials.

A full LED lighting package and new colour schemes (Glass Sparkle Black/Candy Burnt Gold or Metallic Sword Silver/Candy Daring Red) complete the package, which comes in at $27,690 ride away – a full $8200 more than its predecessor.

We’re itching to put the new bullet through its paces, both at the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit next week and on the road, to see how the new package stacks up. Stay tuned for a full review and video.