2013 Suzuki Hayabusa Review
Not sure if I can be ticketed post-infraction for admittedly tripling the legal speed limit, but on a recent Hayabusa press ride I saw an indicated 170 mph. “Honestly, officer, I didn’t realize the speed I was travelling. I mean, I was only in fifth gear.”
Even at that speed the ’Busa was accelerating harder than a runaway locomotive on a steep downhill grade, and the absence of wind noise and turbulence lulled me into a false belief of a slower land speed. While it’s not advisable to travel this fast on a public road it is testament to the Hayabusa’s high-speed composure.
Moments later, after having slowed to a somewhat legally acceptable rate, we found ourselves stuck behind a few crawling cagers. The incredibly flexible ’Busa accepted the situation by maintaining 24 mph in 3rd gear at 2500 rpm and the engine didn’t bog when asked to accelerate.
Read our review of the 2012 Suzuki Hayabusa LE
Slowing the new ’Busa are a pair of Brembo monoblock calipers up front. In our 2012 review of the Hayabusa LE we found its brakes faded with repeated use. The new Monoblocks appear to have resolved this problem. Also new in helping to safely slow the hyperbike is standard ABS.
Besides these braking upgrades and new color schemes the Hayabusa remains largely the same bike since its 2008 makeover. In this time, however, only Kawasaki’s ZX-14R, introduced last year, has managed to surpass the ’Busa in hyperbike honors. We compared the two last year, and while the ZX won the shootout (it also garnered our choice for Motorcycle of the year) the big Suzook formidably held its ground.
Read our Kawasaki ZX-14R vs. Suzuki Hayabusa Shootout
The Busa puts up a firm challenge, and should its styling be more to your liking, you’ll appreciate its $1000 cheaper price tag: $13,999 (or $14,299 for our LE) vs. $14,999. And don’t forget about the booming aftermarket for the Hayabusa, either. As we said in our dragstrip shootout with the 14R, “With enough cash and imagination, it will do everything you want and more.”
+ Highs
- Still the second-quickest production bike
- Incredibly stable at speed
- Accessories, accessories, accessories
– Sighs
- Heavy
- Lacking modern electronics
- Buzziness
The Hayabusa also best the Kawi in fuel economy, getting six miles more per gallon than the Green Meanie. The Hayabusa also best the Kawi in fuel economy, getting six miles more per gallon than the Green Meanie. Comparative prices between the ’Busa and the Kawi for 2013 remain in Suzuki’s favor: $14,399/$14,599 Limited Edition vs $14,999 standard/$15,999 ABS model.
Fifty years ago Suzuki Motor Corporation set up shop in Los Angeles, California. To celebrate the occasion Suzuki is running a sweet financing deal on its Hayabusa and Gixxer models including a free Yoshimura slip-on, cash back and 0% APR financing. Considering these programs and its lesser MSRP, compared to the Ninja, it’s a big savings on a helluva fast motorcycle that’s worth considering.
2013 Suzuki Hayabusa Specifications
| MSRP | $14,399/$14,599 |
| Engine Type | 4-stroke, Liquid-cooled, 4-cylinder, DOHC |
| Engine Capacity | 1340cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 81.0 mm x 65.0 mm |
| Compression | 12.5:1 |
| Fuel System | Suzuki Fuel Injection |
| Horsepower | 171 hp @ 9800 rpm |
| Torque | 101.7 ft-lb. @ 7300 rpm |
| Transmission | 6 speed, constant mesh |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| Frame | Aluminum twin spar |
| Front Suspension | Inverted telescopic, coil spring, oil damped |
| Rear Suspension | Link type, coil spring, oil damped |
| Front Brakes | Brembo, disc, twin |
| Rear Brakes | Disc |
| Front Tire | 120/70-ZR17 |
| Rear Tire | 190/50-ZR17 |
| Seat Height | 31.7 in |
| Curb Weight | 586 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 58.3 in |
| Rake/Trail | 23°/25″ |
| Fuel Capacity | 5.3 gal |
| Electronics | ABS, riding modes |
| Colors | Pearl Glacier White / Metallic Oort Gray, Glass Sparkle Black / Metallic Oort Gray, Marble Daytona Yellow / Glass Sparkle Black |
| Warranty | 12 month unlimited mileage |
A former Motorcycle.com staffer who has gone on to greener pastures, Tom Roderick still can't get the motorcycle bug out of his system. And honestly, we still miss having him around. Tom is now a regular freelance writer and tester for Motorcycle.com when his schedule allows, and his experience, riding ability, writing talent, and quick wit are still a joy to have – even if we don't get to experience it as much as we used to.
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looks amazing
A used K1200/K1300 tops out at 172, has luggage and shaft drive along with ESA and weighs 50 lbs less to boot. It too, suffers from 'honest officer, I didn't know I was cruising at 140' syndrome.