2008 Suzuki Hayabusa gets redesign, bigger engine, more power
The unending contest between Suzuki and Kawasaki to see who can build the world's fastest streetbike continues, with Suzuki introducing an all-new Hayabusa for 2008. The bike's engine grows from 1299cc to 1340cc for '08, and a commensurate power jump is expected to let the new 'Busa equal or surpass the numbers put up by Kawasaki's hyper-performance machine, the Ninja ZX-14. Bikeland.org has hi-res pics and full features and specs on the '08 'Busa, which will be joined in showrooms by a naked edition dubbed the "B-King." The price for the the '08 Hayabusa's time-and-space-bending performance: $11,999. Suzuki's official site has the skinny on all the new '08s here.
Follow the jump for a video of the 2008 Hayabusa's reveal.
[Source: Bikeland.org]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
schlomo 3:23PM (7/14/2007)
that, my friends, is the epitome of "badass superbike"!!!
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Namir 3:27PM (7/14/2007)
Performance wise it's insane, but I've always felt it looked butt ugly.
I prefer the R1, looks and performance (not insanity like they Busa's).
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SprNtrl 3:33PM (7/14/2007)
Very nice bike, though I'm not a huge fan of the styling. Too "bubbly" for me. It needs sharper looks ala Honda/ Ducati/ Triumph styling.
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RWD fan 3:43PM (7/14/2007)
Once again I plead and beg Weblogs Inc. to start a motorcycle blog!
Aside from doing a disservice to the non-cycling public by hyping up motorcycles that the entry-level buyer has no business even considering, you're totally neglecting new bikes from Kawasaki like the Versus, as well as the new Suzuki GSX650F. At least get Autoblog Green to push the lower displacement, and higher efficiency bikes that still have more than enough performance for 99% of the riders out there.
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realworld 4:21PM (7/14/2007)
Motorcycle.com attempted to fill this niche. Now that they have been absorbed by a media conglomerate, all new motorcycle-related material creation has pretty much ceased.
RWD fan 4:43PM (7/14/2007)
realworld,
I used to frequent M/C.com regularly, long before they started censoring their forums and began charging for access. While they used to do cool things like describing how to get 50mph out of a Yamaha Vino, and real world reviews on bikes that weren't meant for squids and id10ts, they decided they were too good for serious motorcyclists. It seems this occurred right about the time the big 4 started inviting them to press events and treating them like Cycle World members. Too bad.
thekneeslider.com is getting back to the kind of off-the-beaten-path motorcycle coverage that is needed.
At least Weblogs Inc. could consider a blog for motortoys, like ATVs, PWCs, motorcycles (dirt and street), boats, and anyother motorhead type playthings that doesn't really fall into the automobile category. I doubt there'd really be an issue with finding sponsorship, as long as it didn't influence the writing too much.
Tim UF 3:44PM (7/14/2007)
Most street legal performance per dollar, Hands down.
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scott 3:45PM (7/14/2007)
What's the real-world performance of this beast?
When they showed the white on I started paying attention
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EVIL_VIKTOR 3:57PM (7/14/2007)
Since when is Suzuki fighting it out with Kawasaki? They are the same company... That's like Pontiac taking on Buick. They have been one since 2001... Now back to the subject, Yes the Bike looks like an egg. Yes just about every other bike on the road can out handle it. But if you live in Montana it's like flying low. This is like the big GT of the Motorcycle world.
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realworld 4:17PM (7/14/2007)
Well not really. Kaw and Suzuki entered into a model-sharing agreement for the North American market to reduce model-development costs. That only lasted a few years and is now dissolved. They definitely aren't "one company".
Barney 4:17PM (7/14/2007)
"They are the same company..."
You're going to have to elaborate on this. I did a Google search and didn't come up with their unification. I don't doubt what you say, but dismayed by what is news to me.
bmoredlj 5:32PM (7/14/2007)
What if someone stuck the busa's engine in an old GTI?
oh WAIT, they DID!
btw, the music in the video sounds like the opening credits for some silly action movie....silver surfer, or xXx3, or something of that nature...
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johnhender 8:01PM (7/14/2007)
You did not think suzuki would take the kawasaki ZX-14 sitting down did you ?
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Fingersled 12:12AM (7/15/2007)
I wish I had the 'balls' to ride that thing but----I think Ill stick with riding my girlfriend--and her telling me to 'go faster'.
""Im not afraid to admit it."" The Hyabusa is a machine that scares me!!!!---and I've only ever listened to one idle.
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Gerard 2:48PM (7/15/2007)
Too much bike for me. I'll go for an SV1000S.
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Derek 5:18PM (7/15/2007)
Hmmm... nice bike, but I'll take the B-King instead please.
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arthurc3 7:29PM (7/15/2007)
Kawasaki still wins. Sorry, Suzuki...try again. What really sucks for Suzuki is that the ZX-14 is now due for an update, if it follows the Kawasaki 2 year model udate schedule.
And Suzuki is not the same company as Kawasaki. Kawasaki is MUCH larger than Suzuki. THey only had a product sharing agreement for like 3 years.
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okadabusa--ken sodimu 11:34PM (7/21/2007)
i just been busalized for the third time-going to get one as soon as it hits the show room floor
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