End Of An High Speed Era: Suzuki Ends Production Of The Iconic Hayabusa
We wish we could start this week off on a better note but there
have just been too many reports going around to ignore the news.
Spoiler Alert: if you're a fan of massive amounts
of horsepower and going nearly 200 mph on two wheels-particularly
on a Suzuki-you may want to stop reading now and just put your head
under a pillow for a couple years.
You still there? Ok, brace yourself.
If you live in Europe or a country that follows Euro 4 emissions,
as of the first of the year you will no longer be able to purchase
a new Suzuki GSX1300-R,
aka the Hayabusa, due to the motorcycle's inability to meet the new
and stricter Euro 4 emissions standards. As for American riders,
you're not exactly in the clear. While you will still be able to
purchase new
Hayabusas from American dealers after the new year and
beyond, you'll only be able to do so while supplies last because
Suzuki has ceased production of the model. So what's left on
showroom floors will be all that's available in regards to
"new".
It's not like we didn't know this was coming, the new Euro 4
standards actually took effect on January 1st 2016, but there was a
two year leeway to allow manufacturers some time to try to and
rectify models that didn't meet the new standards. Wishful thinking
probably led to Hayabusa fans hoping that Suzuki would make changes
to meet Euro 4 compliance, but that wasn't the case.
With more than 150 hp, 130+ ft-lbs of torque, and running a top
speed of almost 200 mph, the GSX1300-R made a huge splash when it
hit the market some 20 years ago. And even though there were only
two generations of the Hayabusa, with its distinct curvaceous, wind
sculpted bodywork and amazing speed the bike remained a coveted
possession for superbike fans worldwide.
All is not lost though, because according to
Ride Apart, Suzuki has renewed the trademark on the
Hayabusa name. So given some time we may get to see the iconic Busa
return to superbike glory.