Here's my new 2008 Hayabusa ride report. You have to remember that my bike is still new so you'll have to wait a little while before I can do a complete review and for the pictures. This page will cover the run in period after that I'll do an update every few months just to keep you happy! - Unless something interesting happens of course.

Remember that the run in period the experience is different to the post 1st service and naturally as the bike travels more distance. Read what happened in the original articles I wrote back in 1999!

First off the new Hayabusa's ride position to me feels different. It appears to be more leant over, mind you it could be because of my back problems. Everything else feels the same as the original. Remember too - I'm much older now!

As I start the engine I notice that its actually missing something form the original! Yes - the new Hayabusa does not have a 'choke' lever! Since it's warm where I am I haven't yet experienced it's cold enriching cycle - come cold temperatures I will have a full report.
From start up the brand new engine with less than 1 Km on the ODO was tight. The engine was vibey enough to shake the mirrors. Hopefully this will lessen as the engine runs in. I can't remember it being as bad on the original Hayabusa. The noise at idle in the open air is quieter than the original.

The bike feels just as 'heavy' as the original shifting it off the side stand. I also think it feels 'tighter' than the original. Or maybe because there was less suspension travel on the front - I think the original settings are on the hard side.

For the first ride I left the mode in A - or full power after all that's what its all about isn't it. So what can I say - Simple, nice the same power and smoothness - considering it is a new engine. The thinner engine oil was noticeable? Why the gears worked surprisingly well. One thing of note was the lack of 1st gear transmission shock. You know the huge klunk when you shift into first. Well its all gone! Another thing was the speedo reading - I think it's almost accurate!

One the road the same planted feeling and same grab by the handles feel when you twist the throttle. Same deceptive speed and so forth. The handling felt a tad sharper than I recall - but that could just be the suspension settings. It's hard to criticize when the bike is still so new!

One thing I omitted to mention was the inclusion of SAIS or Suzuki Advanced Immobilizer System. It's basically the same as HISS by Honda. Just like most new cars the Hayabusa now has a transponder key security system. Note that you only get two keys so don't lose them. They are apparently integrated into the ECU of the bike so losing them means a new ECU for your bike. I'm not sure how or whether there is a way to 'copy' the keys... All said a step in the right direction to preventing theft.

18 December 2007

I had to post this update after finding out that the new dash does not have a fuel consumption computer! There I was filling up the tank and tried to find out how much fuel I managed to use for the first tank. I was surprised as I assumed that the new '08s would have one since the original had it. For historical purposes I used 6.1 litres per 100Kms using a calculator.

That's it for now - I will come back with more once stuff once I get more K's on the clock. Including acceleration comparison, pictures and so forth.

1 January 2008

One thing I regret not doing is getting a pic of the odo at 'blank' or zero km's. But I'm sure you'll appreciate the new Hayabusa key. I'm sure you also want to know how good the bike is and whether it is indeed better than the original. I can't do that just yet because I haven't even taken it for the first service yet. What I can tell you is that anyone who says the new one isn't as fast as the old in low revs is probably using the wrong performance setting OR they haven't ridden and the original. Furthermore the throttle mechanics has excessive play. Naturally this gives the impression of sluggishness. One more thing you'll notice is notice is the nice induction roar.

As for the new Hayabusa design - subjective, well it's still an impressive bike especially to non-riders and just as recognizable to prior one and no it is and will never be love at first sight - completely opposite to when I first saw the original 1999. Will I grow to really like it - don't know. That said all the color schemes are good except for the white one...

This picture at the top is the new SAIS key you get when you buy a Hayabusa, much nicer than the old style floppy key! The picture is cut off for security reasons. That's a Ltd Edition Tomb Raider key chain for those who are curious.

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