24 February 2008

I've now done the first service - so has anything changed? Well, it the the obvious thing, the bike is much smoother. The excessive vibrations I wrote about was apparently caused by some loose screws in the engine bay and fuel tank area somewhere. So if your bike has them then get it checked out ASAP it is a simple fix. As a result the whole bike sounds tighter. Overall better than the bag of bolts sound with the original.

As for handling, the Hayabusa is a big bike and will always feel relatively heavy, purely because the weight distribution is not sports bike optimal - in my opinion. Unless you have muscular thighs... Nevertheless it does go round corners in a surprising fashion and the power out is something a 1000cc rider would be surprised at because it so effortless yet satisfying. It's difficult to write anything new in this area because I've said it all before!
The engine is loosening up slowly which is good and the more lumpy bits have finally smoothened out. Mind you I thought my old 1999 was impressively refined for 1300cc engine from 0 k's this one not as much.

So far so good, it's nice to have a new Hayabusa, although I wish the design was more aero and slightly edgier than the final result, the original with lumpy bits attached. I know I keep carrying on about design but really, the original was a revelation, it really stood out. The 2nd generation is conservative...

That said we can be thankful that they didn't simply clone the GSXR1000 design because that would really a sad day. (The GSX-R is a great looking bike but enough of the brand design themes like BMWs etc...it's so 90's.) Each model needs it's own identity keeps customers happy.

6 April 2008

It's been awhile since I've posted because I've been busy with other duties! So now that everything is as it should be here's what happened. It's been raining all over the country side and I've been trying to get out on decent rides so that I can get the engine properly run in. It's not as easy for me these days for various reasons.

So my take on the Hayabusa's wet weather handling? It's difficult to tell really since I rarely ride in the rain on the 1999 model yet alone on purpose with my new 2nd Gen Hayabusa! So based on not riding in the rain but on wet roads - take it easy. I recommend the C setting for the engine management setting. It does help by helping you focus on what the traffic is doing rather than concentrating on power delivery. It's not easy deliberately changing the setting - due to personal pride mainly... Regardless it's fine in the wet just like any other motorcycle - scary.

What I think Suzuki should have done with the engine management settings is to really go for it with the A mode. Yep max performance with not consideration to engine life span or reliability. OF course well publicize that this mode is for those who have no mechanical sympathy warranty reduction etc... For B mode and the default setting is to use the same power curve as the last Hayabusa and C mode as is.

Which bring me to the power specs and settings. Based on Naoko's email from Japan the A setting on the Hayabusa ECU settings maps to 146Kw and 154Nm the B setting works out to 130Kw and 127Nm and the C setting to 100Kw and 105Nm. The figures are of course meaningless as it doesn't display the actual power or dyno curves.

8 June 2008

Haven't been riding much due to being completely busy and of course wet weather. To be honest the power settings are genuinely useful. Prevents unnecessary wheel spins and hence instability. It's not that I can't control it just that other road users are then to be even more careless in the wet. Stupid people. Thankfully due to the high price of petrol these days there are less cars and hence less stupid people on the road.
I do not use anything but the A setting except for circumstances where traffic is exceptionally bad. If you're riding on any other setting ALL the time you shouldn't be riding this sort of high performance bike.

15 June 2008

I now definitely think that the new engine is not as smooth or sweet as the original, sure it's nice to have the extra power but surely with the length of time between generations you'd think Suzuki could have done even more.

I've also noticed that the engine 'runs hotter' than the original because I feel the heat from the engine at stand still more than I can remember than the original. Maybe the ducting is different or is it just me?

After nearly 6 months I wish that had used better materials. The quality of the parts is perfectly acceptable for a range topper but they could have spent more money on the dash and the wing mirrors. Yes being pedantic but the wing mirrors are the same as the original's. Why not have indicators on them - I know its so mainstream but having indicators in them and around the lights look more impressive?

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