2003 Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa 40th Anniversary Edition motorcycle
Fastest production bike when new.
Defined Suzuki as a top performance motorcycle builder.
Stylized body work differentiated Hayabusa in a crowded market.
The Suzuki Hayabusa epitomizes the pinnacle of Japanese performance motorcycles with a no- compromise engineering concept focused on speed and acceleration in a street legal bike. Its engine was the largest displacement pure performance powerplant in production when introduced and took on other Japanese and European manufactures to become the quickest on the strip and street.
The Suzuki Hayabusa was the fastest production motorcycle offered to the public when it debuted in 1999 and this 40th Anniversary Edition features a solid color metallic orange paint bodywork with a black frame featuring a 40th Anniversary Emblem on the top triple clamp, celebrating Suzuki’s 40th year selling motorcycles in the US market. A fuel-injected, liquid-cooled dual overhead cam 16-valve engine powered the Hayabusa to speeds of up to 197 mph when unleashed to the public, eclipsing the top speed of Honda’s CBR1100XX Black Bird and the Kawasaki ZX 1200R Ninja. Subsequently, to avoid regulatory restrictions on importation, Suzuki, along with other manufacturers, voluntarily agreed to limit top speed in models after 1999 to 186mph, still an impressive number.
Named after the Japanese word for a Peregrine Falcon, considered the fastest bird species, Hayabusa not only relied on its high horsepower engine to propel it to record speeds but also benefitted from the advanced aerodynamic design of its sensual bodywork. Using a fairing and bodywork to create a wind-cheating barrier, the rider sat in relative comfort on the bike, which was a rare occurrence in a performance-oriented machine. Styling of the bike was also quite controversial when introduced. Designer Koji Yoshiura was intent on making a bold statement that differed dramatically from other conventional sport bikes. The addition of large ram air vents built into the front fairing and a sloping headlight to create a beak-like front end pays homage to its raptor-inspired name.
With ample power coupled with a dramatic yet comfortable visual appearance, Hayabusa gained a wide following for both street and track riders, the latter being slated primarily for the drag strip where the ‘Busa was the bike to beat.
As a performance flagship, the Hayabusa is perhaps the most popular sport bike platform for custom builds. Unlike many other Japanese performance motorcycle models from the 90’s, the Hayabusa is still offered for sale in 2024, now in its 3rd generation of visual and mechanical updates but keeps the same basic shape and layout as the original 1999 model. The Hayabusa is now in its 25th year of production.
Specifications
Engine: 1299cc Liquid-cooled inline 4-cylinder, Dual overhead cams 4 valves per cylinder, fuel injection, 6-speed manual transmission, wet clutch
Horsepower: 162 hp; 93 ft/lbs torque
Performance: Top Speed 186mph, 0-60mph 2.8 sec, ¼ mile 10.2 seconds
Weight: 583 lbs
Fuel consumption: 39 mpg