Introduced at Intermot 1998, the Suzuki Hayabusa performance motorcycle is now sold in 48 countries worldwide, including the US, Europe, India and Latin America, with cumulative series production of over 200,000 units.
03 Jul 2023 | 7027 Views | By Autocar Pro News Desk & Ajit Dalvi
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of its flagship and iconic motorcycle, the Hayabusa, Suzuki Motor Corporation’s has introduced the 25th anniversary model, which will be sold globally from July, including in Japan.
The special features for the 25th anniversary model include an orange-and-black-based body, and special colours for the drive chain ...
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To celebrate the 25th anniversary of its flagship and iconic motorcycle, the Hayabusa, Suzuki Motor Corporation’s has introduced the 25th anniversary model, which will be sold globally from July, including in Japan.
The special features for the 25th anniversary model include an orange-and-black-based body, and special colours for the drive chain adjuster and front brake disk inner. Original engravings have been added to the muffler body and drive chain, and a 25th anniversary emblem and a three-dimensional Suzuki logo on the tank. Also, the single-seat cowl is standard equipment (excluding Japan spec).
The first generation of the model was introduced at Intermot, held in Germany in 1998, as the Hayabusa (GSX1300R) and sales started in Europe and North America in 1999. The product concept was ‘Ultimate Sport’, and its high power and handling performance, coupled with its unique and aerodynamic styling, created a sensation.
The second generation, with increased displacement from 1,299cc to 1,340cc, was released in 2007. It inherited the outstanding and powerful performance of the first generation, with a newly adopted feature, the Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (SDMS), which allowed adjusting of the output characteristics by riders’ choice. Sales also expanded worldwide, launching Japanese domestic specs for the first time in 2014 and starting production and sales in India in 2016.
Since Suzuki Motorcycle India began selling the Hayabusa, first as an import and then as a locally produced motorcycle from its Gurugram plant, cumulative sales of the performance bike are estimated to be around 1,850 units over an 11-year period. The best fiscal year sales for the Hayabusa were in FY2023 when a total of 272 units were sold.
On April 7 this year, Suzuki Motorcycle India introduced a new series of vibrant colours (Metallic Thunder Gray/ Candy Daring Red, Metallic Mat Black No. 2/ Glass Sparkle Black and Pearl Vigor Blue/ Pearl Brilliant White) for the third-generation Hayabusa which is also OBD2-A compliant. Priced at Rs 16,90,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi), the iconic motorcycle is powered by the 1340cc, four-stroke, fuel injected, liquid-cooled DOHC, in-line four engine.
Third-gen Hayabusa launched in 2021
In 2021, the third-generation Hayabusa was introduced, with a fully improved engine and chassis, and various electronic controls. The engine and chassis parts have been fully reassessed, along with adopting the electronic control system ‘S.I.R.S (Suzuki Intelligent Ride System)’, such as traction control systems and Bi-directional quick shift systems, making this model powerful yet controllable, and embody the styling design concept, ‘The Refined Beast’.
Currently, the Hayabusa is sold in 48 countries worldwide, including the United States, Europe, India, and Latin America, with cumulative series production of over 200,000 units.
Commenting on the 25th Anniversary Edition Hayabusa, Suzuki Motor Corp president Toshihiro Suzuki said: “The Hayabusa series has been a flagship model representing Suzuki, and has fans all over the world. We would like to express our deepest gratitude that this model is able to celebrate its 25th anniversary, and that it has been continuously loved by everyone for this long. I have personally test ridden the prototype of the current third generation model, and I am proud to say that we, the Suzuki team, can present to you the best model to date. The Hayabusa will never stop its evolution.”
Hayabusa: 25-Year timeline
1998: Unveiled at Intermot, Germany as the ‘Hayabusa (GSX1300R)’
1999: Suzuki begins Hayabusa sales
2007: Sales of second-generation model begin
2014: Sales of Japan-spec model commence
2016: Hayabusa production and sales in India
2021: Sales of third-generation model
2022: Achieved accumulated production of 200,000 units
2023: Introduction of 25th Anniversary Edition