2008 Hayabusa rumours and hearsay

[DjPete]

I know it, and you know it, Suzuki will upgrade its speed monster Hayabusa for the 2008 model year. Euro 3 dictates everything the manufacturers do these days and Kawasaki has launched its most serious attack to the top speed crown since the very first ZZR in the ZZR1400. The ZZR1400 is a big leap forward much in the same way as the 1999 Hayabusa was. When it comes to horsepower Suzuki has never rested long when a manufacturer has passed them. Obviously the 2008 'Busa has been under development for several years already. Still, we believe Suzuki has kept its super aerodynamic fairing. Changes on our artists impression are: Radial brakes with ABS, 1400cc engine, conservative estimate of 195bhp with additional ponies at high ram-air friendly speeds, majestic torque from increased bore/stroke, new stronger swing-arm, new exhaust system that conforms to Euro 3 with a catalytic converter under the bike GSX-R style, slightly sharper styling on the rear end and brand new light weight wheels. We are pushing for official comments these days and we will see what Suzuki is willing to share early on. By TS/Picture by: Hugo van Waaijen












...Motorcycle News of England is reporting it has inside information Suzuki will introduce an all-new Hayabusa later this year as a 2008 model. The driving force behind this is Euro III emissions requirements, which will necessitate a replacement of the existing machine.

Although the new bike is claimed to be faster and more powerful, no details are reported. Styling is claimed to be an evolution of the existing machine, while components get significantly upgraded (radial brake calipers and braced swingarm, for instance).

The big question is whether Suzuki intends to take on Kawasaki's massively powerful ZX-14 in the horsepower wars. If engine displacement remains relatively unchanged, as MCN suggests, this will be a difficult task for Suzuki.






........I heard that they had the new Busa ready to go...but when the 14 came out, the powers that be put it back on the drawing board. Rumor has it that when it comes out, it will be stronger than the ZX14.







......Itâ€s no secret that the Suzuki B-King is inching closing to becoming a production reality – we expect a formal announcement from Suzuki within the next two months, and the bike should be in showrooms by the end of this year.

But the bigger news is the fact that the 2008 Hayabusa will actually use the B-Kingâ€s engine! Earlier speculation that the next-generation Hayabusa might use an 1100cc, inline six-cylinder engine (taken from the Stratosphere concept…) has been proved wrong. The 2008 Hayabusa will use the B-Kingâ€s 1350cc inline-four, which is likely to pack more than 200 horsepower!
Other news on the new Hayabusa is that itâ€ll have a totally redesigned chassis, fresh styling (say goodbye to the current machineâ€s bulbous lines…), and radial brakes with optional ABS. Also, like with the 2007 GSX-R1000, the 2008 Hayabusa is likely to get rider-selectable fuel-injection mapping, which will reduce power in tricky road/weather conditions.

Will the new, 1350cc Hayabusa trounce the Kawasaki ZZR1400 in acceleration and top speed stakes? Youâ€ll have to wait for a few more months to find that out… :-)









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