Suzuki rolled into 2021 with its newly-improved-for-MY2023 ambassador model for the sportbike world, the inimitable Hayabusa. Windtunnel-tested fairing tweaks seek to further improve penetration and reduce drag so you can get the most out of the next-generation in-line four. A beefed-up, model-unique electronics suite helps improve rider safety and control with a new ride-by-wire throttle system that supports a number of the new engine-control features.

2023 Suzuki Hayabusa Performance and Capability

The electronic fandanglery on the Hayabusa dives deep into the engine control area via Suzuki's Intelligent Ride System that bundles all the fandanglery together under one banner. It starts out with a new ride-by-wire throttle control that conveys rider demand to the brain box. From there, the signal is modified by a number of variables and handful of on-board sub-systems.

First among the SIRS features is a trio of Drive Mode power-delivery profiles plus a fourth rider-tuneable profile that you can set up for a power curve all your own. The Drive Mode tunes more than the final output, much more, with Power Mode, Engine Brake Control, Anti-Lift control, lean-sensitive traction control, and a quickshifter that'll send you both up and down the range without touching the clutch lever or even rolling off the throttle for solid holeshots and controlled quarter miles.

If you do feel the need to actually use the hand lever, the slip-and-assist clutch ensures a light pull with built-in backtorque mitigation for additional safety on hard downshifts and engine-braking actions. A six-speed transmission crunches the ratios to deliver a top speed around 190 mph, but if you don't trust yourself with that kind of power, you can set the Launch Control for smooth, tractable take-offs and the Active Speed Limiter for an absolute performance ceiling to keep you from overdoing it on public roads.

As for the mechanical bits, the liquid-cooled powerplant comes in an inline-four configuration that's mounted transversely in the frame. Bore and stroke mic out at 81 mm and 65 mm respectively for an overall displacement of 1,340 cc with a smokin' hot 12.5-to-1 compression ratio.

Dual overhead cams time the valvetrain and come ground this year for a broader tractable torque band. Claimed horsepower on the 'Busa is 187.75 ponies at 9,700 rpm while the claimed torque is clocked at 110.64 pound-feet at seven grand even, same as the 2021 model. It was plenty then, and it's plenty now with the same sort of blistering holeshots and straight-line drag-tastic performance that 'Busa riders have come to expect.

The Suzuki Hayabusa top speed is governed at 186 mph, but the limiter can be bypassed. That's something that is completely unnecessary unless you're setting up a dedicated drag bike. Even the more mundane features are noteworthy. Hidden away in the cases are larger oil galleries that deliver more volume to the tune of a whopping 54-percent more flow to the critical components. Cutouts in the bottom end vent air pressure between cylinders to limit pumping losses.

Each cylinder comes with a Twin Swirl Combustion Chamber that maximizes flame-front propagation through turbulence in the intake. The slipper pistons weigh 26 grams lighter than the previous version along with connecting rods that dropped three grams a piece.

These new lightweight pieces join with a lightened crankshaft and gear-driven balancer to reduce the vibration felt by the pilot, which is no mean feat with an engine as powerful as this. Plus the reduced mass comes with a concurrent reduction in inertia, so this engine will rev up more quickly than ever before.

RELATED: 10 Reasons Why The Suzuki Hayabusa is the Ultimate Motorcycle

Suzuki Hayabusa Design

The design team for the new Hayabusa had its work cut out for it from the get-go. You don't simply redesign something with a look as iconic as the earlier 'Busa versions. Yet that's just what the factory did and they managed to maintain much of the flyline and visual weight long associated with this family. Just a nip here and tuck there, and voila, you have a leaner and meaner machine that's still clearly a member of the Hayabusa family line, just with less-voluptuous curves than the previous body styles.

The characteristic tail hump that long defined the ass end of the 'Busa bikes remains the dominant feature. To keep the rear end clean, the factory crammed the new taillight, brake light, and turn signals all into a single LED lightbar that spans the width of the tail section. Back up front, a series of new adjustments in the cowl vents steer the hot air away from the pilot and deliver low-drag reintegration with the slipstream.

In spite of the tweaks to the body panels, the 'Busa maintains the peregrine falcon-inspired panache that sets the line apart from everything else on two wheels. Not only is the body slimmer, but the trimmed-down mufflers match the leaner overall lines.

The cowling and fairings are wind tunnel tested thoroughly to minimize drag and boost penetration, but that's not all they do. A pair of inlet ports ride abreast of the stacked front headlight to take advantage of the ram-air effect. This delivers pressurized air into the Suzuki Ram Air Direct system for a built-in boost to volumetric efficiency and a concurrent performance gain. In full disclosure, the ram-air effect is negligible at lower speeds with the full benefits being felt at something upwards of 80 mph.

LED headlight projectors ensure good two-way visibility with the rest of the world, and the LED front turn signals come integrated with the front fairing to reduce drag and streamline the look. Dead-short bars pull the pilot into an aggressive, forward-leaning position with jockey pegs and a narrow waist, though the bar is pulled back 12 mm than it was previously for a little more touring comfort.

The skinny midsection rides behind a broad-shouldered cowling effectively pulling the rider's legs into the bike, instead of just around it, for a feeling of man-machine integration.

RELATED: We Bet This Is The Coolest 2022 Suzuki Hayabusa Out There

Suzuki Hayabusa Chassis

Aluminum is the material of choice for the new twin-spar frame on the Hayabusa that lends the finished product a lower center-of-gravity with 50:50 weight distribution between the front and rear axles. Stock wheelbase is fairly compact with 58.3 inches between contact-patch centers, though since this bike is popular around the drag strips you can expect to see them out there with a stretched swingarm and significantly longer wheelbase.

Curb weight is 582 pounds, so the 'Busa rates dual front discs with new, four-piston Brembo calipers for the bulk of the stopping power opposite a single-piston Nissin caliper out back with stock ABS protection front and rear. A six-axis inertial measurement unit enables a Motion Track ABS feature that modulates its intervention based on the calculated available traction for continuous protection around the curve.

Additionally, the brakes come with a Combined Brake feature that delivers pressure to the calipers at both ends according to pressure at the front brake lever. It also has a Slope Dependent brake control that keeps you from going ass over appetite when braking head-first downhill.

It also has Hill Hold Control that holds the rear brake and allows you to put both feet down when stopped on a grade. The HHC holds the brake for you until released, at which point the system smoothly eases up on the brake pressure as you come out of the hole. Needless to say, the ability to nail the holeshot is a very desirable trait for a drag-bike/stoplight burner such as this.

Handling and ride-quality control falls to fully-adjustable KYB forks up front opposite a shock hidden under the tail. Both have long-service DLC treatment at the wear points that extends component life considerably.

2023 Suzuki Hayabusa Price

The 2022 Hayabusa comes in a trio of two-tone paint packages: Metallic Matte Black No. 2 & Glass Sparkle Black, Metallic Thunder Gray & Candy Daring Red, or Pearl Brilliant White & Pearl Vigor Blue . Base MSRP is rolling out at $18,799. For 2023 the Suzuki Hayabusa now comes in three New Colors.

RELATED: A Brief Look At The Evolution Of The Suzuki Hayabusa

Competitors

Nothing else in the world strikes quite the same figure as Suzuki's Hayabusa line, so it's in a league of its own in the looks department and a blank canvas ripe for customization. However, aside from custom bike builders, most 'Busa buyers are interested in the performance aspect of this machine, and with that in mind we can certainly find bikes with similar performance profiles.

I stuck with Suzuki's domestic foes and first picked the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP from Honda's lineup.

Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP

The Fireblade is Honda's flagship street-racer with a 215-horsepower engine and 186 mph top speed, so like the 'Busa, this bike is well placed in the stupidfast category. Suzuki comes out ahead at the checkout against the Fireblade's $28,500 starting price. Read our full article on the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade to find out more.

Kawasaki's Ninja H2 SX SE+

If speed is your absolute top priority, then Kawasaki's NinjaH2 SX SE+ may be your Huckleberry. A one-liter (998 cc to be precise) cranks out 230 horsepower and 84.6 pound-feet with a top speed around 209 mph. Electronics are pretty much a wash, though the real selling point with the Kawi is the supercharger that boosts volumetric efficiency and brings a significant boost in power. At $25,500, you'll have to decide if that extra speed is worth it. Bear in mind, you'll never do either bike justice on public roads. You can read our full article on the Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE+.

He Said

“The Hayabusa is, in my humble opinion, a great drag bike and an inspiring platform for custom builders. It's also my opinion that it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than it is to ride a fast bike slow, and the temptation to roll on and blast anything and everything else on the road may be too strong for many mere mortals to resist. If you aren't into racing it, you can count on it serving as a conspicuous consumption with oodles of curb appeal.”

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, “There is just so much to talk about on a Hayabusa to begin with, and it's even moreso with this next generation. The electronics are the top-notch of top-notchedness. It always was an agile monster and changes to the chassis make it more of that, plus better stability at low speeds, lighter weight, and more comfortable. Also noteworthy, at least for us height-challenged folks, the seat height was lowered to 31.5 inches, which is really low for a sportbike. I never was one for the stupidfast bikes -- more power to you for the folks that are -- but from a technological perspective, the Hayabusa is just marvelous.”

Further Reading

Suzuki

Read more Suzuki news.