2008 Hayabusa shows in public
Suzuki have shown in public for the first time the 2008 model K8 Hayabusa GSX1300R, the first major update of the model since its release way back in 1999.
The Brisbane Bike Expo marked the first public appearance of the 2008 Hayabusa along with its evil twin the B-King. Although the K8 Hayabusa appears to have only minor cosmetic changes to the body work, Suzuki have in fact done a major revamp on the Busa for 2008, but retained the character of the existing model. Almost every part of the Busa has been changed, and performance will be substantially better than the model it replaces.
The tail has received the most obvious change, and the redesign has drawn critical comment, but like the original release in 1999, critics often become fans of originality. The flashers are now incorporated into the tail, and the rear guard extension appears to be unboltable now, although this wasnt confirmed. Rear pillion seat appears slightly smaller, Suzuki say it is also lower. Fairing screen is slightly higher, while the top of the tank allows for tucking down a little lower.
Dash is another item to be redone, nice looking change too, and now incorporates a much needed shift light .
The orange and black colour combination is the most standout of those offered, with a dark blue and black scheme available.
The fairing is all new, whilst retaining the original Hayabusa look, it has now taken on a slight GSXR character with the headlight shape
Brakes are now radial mounted, suspension has undergone improvement and the motor enjoys significant modification. Up from 1297cc to 1340cc by way of a stroke increase to the crank, titanium valves and an 8 injector setup similar to the GSXR1000 result in a claimed increase of 11% more power. The bike also sports the 3 position mode switch, with three variations of power available – Enough, More and Too Much.
Exhaust is all new, and like most current bikes, is rapidly approaching the "way too big" size. A lot of Hayabusa customers would probably be changing this, aftermarket manufacturers have done well from the Busa, and this trend is unlikely to change.
Overall, the bike looks like it will be a major improvement on the old, and should retain its title as king of the dragstrip as well. We are looking forward to test riding one, the first shipment has been put down as around November, with a RRP of $18,490, plus normal on road costs.
1440 pixel image of the 2008 Hayabusa HERE
SUZUKI GSX1300RK8
Specifications
ENGINE:
1,340cc, four-stroke, four-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve
BORE STROKE:
81.0mm x 65.0mm
COMPRESSION RATIO:
12.5:1
FUEL SYSTEM:
Fuel injection
LUBRICATION:
Wet sump
IGNITION:
Fully transistorised
TRANSMISSION:
Six-speed, constant mesh
FINAL DRIVE:
#530 chain
OVERALL LENGTH:
2,195mm
OVERALL WIDTH:
740mm
OVERALL HEIGHT:
1,170mm
SEAT HEIGHT:
805mm
GROUND CLEARANCE:
120mm
WHEELBASE:
1,485mm
DRY WEIGHT:
220kg
SUSPENSION
FRONT:
Inverted telescopic, coil spring, fully-adjustable spring preload, rebound and compression damping
REAR:
Link-type, coil spring, oil-damped, fully-adjustable spring preload, rebound and compression damping
BRAKES
FRONT:
Radial mount, four-piston calipers, dual 310mm disc
REAR:
Single-piston caliper, 260mm disc
TYRES
FRONT:
120/70-ZR-17M/C
REAR:
190/50-ZR-17M/C
FUEL CAPACITY:
21.0 litre
COLOUR:
Candy Orange / Pearl Black, Metallic Grey / Pearl Black, Candy Blue / Pearl Black
PRICE:
$18,490 (inc GST)
