Breaking: 2021 Suzuki Hayabusa Unveiled

Does the Dhoom bike live up to all the hype?

• Gets a comprehensive electronic suite.
• Comes equipped with  larger, 320mm disc with Brembo Stylema calipers.
• Features completely new bodywork.
• The 1340cc engine now makes less power and torque.

(UPDATE: Suzuki has launched the 2021 Hayabusa in India at an attractive price. To know about the pricing, bookings and deliveries, please read the this story)

After all the leaks and speculations, Suzuki has finally pulled the wraps off the new 2021 Hayabusa. The legendary Japanese motorcycle sees its first major update in 13 years, but it isn’t really what enthusiasts were hoping for.

The highlight of the 2021 Suzuki Hayabusa is its comprehensive electronic package. Thanks to the 10-level traction control, 10-level wheelie control, three levels of engine brake control and launch control, and the new Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (SDMS), the new ‘Busa appears armed to the teeth. The SDMS allows three preset and three rider customisable settings for five electronic controls. It even features a bi-directional quickshifter and hill assist control. With a plethora of electronic aids, the ‘Busa should be more manageable for inexperienced riders. All the settings can be viewed on the new TFT display housed in the familiar analogue cockpit. Quite a win for the ‘Busa in this aspect.

If there was any speculation over it getting a 1440cc engine or even a forced injection unit, Suzuki has quelled it. It gets the same inline four-cylinder liquid-cooled motor (seen on the previous model), but is Euro 5-compliant now. However, the new green engine comes at a price. Performance figures now stand at 190PS at 9,700rpm and 150Nm at 7,000rpm: 7PS and 5Nm less than that of its predecessor. For a bike meant for outright straight line speed, we expected the ‘Busa to breach the 200PS mark.

The 2021 Suzuki Hayabusa is still hefty; the two kilos it has shed is from the exhaust unit. It continues to use the same twin-spar aluminum chassis, but gets a new subframe. Suspension duties are handled by fully adjustable 43mm KYB forks, offering 120mm travel and KYB monoshock. Suzuki claims the suspension has received updated components for better stability. The previous model’s brakes weren’t really effective in shedding speed. This time around,  dropping the anchor on the new ‘Busa are bigger, 320mm discs paired with top-of-the-line Brembo Stylema callipers up front and a Nissin calliper at the rear.

On the style front, the ‘Busa has received a massive design overhaul. Every line and curve has been altered, but Suzuki has managed to retain the characteristic beefy silhouette. The headlight looks meaner than ever, and is now flanked by LED DRLs on either sides, which  double up as turn-signals -- a first from Suzuki. The fairing has been reworked and now features well-defined lines. Suzuki claims  the new floating fairing design is better at cutting through the air. Even the tail light has been redesigned; it is now a split unit with integrated indicators. Complementing the edgy design is the new exhaust system, which is not only aesthetically pleasing but also 2kg lighter than the older exhaust unit. If you fancy a lighter unit, an Akrapovic slip-on unit is on offer as of now.

The 2021 Suzuki Hayabusa is priced at GBP 16,499, which roughly translates to Rs 16.45 lakh. However, given that it is likely to arrive in India as a CBU by July, we expect it to be priced around Rs 20 lakh to 22 lakh. While the only natural rival to the ‘Busa is the now-discontinued Kawasaki ZX-14R, it will go up against the BMW S 1000 RR and the Ducati Panigale V4.