On an Instagram post on their official handle, Suzuki India has confirmed the launch of the all-new third generation of the GSX-1300R Hayabusa for India. While no specific timeline has been given, we expect the peregrine falcon to land around the second or third quarter of the year.
Suzuki revealed the new Hayabusa globally last month and we have all been waiting anxiously for the announcement of the ’Busa launching in India. Now, that day is closer and any mystery as to whether or not it would be coming to India has been laid to rest. Before we get to see the bike in the flesh, let's take a quick recap of what’s what in the new Hayabusa.
Despite there being many new elements in terms of design elements and functional bits, the new bike is unmistakably Hayabusa. It resembles the old bike enough to invoke feelings of nostalgia and is new enough to set it apart from the same. It gets a new LED headlamp unit that resembles the one found on the GSX-R1000R. The integrated DRL/turn signal light as found on the international model won’t be in the same format for India. On the Indian model, the light will be used as indicators only. The tail unit is also all-new with a split LED tail light setup. The fairing has been tweaked to better encompass the rider with functional bits like the chrome strip reducing turbulence around the rider’s legs. The Kanji (Japanese writing) on the fairing has also been reworked. The 5-dial instrument cluster now revised with different graphics and a redesigned colour TFT MID unit at the center of it all.
Much to our surprise, all the speculations and ‘leaked’ claims stating that Suzuki are going to be using forced induction on the Hayabusa’s mill or even add two cylinders were quashed when Suzuki announced that they haven’t done any of that and have in-fact used the same trusty 1340cc in-line four but have heavily reworked it for, as Suzuki says, ‘more usable power, in the 5000-6000rpm range’. The official power figures haven’t been revealed yet but we estimate around 188bhp and 150Nm. Hitting the 300kmph mark was never the issue and with the gentleman’s treaty still in place electronically limiting these bikes to 299kmph, Suzuki has decided to enhance the experience of getting to the top speed rather than change the top speed itself.
The frame and subframe on the ‘Busa has been redesigned and Suzuki claims this will improve handling. Dropping anchor on the bike is done courtesy top-drawer Brembo Stylema calipers chomping onto 320mm discs upfront. The ’Busa also gets fully-adjustable KYB USDs upfront and a link-type monoshock outback. The falcon makes contact with the ground using Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22 tyres. Suzuki has also claimed that the new bike is lighter with a new kerb weight of 264kg.
The biggest change on the third-gen Hayabusa comes in the form of the comprehensive electronics package that it is bestowed with. Kicking things off is power modes with different maps, IMU based lean-sensitive electronics, bi-directional quickshifter with modes, anti-lift control, launch control, engine brake control, ABS and traction control with all sorts of adjustability.
The new Hayabusa as aforementioned is expected to launch in the country by the second or third quarter and we expect it to be priced around 17-20 lakh ex-showroom depending on if it comes the CBU or CKD route. In terms of rivals, the Suzuki doesn’t have any at the moment, unless Kawasaki decides to resurrect the Ninja ZX-14R.