SUZUKI GSX1300R HAYABUSA (1999 - 2007) Review

Year: 2002

Annual servicing cost: £300

From my stable of 6 bikes this one has the most character, it’s not a precision performance machine or particularly well designed in my opinion, but it certainly has lots of personality and is a memorable ride

Version: Black/Grey

Year: 2000

Annual servicing cost: £80

Yes, definitely recommend to anyone. A big friendly beast. Easy to ride, civilized if you ride it that way. I left my 1986 GSXR750 for this, and have been happy for 23 years. Good tourer, decent handling for long wheel base. I had a custom made Corbin seat put on it (I'm 5'3", female), and about 2006, put carbon fibre rims on it. Saved weight with that and a Yosh 4:1 CF exhaust. Best bike I've ever owned. Had a 2008 for awhile, but kept this one. Gen 2's engine was better, but the handling geometry of the Gen1 was better. Only had the chance to sit on a Gen 3, but now, at 70, waaaay too heavy a bike for me. My Busa is a "nice little bike".

Buying experience: Bought it "new" from a dealer... believe it or not, was a "demonstrator" in Campbell River, BC Canada. Had 500k on it. In August we went up from Victoria, I took it for a ride, and rode it home. List price in 2000 was $14, 500 Cdn. We offered $14k taxes in, and I rode it home. Beat my husband in the truck by an hour. LOL

Year: 2003

Annual servicing cost: £150

Great all rounder. Real conversation starter. It’s no lightweight flickable 600 but it’s not what is expected of it. Many many miles per day possible on tour. A lot easier to ride then the big scary beasty reputation the bike has.

Buying experience: Brought privately

Version: Unrestricted.

Year: 2000

Annual servicing cost: £120

JUST LOVE THE BEAST. I,m 72 years old & when I can,t ride anymore I,ll put motor in my mobility scooter. That,ll cause a stir going round Morrisons COMIN,THRO!!!!!!!! 🙉🙈🙊

Buying experience: York Suzuki Centre. Excellent service. £2,400.

Year: 2000

Annual servicing cost: £200

A lot of bike for the money!

Version: Gsx1300RY

Year: 2000

Annual servicing cost: £300

I have owned my 'Busa for over 6 years.65k plus miles on her and still going like a scalded cat. 3 sets of tyres since I've had her, Yoshi Cans. Upgraded Front master cylinder to Brembo Radial, Goodridge Lines, wavy discs, Sintered pads, sorted front braking issues.

Buying experience: Had her 6 years, so I like her, a bit!

Year: 2002

Annual servicing cost: £300

Although the Hayabusa is famous for its speed and cult status it is also a very good all rounder I wouldn't recommend it to a new rider to tame the beast you will need at least a year of road craft (in my opinion) but that's upto the individual

Buying experience: I bought from a dealer you might pay a little more but you have more peace of mind knowing all the checks have already been done

Version: 1300RY

Year: 2000

Overall, a five-star rating.

Buying experience: Bought 2000 RY Busa 5 years ago. She was high mileage when I got her. Now has 63k plus. Bike has been off-road since January as a mystery fuelling issues. Changed ECU, fuel pump, fuel pump relay and inspected wiring. Bike shop now waiting for pressure regulator to arrive as she has very low fuel pressure. So in 5 years of owning, apart from duff battery, now replaced with Yuasa decent one, this is the only time she's let me down. Paid £2700 from used bike dealership 5 years ago.

Year: 2001

All my friends should have one

Version: Rx

Year: 2004

The engine is the best feature it just does anything from high speed on the autobahn to commuting around town!! The brakes needed work but braided hoses along with radial brake conversion plates with a pair of Brembo's soon sorted the stoping, raise the back end by a cm handling improved 10 fold , if you want to tour this is the bike loads of luggage options, I've done about 15000 miles abroad over the years never a problem, my now 12 year old Hayabusa will be doing another couple of thousand miles through Europe this year !!!

Buying experience: Brought privately via eBay starting bid of £3500 offered £3000 cash agreed on £3250

Year: 2000

What a fantastic bike. Just had mine a few weeks now and enjoy doing the 240 mile round trip to North Wales on a regular basis. She does it so effortlessly. Must admit, there is a weird vibration period that occurs around the 4500rpm mark(can anyone explain why?). It doesn't however, spoil my enjoyment. I wouldn't swap her for another model. Unless, of course, I could afford the latest version.

Had one for over 4 years...2 sets of tyres, front wheel bearings and 1 chain later I moved on to a ZZR1400. Can't fault the busa in the slightest...ok stock brakes could be better but thats about it....160+ mile tank range and comfy the whole way. Radial brake adaptors and GSXR calipers fitted to mine towards the end buried any chance of me buying the new gen2 busa. If you find a clean Gen 1 busa and its what your after you won't regret it....Big user friendly pussy cat...just has big claws when you let it loose.

Passed my DAS back in Oct 2008, wanted a busa, but decided to hone my riding skills on Honda VFR 800 non-vtec. After 5000 miles, traded it in for 01 unrestricted model. After a bit of trepidation on the morning or pick-up. Absolutely surprised about how much easier to drive, ok i'm still cornering slow, but its a joy to drive. Done 300 miles so far, rock stable in any condition v VFR. No complaints i know i made the right choice.

My first Busa after 20 years off bikes, born again biker, this thing is the best bike i have ever been on.2007 bike, i will be getting the 2008 model in 09.

I exchanged a TL 1000s for the high milage Hayabusa i now own. I was expecting more performance with less mid range and boy did i get more performance, but amazingly more of everything including midrange. The handling is rock steady up to the point you either run out of road or bottle. The Busa is so smooth and powerful you reach the top speed of the TL1000 in about 15 sec's and still have another two gears to go! The Busa's weight helps the incredible stability which this bike has at any speed. Even though it will be dificult to keep up with a gixer thou through the countryside, the Busa will let you travel from A to B without the cramped up body position and sweat assosiated with high speed sports bike riding. My bike has over 42k on the clock but it runs spot on. the head bearings, etc have been replaced and the previous owner fitted a rear jack-up kit, to help the turn in speed, but overall it is a truely awesome machine. It makes every thing else seem weak, including the bandit 12.

i've owned quite a few bikes and always thought that they were lacking something but this bike is amazing.just when you think that you've got used to the acceleration,it gives you more.i find myself floating off the seat and hanging on with white knuckles! what a bike!if any one say's they need more than this then they're talking out of their a**e! you can absolutly blitz almost anything on the road with one of these!!!

Had my Busa four years now, decided to get it bored to 1400, HC pistons, gas flowed head, HD starter gear, lock up clutch, yoshi cams, yoshi RS3 system, billet cam chain tensioner,12mm head studs, HI vol oil pump gear + loads of other bits genuine 200 + mph bike, 192 bhp with 120 lbs of torque. more than happy with it.

had mine nearly 2 years. very impressed but wanted more, so ive supercharged it.rotrex spercharger with big cc racing plenum 50mm tial, bosch 500bhp fuel pump,12mm billet fuel rail, ignition retarder,forged pistons, carrillo rods, 12mm head bolts, adjustable camshaft sprockets,high volume oil pump, etc etc, you get the picture.

I rode this expecting it to tear my arms off, when actually it it was incredably rideable. the power was amazing when you opened it up though. my only grip was it is too small for me, it put great pressure on my wrists.

I wanted a bike capable of touring, carrying a pillion in relative comfort but also with decent performance and handling for weekend blasts. I considered a Blackbird but fancied something a little less commonplace. After a test ride on a 'Busa I haven't looked back. The engine is legendary and the torque particularly addictive. If you're feeling lazy you can leave it in top and just roll on and off the throttle - the gearbox is for engaging warp-drive. Handling is very stable and sure-footed and the ride excellent (if it isn't, your shock is probably worn out). However, don't expect handling to be sportsbike sharp - it does tend to wallow a bit if you really push hard. I've toured, commuted and scratched on mine and it's amazingly competent. I can't think of anything I'd like to replace it with since although I'd love a litre sports bike they're too focused for my needs. Maybe when the ZZR1400 gets within my price range second hand, I'll consider one of those. Strengths: Torque, fueling (yoshi pipe and Power commander were fitted when I bought the bike), ride, amazingly stable and planted handling. Weaknesses: Too wide to easily filter on my commute to work. Brakes aren't the best. After sticking some decent pads on and fitting braided hoses the lever was still spongey on mine. I found 3 or 4 of the caliper pistons were seized so it's worth checking these if you're a new owner. After sorting this the brakes are now acceptable if not brilliant. Handling isn't sports bike sharp. Finish could be better.

This is my second Busa. I had one of the first in the Britain back in March 1999 (black/grey). I couldn't find anything better to change to so I bought another one in blue/silver in 2001. After 7 years I still love the guts of this machine. Now I want a 2nd bike but can't find one that feels right !!! Looking forward to the new 2008 model and might be tempted to get one. I won't let this one go though as it's the last of the de-restricted version. Strengths: Unbeatable performance, great rideability, comfortable too. Icon setting standard. Weaknesses: Brakes (mine are braided hoses now), and my ability (I'll never stretch its capabilities).

I've ride and own motorcycles since 1974, with more than 300,000 miles... and with Busa I've meet the difference, the power, the softness, the performance, the twilight zone!!!?? Strengths: Power, performance, brakes...a complete astonishing bike!!! Weaknesses: Nothing!!!...ehehehehe

Bought the Busa new in 2004. The missus chose it after complaining about the comfort on the ZX6. Recently toured NZ on a VFR800 and missed the Busa so much, the Honda didn't compare. Performance is unbelievable, 120 feels like 40, turn in is slow, brakes are absolutely abysmal unfortunately, she eats tyres. Only additions are double bubble (essential) and rear hugger otherwise I keep looking at cans but can't see the benefit. Would maybe consider new ZZR1400 but it would have to be good to match the Busa. Top bike surpassed all my expectations. Strengths: Performance, Comfort, Looks. Weaknesses: Brakes, Brakes, Brakes.

Bought it second hand a year ago. Arrived at the decision by process of elimination. Wanted a performance bike but most were too small and light for my build (not that I'm a fat b*stard). Riding home from the dealers I cursed the cars in front thinking I was being held up at 40mph then realised I was doing 100mph+. Very deceptive machine. Pleasantly surprised by the handling as well. Strengths: Size and weight. It's nice to find something with a bit of presence in this day of lightweight superbikes. Weaknesses: Brakes. Plan ahead or you'll run wide on the bends! Tyre choice - still not made my mind up yet.