Highlights
- Highly original, low-mileage bike
- Six owners from new
- MoT with no advisories until February 2023
- Capable of 186mph
The Appeal
It was only as recently as the 1950s that 100mph was esteemed as a kind of magic mark, something almost mythical which motorcyclists sought with the same fervour as conquistadors searching for El Dorado.
Famously, the Vincent Black Shadow was the world’s fastest production motorcycle when it appeared in 1948 with a top speed of 125mph, but that was truly in a league of its own.
Famously, the Vincent Black Shadow was the world’s fastest production motorcycle when it appeared in 1948 with a top speed of 125mph, but that was truly in a league of its own.
Fast forward to the present day and we’re now more excited by the prospect of 200mph, but the Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa took everyone’s breath away when it was launched in 1999 with a top speed of 194 mph, making it not only the world’s fastest production motorcycle but smashing the previous record by over 10mph.
Named the Hayabusa after the Japanese name for the peregrine falcon, which can dive at speeds of 180-200mph and preys on blackbirds (the previous record holder being the Honda Super Blackbird), subsequent limitations have ensured that the record remains unbeaten by an unmodified, road-legal bike.
Named the Hayabusa after the Japanese name for the peregrine falcon, which can dive at speeds of 180-200mph and preys on blackbirds (the previous record holder being the Honda Super Blackbird), subsequent limitations have ensured that the record remains unbeaten by an unmodified, road-legal bike.
Sadly, in 2000, a gentleman’s agreement between Japanese and European manufacturers resulted in the Hayabusa and other bikes of the same calibre being restricted to 186mph, but that’s still quite fast enough for most people’s needs, and it remains a truly formidable machine for track days and fast A-road runs.
This example is presented in highly original and very well-preserved condition, and starts and runs extremely well.
If there’s one thing every motorcycle enthusiast should do before they die, it’s push a Hayabusa to its limits on a race track, and this could be the ideal one for the purpose.
If there’s one thing every motorcycle enthusiast should do before they die, it’s push a Hayabusa to its limits on a race track, and this could be the ideal one for the purpose.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered in Reading and resident in the Swindon area in 2006
- Acquired by the sixth and present owner in 2018
- Paperwork includes the current V5, and a collection of MoT certificates issued between 2006 and 2022
- Spare key included
The Condition
- Believed to be all original right down the paint finish
- Wheels and seat in excellent condition.
- Extremely well-preserved all-round condition
We dare say that this Hayabusa has seen some high speeds a few times in its life, but that doesn’t seem to have done it any harm at all.
The menacing black and red colour scheme still presents extremely well, with a deep gloss and very little to find fault with. It should be noted that the red-painted areas are subtly metallic, which makes the Suzuki just that little bit more alluring when the sun hits it.
The menacing black and red colour scheme still presents extremely well, with a deep gloss and very little to find fault with. It should be noted that the red-painted areas are subtly metallic, which makes the Suzuki just that little bit more alluring when the sun hits it.
As might be expected with a 20-year-old bike, there are some very small blemishes such as light scratches or other marks in the paint and some minor scrapes on the mirrors, but the emphasis is on ‘very small’, and if you study the photographs you will appreciate that they are not at all significant.
There is one small panel on the offside between the fuel tank and the frame which has a slight split in it. As with virtually all bikes, the bare-metal components display a light patina which we think enhances their appearance.
There is one small panel on the offside between the fuel tank and the frame which has a slight split in it. As with virtually all bikes, the bare-metal components display a light patina which we think enhances their appearance.
Though it is only a small seat, the seat material is in very good condition, and the same may be said of everything else on the bike. The wheels present very well with only a few light marks visible, and all the glass is likewise in fine order.
Bidders will be interested to note that the Suzuki comes with a fuel tank cover, and has recently been fitted with new tyres.
The Mechanics
- 1300cc four-stroke, inline-four, water-cooled, dohc, 16-valve engine
- Akrapovič high-performance exhaust system
- MoT with no advisories until 21st February 2022
There is a common misconception when it comes to performance bikes which is that many have been ridden too hard and subjected to a lot of mechanical wear, but the reality is that, because they were desirable and collectable bikes from the day they were built, many have ended up in the hands of sympathetic enthusiasts.
This Hayabusa is a good example; over the course of 20 years, it has only been ridden sparingly, covering under 38,500 miles.
Its external condition testifies that it has been well cared-for, and its MoT record from between 2006 and 2018 shows that it has been kept in good shape.
Between 2019 and 2022, the Hayabusa was off the road, so the recent past has been very kind to it. It has just been fitted with a new battery.
Its external condition testifies that it has been well cared-for, and its MoT record from between 2006 and 2018 shows that it has been kept in good shape.
Between 2019 and 2022, the Hayabusa was off the road, so the recent past has been very kind to it. It has just been fitted with a new battery.
Obviously, the current MoT certificate with no advisories shows that the bike is in good roadworthy condition, and we can also confirm that it starts on the button, idles well, and pulls away, steers and stops to our satisfaction.
All it really wants is for an enthusiastic new owner to come along and open it up a bit…
All it really wants is for an enthusiastic new owner to come along and open it up a bit…
Summary
Apart from it being an example of the world’s fastest production motorcycle, there’s much to recommend this Hayabusa.
Believed to be entirely original and presented as it left the factory, light use over the course of its life has ensured that it has survived very well and remains in very good mechanical health.
Believed to be entirely original and presented as it left the factory, light use over the course of its life has ensured that it has survived very well and remains in very good mechanical health.
We have only had a chance to see it ridden at low speeds, but we envy the new owner who will get to be a bit more adventurous with it, because it promises to take them to a whole new world of adrenaline-fuelled fun.
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