The 2007 Suzuki Hayabusa was launched recently in the Midwest. Soup's Andy Fenwick raced it on a drag strip and did laps on it at Road America. image: thanks, suzuki

I have a confession to make. Before this press launch, I had never even sat on a Suzuki Hayabusa. Not to say there is anything I don't care for or did not care for about Suzuki's iconic bike, it's just that I typically do not spend my time doing what the Hayabusa does best. It has long been known as the ultimate "flexin' and flossin'" machine, the consummate machine for the late-night burger joint hangout. It is also a lethal and very effective drag bike right out of the box (note to readers, I have only done two passes ever on a dragstrip). So, in other words, Hayabusas are ordinarily not my usual routine of two-wheel activity.

Suzuki decided to mix it up a bit for this press launch to showcase their new 2008 model. All of the journalists were invited to Chicago for the press intro, and we heard a presentation by the actual Japanese engineers who designed the new machine. The next day, we were then shuttled up to Union Grove Dragstrip—which lies just between Milwaukee and Chicago—to do a few passes on the new bike, and then street ride a fleet of matching 'Busas up to Road America where we would track-test them the following day. If you think Suzuki was trying to show how versatile this bike is, you are correct.

With only two passes, Fenwick wasn't able to bang a nine second run on the Hayabusa. He had to settle for a 10 second run on his second pass. image: thanks, suzuki

As I mentioned in the first paragraph of this story, I have only launched a bike on a dragstrip two other times before, and I do mean only two passes. It was Kawasaki's 2007 ZX-14 and, somehow, I ended up getting a 10.001, or about as close as you can come to a 9-second pass. So I was pretty sure I was going to "Git-R-Done" this time and bag a 9 on the big 'Zook.

Now I'm not an expert but, to me, the weather seemed excellent, (65 degrees and not much wind) and the track seemed perfect. On my first pass, unfortunately, I had a bad launch, hung the clutch out too long, and actually over-revved the motor in second gear, managing to muster up a measly 10.40. I was confident I could do much better, and I even bet a fellow journo five bucks that I would beat him. On the next pass, I chattered the clutch off the line and only bettered myself with a 10.30. Suzuki had Aaron Yates in attendance for the event, along with a journalist from a dragrace web site. Much to my displeasure, they were allowed five extra passes, and they eventually got the bike into the high 9's on each of their last passes.

I have no idea why I like launching bikes at a dragstrip so much, but I enjoy it so much that I'm now thinking of buying something just to figure out how it all works—it's quite addicting!

Recently Soup Tested: '07 MV Agusta F4R-312 '07 Ducati 1098 '07 Kawasaki ZX-6R '07 Ducati Monster S4RS '07 Yamaha R1 '07 Honda CBR600RR '07 Kawasaki ZX14

Sadly, I didn't make it into the 9's (again), and to make it worse, we were now going to ride the bikes on the roads of Wisconsin. Two things are wrong with that picture. One is that I don't really care for riding streetbikes on the street and, two, I live in Wisconsin so, for me, I was a bit bored by the idea.

Thankfully, Jason Britton from the show "Superbikers" and a journalist from Super Streetbike magazine who is actually one of the original Starboyz were in attendance in my group. Both of those guys can ride motorcycles better on the back wheel than most people can ride on two. Nothing like having your own personal stunt show to make time fly!

As I mentioned in the first paragraph of this story, I have only launched a bike on a dragstrip two other times before, and I do mean only two passes. It was Kawasaki's 2007 ZX-14 and, somehow, I ended up getting a 10.001, or about as close as you can come to a 9-second pass. So I was pretty sure I was going to "Git-R-Done" this time and bag a 9 on the big 'Zook.

In truth, the Hayabusa is a pretty good streetbike. The bike is as docile as a Katana while puttering about, and the chain actually makes more noise than the motor. However, you will never forget that you are on one of, if not the, fastest production motorcycles in the world. All it takes is just a twist of the wrist. We did manage to scare ourselves a few times, but the thought of a speeding ticket while only one day away from a trackday seemed foolish.

The roads we took that day were heavily traveled by everything from dump trucks spilling gravel, to tractors harvesting their fields, to the usual assortment of cellphone-distracted minivan drones. Any true test of the Hayabusa's handling prowess in the curves would have to wait until the next day at the track. Did I like the 'Busa as a streetbike? That's a tough one. I generally don't like much on the street unless it has an upright seating position or we are riding some phenomenal roads out west in the mountains.

A street ride on the Hayabusa showed it to be a decent machine in the twisties, and essentially a rocket-launcher on any road with a straight section. image: thanks, suzuki

The Hayabusa is a smooth operator and an easy-to-navigate machine on the road. My neck and shoulders were a little stiff and sore after the ride but that could have come from being stressed out by seeing a new truck or haywagon pulling out in front of us at every turn in the road. Could you sport-tour on the Hayabusa? Sure. Could you ride it to Cali' and back? I guess. In my opinion, the Hayabusa is a great bike for getting from here to there, as long as here to there does not require more than one tank of gas.

So what's new with the Hayabusa for 2008? Well, let's start with the big things. Suzuki upped the displacement by adding 2mm of stroke, which means the 2008 model displaces 1340cc. Redesigned cylinders help with crankcase ventilation along with an upgrade of cylinder coating for improved durability, heat transfer, and ring seal. The pistons were also upgraded, mainly in the form of an upped compression ratio from 11.0:1 to 12.5:1. New shot-peened connecting rods provide additional strength, and new titanium valves serve up a lighter valvetrain for less mechanical losses, plus the valve lift has been increased. More power means more heat, so a new curved radiator has been fitted, along with a second electronically controlled cooling fan. A slight gearing change also aids in helping the new bird take flight. Suzuki has also fitted this year's 'Busa with their Suzuki Drive Mode Selector--similar to what's found on the GSX-R1000. The system is operated manually via a switch on the handlebar where the rider can pick between three settings or power curves. The "A" mode is full-power captain, "B" mode is less power, and "C" mode is even less. I'm not sure of the theory on that because I tried it once or twice and pretty much decided that full power is my cup of tea! The 2008 bike now sports newly designed mufflers for increased noise suppression and enhanced power, not to mention increased cornering clearance from the triangulated and tapered shape. The new exhaust is actually a big step forward in design. The mufflers on the 2007 model look quite dated once compared to the new bike.

At Road America, the 2008 Hayabusa was a machine that demanded and recieved full respect. image: thanks, suzuki

Speaking of looks, the 2008 bike is now even more 'Busa-like. "Give the people what they want" is Suzuki's mantra, and the fans and owners of early Hayabusas spoke and most requested that the new bike look even bigger and badder (in a good way) than before. One look at the previous-generation Hayabusa and the new one side by side, and it is quite evident and, in my opinion, entirely successful.

There are some slight frame changes, mainly with the subframe, a new steering damper, upgraded KYB forks, and radial-mounted brakes to better slow the whole thing down. According to my very reliable sources, all this new razzle-dazzle has brought the weight up by about 25 pounds...ouch. The plus side is that engine performance has increased to the tune of about 17bhp over the 2007 version.

With this much power and heft on hand, trying to go fast on a racetrack with the Hayabusa, a man's got to know his limitations. image: thanks, suzuki

While getting ready to bust out the new Hayabusa onto Road America, we were reminded by one of the Japanese engineers that the Hayabusa is not a track bike, but a motorcycle built for all types of performance riding. Now, I would never consider myself the smartest of the bunch but, then again, my mama didn't raise no dummy, either. I, for one, was not expecting much of this big bird on a roadracing course.

To be honest, I was somewhat prepared for a not-so-fun day of babysitting a dispute of too much horsepower, too much weight, and too little traction. The reality of it all is that the Hayabusa is no roadracer, but surprisingly, it is actually quite competent on the track. You learn right off that getting this bike in too far or too deep into a turn is a big no-no. The four-piston, radial-mounted Tokico calipers can only do so much with a bike this size. Whereas on other more race-orientated streetbikes, you can often get yourself out of trouble if you brake too late by simply pulling harder on the lever, the 'Busa at full braking limits has no failsafe or reserve. That's not to say that it is a situation of being dangerous, you just need to respect this bike's limits.

Note to self: in the future, do not park behind Fenwick with shield up. image: thanks, suzuki

Cornering clearance is adequate. The pegs touch down pretty quick at track speed but really do not lift the bike up. Suzuki elected to fit this year's bike with Bridgestone BT-015's. The tires we rode on the track are the same street-compound stock OEM tires that are fitted to the Hayabusas you'll find at your friendly neighborhood Suzuki dealer. I'm still amazed with the current lot of streetbike tires. They are compounds and designs built for mileage but, somehow, they still work quite impressively while scratching away on the track.

With enough passes at the drag strip, Aaron Yates got the Hayabusa he was riding into the high nines. image: thanks, suzuki

Guess where one of the fastest production bikes in the world really shines? Considering Road America is the fastest track in North America and has two incredibly long straight-aways, it was the perfect place to showcase the utterly mind-numbing acceleration and top speed of Suzuki's new mill. Lap after lap, when I was gutsy enough to watch the speedo, I consistently saw the needle nudge past the 185 mark. I've always said that things seem really fast for some reason after 175 mph, and this new bike does it with ease along with complete confidence and stability. The bike is so fast that I had to learn to brake for turn one while going over 180 mph while I was still tucked in under the windscreen. If I popped up out of the bubble at top speed, I felt as if I was going to get pulled off the bike not to mention the noise and buffeting my 40-year-old body had to endure. Just think, all of this from a street-legal, EPA-compliant motorcycle with a warranty!

The Hayabusa does a good job of hiding its weight when it comes time to turn and change direction. Like the chubby girl all dolled up for a wedding, get her in a dress and out on the dance floor, and be prepared to have a good time.

Since I've ridden a 2007 Kawasaki ZX-14 quite a lot this year, I can safely say that the Hayabusa will easily mop up Kawasaki's monster-bike on a racetrack or even on a racier section of road. I would, however, still pick the ZX-14 over the 'Busa on a street-duty assignment. Drag racing would be a tough pick between the two but, to be honest, I got along best with the clutch on the Kawasaki.

With enough laps, Aaron Yates was finally faster than Fenwick at Road America. Fine, it only took one. image: thanks, suzuki

There have been as many metaphors hung on the Hayabusa as there've been rear tires burned off the back of them. Shot out of a cannon, accelerates like a missile, bat out of hell...you've heard them all. Whatever has been said of the Hayabusa over the last nine years will now only intensify even more. This new 'Busa is FAST! It is also a bike you could ride to a church picnic and not offend anyone. It idles like a kitten and is as quiet as a mouse. Suzuki has upped the styling along with pumping up the motor, so it will no doubt be a huge hit with its already loyal following. This bike sweats street cred and accelerates like it is nuclear powered. The Hayabusa is the overlord of the motorcycle world, laying lesser bikes to waste a quarter-mile at a time.