This is a direct quote from Sport Rider Magazine's October 2006 issue, page 10. It is a discussion of motorcycle aerodynamics
"When Kawasaki was designing the ZX-12R (Well before the Hayabusa's debut), a significant amount of wind-tunnel testing resulted in a final prototype whose styling was said to be "almost a carbon copy" of the Hayabusa. The engineers were happy with the performance, but when the product planners took one look at it, they quickly asked for a body work redesign, thinking that the prototype's then-unusual appearance would never sell. Of course, the Hayabusa has since proved them wrong, but most motorcycle enthusiasts probably would've agreed with the Kawasaki product planners back then. I know I would have."
The bit was written by Kent Kunitsugu. Could have been one of those "what if" moments in Kawasaki's history!
"When Kawasaki was designing the ZX-12R (Well before the Hayabusa's debut), a significant amount of wind-tunnel testing resulted in a final prototype whose styling was said to be "almost a carbon copy" of the Hayabusa. The engineers were happy with the performance, but when the product planners took one look at it, they quickly asked for a body work redesign, thinking that the prototype's then-unusual appearance would never sell. Of course, the Hayabusa has since proved them wrong, but most motorcycle enthusiasts probably would've agreed with the Kawasaki product planners back then. I know I would have."
The bit was written by Kent Kunitsugu. Could have been one of those "what if" moments in Kawasaki's history!