Kinda reminds me of the Suzuki RF900's from back in the day only the bigger version. Was never diggin the Testerossa fins anyway
I was asking some questions from a pretty knowledgeable, upfront sales guy that I know pretty well and have been on a couple group rides with. He also works at a combo dealership, suzuki, kawi and yamaha, and he said sales are so poor with suzuki, especially the 1000's and busa's, that he had heard mentioned that suzi was possibly considering dropping the busa and replacing it with a tourer based off the busa platform to contend with the connie 14 and such, which is a much better market? They've also only sold one 14 with 4 on the floor. They only have one busa, a new leftover 2011. He said they're going to only sell the busa and 14 to order, so there won't be any more on the floor, you order it then they get it. He said suzuki is definately hit the worst though sales wise Everybody wants some new tech for the big pricetags.Sales are still doing terrible for Suzuki as well as the other Asian manufacturers. I know a salesman real well at a dealership and he said that the new 14's weren't exactly rolling out of the shop very fast. It's an expensive bike in a horrendous economy and I'm certain Suzuki is very aware of this and is watching to see how many bikes are actually sold. Just because all the boards are all raving about it and the magazines love it, the bottom line is how many are really moving off of the showroom floor. Does it make money sense for Suzuki to come out with a new model when the market for it is very limited.
The same salesman told me that they sold over 100 2008 busas but come next year when the economy really crashed, they had only sold 3 of the 2009's through July. Sales just stopped because of the bad economy and also because credit dried up. It became very difficult to qualify for a loan which stopped a lot of younger people from getting a loan. No loans.....no sales.
Harley's are still selling good but there are a lot of older people with money buying them. Even on this site; you don't really see many people buying new, current models of the busa. What I mostly see is people talking about getting their 2008 or 2009 for $8500 or $9000. Why buy new. Those are used bikes Suzuki already sold, not new units coming off of their floors. The manufacturers need people to buy new models and if the 14's aren't selling that good,then why would Suzuki have any incentive to come out with a Gen III. I would love to see a Gen III just for bragging rights because I do like Suzukis. However......would I actually sell my current pristine Gen I just to have the privelige to have to spend maybe $16,000 with taxes and fees just to have the latest and greatest? I doubt it. I would buy a new car first.
It may be fun to read about the horsepower wars but its very expensive to actually participate in them.
The busa is not more nimble than the new 14R and the 14 is smoother and more planted. Great suspension on the new 14 and also the brakes are very easy to modulate and very strong. Just my .02! Stock for Stock, no comparison.
I just rode the 2012 ZX14 at the Kawi Demo Days a week ago Saturday. I must say fishhook I disagree! The Kawi was bulky, much less nimble from side to side in the corners, and the brakes seemed dangerously weak!
I do value your opinion. But after that demo ride, on both the ZX14 and ZX10, for my riding style/preference, I'll take my 50,000 mile (I put 43,000 miles on myself) Gen 1 Hayabusa over either of those bikes brand new.
Was seriously thinking of getting this fugly bike but we only get the disgusting green in Canada and the 14 front end is so f--in ugly I couldnt do it.
Decided to go for this gen 1 not speed limited Busa with full akro and other goodies for less than half. I am sure the 14 is waay quicker and Kawa does make the best ram air, I really dont think Suzuki really cares that much what Kawasaki does, it took them 8 years just to add a lousy 40cc!.
I just rode the 2012 ZX14 at the Kawi Demo Days a week ago Saturday. I must say fishhook I disagree! The Kawi was bulky, much less nimble from side to side in the corners, and the brakes seemed dangerously weak!
I do value your opinion. But after that demo ride, on both the ZX14 and ZX10, for my riding style/preference, I'll take my 50,000 mile (I put 43,000 miles on myself) Gen 1 Hayabusa over either of those bikes brand new.
The brakes on my 06 14 are amazing, by far the strongest brakes I've ever used on a bike. I can't see the new 14R's being any worse. Somethings not right about that guys test ride ???The handling can be a matter of opinion, but the brakes??? There must have been something wrong with the one you rode. My stock 14R brakes are much stronger than My Gen II brakes with stainless lines and EBC Exreme Pro pads. They are worlds apart.
Yup all my ZX14s were ringers .. The 06 ran 8.70s , the 09 run 8.70s and my new ZX14R runs 8.50s on pump gas ...The ZX14 is easy to work on if you know what you are doing .. Anything you can buy for a busa you can buy for a zx14 ..Kawi has done this in the past with the ZX12 and the first Gen ZX14. They even sent ringers to riders like Rickey Gadson to promote sales,hype the speeds and 1/4 mile times. Suzuki will always dominate the market with these Hyperbikes because the Busas are easier to wok on and the aftermarket support is bigger for the Busa.
Yup all my ZX14s were ringers .. The 06 ran 8.70s , the 09 run 8.70s and my new ZX14R runs 8.50s on pump gas ...The ZX14 is easy to work on if you know what you are doing .. Anything you can buy for a busa you can buy for a zx14 ..
Stock motor times yes ..Were those stock times? And yes anything u buy for the Busa you can buy for the 14.