I'm bored at work, so maybe just a quick mid-February essay on the iconic status of the Hayabusa...
There is no Hall Of Fame for American Icons, but I suppose if there were, the Hayabusa would either be in the Hall already, or on the ballot this year. Would you vote her in?
In the world of motorcycles, there are a few models with name recognition outside of our special interest group, you know, like the Gold Wing. A couple of years ago, my nephew was sitting through a university economics class. He didn't tell me the context, but the professor mentioned the Suzuki Hayabusa. My nephew leaned over to his classmate and said proudly: "my uncle rides one of those." They both knew exactly what it was, as did most of the class.
What does it take to become an icon? There are plenty out there... Levis 501's, The Fender Stratocaster, The Apple Mac, etc.
I'm often entertained by products that constantly compare themselves to the "icon", whatever it may be. "The Ford Fusion beats Camry and Accord in these 3 pointless areas", for example. In our world of motorcycles, compared to the Hayabusa, there are bikes that are faster, lighter, more comfortable, better handling, better looking (highly subjective), cheaper, whatever. It doesn't matter. The Hayabusa seems to be the bar by which others are judged. I'm fine with that. I don't care that the S1000RR and the ZX-14 have eclipsed the capabilities of the Busa. If you are in mixed company and mention "S1000RR", you may get some blank stares.
It's always fun to be on the road and pull into a gas station or motel parking lot and see people come over and strike up a conversation about the Hayabusa. It's even more entertaining to see my riding partner try to get focus shifted to whatever he is riding. My Hayabusa is a people magnet. On one trip a few years ago, I remember he was riding a K1200R. On paper, his bike was just as capable as mine... but no cigar. He couldn't even get anyone to take a look. All conversation was about the big Suzuki.
Not long after I bought the bike, I was at a gas station near home. A rough biker dude pulled in on his shovel, put down the kickstand, and looked my way. He was wearing colors of some kind, and really fit the stereotypical definition of a one percenter. I was uncomfortable. After a long stare, he walked my way. I wasn't sure if I should pump gas or walk inside. Looking at the bike, he simply stated (spelling changed): "That's a bad ace mother forker". We chatted for a brief minute, and he had to tell me about his friends cousin that had one of those, etc., etc.
The Hayabusa has been in production for 17 years. There has only ever been one major model change. Many see this as a con rather than a pro, but the fact is that the model has endured the test of time. Many believe that the body style is dated, but I believe that the body style is timeless, and not trendy. It's a work of art. It has endured, regardless of personal opinion.
Unlike the Ninja, another recognizable name, Suzuki very wisely never turned the Hayabusa into a family of bikes to try to make a buck off the name. There is no Hayabusa 250. There is never discussion about the merits of the Hayabusa 883 vs the Hayabusa 1200. They didn't even tack another 100 cc on to the displacement every other year and call it redesigned like some makers have done. It just is simply the Hayabusa GSX1300R and always has been. It stands on it's own. No excuses, no justification, no apologies.
I may have my facts wrong here, and my memory is not that great, but I did read a story over a decade ago about a young man from California who set out on an adventure to look up an old flame in Texas. The trip was made on some old Yamaha road bike. He struck out on the girl, but made it home with a new passion for touring the back roads via motorcycle. He chronicled his motorcycle "upgrades" and quickly ended up on the Hayabusa. Pashnit... did I miss anything here? Is this story still available on the web anywhere? It was a good read, and very influential.
At the time that I read that exciting story, I think I was riding a 1984 Shadow 500. I knew in my heart that I would one day own a Hayabusa. I had to get here in a roundabout way, trying out the Harley lifestyle and the BMW lifestyle along the way, but I did finally arrive. I'm riding the icon, and I wouldn't trade it.
There is no Hall Of Fame for American Icons, but I suppose if there were, the Hayabusa would either be in the Hall already, or on the ballot this year. Would you vote her in?
In the world of motorcycles, there are a few models with name recognition outside of our special interest group, you know, like the Gold Wing. A couple of years ago, my nephew was sitting through a university economics class. He didn't tell me the context, but the professor mentioned the Suzuki Hayabusa. My nephew leaned over to his classmate and said proudly: "my uncle rides one of those." They both knew exactly what it was, as did most of the class.
What does it take to become an icon? There are plenty out there... Levis 501's, The Fender Stratocaster, The Apple Mac, etc.
I'm often entertained by products that constantly compare themselves to the "icon", whatever it may be. "The Ford Fusion beats Camry and Accord in these 3 pointless areas", for example. In our world of motorcycles, compared to the Hayabusa, there are bikes that are faster, lighter, more comfortable, better handling, better looking (highly subjective), cheaper, whatever. It doesn't matter. The Hayabusa seems to be the bar by which others are judged. I'm fine with that. I don't care that the S1000RR and the ZX-14 have eclipsed the capabilities of the Busa. If you are in mixed company and mention "S1000RR", you may get some blank stares.
It's always fun to be on the road and pull into a gas station or motel parking lot and see people come over and strike up a conversation about the Hayabusa. It's even more entertaining to see my riding partner try to get focus shifted to whatever he is riding. My Hayabusa is a people magnet. On one trip a few years ago, I remember he was riding a K1200R. On paper, his bike was just as capable as mine... but no cigar. He couldn't even get anyone to take a look. All conversation was about the big Suzuki.
Not long after I bought the bike, I was at a gas station near home. A rough biker dude pulled in on his shovel, put down the kickstand, and looked my way. He was wearing colors of some kind, and really fit the stereotypical definition of a one percenter. I was uncomfortable. After a long stare, he walked my way. I wasn't sure if I should pump gas or walk inside. Looking at the bike, he simply stated (spelling changed): "That's a bad ace mother forker". We chatted for a brief minute, and he had to tell me about his friends cousin that had one of those, etc., etc.
The Hayabusa has been in production for 17 years. There has only ever been one major model change. Many see this as a con rather than a pro, but the fact is that the model has endured the test of time. Many believe that the body style is dated, but I believe that the body style is timeless, and not trendy. It's a work of art. It has endured, regardless of personal opinion.
Unlike the Ninja, another recognizable name, Suzuki very wisely never turned the Hayabusa into a family of bikes to try to make a buck off the name. There is no Hayabusa 250. There is never discussion about the merits of the Hayabusa 883 vs the Hayabusa 1200. They didn't even tack another 100 cc on to the displacement every other year and call it redesigned like some makers have done. It just is simply the Hayabusa GSX1300R and always has been. It stands on it's own. No excuses, no justification, no apologies.
I may have my facts wrong here, and my memory is not that great, but I did read a story over a decade ago about a young man from California who set out on an adventure to look up an old flame in Texas. The trip was made on some old Yamaha road bike. He struck out on the girl, but made it home with a new passion for touring the back roads via motorcycle. He chronicled his motorcycle "upgrades" and quickly ended up on the Hayabusa. Pashnit... did I miss anything here? Is this story still available on the web anywhere? It was a good read, and very influential.
At the time that I read that exciting story, I think I was riding a 1984 Shadow 500. I knew in my heart that I would one day own a Hayabusa. I had to get here in a roundabout way, trying out the Harley lifestyle and the BMW lifestyle along the way, but I did finally arrive. I'm riding the icon, and I wouldn't trade it.