Top Performance Mods For The Suzuki Hayabusa

If you're Busa mad, it's easy to go a little crazy in search of speed and power: turbos, nitrous, adding good old high-compression pistons, a little porting, hotter cams—you get the picture. However, less extreme measures in adding horsepower, dropping weight, and improving handling can yield a Hayabusa that's oriented for all-around performance in the real world. No stretched swingarms or ground effects here. Suzuki's stately bird of prey deserves an update. Why wait for Suzuki to get on it?

Bazzaz Z-Fi TC: Bring the Hayabusa into the 21st century with real traction control. The stock Hayabusa features the archaic Suzuki Drive Mode Selector, which enables the rider to toggle between full power and two reduced power maps, but that's it. Amar Bazzaz, Mat Mladin's crew chief from back in the day, comes to the rescue with the Z-Fi TC module. Not only does it incorporate a fuel management system, it also adds dynamic traction control. Using rpm data (instead of data from wheelspin sensors), it determines slipping and then cuts ignition for milliseconds at a time. The system is fully tunable. Not only that, it incorporates a quickshift function that cuts ignition when the shift lever is actuated, allowing for open throttle upshifting, as on most modern sportbikes.

Yoshimura R-77 Race Full Exhaust System: Yoshimura and Suzuki go together like Amar Bazzaz and Mat Mladin. Replacing the Hayabusa's stock exhaust with an R-77 Race full system drops nearly 35 pounds and provides significant torque and horsepower gains. It features a single carbon can instead of the stock dual system.

Spiegler Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines: For a bike with power so alluring it's capable of egging on even the most restrained rider, the Hayabusa's binders are a bit on the subpar side. Not bad; just not great. The first step in improving the braking system is with all-new stainless steel braided brake lines that eliminate the flex that can occur in stock rubber hoses.

Magura HC3 Radial Master Cylinder: The Hayabusa got radial-mounted calipers in 2013 but still carries an axial master cylinder, which reduces the effectiveness of the calipers. If you're looking to really step up the braking game, a radial master cylinder will provide a more direct pressure point, increasing feel and upping your confidence under hard braking.

Marchesini M10RS Kompe Forged Aluminum Wheels: It's big money for sure, but a pair of forged aluminum wheels will cut unsprung weight, thereby improving acceleration, braking distances, and handling. The improved handling will give the illusion of major weight loss.

Öhlins 43mm Road & Track Forks And Rear Shock: With improved engine, braking, and handling performance, the Hayabusa's somewhat squishy suspension might not be up to the task, particularly in the twisties. The fully adjustable 46mm gas-type rear shock and 43mm cartridge-type front suspenders round out performance updates designed to bring the Hayabusa up to a higher sporting standard.

With all-around improvements and in the right hands, the Busa should have no trouble keeping up with racier literbikes in the twisties.