Hayabusa Reaches for the Sky in 230 MPH Run

Robert Emslie

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This video is a few years old, but it’s still pretty remarkable. In it, a turbo Suzuki Hayabusa rider pegs the speedo at 220 kph, while the tach keeps climbing. We get to go along for the ride. Click through for the butt-clenching trip.

[youtube width=”640″ height=”475″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IxSjuMUCE&feature=related[/youtube]

What’s amazing is the initial wheelie that doesn’t even slow the inexorable climb of both rev counter and speedo needle, and when the road ahead finally comes into view, it’s nothing but a blur. Good reason these engines are venerated for their capabilities.
 

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Robert Emslie

Robert Emslie

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9 responses to “Hayabusa Reaches for the Sky in 230 MPH Run”

  1. acarr260 Avatar
    acarr260

    Paging Mr. Ghost Rider, there is a call for you on line 2.

    Reply
  2. tonyola Avatar
    tonyola

    Does it look like this guy is pushing the revs deep into the red zone? Hope this is is own motorcycle and not someone else's.

    Reply
    1. dculberson Avatar
      dculberson

      The color balance must be off on the camera or something; the Hayabusa's red line is 11,000 rpm and not the 9,000 rpm that it looks like in the video. 9k to 11k is probably yellow or orange.

      Reply
  3. Matt Avatar
    Matt

    Love this video.
    One thing to consider is that the gearing in this bike is most likely altered for extreme acceleration. An indicated 230 mph might only be 160-170 REAL mph.
    Even stock, most motorcycle speedos are hopelessly optimistic – my VFR750 (with stock gearing) indicates 85 mph while on the highway keeping up with traffic (which I assume is moving at 70-75 mph). Ridden past cops at this indicated speed without them batting an eye. With a GPS going it indicates the speedo is about 10-12 mph fast.

    Reply
    1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
      Peter Tanshanomi

      Sounds about right. Most motorcycle speedometers are about 10-12% optimistic with a stock wheel and tire.

      Reply
  4. muthalovin Avatar
    muthalovin

    There always need to be a grain of salt taken with these on-board high-speed runs. Sure, it looks like he is going that fast, but, as pointed out above, indicated is different from actual. Also, the quality of the video camera will affect what it looks like. If there is a ton of blur, its probably shot at very low frame rates. Slap a Red One on a turbo 'busa.

    Reply
  5. Rust-MyEnemy Avatar
    Rust-MyEnemy

    I saw a 'busa parked outside a seafront bar in Larnaca, Cyprus once. On closer inspection it had a turbo rather nicely plumbed in, and a more general glance revealed two blatantly obvious nitrous tanks aft of the rearmost pegs.
    I remember wondering just where the hell there's a road on Cyprus where that thing would be properly useable. Then it occured to me that beasts like that are probably more about dyno bragging rights than actual rideability.
    I still wouldn't mind trying it, though.

    Reply
  6. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
    Peter Tanshanomi

    'Busa riders are to the motorcycle set what fart cans and drifting are to the 4-wheeled world: a thorough embarrassment 90% of the time. If somebody has a 'Busa, it's a winning bet that it's got a chrome extended swingarm, garish custom paint, or both. The owner will of course wear all Icon gear, and say "yea-bo-y-ieeee" between every sentence.

    Reply
    1. IronBallsMcG Avatar
      IronBallsMcG

      I have an acquaintance in his mid-fifties who uses his as a GT. I have to say the idea appeals to me occasionally and I've considered buying one when it's time for a replacement for the current ride. Unfortunately buying used is almost an impossibility because of the high molestation factor.

      Reply