Return of a legend: new Hayabusa spied in Suzuki patent leaks

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For more than a year now it’s been impossible to buy a brand new Suzuki Hayabusa in Europe after the legendary hyperbike failed to meet Euro4 emissions limits – but it’s not gone forever. Suzuki engineers are hard at work on a completely revamped version.

In recent months several Suzuki patent applications have hinted at the next- gen Hayabusa’s looks and technology. It’s clear the new bike isn’t a completely clean-sheet design. The engine’s overall layout and many castings appear to survive, helping reduce development costs and providing a link to the original.

Normally-reliable sources in Japan say capacity will be hiked to around 1440cc, a route several manufacturers have recently taken in an effort to meet tougher emissions laws without losing performance. Power is likely to remain around 200hp but the extra cubes will bring an increase in torque and rideability.

Among the new patents are emissions-specific elements including a carbon canister to filter evaporating fuel fumes and another for a redesigned exhaust with enlarged collector box where two catalytic converters hide.

We can also see a new frame with slimmer main beams than the current bike. This also loses the cast-alloy extensions below the rider’s seat, instead having a conventional bolt-on subframe.

Where top speed was the original ’Busa’s main goal, modern 1000cc superbikes have caught up so Suzuki will emphasize the bike’s relative comfort and ability to swallow huge distances with minimal effort. A semi-automatic gearbox is key to that change.

It’s still based on the old six-speeder but, with electronic actuators to shift cogs and manipulate the clutch at the prod of a button, it’s not unlike Yamaha’s FJR1300A.

If all goes to plan we expect see the bike towards the end of 2020 as a 2021 model with styling likely to be similar to the ‘Concept GSX’ mock-up that was shown at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. Keep an eye on MCN for more as we get it.

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