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Thread: This is why I didn't buy a busa

Created on: 06/02/25 10:49 AM

Replies: 5

Rook


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Joined: 03/28/09

Posts: 21821

This is why I didn't buy a busa
06/02/25 10:49 AM

I encourage you to watch the whole thing but if you want to cut to the chase, 15:27

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tkNLVyBe-A

An 800 cc naked bike.

I really love these big bikes but it made absolutely no sense at all to update a hyperbike and give it less power. I know the 14R has its hands full with any liter bike in the last fifteen years but at least Kawasaki has the sense to make a new bike faster instead of slower.

I can’t bring my Hayabusa brothers down by posting this on the org. I think everyone has been holding their head back rubbing their chin and not saying anything. We all know the Hayabusa chose to slink away from the challenge of the ZX-14R but it’s simply outrageous that they gave it LESS power than the previous gen. I know most of us never put these bikes to the test on the street but you want to know they could do what they were made to do if you wanted and after you paid for it.

…so the Hayabusa has become the Harley Davidson of sport bikes. It’s shameful. That Gen3 is pretty but I would be a lot more excited to own a Gen1. Already have the Gen2 and it’s a great bike. OMG did Suz drop the ball on the Gen3 busa. It’s really f-d up but I’d be looking at selling off a Gen3 to buy a used Gen1. I’ve been following this for years and I’m very confident I made the right choice. Great big fat hyperbike, you go with a 14R and you ride it for what it is. The Hayabusa is kind of starting to suck a little bit. How can such an iconic bike take a big step backwards? It’s embarrassing. Make a Gen4 that's actually good or just get rid of it. They won't get rid of it. Too many people want to own it for what it was 20 years ago but now it isn't. It's worse.


* Last updated by: Rook on 6/2/2025 @ 10:59 AM *



08 MIDNIGHT SAPPHIRE BLUE ZX-14 Now Deceased, will be resurected 2024 ZX-14R bran friggin NEW!

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Hub


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Joined: 02/05/09

Posts: 14003

RE: This is why I didn't buy a busa
06/02/25 4:02 PM

Assist>

Rook, you do know Kawi is the king of power, right? H2, Z1, etc. Suzuki was more an exercise for sales. Then suz listened to their customers I read somewhere, which said they wanted comfort, this and that, no mentioning more HP.

You get what you ask for. Just need kawi to up the 1441 and more HP. More like a 7 second bike out of the crate.

Interesting that MV gave it a battle at the roll-on. Weight difference will do it seems like.

Besides, who cares. The 14 spanks for now. 1340 should have stopped you seeing such a smaller cc.

And a used gen 1 is even money, being the compression loss of used vs. new.

Gotta go with the best bike needed for the 1/4 mile and it ain't a busa mod for mod.

I think even Ricky is on a 14 to stay competitive, right? He could get any sponsor basically.



Tormenting the motorcycling community one post at a time

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Rook


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Joined: 03/28/09

Posts: 21821

RE: This is why I didn't buy a busa
06/02/25 5:20 PM

Then suz listened to their customers I read somewhere, which said they wanted comfort, this and that, no mentioning more HP.

Yes, that's been the response when I've whined about this in the past on the org. The following asked for electronics, updated styling and more power down low. They got it. I bet the the TTS supercharger will be something a lot of busa owners go with though. I'm sure a large number of loyal owners are aging into the zone where you stop taking chances so much. Heck, I'm even in that demographic myself but I still want to know the bike can get it done when it needs too. As far as the TTS supercharger, the boosted 14R was still outdoing the boosted Gen3 Hayabusa the last time I looked.

Interesting that MV gave it a battle at the roll-on. Weight difference will do it seems like.

Who knows Hub, that busa should catch up in a long enough race but only because the Brutale tops out at only 152. I expect a bit more, especially if they beefed up the low end/midrange torque on the Hayabusa. If power to weight means that much even given the discrepancy in horsepower, they would have been better off to make the Gen3 Hayabusa smaller. ...but as you said, it's all marketing, they made what would sell.



08 MIDNIGHT SAPPHIRE BLUE ZX-14 Now Deceased, will be resurected 2024 ZX-14R bran friggin NEW!

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mark3evo


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Joined: 03/14/23

Posts: 16

RE&#x3a&#x3b; This is why I didn&#x27&#x3b;t buy a busa
04/04/26 12:54 PM

i own a 2010 Gen2 busa since 2010 New

i test rode a Busa Gen3 back in 2021, it was a nice bike better brakes and handled really well
quick off the mark but runs out of beans by 10k

s0 i went the 1441 route for my L0 MODEL , 102,000 MILES engine stripped and rebuilt 1441, highlift cams , gas flowed head, CP Pistons and Wossner rods with 13.5:1 cr

214hp with 127 lbft done 17,000 miles on this now pulls well in any gear , makes my 206hp ZX14R feel slow

so i need to tweak the map see if i can extract more hp and torque for the Zed

datalogger
40-130 in 4th busa 7.77 secs
40-130 in 4th ZX14 8.50 secs

[/youtube]https://youtu.be/ddkXnmemWts?si=c5vc8Ri80h6uTChr[/youtube]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ddkXnmemWts?si=pB4pKQEZovxC6NiY" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

https://youtu.be/ddkXnmemWts?si=c5vc8Ri80h6uTChr


* Last updated by: mark3evo on 4/4/2026 @ 1:05 PM *



2016 ZZR1400, with dual yoshi, decatted and flashed, Nitron rear shock 205.9hp and 122 ftlb AND 2010 Gen2 busa akra 4:1,,ported gas flowed head, big cams reflash mapped caerbon wheels 1441cc 214hp and 127 ftlb top speed measured at 195mph timing lights

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Rook


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Joined: 03/28/09

Posts: 21821

RE: This is why I didn't buy a busa
04/05/26 3:48 AM

mark3evo:

https://zx14ninjaforum.com/messages.cfm?threadid=A2EE0AB0-FC78-3E6B-B2AD383813905F19



08 MIDNIGHT SAPPHIRE BLUE ZX-14 Now Deceased, will be resurected 2024 ZX-14R bran friggin NEW!

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Rook


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Joined: 03/28/09

Posts: 21821

RE: This is why I didn't buy a busa
04/05/26 4:07 AM

I see the video when I copy/paste it. Father Christmas is tuning your bike! ..just a chide, I look like Father Christmas without my hair too.

You made the right choice. The 14R is a stronger bike and that's why I got it too. I still can't escape the allure of the busa. I got a 2026 because it looked too good not to. Still, I'm seeing Gen3 busa owners excited by 185 hp and that's what the 14R has right out of the crate. I'm not so sure it matters a lot. Who the hell rides like that anymore if they're still alive? At the same time, who doesn't want that?

214hp with 127 lbft done 17,000 miles on this now pulls well in any gear , makes my 206hp ZX14R feel slow

Congrats, I can't use it often but I'd take it for sure! My dream is a turbo 14R and I'll find somewhere to put it to the limits. Street, I'm just not interested in tempting fate anymore. A measly 185 hp Gen3 busa will be ok with me. Of course, I'll take 200+ if I can get it but the fact is, I can't see riding like that anymore. My 190 hp Gen1 ZX-14 almost killed me and it killed itself which hurt at least as much.



08 MIDNIGHT SAPPHIRE BLUE ZX-14 Now Deceased, will be resurected 2024 ZX-14R bran friggin NEW!

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