New Busa vs. Old Busa vs. ZZR1400
Discussion
Looking at new bike options, I bought a CB1300-A5 back in April but finding it too dull, its a very good bike but not particularly thrilling, bought for commuter duties but those have now ceased.
Tomorrow I am riding a ZZR1400 for the first time, to a garage to try a 2012 Hayabusa.. but looking am my budget, it seems a pre-07 Busa is all I can stretch to at the moment.
I used to ride a ZZR1100 and loved it, plus tried a Blackbird also. Always wanted a Hayabusa since father had a new one back in 2003.
Has anyone ridden all three and can offer any comments/thoughts?
Tomorrow I am riding a ZZR1400 for the first time, to a garage to try a 2012 Hayabusa.. but looking am my budget, it seems a pre-07 Busa is all I can stretch to at the moment.
I used to ride a ZZR1100 and loved it, plus tried a Blackbird also. Always wanted a Hayabusa since father had a new one back in 2003.
Has anyone ridden all three and can offer any comments/thoughts?
Old Hayabusa is a great bike but it's not really a sports bike - it does feel older tech and heavy, new Hayabusa has better everything especially brakes and handling. The ZZR1400 has better handling than the old busa and possibly better than the new too, but it needs some work to get rid of the low speed lack of power. I'd have the ZZR or the BMW 1300.
As stock, the New Busa weighs more than the old one...and whilst the forks/motor/brakes are improved on the Gen 2 Busa, the frame isnt, so wheelbase is similar, they handle pretty much the same from my brief expierence..so you can find a well looked after Gen 1 Busa "handles" better than a leggy, well used Gen 2, the earliest of which is now 7 years old now..
A took my (first) Busa on a few trackdays, which I enjoyed far more than speed testing it on a runway ,they take more muscle to hustle, understeer a tad(like all these sports tourers do..)the brakes lack initial bite with stock pads and fade after repeated abuse (only at Rockingham and on the Route Napoleon) but dont be fooled, they handle well enough and are totally stable on the bumpiest of roads to make the rider the factor on which is "quickest" on the local A route..
The Gen1 is very easy to get more power from and upgade, as I understand it, the Gen 1 motor is far more tuneable and most of the records being set at Top Speed events by Hayabusas are Gen 1 models but no doubt, as a road bike the Gen 2 is a better place to start from, depends if you have the money to pay for it in one hit or fancy upgrading a Gen 1 over time.
I had the money to buy a brand new Busa in 2009 but didnt think it was worth the extra cash..and IMHO looks worse, especially the back end( a case frequently debated on the Hayabusa forum!)...by chance I came across a mint Gen 1 in the original launch colours and had to buy it..havent used it much in the last 12 months but it is a lovely thing to own and ride, certainly way more clout than a Blackbird.
As for the ZZR, I also went to buy one of these in 2009, it was on a 0% deal at a lcoal dealer and I visited with the intention of putting a deposit down but I just couldnt get over the looks of it, ive no doubt all the road tests are true and its a much better bike than the newer Busa but Hayabusa means something to me, its a bit of a motorcycle legend , a prescence and the ZZR never quite had the same appeal.
Id test ride them all and make your own mind up.
A took my (first) Busa on a few trackdays, which I enjoyed far more than speed testing it on a runway ,they take more muscle to hustle, understeer a tad(like all these sports tourers do..)the brakes lack initial bite with stock pads and fade after repeated abuse (only at Rockingham and on the Route Napoleon) but dont be fooled, they handle well enough and are totally stable on the bumpiest of roads to make the rider the factor on which is "quickest" on the local A route..
The Gen1 is very easy to get more power from and upgade, as I understand it, the Gen 1 motor is far more tuneable and most of the records being set at Top Speed events by Hayabusas are Gen 1 models but no doubt, as a road bike the Gen 2 is a better place to start from, depends if you have the money to pay for it in one hit or fancy upgrading a Gen 1 over time.
I had the money to buy a brand new Busa in 2009 but didnt think it was worth the extra cash..and IMHO looks worse, especially the back end( a case frequently debated on the Hayabusa forum!)...by chance I came across a mint Gen 1 in the original launch colours and had to buy it..havent used it much in the last 12 months but it is a lovely thing to own and ride, certainly way more clout than a Blackbird.
As for the ZZR, I also went to buy one of these in 2009, it was on a 0% deal at a lcoal dealer and I visited with the intention of putting a deposit down but I just couldnt get over the looks of it, ive no doubt all the road tests are true and its a much better bike than the newer Busa but Hayabusa means something to me, its a bit of a motorcycle legend , a prescence and the ZZR never quite had the same appeal.
Id test ride them all and make your own mind up.
I picked up a gen 1 busa a couple of weeks ago for commuting duties and am absolutely loving it. It handles well, the motor has power and torque everywhere, and it is surprisingly comfortable. The down sides are that the brakes aren't great (especially compared to modern kit) and the speed is deceptive so you can find yourself travelling much faster than you thought you were. It doesn't handle anywhere near as good as a pure sportsbike, it is much more 'friendly', but don't be fooled. These things can still be hustled down the road.
Collect in a week or so, will stick up a photo when I get onto a desktop. Very happy! Its all the bike I want. I had a 2014 ZZR earlier this year - did 1000 miles and sold it. Also had a 2011 Busa a few years ago. Both mental! Preferred the ZZR as it had more gizmos, traction, abs etc....
Take them both out - I'd get the face lifted Busa. Not sure on prices though.
Doh! Just read your post above! Congrats on the face lifted busa!!!
Take them both out - I'd get the face lifted Busa. Not sure on prices though.
Doh! Just read your post above! Congrats on the face lifted busa!!!
I had a 2014 ZZR earlier this year - did 1000 miles and sold it. Also had a 2011 Busa a few years ago. Both mental! Preferred the ZZR as it had more gizmos, traction, abs etc....
Take them both out - I'd get the face lifted Busa. Not sure on prices though.
Doh! Just read your post above! Congrats on the face lifted busa!!!
Take them both out - I'd get the face lifted Busa. Not sure on prices though.
Doh! Just read your post above! Congrats on the face lifted busa!!!
Renn Sport said:
Busa looks great but I think the ZZR is just something else altogether and takes the game further on.
I guess it comes down to what you prefer in the end of the day.
I only rode a 2006 ZZR1400 and didn't like it, I know the newer ZZR1400 is better again but way out of my budget. I guess it comes down to what you prefer in the end of the day.
I'd vote ZZR.
Old Busa now feels old, New Busa has tonnes of grunt right from the start but it's a big lump and not actually very comfortable, the ZZR is soft and gentle, light and nimble till 5K when it's arse catches fire and I would honestly say it feels quicker than the 'busa, more comfortable and generally more refined. It also has massively better brakes.
Old Busa now feels old, New Busa has tonnes of grunt right from the start but it's a big lump and not actually very comfortable, the ZZR is soft and gentle, light and nimble till 5K when it's arse catches fire and I would honestly say it feels quicker than the 'busa, more comfortable and generally more refined. It also has massively better brakes.
mel said:
I'd vote ZZR.
Old Busa now feels old, New Busa has tonnes of grunt right from the start but it's a big lump and not actually very comfortable, the ZZR is soft and gentle, light and nimble till 5K when it's arse catches fire and I would honestly say it feels quicker than the 'busa, more comfortable and generally more refined. It also has massively better brakes.
OP has already bought a bike.Old Busa now feels old, New Busa has tonnes of grunt right from the start but it's a big lump and not actually very comfortable, the ZZR is soft and gentle, light and nimble till 5K when it's arse catches fire and I would honestly say it feels quicker than the 'busa, more comfortable and generally more refined. It also has massively better brakes.
Busa had always been on my dream list of bikes to own until I sat on one, and the reality was I don't fit very well on a Gen II Busa. No doubt about it though, they are good bikes, iconic even. You won't be disappointed with your new purchase!
I bought a 13 plate ZZR a few months ago. Fit me like a glove, made me laugh out loud in my helmet when I pinned it for the first time in 3rd. Amazing thing, shame I only had it for 4 weeks before a Swiss gentleman stuffed me from behind on the Isle of Man! Got it back now, repaired, just waiting for the insurance people to stop fannying about and close the claim so I can get 5 years no claims back and reinsure the thing!
I bought a 13 plate ZZR a few months ago. Fit me like a glove, made me laugh out loud in my helmet when I pinned it for the first time in 3rd. Amazing thing, shame I only had it for 4 weeks before a Swiss gentleman stuffed me from behind on the Isle of Man! Got it back now, repaired, just waiting for the insurance people to stop fannying about and close the claim so I can get 5 years no claims back and reinsure the thing!
I just got a 2009 'busa in an end of season sale a bike nut i know was having. I've also taken a 1980 Honda CB900F in a 2 bike swoop. Early indications having given the big Suzuki a good service and new tyres is that it's a peach for just £4,500. This one has a bar riser kit fitted and is very comfortable as a result. Nice bike. Car owners can only dream about sub 3 seconds to 60, sub 6 seconds to 100 and 195 mph top end for this kind of dosh.
Jazoli said:
I had a Hayabusa for a short time, the grunt was fantastic but the proper old school riding position prompted me to sell it fairly quickly, I remember the brakes being f
king awful though!
The Gen 2 i have got has good 4-piston radial brakes as stamdard, but it's all down to what you expect. The brakes on the very first R1 were not as good as this bike yet few people mentioned it at the time. The big 1340 is never going to be a great track day tool, or demon late-braker, but it's a continent crosser which can piss Lambo owners off at will. For the money these bikes are fabulous. I took it to 180 in 5th gear yesterday and it was steady, stable and even quite quiet.king awful though!Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff