Newbie Help

[DOOM&GLOOM]

Yes I'm a middle F*ck'n aged !! and new to the sportbike world or should say out dated.
Yes I'm a HD rider, old school'd, not the new poser, HD poster boy type.
I have always wanted a Busa since it came out in 99, and 2 weeks ago I picked a used one.
03 Midnight Falcon( all black )and in OEM condition ,no mod's exempt adjustable risers, if you can believe this only 3000 kms one owner and in perfect condition for $8000.00. How can I say NO!
The last time I was on a sportbike was in the 80's. I know things have changed. ALOT!!!
Can anybody give some suggestions on what to expect on my first ride and some Do's and Dont's. Such as : average shift RPMS, any powerband(s) to watch for. Braking etc.
Sure I'm going to do the standard slow speed tests before going out, however I do respect the power of this bike.
Sure I have a 96" S&S long block stroker engine, heads ported polished and proffessionally flow tested with Ram air, DYNO'd, Compression of 13.5.1 , Dual 42 Mikuni's and the bike completely stripped of CRAP. YES it fast for a HD,but it still drives like a HD.
looking forward to some advise and experience.:cheers:

[Tybalt]

Yes I'm a middle F*ck'n aged !! and new to the sportbike world or should say out dated.
Yes I'm a HD rider, old school'd, not the new poser, HD poster boy type.
I have always wanted a Busa since it came out in 99, and 2 weeks ago I picked a used one.
03 Midnight Falcon( all black )and in OEM condition ,no mod's exempt adjustable risers, if you can believe this only 3000 kms one owner and in perfect condition for $8000.00. How can I say NO!
The last time I was on a sportbike was in the 80's. I know things have changed. ALOT!!!
Can anybody give some suggestions on what to expect on my first ride and some Do's and Dont's. Such as : average shift RPMS, any powerband(s) to watch for. Braking etc.
Sure I'm going to do the standard slow speed tests before going out, however I do respect the power of this bike.
Sure I have a 96" S&S long block stroker engine, heads ported polished and proffessionally flow tested with Ram air, DYNO'd, Compression of 13.5.1 , Dual 42 Mikuni's and the bike completely stripped of CRAP. YES it fast for a HD,but it still drives like a HD.
looking forward to some advise and experience.:cheers:
:cheers: welcome to the site, congrats on the hayabusa. pics?:whistling:

IMO the Busa is very smooth and nice to ride, its all in the wrist, this will be interesting responses from the different type of busa riders like recreational, sport rider, racer etc........

The Hayabusa is all about respect, respecting the machine, if you dont, it will throw you real hard and you can be in a world of hurt real fast! get to know the Busa, it responds beautifully, handling, performance, the all around most beautiful motorcycle with a split personality that can be down right evil!:devil flame:

I describe the Hayabusa as "AWESOME MACHINE":not worthy:-Duane

[s-r racing]

Jugding From your other bike I think everything will be fine, just use the same common sense with you wrist as you do with your other bike.

A Harly and a Hayabusa, what this world coming to, next thing ya know they be on a trailer together going to the strip, no thats wrong:surprise:

[WARputer]

Welcome Doom & Gloom ! I come from a Harley family ( see pic below ) and have always been the family black sheep for my sportbikes. :oh yeah:Anyway, main thing is ....respect that throttle ! One slip of the wrist and that baby will throw you off .....unlike the Harley's, which are very forgiving with the throttle control.

[DOOM&GLOOM]

I will send pics soon, I have to shrink them so they can attach.
I do have one other question, what is the braking like, is it one finger required?

I hear different descriptions from different experienced riders, but I keep hearing people say there a little bit spongy. HD's are spongy and require a handful of brake.

Can anybody enlighten me? THX:umm:

[WARputer]

Compared to your Harley .....no spongy, it'll be like night and day. Two fingers is all I need to throw my big butt up across the handlebars.:oh yeah:

[s-r racing]

Great looking ride,BTW. No handfuls for sure, Busa's have brakes to match their speed and then some. One or two fingers is plenty. Welcome to the Busanation too.

[Phoenix'08]

Welcome to busanation! Just show the same right hand respect you would show your HD. Youll be in fine shape! BTW nice bike!:cheers:

[PATRIOT]

D&G
Just get out and ride it , whether it be in the street , carpark at night or over the industrial estate.
You cant "feel" a bike through others words, you have to feel it yourself.
In saying that , you have a harley so you will be cracking the throttle , DONT do it on the bussa.
Change gears around 3000 rpm while getting used to it , once you get used to it build it up until you feel confident then on a freeway somewhere "roll it on" a bit and you will see She climbs "Quickly" but when it hits around 7000 rpm , HANG ON .

My busa is not smooth , if I hit the throttle , theres a delay for a millisecond and then it says " are you hanging on " and then throughs 170+ horsepower straight at you .
First time I cracked it I didnt want to take my hand of the handle bars to pull the clutch in to change to the next gear .
It will take you month before temping the "FULL throttle turn " .

[kml666]

I too have a black '03. I read some where that only 140 were made for Canada, but who knows if it's true. You might find the riding position uncomfortable at first compared to a Harley, give it time and it's a comfortable lond distance mount. Get ready to did into your retirement fund for tires. You got the good year '03s and up are as reliable as bricks, '02 and earlier had problems with the cam chain, fuel filter, and starter gear, but that's nothing you got to worry about.

Here's the service manual,
http://rapidshare.com/files/18487815/HayabusaServiceManual-1999-2000.pdf

the '01 and '02 updates,
http://rapidshare.com/files/5689668/Suzuki_Hayabusa-2001-update.pdf
http://rapidshare.com/files/5689669/Suzuki_Hayabusa-2002-update.pdf

and the microfiche.
http://rapidshare.com/files/5689667/Suzuki_Hayabusa_Microfiche.pdf

Good luck and welcome to the extended Busa family.
:cheers:

cheers
ken

oh, and seeing as how I'm a pic whore, here's mine.

http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/4920/2576334060102950911S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2576334060102950911BjomLa)