Suzuki has confirmed its barnstorming GSX1300R Hayabusa – or Busa to its legion of fans – will cease production this month as its engine no longer meets tough European emissions regulations.

The first production bike to reach 200mph (321km/h) was given the Japanese name for the peregrine falcon which is the world’s fastest bird at 200mph.

It was introduced in 1999 and a year later, Japanese and European motorcycle manufacturers agreed to impose a 300km/h limit on bikes to avoid a legislative ban on hyperbike speeds.

There has only been one significant update in 2008.

Although the emissions regulations that will end its illustrious career were introduced in January 2016, existing motorcycles had a grace period that ends on December 31.

Since most of the world now adopts the European emissions standards, Suzuki has decided to pull production.

In Australia, the final model is selling at $19,490 with free on-road costs.

It should become a collector’s item.

Busa revival?

There was hope that the bike would get a new lease of life with an upgraded engine and even turbocharging.

Instead, Suzuki has relaunched the revered Katana, powered by a long-stroke version of the fuel-injected 999cc inline-four engine from the GSX-R1000.

It produces 110kW at 10,000rpm and 108Nm of torque at 9500rpm.

That’s still a l;long way short of the Hayabusa. It originally had 129kW of power from its 1299cc four-cylinder engine but in its final guise produced 145kW.

Meanwhile, Suzuki Motorcycles Australia is taking deposits of $1000 on the 2019 Suzuki Katana.

They will be available in “limited numbers” and in two colour choices. Final pricing has not yet been revealed.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com