It’s becoming increasingly clear that the ‘Concept GSX’ sculpture that Suzuki revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show in October hints strongly at the shape of the next-generation Hayabusa.
Since the current GSX1300R isn’t believed to meet Euro4 emissions regulations, which come into force at the start of 2017 for all new motorcycles sold in the EU, it’s likely that its replacement will be revealed as part of Suzuki’s 2017 range.
The latest rumour from Japan suggests that the next-generation Hayabusa might even use a turbocharged engine. The suggestion is that the twin-cylinder turbo motor that was also shown at Tokyo this year will be doubled in size and turned into a four-cylinder turbo for the Hayabusa.
While that’s a possibility, and Suzuki has certainly filed patents for an advanced four-cylinder turbo bike design that includes F1-style hybrid technology including an electric motor that helps boost the bike’s torque when the turbo isn’t blowing, eliminating turbo lag, it’s likely that technology is still some way from being ready for production.
It’s more likely that the next Hayabusa will be a relatively conventional design, with a naturally-aspirated engine, but that it will take on the styling shown on the Concept GSX model and gain all the latest traction control, ABS and electronic suspension technology applied to the most modern of today’s superbikes. In terms of performance, the bike’s engine capacity is expected to be increased to 1400cc or more, helping overcome any loss caused by the need to meet the new emissions rules and ensuring that the bike still has the sort of torque and power needed to elevate its straight-line speed above the performance of 1000cc superbikes.