The Suzuki GSX 1300R, also known as the Hayabusa, is a hypersport motorcycle introduced in 1999. The name Hayabusa is the Japanese term for the Peregrine Falcon, known for its speed, and perhaps a joke at the expense of the Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird which was the fastest production motorcycle prior to the Hayabusa. The Peregrine Falcon is a predator of the common blackbird. Its extreme performance capability has also dubbed the bike as a “high abuser” of legal speed limits.

Afterwards, certain bikes were out to dare the Hayabusa top speed for a production motorcycle, including the BMW K1200S, the Kawasaki ZX-12R and the new ZX-14. And now Suzuki has decided for the 2008 model that they’ll not only revamp the super-bike, but will boost the size of the engine from 1299cc to 1340cc.

The compression power increases from 11.5:1 to 12.5:1. The 41cc increase in displacement stems from a 2mm increase in stroke giving each tube of the Inline-four a final spec of 81mm x 65mm (bore/stroke). Inside, there’s a new three-ring aluminum alloy forged slipper piston. The motor also gets a new set of titanium valves for intake and exhaust. The sizes haven’t changed, but the alternative metal has reduced the weight.

A little technology pulled from the GSX-R line is the Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (S-DMS) which provides three options of power delivery. A 4-2-1-2 exhaust which meets Euro 3 and Tier 2 emission regulations has been attached. Overall length has increased to 86.6 inches while the wheelbase is same. A 15mm higher windscreen and vertically stacked dual headlights are a part of the new look. The seat and rear sub-frame have been lowered by 17mm.

A pair of 310 mm balanced front rotors (10 mm smaller) offer less unsprung weight and are pinched by new Tokico radial-mount calipers. The single-piston rear caliper grabs a larger 260mm rotor (+20mm). There’s a Diamond like Coating (DLC) on the lower section of the inverted fork for less stiction. The steering geometry is virtually indistinguishable at 24.2 degrees of rake and 98mm of trail, an increase of 1 mm.

The revamped instrument cluster now features four analog meters for speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge and water temperature with a new S-DMS mode indicator, gear position indicator and adjustable engine rpm indicator.

Since its introduction, the major Japanese motorcycle manufacturer realized that the power and speed wars among flagship sports bike would not end and would eventually lead to increased government regulations, an unfavorable public image due to more fatal accidents and higher insurance premiums.

The new Hayabusa will be available in Orange, Blue, and Black. Expect to see this ‘fiend’ sometime in October with a price tag of $11,999.