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Hayabusa as track bike?

16K views 25 replies 20 participants last post by  Wag  
#1 ·
I have a 96 GSXR 750 that I bought last summer to get into track day riding. I also have a 2005 Busa that quite frankly sits in the garage more than it should. As the 96 is getting older and more "issues" can, will, and are needing attention, I have been toying with the idea of getting a second or newer track bike. However, with my Busa sitting there, I have been thinking to set it up for the track as well and trailer it over and get some track time on it. I have not heard of many people using the Busa on the track and was wondering what your opinions were if it was worth the effort or if I should cut my losses, sell the Busa and use the $ for a newer bike.


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#3 ·
It can be done, i have seen them in the Novice group a few times. Never seen one running an Advanced pace though.

Too big, too heavy, too much rotational mass, etc. For the money you would have to spend on brakes, suspension and lightening mods to make it worth a shit on the track, you could pick up a used, already prepped 600.
 
#5 ·
If you're just looking to have fun at track days, the Busa is quite capable enough to have fun at a fast intermediate pace. Want to be the fastest track day guy or race, you'll want a lighter bike with more ground clearance. The Busa will start dragging hard parts before you can use up your tire.
All true. I have a lot of fun but I'm not trying to set any records. The kind of track you ride can have a lot to do with it, too. Miller is ideal for a Busa. Other, tighter, more technical tracks: not so much.

I did, however, rebuild the suspension and put 1" lift in the rear and that helped tremendously with the dragging-hard-parts problem. :D

Some of my friends can really tear it up on the track on their Busas but I'm just not that hot of a rider.

--Wag--
 
#4 ·
If you're just looking to have fun at track days, the Busa is quite capable enough to have fun at a fast intermediate pace. Want to be the fastest track day guy or race, you'll want a lighter bike with more ground clearance. The Busa will start dragging hard parts before you can use up your tire.

Hell, even once upon a time there was a Busa in the old Formula One class...but it costs $$$$ to make.
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/features/122_0009_yoshimura_suzuki_hayabusa_x1/viewall.html

And here is Aaron Yates tearing it up on a Gen II Hayabusa streetbike test/demo

Image
 
#6 ·
The local street attire for a Busa owner here is tennis shoes or flip flops, cargo shorts, a white t-shirt, sunglasses, and a backwards baseball cap...

The "Busa" culture that is local to me, I wouldn't particularly want on the same track as myself... Now if you're not the average idiot I see in my are a on a Busa wearing no gear ... then maybe :).
 
#10 ·
Yeah, that's about how it is here. With EVERY cross section of the biking world. Insane. There is a SMALL handful of people who ATGATT. I think half of them live in my house. :frantic

drag strip it!
A guy I used to ride with was always trying to get me to drag race the Busa. I have absolutely no interest in going fast in a straight line. In fact, if I ever get a ticket, I'd rather have the one for going 50 in a 25 zone than the one for going 175 in the 75 zone.

:frantic

--Wag--
 
#9 ·
+1


I have seen guys bring ZX-14s, Busa's, as well as other heavy touring bike to a track day. If they get serious and start trying to go faster they obviously don't tend to stick with them to that end, but just to get started and off the street, it can certainly be done.
 
#12 ·
I've been doing track days on my 'Busa for many years with no issues. I can assure you of the fun factor - you will not be dissapointed. I used to actually ride to/from the track (and was called crazy and hard core for that), but now trail the bike. I also like the fact that this is the bike I know and feel - be it a track or the street.
 
#18 · (Edited)
Bodywork for the Busa will run $1000-$1500 from Catalyst. They are the only ones I found that carry racing plastics. I have a K9 I run at Mid-Ohio and it is A LOT of fun. I got pretty good and was in the top of the novice class. My last round out I ground off both my peg scraper bolts and drug my right fairing. I either had to drop $3000 into body, suspension, rear sets, etc, or go buy a track bike for $3000. I'll bet nobody would want to buy a tracked out Busa so you would end up getting nothing in resale value. I now have a 750 in my garage. I felt accomplished because I got to handle a bike that a lot of folks scoff at.

So you can track it and I suggest you do. You'll get some funny looks and lots of conversation about the beast. As for a dedicated track bike I wouldn't. If it's sitting in your garage doing nothing sell it for 5-6 grand and buy one hell of a track setup. I found myself looking to get the Busa stood up ASAP to take advantage of the brutal HP. To me track days are about more than playing to a bikes lopsided characteristics. It's about getting well rounded and finding the fastest line.

I almost got a GIXXER 1000 but even those can be a bit much, so I checked my ego and bought a 750. I was worried about the massive HP drop and after riding it around the block the smaller bike is plenty fast, albeit it feels like sitting in a lawn chair vs the comfy sofa that is the Busa.

BTW here is my fairing where it rubbed on the pavement. Look at the Galfer sticker, a pic of me in a turn.

Now get out there and have some FUN!!!!!
 

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#17 ·
Really depends on how serious you are...If fun is the dominant factor - fukc it - just hit it up with some good rubber. If you are going to try and lower your lap times...you want something lighter.

My local track is very tight - and i have similar issues with a gsxr1000. I am actually faster and enjoy a prepped 600 more on my local track, but i'm not out there to set records - just out to drag a few knees, get respectable times and enjoy - so fug it...i;ll keep the 1000 and ache for longer lol
Si
 
#20 ·
Personally, I think the Busa is an incredible bike.
Your only problem will be in the turns as the bike is far heaver than lesser CC bikes.
For a good performance track bike, it mist be light/nimble and have good power.
The 600/750 are extremely nimble however lacking power.
The busa is the opposite, tremendous power, but kind of on the chubby side...LOL
That only leaves one bike...the 1000
 
#21 ·
If you just want to get on the track, go for it. As they said, you will have plenty of fun. I have seen Triumph Sprints, Ducati Monsters and Sport Touring bikes and all kinds of other shit on the track. Those people had just as much fun as the next guy.

If you get serious about it, you will want/need something different. But to just go burn some laps and have fun, it will be fine.

I would love to ride a properly prepped Busa on the track one time. But i dont want to go through the money and effort to build a bike that i know will never be competitive.
 
#22 ·
I have seen Triumph Sprints, Ducati Monsters and Sport Touring bikes and all kinds of other shit on the track. Those people had just as much fun as the next guy.
If you get serious about it, you will want/need something different. But to just go burn some laps and have fun, it will be fine.
.
^^^This
 
#25 ·
Busa's are harder work on the more tight and twisty stuff but on fast sweepers and bumpy A roads, that weight and stability helps keep the bike more planted and stable.

I tracked mine a few times and like in the road, its a great feeling passing people of 'proper' sportsbikes,being an underdog can be fun..

The brakes are a real weak point thou, not up to the job and fade badly, loads of options to upgrade them thou.

This chap in Auz has a fantastic track Busa, 195kilos wet with the help of carbon fairings, BST wheels etc. He also tracks his road Busa for fun.

If you want to know more, ill post you the link ...or join www.ukbusas.org all the detail is on there
 

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