A Hayabusa here on RSBFS? I know posting this bike will make some readers question whether I have lost my mind by submitting this as a Rare Sportbike but keep reading and I think I can convince you that this bike is something a serious collector should consider acquiring.
Anyone who has been involved in building a motorcycle collection has a few bikes that they regret not buying back when they were “cheap as chips”. Usually these bikes were introduced with great fanfare but then became commonplace so no one thought of them as future classics until the price started to go up 10-15 years later. Examples include the Ducati 916, 1st edition Honda CBR900RR/Fireblade, Suzuki GSX-750 “Slabbie” and “Slingshot” editions, etc.
Here we have a 1st year/1999 Suzuki Hayabusa 1300. When the Hayabusa was introduced in 1999, it was Suzuki entry in the big bore horsepower war and offered speeds over 185 mph (thats over 300 kph for our non-imperial readers). The Hayabusa not only dethroned the Kawasaki ZX12 as the fastest production motorcycle but a subsequent agreement between the Japanese and European manufacturers to limit their motorccycles to 186 mph/300 kph meant that that Hayabusa’s top speed title would be unchallengable until the agreement lapsed. The Hayabusa remained the top speed champ for almost ten years, finally being dethroned in 2009 by the BMW S1000RR.
1999 Suzuki Hayabusa on ebay
Now while the Hayabusa has grown into a huge success for Suzuki and a favorite of customizers, it didn’t start out that way. 1999 was the first year of the Hayabusa bike and when it was introduced it actually didn’t sell that well. Consider the following quotes from the Hayabusa entry on Wikipedia:
Typically, a new sportbike model sells well in its first year, and then sees its numbers decline every year as it grows older. The Hayabusa reversed this pattern, selling in greater numbers every year from the 1999 launch through the 2008 revision. Sales in the United States have increased year after year since its release in 1999 and have gone from just a few thousand units in 1999 to over 10,000 in 2006.
So in effect what we have here is a 1st edition/1st year of a bike that broke records, a bike that didn’t sell that well when it was introduced, and looks to be in pristine condition. Mileage on the bike is a very low 3501 miles and condition looks to be perfect. 1st year/1st edition bikes in pristine condition are typically the most desirable for collector so I think this is something a serious collector should consider.
Now we come to the question of what is this 1st year Hayabusa worth? The last one I saw like this had a Buy It Now went for $5,900 USD but had a bit less miles (NOTE: That auction ended early so it may have gone for a bit less). Current bidding on this one is already at $4,550 USD which I think is an outstanding price for what looks to be a bone-stock 1st year Hayabusa.
Sure its not going to win any awards at a bike show or draw much attention at bike night, but over time a pristine 1st edition could very well be something worth having in a collection.
-Marty/Dallaslavowner
I had the black and gray one a few years ago that was totally stock minus a nice full Yoshi system. Paod $1,500 for it from an estate sale as a non runner. Only needed a fuel pump. Rode it once and sold it. Too much bike. In ten years when you can’t find them ill regret it I’m sure.
the stretched/lowered chromed out busa is such a cliche ride for the “go fast” crowd where I live (only in a straight line)
Say what you will, this is one amazing motorcycle. The 1999 unrestricted version changed the world. My Hayabusa sits in a room with other great Japanese superbikes where it belongs. From the power/performance breakthrough to the aerodynamic fairing, it foreshadowed the world to come. One ride is all it takes!
1947Indian
I have an 08 busa and its the best bike I have ever ridden. I have other bikes which I like for other reasons but the busa screams quality engineering from the moment you sit on it and start accelerating. It’s a testament to what Japanese motorcycle quality is all about. While the zx14 is faster it still doesn’t compare from a rider feel perspective.
Also the after-market support for the busa is redonkulous.
I think its collectable maybe not rare yet. The first year bikes unmolested and chromed out are rare in my region. They are popular with the starbucks bike night crews that do burnouts and bang their bikes off of the rev limiter relentlessly. I would love to have a clean busa with some handling/comfort mods. It needs no performance stuff unless you want a different exhaust. Also this is my least favorite color scheme available on first year bikes…
The colour scheme may not be to everyone’s tastes but when you see a Hayabusa in these colours, it can only be the original unrestricted bike. One year only offering and somewhat off-putting when new means low numbers and higher future values.
This bike belongs on this website, no question.