The Motorcycle That Proves Suzuki Still Knows Best
Suzuki has made some incredible motorcycles over the decades, even though it has usually been one of the smallest Japanese motorcycle manufacturers. The philosophy it follows is one of doing things slowly but getting it right the first time, and once it engineers a winning formula, it doesn’t mess with it. If you look at Suzuki's range, it is full of if-it-ain't-broke-don't-fix-it models. But there is one model that Suzuki made that hit it out of the park.
By Charles Pennefather Courtesy TopSpeed
While this is the Suzuki that all the others in its segment look up to, there are others that can make a claim to the title. They span across segments and prove that you don't need to reinvent the wheel to make a brilliant machine that riders will happily take home. This is what Suzuki has always done well amongst the Big Four from Japan.
Talking about such bikes, the DR650S has been around for a very long time, and it is one of the unbreakable motorcycles. It is low-output, low-stress, and, being a big 650 single, it has a lot of vibrations. However, its capability both on- and off-road makes up for it, and it has the legs to do highway runs as well. If you truly want one bike to do everything, the DR650S is a great choice. By ‘everything’ we mean ‘service and repair at home as well’.
This is another example. Suzuki has stubbornly stuck to its 90-degree V-twin for its other 650 cc engine. This engine powers an adventure bike and a street bike, with the SV650 being our favorite of the two. It isn't just a joy to ride; it is also very stylish, and that is a unique combination to have. It still sells in good enough numbers for Suzuki to consider an update to meet new emission norms, so we are quite excited to see how it evolves in the future.
Lastly, there's the Boulevard. The word “power cruiser” is thrown about quite casually these days, and there are more and more entrants into this sub-segment. However, Suzuki was one of the original entrants into the space two decades ago with the Boulevard M109R. Not only did the brand give it a big V-twin engine, but it had some of the largest pistons on any automobile. It has the highest horsepower figure of any cruiser below $20,000 to this day.
The Hayabusa is one of Suzuki's legendary models for multiple reasons. At launch, it wasn’t restricted and had one of the highest top speeds in history. It is one of those nineties bikes from when manufacturers were still pushing the envelope without an eye on emissions, safety, or common sense, which is what makes it such a great product.
The myths surrounding its name are another reason why it is legendary. To this day, it remains a popular product, especially with drag racers and tuners. It is the last motorcycle of its kind, and we do not expect it to disappear anytime soon, unlike the competition. This just goes to show how right Suzuki has gotten the Hayabusa. Through three generations, it hasn't lost its identity. All of which goes to show the Hayabusa is the motorcycle that proves Suzuki still knows best.
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