Talk me out of a Busa

[TRaGiK]

Within the next few weeks, I should have the money up to purchase a nice used 'Busa. I've got my heart set on one, and everything I want for it is available (corbin, bar risers, givi luggage, etc).

But, is there any reason why I should stay away from it? There are a few other bikes on my list, but this one sits on the top.

Give me the pro's and cons of it.

[Busy Little Whiner]

Big engine big power big deal... Suzuki's Motor of Death is a butt plug in the bendy bits... go for the 750...

[TRaGiK]

As in GSXR 750? Find me hard luggage for ANY late model GSXR, and I'll be suprised.

Surely the big Bus handles atleast as well as an FJR or similar bike.

Also, my next bike will be liter +. Lesser bikes leave something to be desired for (torque).

[Busy Little Whiner]

As in GSXR 750? Find me hard luggage for ANY late model GSXR, and I'll be suprised.

Surely the big Bus handles atleast as well as an FJR or similar bike.

Also, my next bike will be liter +. Lesser bikes leave something to be desired for (torque).

Yes... GSXR 750... and yea it's a stinky inline and feels like there is nobody at home until the revs build  
into the stratosphere but then again I think Busa and FJR handle like a refrigerator full of bowling balls...

Have you even considered a VFR800??? bags and grunt...

[UFO]

It sounds like you want to do some touring on the Busa.  It handles fine, unless you plan on getting a knee down at every opportunity.  If so you'd probably be shopping for another bike anyway.  The Busa is an effortless cruiser.  Barely feels like it's running at speed limit type numbers, capable of getting 50 mpg due to aerodynamics and gearing.

It can be make psuedo comfortable, but everyone's interpretation of "comfort" is different.

If it's an early model ('99 and '00) make sure it's had the cam chain tensioner work done and watch for cracked subframes.  Other than that it's a pretty bulletproof bike as long is it wasn't owned by a drag racer.

[Sport]

Within the next few weeks, I should have the money up to purchase a nice used 'Busa. I've got my heart set on one, and everything I want for it is available (corbin, bar risers, givi luggage, etc).

But, is there any reason why I should stay away from it? There are a few other bikes on my list, but this one sits on the top.

Give me the pro's and cons of it.

What's not to like, and I doubt if BLS has ever ridden a Busa.  Corners pretty well for me, and the     a c c e l l e r a t i o n      is incredible!  I tour with it and have no complaints.

http://s70.photobucket.com/albums/i87/jakerin/06%20tourer/?action=view¤t=1179986130.pbw

[Frantik1]

Its a great bike, but take your current tire budget and triple it.

[Bad Dad]

Get one! Makes a great Sport Tourer. Drag pegs at will,  can be made quite comfortable, everythings out there for it. You Can destroy tires and chains if you like but show some restraint and an eye for maintenance and it's no worse than any other big bore. That all said, I sold mine an got an 06 GSXR1000

[TRaGiK]

It sounds like you want to do some touring on the Busa.  

It can be make psuedo comfortable, but everyone's interpretation of "comfort" is different.

I plan on doing some touring with it, and also, 500 mile days are fairly common for me.

The Busa already feels pretty comfortable to me. Just sitting on one in the showroom, bar risers alone feel like it would make it as comfortable as my current bike (F4i with risers and a corbin). One of my friends has offered a test ride on his, and I'm definately going to take him up on the offer before I go out and buy one.

Its a great bike, but take your current tire budget and triple it.

Any idea what most people (non-drag racers) are getting out of ST tires and chains?

[TRaGiK]

Have you even considered a VFR800??? bags and grunt...

Yes I have. It's on my list of next possible bikes, but it's on the bottom of the list. I've even rode a friend of mines 04 VFR, and the bike really just doesn't "speak" to me. Bar risers and a seat would be a MUST for that bike for me as well. The reach to the bars puts me leaning foward more than my f4i, and the seat slides my through the tank.

[Frantik1]

I plan on doing some touring with it, and also, 500 mile days are fairly common for me.

The Busa already feels pretty comfortable to me. Just sitting on one in the showroom, bar risers alone feel like it would make it as comfortable as my current bike (F4i with risers and a corbin). One of my friends has offered a test ride on his, and I'm definately going to take him up on the offer before I go out and buy one.



Any idea what most people (non-drag racers) are getting out of ST tires and chains?

I'm almost ready for my 5th rear tire in 8500 miles.  The last set of tires were Avon Azaro's. I MIGHT get 3200-3500 out of the rear Azaro. I have never done a burnout, don't drag it etc. But I don't baby it. A friend of mine has a busa with the same Azaro's and has 5000 miles on the rear, and claims to have a little less than half tread. He shifts at a max of 2000 rpm regularly though, and costantly turns 50mpg+. I cannot restrain myself that well.
I have a Genmar 19mm riser with Heli-bars on mine. With a Puig double bubble, ther are no mods needed except for re routing the fast idle cable and gaining a little slack in the front brake line. I also use Buell footpegs to lower the height about 1-1/2". It makes the busa very comfy. Check out http://www.hayabusa.org  for anything and everything for the busa.

[Frantik1]

Oh and far as chains go, if they are properly maintained I think most get close to 20K out of them.

[TRaGiK]

20k out of a chain is fine. That doesn't bother me a bit.

However, 3200 out of a ST tire is INSANE. hahah

That in itself is making me learn more towards my second choice bike (SV1k).

[Frantik1]

20k out of a chain is fine. That doesn't bother me a bit.

However, 3200 out of a ST tire is INSANE. hahah

That in itself is making me learn more towards my second choice bike (SV1k).

Your results may vary  .  Well you said talk me out of a Busa. Like I said, a friend gets good wear out of his tires. I like to wind mine up a little (lot) more than he does. The busa can easily be short shifted as the norm, and still go like stink. I've read where people get 4500 mi. out of the stock BT56 (????). I think I got 1800. The days of me riding a tire to the cords are gone.

[1moreroad]

Talk me out of a Busa

Okay, your current bike is f'ugly and no one will pay any money for it so you might as well ride the wheels off it.

Torque is the lazy man's solution to touring.  Beautiful speed is made arcing gracefully through the corners and not just turning the throttle once you're pointed out of them.

 

[TRaGiK]

Okay, your current bike is f'ugly and no one will pay any money for it so you might as well ride the wheels off it.

Torque is the lazy man's solution to touring.  Beautiful speed is made arcing gracefully through the corners and not just turning the throttle once you're pointed out of them.

 

So I take it you've seen the pics of my bike then, huh?

The thing that kills me about the lack of torque, is stoplights. While on my first tour last week, I found out that high elevation (3,000+ ft), plus and extra 75 pounds of weight, meant I'd have to slip the clutch like crazy to get it moving at a decent rate. That shit is for the birds. I'd rather have my old SV650 back.

[Willie G]

I've got 5000 miles on my Pilot Roads and can't even tell they're worn - which is exactly what I wanted.  So, tire life is what you make of it.

That said, the Busa is pretty much everything I ever wanted in a sporty touring bike.  Comfy with the factory gel seat, Heli-Bars, and Buell pegs; soft luggage from Nelson-Rigg with enough room for a two week trip; low maintenance (I do get anal about lubing the chain every 500 miles); the factory service manual is pretty well written and available online for free in .pdf; and, as noted above, Hayabusa.org is your resourse for whatever questions arise.

So, what are you waiting for???      

[BigBlock]

Great sport touring bike!   No problems for 2 up either. Plenty of horsepower and torque if and when you need it.  My wife and I can easily do a 400 mile day. Still use the stock seat and no bar risers yet. As for luggage, the Ventura rack system is the way to go.http://www.ventura-bike.com/english/products/products.htm

I have tried several different tire products and found so far the Avon azaros gave me the best mileage, fairly sticky and not bad in the rain. I got about 5000 miles on them. Unless you like wacking the throttle alot, the rear tire won't last more than 1500-2000 miles.  

Would I get another one when mine is put out to pasture, definately!!

[Rude_Rydah]

5000 miles average on a rear tire for me (always wears out in the middle cuz of where I live).  I wheelie almost every day and accelerate like my ex-wife's lawyer is in my rear view mirror, weigh more than I need to and sometimes drag race.  10,000 miles to a front tire.

Got 15,000 out of my last chain (again all the bad stuff from above applies).  I use a super strong 10,000+ tensile strength chain because of my bad behavior.

I also do light touring with my 13 y/o daughter on the back (up to 300 miles a day for 2 or 3 days).  I commute almost daily 44 miles round trip.  I've never had a comfort issue other than just being on the raod for too long.

I can't turn for crap, but I remember when the Busa was raced in AMA Formula Extreme the cornering clearance was limited by the side cases, I've never even touched a foot peg.  At Deals Gap last weekend, I did a fair job of keeping up, though.

Get the G**D*** Hayabusa!

What are you gonna do with that F4i?  The wife may need an upgrade from her '96 CBR600F3.

[Bster13]

Pretty much all ~real~ motorcyclists I know will think u have a small weener.    (Sorry, that's my first reaction when I see them)

My section reaction is "Fat Pig" followed by the third "Porker can't handle" and then fourth "where ya gunna use all that power anyway speed racer?"

But in the end...to each his own.  You posted this thread for attention, and if u really want it, u're going to get it.  Won't matter a bit what we say.  Over time it matters less to me what people ride, and more so do they just put miles on the dang thing and enjoy the bike for whatever it does for them.  Enjoy!  

[TRaGiK]

And the Busa is out. Not completely because what a few have said. It seems to me that most people that say "Busa's can't handle", haven't ridden one....but regardless of that....

I've decided to get something with a little more sport, and a little less tour.

Went yesterday and put down a deposit on a black 07 SV1k. Everything I want for it IS available (Givi top and side cases, Helibar makes taller clip-ons, corbin makes a seat, and I think I've heard Buell pegs will work to lower them a bit). And a big plus for me is it's a twin.

Also, the local dealer made me a deal on it that I just couldn't walk away from. $8150 otd. I could probably find a better deal if I went a good distance out of town, but I doubt it'd be better enough to be worth the hassle.

I should have posession of it by the 15th.

What are you gonna do with that F4i?  The wife may need an upgrade from her '96 CBR600F3.

The guy I bought it from has first option to buy it back, but IF he doesn't get it, it'll be up for sale for $2300 obo. It'd a high-ish mileage (just clicked over 33k today), rhino lined, 2001 F4i. Genmar bar risers, mirror extenders, Corbin seat, slip-on, etc etc.

[happybusa]

I can't talk myself out of any busa,
the best touring mount I've ever had.

I do think the SV is a bit different than the
busa for longer rides. I can do it,but........

Even so, consider changing the front sprocket
to a 16T to help 1st gear getaways.
loaded up or not.

Sully

[Busy Little Whiner]

And the Busa is out.

Inlines are out... Suzuki's new V4 are in...

[dgunther]

That in itself is making me learn more towards my second choice bike (SV1k).

And you thought the ergos on a VFR were intolerable without a new seat and bar risers?

[TRaGiK]

And you thought the ergos on a VFR were intolerable without a new seat and bar risers?

I don't think I said the VFR was intolerable, only that it needed risers.

However, the SV1k DEFINATELY NEEDS risers, and lower pegs, and a better seat. All will come within a couple months or so.

[rauchman]

Congrats on the SV.  I've been oogling those bikes since they debuted in 2003.  Please post up a ride report when you get a chance.  The ergos are easily fixed on those bikes with HeliBars or Convertibars, Buell pegs, and a Sargent seat.  I wish the bike had a larger gas tank though!!!

[TRaGiK]

Congrats on the SV.  I've been oogling those bikes since they debuted in 2003.  Please post up a ride report when you get a chance.  The ergos are easily fixed on those bikes with HeliBars or Convertibars, Buell pegs, and a Sargent seat.  I wish the bike had a larger gas tank though!!!

For the pegs, I'll probably use 2003 naked SV650 rearsets. Much lower and farther forward.

The gas tank had me worried...especially with reports of a tank of gas lasting only 90 miles. I'm glad I ignored those reports. Range is around 135 - 140 miles until the low fuel light comes on, in which I've still got just over a gallon left. This was without my luggage though. I'll know how much range I've got with the luggage in the next week or so.

I'll get up a ride report on it in a week or so as well.