2017 Suzuki Hayabusa in new colours

New colours are the only change to the 2017 Suzuki Hayabusa, although it will have its second major update some time in the future.

The 2017 models have arrived in Australian dealerships in Glass Sparkle Black and Pearl Blue/Glass Sparkle Black colour schemes at the same recommended retail price as last year’s model at $20,790 ride away.

The bike named after the Japanese bird of prey debuted in 1999 capable of speeds in excess of 300km/h.

However, a year later, Japanese and European motorcycle manufacturers agreed to impose a 300km/h limit on bikes to avoid a legislative ban on hyperbike speeds.

There has only been one significant update in 2008.

New Hayabusa confirmed

We are not sure when the next major update will be, but Suzuki president Toshihiro Suzuki recently confirmed that their engineers are working on a new bike and not just new colours.

He says it will follow the same style, but gain several electronic riding aids.

It will probably receive most of the aids from the new GSX-R1000 including lean-angle sensitive traction control, three riding modes, a quickshifter, electronic steering damper and one-button starter.

It may also receive the Gixxer’s all-LED lighting and upgraded Showa suspension.

There is also a slim chance the next Hayabusa engine may be turbocharged for even more output than the current 147kW of power and 138.7Nm of torque.

Toshihiro says they have been studying how much turbo technology will cost to put into mass-production.

In recent years, Suzuki has unveiled a turbo-charged 588cc parallel twin “Recursion” concept sportsbike and filed patents for turbocharged motorcycle engines.

A turbo or supercharged Hayabusa would be a blast and a tough competitor to the supercharged Kawasaki H2.