Well friends.. after having ridden only my GS for about a year and a half I finally got to try out another bike... the almighty Hayabusa    I just want to give anyone else who's never ridden a substantially bigger bike and idea of how it went for me and what you can look forward to  .


The Bike
Well let me start by describing the hayabusa, it belongs to one of my friends who I've ridden with quite a bit and today he offered to let me take it for a ride so of course I had to say yes. The bike isn't stock, he's switched up the sprocket tooth counts on both front and rear I believe, however I can't remember exactly what they are. It also has a full yoshi exhaust, power commander and a couple other things that make it even faster  . So after all that stuff it makes more horse power than an stock hayabusa not exactly sure how much but I know it's more.

The Ride
We started parking lot so I could get a feel for the throttle and clutch. Let me tell you what, the throttle is SOOOO much more sensitive and responsive than the gs' as it should be considering it's an FI bike. It also has a hydraulic clutch which was really nice and again had a different feel than the gs' wire operated(?) clutch, I wanna say that I like the feel of gs' clutch more. I took it around the parking lot a couple times practicing take off and I was surprised at how easy it was to get going, I was thinking it was going to feel ridiculous and crazy right upon take off, but luckily I was wrong.

So after putting around a bit in first gear we went onto some real roads, immediately I noticed that I didn't need to shift nearly as much. It could be low in the revs and just GO once I gave it some gas. After riding out of the mall area we were in we went on the highway, this bike was SOOOOOOOOO smooth! Too smoother lol I was causally merging onto the highway and I look down and I'm going 90 and I'm only in 4th gear (I think) felt like I was going 50!

Once on the highway I played around with giving it some gas to see what it would do all I have to say is that it feels like there is unlimited power everywhere in the rev range. You give it throttle and it friggin goes! 

Turns
We road around town some more once we got off the highway then headed over to a back road that we hit up all the time this road has some nice twisties and needless to say I took it slow. First thing I noticed was how much heavier it felt to turn you really had to muscle it in unlike with my GS that I can just flick and throw all over the place. Part of this may have also had to do with the fact that I obviously was being really cautious and not pushing it at all.

Passing Power
  nuff said

So this bike was CRAZY sooo much different than riding a GS, they really can't even be compared.. at all, so much fun! If any of you that haven't ridden a large displacement bike and get the chance to DO IT! But just remember to respect the massive amount of power and realize that you can't
rip on it like you do your gs

That was pretty much how it felt when I bought my 1997 GSXR750SRAD.I had never ridden a sport bike at that time and it was crazy when I left the dealer.My first interstate cruise was with a bunch of local idiots.I was following them down the interstate and we were running way to fast but it felt a lot slower than our actual speed.Just be careful when making that big of a jump up in bikes.They can get away from you before you realise it.

yeah I could definitely see it getting away from me pretty fast, especially when it all of a sudden down poured when we were in the twisties lol... oh well

Quote from: ben2go on June 17, 2011, 09:21:22 PM
That was pretty much how it felt when I bought my 1997 GSXR750SRAD.I had never ridden a sport bike at that time and it was crazy when I left the dealer.My first interstate cruise was with a bunch of local idiots.I was following them down the interstate and we were running way to fast but it felt a lot slower than our actual speed.Just be careful when making that big of a jump up in bikes.They can get away from you before you realise it.

ben, do you think going from a gs500 to a ninja 1000 is to big of a jump?
I was at the dealer today and sat on a ninja 1000 and I totally love that thing.
I was considering it my next bike in a year or two.

From the experience I had on the hayabusa I'd say no, but I have heard that those liter bikes like the zx10, gsxr 1000, r1 etc are more aggressive than bikes like that hayabusa and zx14. I may be wrong though.

Quote from: rickyny on June 17, 2011, 09:43:30 PM
do you think going from a gs500 to a ninja 1000 is to big of a jump?

Yes if it an I4 supersport. Some of the litre V twins are more practical and smaller capacity I4's would be a more practical option.

The ninja 1000 is not quite as frenetic as a ZX-10.  I believe it is the engine from the Z1000

Quote from: Paulcet on June 18, 2011, 07:14:42 AM
The ninja 1000 is not quite as frenetic as a ZX-10.  I believe it is the engine from the Z1000

Yes it is a I4 and Paulcet is right, is the same engine as the Z1000. But I think
is meant to be more a street bike than a track bike.

Quote from: rickyny on June 17, 2011, 09:43:30 PM

Quote from: ben2go on June 17, 2011, 09:21:22 PM
That was pretty much how it felt when I bought my 1997 GSXR750SRAD.I had never ridden a sport bike at that time and it was crazy when I left the dealer.My first interstate cruise was with a bunch of local idiots.I was following them down the interstate and we were running way to fast but it felt a lot slower than our actual speed.Just be careful when making that big of a jump up in bikes.They can get away from you before you realise it.

ben, do you think going from a gs500 to a ninja 1000 is to big of a jump?
I was at the dealer today and sat on a ninja 1000 and I totally love that thing.
I was considering it my next bike in a year or two.

I would say yes,it's to big of a jump, to someone that has only been riding for a year or two and doesn't have many miles in varying weather and road conditions.I have 18 years of riding on the streets and I still stay off the bigger sport bikes.I know myself and my right hand.I have rode a few of the 1000+cc sport bikes and I think they are a bit to much.Touring and traveling is another thing.The power is good to haul the rider and his luggage,but I don't know anyone that does it on a true sport bike.

Quote from: ben2go on June 18, 2011, 10:38:52 AM

Quote from: rickyny on June 17, 2011, 09:43:30 PM

Quote from: ben2go on June 17, 2011, 09:21:22 PM
That was pretty much how it felt when I bought my 1997 GSXR750SRAD.I had never ridden a sport bike at that time and it was crazy when I left the dealer.My first interstate cruise was with a bunch of local idiots.I was following them down the interstate and we were running way to fast but it felt a lot slower than our actual speed.Just be careful when making that big of a jump up in bikes.They can get away from you before you realise it.

ben, do you think going from a gs500 to a ninja 1000 is to big of a jump?
I was at the dealer today and sat on a ninja 1000 and I totally love that thing.
I was considering it my next bike in a year or two.

I would say yes,it's to big of a jump, to someone that has only been riding for a year or two and doesn't have many miles in varying weather and road conditions.I have 18 years of riding on the streets and I still stay off the bigger sport bikes.I know myself and my right hand.I have rode a few of the 1000+cc sport bikes and I think they are a bit to much.Touring and traveling is another thing.The power is good to haul the rider and his luggage,but I don't know anyone that does it on a true sport bike.

ben, as someone that has been riding for 18 years I totally respect your opinion.
So my question is, what would be a better choice if I want to upgrade?
I find myself riding on the open road more, 70+ miles, pretty much straight roads... not to many
twisty roads around here and no mountain riding. I find the GS lacking on passing power (you know, when
grandma is driving in front of me and holding traffic).

Quote from: rickyny on June 18, 2011, 08:22:23 PM
ben, as someone that has been riding for 18 years I totally respect your opinion.
So my question is, what would be a better choice if I want to upgrade?
I find myself riding on the open road more, 70+ miles, pretty much straight roads... not to many
twisty roads around here and no mountain riding. I find the GS lacking on passing power (you know, when
grandma is driving in front of me and holding traffic).

After 10+ years and many different bikes I can tell you the biggest factor is what bike YOU feel comfortable on.  Nothing wrong with getting other peoples opinions but it is going to be your butt on that seat.  I was always told by the older guys that I'd outgrow my crotch rockets and get a cruiser.  Now that I'm in my 30's (which no longer seems "old" by the way) I still prefer the standard or sport seating position over a cruiser which hurts my back after some miles.  Sit on a bunch of bikes and see what works for you.  One I'd recommend checking out is a Suzuki GSX650F.  They are really under rated bikes and used models can be had relatively cheap.  I also still love the Honda CBR600 F4i's with the banana seats.  I haven't gotten a chance to ride one yet but I like the looks of the FZ8.  And I always receive flack from guys for saying it but Katana's are great bikes and can be had super cheap.  Everyone says Katanas are slow ,which they are compared to a GSXR, but if you are used to the power of a GS500 it will feel like a rocket ship to you!  And don't let the extra 100lbs dissuade you, that gives much better stability at speed.  My unsolicited 2 cents   

-Jessie

Hayabusa's are crazy overkill for street riding, I ride it's little brother the GSX650F.....and If I ever outgrow the GSX650F's power and feel I need more? Well then I am obviously overcompensating for a short pee pee at that point 

Quote from: BaltimoreGS on June 19, 2011, 07:52:56 AM

Quote from: rickyny on June 18, 2011, 08:22:23 PM
ben, as someone that has been riding for 18 years I totally respect your opinion.
So my question is, what would be a better choice if I want to upgrade?
I find myself riding on the open road more, 70+ miles, pretty much straight roads... not to many
twisty roads around here and no mountain riding. I find the GS lacking on passing power (you know, when
grandma is driving in front of me and holding traffic).

After 10+ years and many different bikes I can tell you the biggest factor is what bike YOU feel comfortable on.  Nothing wrong with getting other peoples opinions but it is going to be your butt on that seat.  I was always told by the older guys that I'd outgrow my crotch rockets and get a cruiser.  Now that I'm in my 30's (which no longer seems "old" by the way) I still prefer the standard or sport seating position over a cruiser which hurts my back after some miles.  Sit on a bunch of bikes and see what works for you.  One I'd recommend checking out is a Suzuki GSX650F.  They are really under rated bikes and used models can be had relatively cheap.  I also still love the Honda CBR600 F4i's with the banana seats.  I haven't gotten a chance to ride one yet but I like the looks of the FZ8.  And I always receive flack from guys for saying it but Katana's are great bikes and can be had super cheap.  Everyone says Katanas are slow ,which they are compared to a GSXR, but if you are used to the power of a GS500 it will feel like a rocket ship to you!  And don't let the extra 100lbs dissuade you, that gives much better stability at speed.  My unsolicited 2 cents   

-Jessie

I agree to this and it's pretty much what I was going to say. I really like the Katana 600 and they can be had for roughly $1000 to $2500 in good condition.I am a Suzuki fanatic.I have ridden other bikes,but all the road bikes I have owned were Suzuki.If I were going away from Suzuki,I would go with Honda,probably a CBR.All of my offroad MCs and dirt bikes have been Honda except one,a Yamaha YZ125.I still to this day despise that bike and I haven't seen it in almost 20 years.Anyway,when you step up from a twin to a 4 cylinder bike,it's a world of difference.They are smoother and easier to get of the line.You also find yourself breaking the speed limit before you realize it.So just be attentive to your speed until you are use to the bikes performance.

I had an after thought to my original 2 cents: If I listened to what other riders had to say I should have "out grown" and gotten rid of my GS years ago.  Instead they seem to have multiplied over the years      Truth be told, I get more seat time commuting to work on my old Nighthawk 250 than I do pleasure riding on any of my bigger bikes!  Maybe it's time to upgrade to a Suzuki TU250 or CBR250...   

-Jessie

Quote from: BaltimoreGS on June 19, 2011, 11:30:51 AM
I had an after thought to my original 2 cents: If I listened to what other riders had to say I should have "out grown" and gotten rid of my GS years ago.  Instead they seem to have multiplied over the years      Truth be told, I get more seat time commuting to work on my old Nighthawk 250 than I do pleasure riding on any of my bigger bikes!  Maybe it's time to upgrade to a Suzuki TU250 or CBR250...   

-Jessie

Hallelujah Brother...I loves me some quarter liter action myself!

That's a nice lookin' Ninja

I started with 74 cu. in. (1200cc) then upgraded to an 850cc and now added my 500cc GS

Quote from: dam on June 19, 2011, 03:21:15 PM
That's a nice lookin' Ninja

I started with 74 cu. in. (1200cc) then upgraded to an 850cc and now added my 500cc GS

Thanx! I have always had more fun riding a small bike hard, as apposed to riding a fast bike slow. When I first rode my KZ1000 the power mesmerized me, after you got over that...all you had was an overweight pig that looked for gas stations. So now my current lineup is 80cc, 150cc, 250cc, 400cc, 500cc and 650cc times two, to be honest, the bike I ride the most is my Burgman 400, because real men ride scooters 

Quote from: BaltimoreGS on June 19, 2011, 07:52:56 AM

Quote from: rickyny on June 18, 2011, 08:22:23 PM
ben, as someone that has been riding for 18 years I totally respect your opinion.
So my question is, what would be a better choice if I want to upgrade?
I find myself riding on the open road more, 70+ miles, pretty much straight roads... not to many
twisty roads around here and no mountain riding. I find the GS lacking on passing power (you know, when
grandma is driving in front of me and holding traffic).

After 10+ years and many different bikes I can tell you the biggest factor is what bike YOU feel comfortable on.  Nothing wrong with getting other peoples opinions but it is going to be your butt on that seat.  I was always told by the older guys that I'd outgrow my crotch rockets and get a cruiser.  Now that I'm in my 30's (which no longer seems "old" by the way) I still prefer the standard or sport seating position over a cruiser which hurts my back after some miles.  Sit on a bunch of bikes and see what works for you.  One I'd recommend checking out is a Suzuki GSX650F.  They are really under rated bikes and used models can be had relatively cheap.  I also still love the Honda CBR600 F4i's with the banana seats.  I haven't gotten a chance to ride one yet but I like the looks of the FZ8.  And I always receive flack from guys for saying it but Katana's are great bikes and can be had super cheap.  Everyone says Katanas are slow ,which they are compared to a GSXR, but if you are used to the power of a GS500 it will feel like a rocket ship to you!  And don't let the extra 100lbs dissuade you, that gives much better stability at speed.  My unsolicited 2 cents   

-Jessie

Jessie your opinion is much appreciated! Thank you.

Thanks Ben and thanks everyone that replied.
Will see how I feel in a year or two, who knows I might keep riding
my good old LOLA.
And sorry tandersn9 for highjacking your thread 

Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on June 19, 2011, 09:36:52 AM
Hayabusa's are crazy overkill for street riding, I ride it's little brother the GSX650F.....and If I ever outgrow the GSX650F's power and feel I need more? Well then I am obviously overcompensating for a short pee pee at that point 

Yeah you're right it is overkill, but damn is it fun! Lol the power is addicting and so exciting haha. ....then I get back on my GS.. Haha