The BMW wins the comparison, AND it doesn't look like a cartoon! The 'busa is an amazingly powerful bike but it's impossible for me not to laugh and shake my head every time I see one.
I had a Busa and it was a fantastic bike at what it was built for, speed. It was by far the most stable bike I have ever ridden at high speed, and it was profoundly easy to cruise at arrest me speeds. Also, they have proven to be one of the toughest engines ever (taking their ability to withstand boost as evidence). They do high speed sweepers incredibly well, too. Looks, that is up for debate, but at least the looks have a purpose (unlike that new Z1000). I think everyone that likes to go fast should have one for a little while, then get rid of it before killing themselves or going to jail.
The way in which they(magazines in general) do the roll-on testing is so stupid it hurts. One magazine was doing roll-on testing from 60-80 with the Busa in sixth gear. Unless saving gas is your goal (usually not on a Busa), you won't be in sixth gear at 60 mph.
Yes, most of them are done in 6th gear. However, it is as logical as a drag race in the dirt between the Busa and a dirtbike, and then saying the dirtbike is quicker 0-60.
Either way, I would take the Busa over the BMW, given the price difference and the proven record of the Busa. Plus, I'm one of those few that like the lines of the Busa.
Does anybody actually run those quarter mile times? I see Busas run the dragstrip here in CO at over 1 mile (5,860 ft) altitude above sea level, and they seen to run about 10.7 or 10.8
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"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life." ~Robert A. Heinlein
Damn, nobody can take anything away from the Hayabusa. Jeeze! We owe so much to that bike in everything we ride. It was and still remains a standard setter. I reccomended one to my buddy based on some of the parameterss that sike listed. Afterall, it is one of the toughest, strongest long lasting buildable motors in the solar system. Nobody can go wrong with one of these, no matter what year they buy. If I had the choice between the two I'd go Hayabusa anyday of the week, because it isn't all stretched out like a chase lounge, but that's just me. Now, if you put the 1000R Beemer in the mix and said pick one, that might be a pretty tough choice.
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Quote of the Year
"One would think that the Secret Service was smart enough to get serviced secretly."
The way in which they(magazines in general) do the roll-on testing is so stupid it hurts. One magazine was doing roll-on testing from 60-80 with the Busa in sixth gear. Unless saving gas is your goal (usually not on a Busa), you won't be in sixth gear at 60 mph.
You wouldn't be in 6th gear at 60 on the Beemer either !!
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Never pick a fight with an old man..if he's too tired to fight, he'll just shoot you.
1979 H-D Low Rider (orig owner)
2006 919 (son's)
2009 K 1300 S (Lava Orange...the faster color)
You wouldn't be in 6th gear at 60 on the Beemer either !!
Totally true. However, the BMW gearing gives it an advantage in this test that makes this meaningless (i.e., winning a contest that no owner would ever be involved in). I would like them to do this type of testing (no matter what bikes are involved) in a gear that folks would likely be using. It is likely that both bikes would be in third or fourth (depending upon the traffic). Or, first, if you are just getting onto a freeway. Then, the test would tell buyers what they might experience.
They should at least be in their respective power band (peak of the tourque curve )for the comparison reguardless of what # gear they are in.
Unless you are on the track going through the traps, whats the real difference ? Most riders "butt" dyno isn't going to notice .50 sec time difference anyway. And yes I'm partial to the BMW.
Love my Lava Orange K.
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Never pick a fight with an old man..if he's too tired to fight, he'll just shoot you.
1979 H-D Low Rider (orig owner)
2006 919 (son's)
2009 K 1300 S (Lava Orange...the faster color)
This is kinda funny - and keep in mind I don't like either one really. BMW wins comparo - people (UJM) get's upset and posts up drag times proving BMW actually loses. Keeping things in perspective, Barton posts up roll on times (which are more "real world" so to speak) showing that BMW wins after all... Fanboys get bent and say well, that's because of gear ratios.
I can't help but laugh. BOTH BIKE HAVE GEARS. If BMW had wanted it to be slow, they would have put slower gears on there, and likewise with the 'busa. They're both fast. They're both limited to 186mph. Gears are not an admissible defense to losing here. If top speed was in question, then I could see how the gears would be acceptable, but since both bikes have the same top speed...
This is kinda funny - and keep in mind I don't like either one really. BMW wins comparo - people (UJM) get's upset and posts up drag times proving BMW actually loses.......
Absolutely, and the BMW loses in more ways than that - I wish the maintenance costs (parts and labor) would of been a part of the comparison.
And aftermarket support, the Busa stomps all over the BMW in that area as well, as it should, the Busa had been around a long, long time and earned it's place in history.
Respect does not come from one road test, at least IMO, it comes from a solid foundation of documented performance and reliability.
Me, I'd like own an older R90S, R100S or even a -
Or a Flying Brick whacked out with a RB Racing Turbo
This is kinda funny - and keep in mind I don't like either one really. BMW wins comparo - people (UJM) get's upset and posts up drag times proving BMW actually loses. Keeping things in perspective, Barton posts up roll on times (which are more "real world" so to speak) showing that BMW wins after all... Fanboys get bent and say well, that's because of gear ratios.
I can't help but laugh. BOTH BIKE HAVE GEARS. If BMW had wanted it to be slow, they would have put slower gears on there, and likewise with the 'busa. They're both fast. They're both limited to 186mph. Gears are not an admissible defense to losing here. If top speed was in question, then I could see how the gears would be acceptable, but since both bikes have the same top speed...
Anyway, it's funny to read. I'm done now.
Maybe you should re-read and re-think. I'm talking about how people would actually ride the bikes in real life. Both are great bikes, and both a tremendously fast. So, before making fun of others or criticizing others, try to understand their points more carefully.
Don't get all upset man. I did read what you said. You said you don't use sixth gear, and no one else does either... But you're wrong, because I do. Maybe I'm the one who's silly. I use sixth gear most any time I'm on the highway. Roll on's are good examples of passing speed times. I don't need to downshift to pass most of the time, so I don't.
Didn't mean to upset you, you're the one who said the gears gave it an advantage. Maybe that's the point of BMW putting those gears in there... That's my point. Relax a little, and maybe re-read and re-think what others are saying before you get all bent. I was trying to make a lighthearted comment. Sorry you missed it.
The BMW wins the comparison, AND it doesn't look like a cartoon! The 'busa is an amazingly powerful bike but it's impossible for me not to laugh and shake my head every time I see one.
I still fancy A Busa one day, its just something that appeals to me...but I do cringe everytime I look at the rear of the GenII.
Don't get all upset man. I did read what you said. You said you don't use sixth gear, and no one else does either... But you're wrong, because I do. Maybe I'm the one who's silly. I use sixth gear most any time I'm on the highway. Roll on's are good examples of passing speed times. I don't need to downshift to pass most of the time, so I don't.
Didn't mean to upset you, you're the one who said the gears gave it an advantage. Maybe that's the point of BMW putting those gears in there... That's my point. Relax a little, and maybe re-read and re-think what others are saying before you get all bent. I was trying to make a lighthearted comment. Sorry you missed it.
Forums (email) aren't a good form of communication and often lead to misunderstandings. I wasn't (and still am not) upset. I just thought you were making fun of people for their opinions.
Do you own a Busa or the new BMW? I ask this with regards to using sixth gear on the highway. Whether my Busa or ZX10, I was/am rarely in sixth gear until about 80. To each their own.
I'm not sure everyone knows this, so I thought it was/is important to the discussion. That is, all of the current literbikes, the Busa, ZX14, and probably this new BMW (but I don't know) will do 100+ mph in first gear. So, although this discussion has gotten silly at times (me included), the thought of doing sixth gear roll-ons with any of these bikes from 60-80 just sounds so silly (especially if you have owned any of these bikes). Like mentioned above, roll-on testing is important in the real world for passing without down shifting. However, any of these bikes (even in sixth gear) will make virtually any car appear as though it was going backwards (making the roll-on testing not as important for these bikes). For example, if I enter the freeway on my ZX10 by just going through 1-2-3 at about 7,000 rpm (that is the bottom of the powerband) I will be doing about 100mph.
Forums (email) aren't a good form of communication and often lead to misunderstandings. I wasn't (and still am not) upset. I just thought you were making fun of people for their opinions.
Do you own a Busa or the new BMW? I ask this with regards to using sixth gear on the highway. Whether my Busa or ZX10, I was/am rarely in sixth gear until about 80. To each their own.
No worries then. No harm, no foul.
No, I don't own either of them, as I said, I'm not a real big fan of either... I did kinda dig the ZX-14 when it came out, but not enough to trade in for one (and that was when I had a '92 Nighthawk 750!) I get what you're saying though, in all out capability, the top gear roll on test doesn't really show what these to machines are capable of, but by using 6th gear (to be more accurate, they actually use "top gear" so if there was a five speed, that would be a 5th to 6th comparison) to "normalize" the competition. I've always seen it as a real-world back road passing time test. With the 60-80 roll on anyway. I'm not usually "rolling on" if I'm over 80 very often, I'm either accelerating or decelerating at "over 80." Basically, I don't cruise at 80. I've found the 919 to be kinda rough for cruising up there... Enough about me.
Sorry I got in the way. I wasn't intending to come across as making fun of anyone, just thought I'd point out the fact that both Suzuki and BMW carefully chose the ratios in the transmission for specific accelerating characteristics relating specifically to the application in question, with direct regard to the worldwide marketplace in which their products would be showcased.
seating position interests me on the bmw..big powerfull naked...but the busa is in a class of its own....should be compaired to the bking....metric machines are hard to compete against
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dont need a bike to ride the fast lane
Sorry I got in the way. I wasn't intending to come across as making fun of anyone, just thought I'd point out the fact that both Suzuki and BMW carefully chose the ratios in the transmission for specific accelerating characteristics relating specifically to the application in question, with direct regard to the worldwide marketplace in which their products would be showcased.
You didn't get in the way, and maybe I was just in a mood.
I actually think that most of the companies are picking really tall first gears for these bikes based upon a fear of even more lawsuits (e.g., these bikes would be a real btch if first gear was set up for 60-70mph).
By the way, what type of flowers?
And, my wife will love them when I claim I got them for her....
I rarely use 6th gear, even at highway speeds. It keeps me from creeping into arrest-me speeds and the gears on the K bike ar very close in ratio , so the difference between 5 th & 6 th isn't very much.
I'm also accustom to a 4 speed.
BigMike919 and I were crusing with traffic at about 80 on I-90 for awhile when I realized I was still in 5 th gear. The bike will pull wether you do it with the throttle or the gears.
__________________
Never pick a fight with an old man..if he's too tired to fight, he'll just shoot you.
1979 H-D Low Rider (orig owner)
2006 919 (son's)
2009 K 1300 S (Lava Orange...the faster color)
tell ya the truth i see no advantage to the 6 gears... rather have some of the gears in the middle spaced out a bit.....this is the first 6 speed bike i owned,,,first thing i noticed was when down shifting it really down slow the bike down to much...almost takes the fun out of it
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dont need a bike to ride the fast lane
Forums (email) aren't a good form of communication and often lead to misunderstandings. I wasn't (and still am not) upset. I just thought you were making fun of people for their opinions.
Do you own a Busa or the new BMW? I ask this with regards to using sixth gear on the highway. Whether my Busa or ZX10, I was/am rarely in sixth gear until about 80. To each their own.
I haven't owned either of them, but i have a little a$$ time on FXS's K. I'm a 6th gear guy unless I really am goin at it past 60...If I'm in traffic, I don't see a reason to be in another gear, just my riding habbit... I don't remember what 1st shifted out of on the BMW, but 2nd was 110. 6th at 60 was PLENTY of bike to do everything I was doin unless I wanted to do it FAST! I would love to get some seat time on a Busa, to compair the 2, but so far I am very partial to the BMW. Boy, that thing was comfy too...
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2007 CB900f- sold
2009 K1300s- rockin out
I'm not sure everyone knows this, so I thought it was/is important to the discussion. That is, all of the current literbikes, the Busa, ZX14, and probably this new BMW (but I don't know) will do 100+ mph in first gear. So, although this discussion has gotten silly at times (me included), the thought of doing sixth gear roll-ons with any of these bikes from 60-80 just sounds so silly (especially if you have owned any of these bikes). Like mentioned above, roll-on testing is important in the real world for passing without down shifting. However, any of these bikes (even in sixth gear) will make virtually any car appear as though it was going backwards (making the roll-on testing not as important for these bikes). For example, if I enter the freeway on my ZX10 by just going through 1-2-3 at about 7,000 rpm (that is the bottom of the powerband) I will be doing about 100mph.
REAL number for you.............Motorcyclist boasted about the 04 10r (my bike) being able to do 104 in first. It would............on the uncorrected speedo. These idiots went for the hype and published it. It was the fastest bike in first of all time, however the real value was 96 corrected mph in 1st.
I tested it against my radar set Speedo Healer 10r one fine day in the Santa Ynez Valley where Monkey Boy Michael once lived. Now, instead of writing music, he is de-composing.
This is a bike equipped with PC and Full Akro Ti Exhaust. Stock gearing and about 500-1000 ft elevation.
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Quote of the Year
"One would think that the Secret Service was smart enough to get serviced secretly."
I would like to get a chance to ride both of them back to back just for kicks... The BMW is far more aesthetically appealing to me and peaks my interest in a very different way than the Busa which is in my opinion an eyesore. I am not trying to take anything away from the Busa though, as some of you guys have said it is the king and it is truly an amazing motorcycle.
REAL number for you.............Motorcyclist boasted about the 04 10r (my bike) being able to do 104 in first. It would............on the uncorrected speedo. These idiots went for the hype and published it. It was the fastest bike in first of all time, however the real value was 96 corrected mph in 1st.
I tested it against my radar set Speedo Healer 10r one fine day in the Santa Ynez Valley where Monkey Boy Michael once lived. Now, instead of writing music, he is de-composing.
This is a bike equipped with PC and Full Akro Ti Exhaust. Stock gearing and about 500-1000 ft elevation.
You are correct that the speedo's are wrong. My 10 does exactly what your 10 does. However, can you tell the difference on your bike (10) in first gear between 104 (false reading) 96 real world, when you have it wfo waiting for the rev limiter???? I was more trying to give folks a reference point regarding how this group of bikes is geared. And, I think my 07 does a corrected 98 in first, well tuned and a little lower altitude (with 170rwhp).
Yeah, that Blackbird is a stunning machine and the numbers on it are awe-inspiring. I've only seen one when Brian had one at a dealership he was working in.
I don't remember ever hearing anything negative about them, but then again I haven't heard much about them at all.
Joining this thread late, fun to read everyone's responses and opinions. Which bike would I rather own? The BMW without question. Which one would win a real world drag race? I'm thinking the Hayabusa in the right hands.
Unfortunately almost all the 'Busas around Indy are stretched, lowered, chromed and ridden by posers that will never use even 10% of the bike's potential. It would seem that the Hayabusa attracts that sort of rider, I see much the same demographic on them that used to ride streched and lowered KZ900's and Z1's.
The cool thing with BMW is they will let you test ride their bikes as long as you have a valud MC license and are over 21. Just call and schedual a test ride. I still haven't been able to test ride a Busa or a ZX14... Any one have one they would b willing to "loan" me for a spin?
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2007 CB900f- sold
2009 K1300s- rockin out
I had a Busa and it was a fantastic bike at what it was built for, speed. It was by far the most stable bike I have ever ridden at high speed, and it was profoundly easy to cruise at arrest me speeds. Also, they have proven to be one of the toughest engines ever (taking their ability to withstand boost as evidence). They do high speed sweepers incredibly well, too. Looks, that is up for debate, but at least the looks have a purpose (unlike that new Z1000). I think everyone that likes to go fast should have one for a little while, then get rid of it before killing themselves or going to jail.
I can't tell y'all how much I enjoy reading these types of observations.
BMW K1300S 10.46 sec. @ 137.6 mph
Suzuki Hayabusa 9.96 sec. @ 145.8 mph
The BMW is not quicker in the quarter, a lot slower and obviously that was a highly biased test.
Bottom line: The Hayabusa is still king!
seriously the k1300 is not a competitor of the busa. Bmw made a comfy bike like always with lots of gadgets that will malfunction later in life anyway. Its not faster than a busa, where a busa was originally intended to do 200 stock off the show room floor. its a sportbike its not supposed to be comfy!!! and it has a long wheelbase because its meant to go really fast!!!
a mid ten second bike with a 1300 for the powerhouse is not impressive, any liter bike can do that with a proper rider.
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