2018 Suzuki Hayabusa vs Kawasaki ZX-14R

Suzuki launched the 2018 Hayabusa in the Indian market with a price tag of Rs 13.88 lakhs (ex-showroom). The supersport tourer gets new paint schemes for this model year. It goes head-on against its age old rival, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R. Here’s how the bikes fare against each other-

Suzuki launched the 2018 Hayabusa in the Indian market with a price tag of Rs 13.88 lakhs (ex-showroom). The Hayabusa was the fastest accelerating production bike on earth, until its arch rival, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R came out. The only change for the Hayabusa this model year is the new paint schemes. Here’s how the bikes fare against each other-

Design and features

Suzuki has preferred to go with the ‘if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it’ approach with the styling of the ‘Busa. The design of the bike has hardly changed since it was first revealed 20 years ago. For 2018, the Hayabusa only gets two new paint schemes - black with red graphics and white with red graphics with matching wheel colours. 

On the other hand, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R sports a comparatively aggressive design and gets the distinctive twin headlamp setup with the intake grill in between. Both bikes get a long wheelbase, low stance and a full-fairing to aid aerodynamics and boost character. 

The bikes ride on 43mm inverted forks up front and a preload, compression and rebound adjustable rear suspension for the rear. However, the Ninja ZX-14R boasts of Öhlins hardware at the back. Stopping power on the Hayabusa comes from Brembo front calipers that hold onto 310mm twin discs and a rear Tokico caliper with a 260mm disc. The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R uses dual 310mm discs held together by Nissin calipers upfront and a single 250mm rear disc.

The electronics package on the Suzuki Hayabusa consists of ABS and Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (S-DMS) which allows the rider to select one of three engine control maps for different riding conditions. On the other hand, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R gets two power modes and a 3-mode Kawasaki Traction Control.  It also gets a LCD instrument console in between the analogue speedometer and tachometer. The Suzuki Hayabusa continues with the four-pod analogue instrument cluster with a small digital display in between that houses the clock and gear indicator.

Engine

The Hayabusa continues to be powered by a 1340cc liquid-cooled inline-four cylinder engine that puts out 197bhp and 155Nm of torque. This unit is mated to a six-speed constant mesh gearbox. The bike weighs 266kg.

Meanwhile, the Ninja ZX-14R’s 1441cc liquid-cooled engine produces 200bhp and 210bhp with RAM air-intakes with maximum torque of 158Nm, making it the more powerful bike here. The bike is slightly heavier with a kerb weight of 269kg.

Pricing

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R is priced at Rs 19.70 lakhs as it is a Completely Built Unit (CBU). The Suzuki Hayabusa might not be as technologically advanced as the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R, but it rakes in more sales than the latter thanks to its Rs 13.87 lakhs price tag. The bike is brought in through the CKD route and is locally assembled here, which is the reason behind its lower price.

In case you didn’t know, Suzuki is likely to launch a completely new Hayabusa for 2019 to mark the 20 years of the bike. The bike will not only have cosmetic changes, but also a bigger engine and new electronics package.