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I didn’t want to title this “Hayabusa vs K1200S”, because as much as happily as the comparison is made, they are NOT the same bike.
That being said, I just rode a Hayabusa. I don’t know what to say. I can’t form an opinion of i. The engine revs really really fast, and has a carefree effortlessness to it. In certain ways is a lot smoother than the K1200S, but there is a constant vibration that’s transferred to the rider. Mine has a vibration due to some bearing in the clutch assembly, but outside of a specific rev range it transfers nothing. The Hayabusa sits way lower. I didn’t get the phrase “purpose built machine” until I sat on it. The wheelbase compared to the height is very very long.
But the power. On a rolling start from 70ish, the Hayabusa had maybe a bike length and a half on me, and that was basically it. I’m flabbergasted. This K1200S, NOT a purpose built machine, with a 10% power sucking differential, and the Hayabusa barely edged out. If the K were chain driven, I’m convinced it would be neck and neck.
But the power on the ‘Busa is different than the K1200S. I can’t put my finger on it. Less torquey, more power. But it does pull in all gears. It sets off with less occasion, but the stock hayabusa I rode also is the quietest bike I’ve ever ridden. The K1200S has a lot of intake noise, the Hayabusa has basically none. It’s silent. Different bikes.
Especially when it comes to handling. The hayabusa handles like dogshit. There is no compare. I’m not sure if the Hayabusa might be faster around corners, it’s low. It requires less lean to turn, but where the Hayabusa maneuvers like a jet ski, the K1200S dances like a fairy.
I get the appeal of the Hayabusa, but I would never trade it for my K1200S. When the guy I switched bikes with rode mine, the first words after we stopped were “That’s the best bike I’ve ever ridden”. I guess that sort of sums it up.
That being said, I just rode a Hayabusa. I don’t know what to say. I can’t form an opinion of i. The engine revs really really fast, and has a carefree effortlessness to it. In certain ways is a lot smoother than the K1200S, but there is a constant vibration that’s transferred to the rider. Mine has a vibration due to some bearing in the clutch assembly, but outside of a specific rev range it transfers nothing. The Hayabusa sits way lower. I didn’t get the phrase “purpose built machine” until I sat on it. The wheelbase compared to the height is very very long.
But the power. On a rolling start from 70ish, the Hayabusa had maybe a bike length and a half on me, and that was basically it. I’m flabbergasted. This K1200S, NOT a purpose built machine, with a 10% power sucking differential, and the Hayabusa barely edged out. If the K were chain driven, I’m convinced it would be neck and neck.
But the power on the ‘Busa is different than the K1200S. I can’t put my finger on it. Less torquey, more power. But it does pull in all gears. It sets off with less occasion, but the stock hayabusa I rode also is the quietest bike I’ve ever ridden. The K1200S has a lot of intake noise, the Hayabusa has basically none. It’s silent. Different bikes.
Especially when it comes to handling. The hayabusa handles like dogshit. There is no compare. I’m not sure if the Hayabusa might be faster around corners, it’s low. It requires less lean to turn, but where the Hayabusa maneuvers like a jet ski, the K1200S dances like a fairy.
I get the appeal of the Hayabusa, but I would never trade it for my K1200S. When the guy I switched bikes with rode mine, the first words after we stopped were “That’s the best bike I’ve ever ridden”. I guess that sort of sums it up.