The ‘peregrine falcon’ is coming to South Africa!

The world’s most iconic superbike is back to send the little birds and featherweights scattering – quite literally.

The 2021 Suzuki GSX-R 1300 ‘Hayabusa’ – ‘peregrine falcon’ in Japanese – is aptly named.

Holding a reputation for over 20 years as the fastest road-legal superbike on the planet, it is no wonder its heritage draws from the fastest bird on the planet.

Most notably remembered for its iconic bubble rear-end, wide grimacing cheek bones and GSX-R family ‘cyclops’ headlight, the 2021 Hayabusa is the first comeback since the previous generation 13 years ago.

The 1.3 litre in-line four cylinder that was squeezed between the frame and handlebars made a whopping 129kW, just shy of the power of a Golf GTi, but for new owners Suzuki has tweaked the classic motor.

Modern precision engineering and electronic wizardry means that the 2021 model churns out 140kW, restricted only by current emissions and environmental regulations.

The Hayabusa will not be held back however – garage tuners and enthusiasts have been known to tune their engines to well over 500kW, aided with nitrous-oxide and other racing bits and pieces, and there is no doubt that garages all over the world are rubbing their hands with excitement right now for what awaits them.

The big Japanese bruiser will hit 100km/h in a claimed 3.2 seconds and while the official top speed is to be released, older factory models were capable of running well over 320km/h, giving the younger model a chance to crack some old records open.

Modern rider aids have been added to the new Hayabusa such as a six-axis gyroscope, ABS brakes, traction control, hill-start assist, rear-wheel lift control and a host of other gubbins to keep its shiny side up and out of the ditch.

Besides the fresh electronic digital colour display, it is refreshing that Suzuki has opted to keep the original dial tachometer and speedo.

True bikers know there’s something purist and classic about seeing a needle spinning around and bouncing off a limiter rather than a digital readout.

Prices for the 2021 model have not been confirmed as the exact arrival date in South Africa is unknown but it is expected to be in the region of R329,000.