Suzuki Announces Highly Anticipated 2008 Models

November 2007– American Suzuki Motor Corp. (ASMC) announces three flagship motorcycles for 2008 – the totally refined Hayabusa, the all-new B-King, and the new C109R – each with incredible power, unique style and head-turning design. These motorcycles embody Suzuki DNA, which blends years of knowledge based on the company’s championship-winning heritage and proven technology.

“This is a big model year for Suzuki as we introduce three new flagship motorcycles for 2008 that not only will exceed consumer expectations, but give us a competitive marketplace edge,” said Glenn Hansen, communications manager, ASMC, Motorcycle/ATV Division. “We’re thrilled to have captured the ‘ultimate ride’ and packaged it in the high-performance Hayabusa sportbike, B-King streetbike and C109R cruiser.”

Hayabusa
Completely redesigned for 2008, Suzuki’s fastest production motorcycle and sportbike icon – Hayabusa – boasts even higher horsepower, crisper handling and a striking new fairing for sleeker aerodynamics that scream Hayabusa. The more muscular look of the bike is purposeful to support the new, more powerful engine. The incredible machine has been embraced by motorcyclists for nearly a decade, yet still retains its signature Hayabusa character and provides Hayabusa lovers and new converts with a completely new riding experience in the fast-paced world of sportbikes.

Engine
Powered by the largest displacement Suzuki sportbike engine ever built, Hayabusa’s four-cylinder engine now delivers 12 percent more horsepower, a broader wave of torque for even more effortless acceleration and improved power-to-weight ratio. The basic architecture is unchanged with liquid-cooling, ram-air downdraft induction, fuel-injection and hollow double overhead cams operating four-valves-per-cylinder. The engine upgrade means it is stronger across the entire rpm range, but with better fuel efficiency, improved throttle response and reduced emissions.

The 2008 Hayabusa features Suzuki’s most powerful, most advanced digital fuel injection and engine management system. The exhaust system culminates in dual large-volume triangulated and tapered mufflers designed to enhance power while also reducing noise. The unique Suzuki Drive Mode Selector system allows the rider to select one of three engine control maps, A (normal power delivery), B (setting adjusts torque to make power delivery more linear) or C (makes power delivery more linear across the entire rpm range), to suit personal preferences on the road.

Advanced Aerodynamics
The Hayabusa has always been known for its wind-cheating, wind-tunnel-developed aerodynamic shape. For 2008, it’s been through further wind tunnel testing to enhance wind protection for the rider and wind flow over and around the rider whether in a normal seating position or completely tucked in. The fairing is slightly wider overall, and the windscreen is 15mm higher, reducing drag-inducing exposure of the rider’s knees, elbows, hands and feet.

Chassis
The Hayabusa’s well-proven chassis has been refined and improved for 2008 with detail changes to the twin aluminum-alloy frame, created with a combination of castings and extrusions. The frame itself is slightly lighter and the torsional rigidity of the swingarm has been increased by 10 percent. The rear subframe is now made of rectangular steel tubing to increase its weight-carrying capacity. With the overall enhancements, the Hayabusa – with its championship-winning heritage – still boldly celebrates its original character with sporty handling, increased comfort, power and precision. The sportbike that created a sub-culture of motorcyclists hot for Hayabusa delivers all that and much more for 2008. It’s the ultimate sportbike for the road!

B-King
A complete departure from standard roadbike fare, B-King features a futuristic style and track-tested technology to create a groundbreaking riding experience. First introduced as a Tokyo Motor Show-stopper in 2001, B-King has gone from concept model to production reality. The B-King combines overwhelming style and personality with technological excellence that backs up its exciting looks.

Engine
The B-King isn’t just about style; it also has plenty of substance with a 1,340cc, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC fuel-injected engine. Its imposing engine – straight from the all-powerful Hayabusa – is exposed for all the world to see and makes more power than any of its competitors. The engine is built with the latest Suzuki high-performance core technologies and the same engineering excellence that has made the GSX-R line so successful in production-based road racing.

A powerful engine-management computer runs the B-King’s state-of-the-art fuel injection, ignition and engine management systems. Combined, the fuel injection and engine management systems improve combustion efficiency for excellent throttle response and acceleration while reducing exhaust emissions. The bike also features the Suzuki Drive Mode Selector system that allows the rider to select one of two engine control maps, A (normal power delivery), or B (setting adjusts torque to make power delivery more linear). The engine control maps allow riders to choose the appropriate setting for their personal power-delivery preferences on the road.

Chassis
The B-King’s twin-spar aluminum-alloy frame is a high-tech assembly of complex shapes built using five precision castings. The wall thickness and shape of the individual castings is engineered to precisely produce the right rigidity when all the pieces are welded together. It also features stylish three-spoke cast aluminum-alloy wheels and modern radial-mount Nissin opposed-four-piston front brake calipers, featuring differential-bore aluminum-alloy pistons.

Style & Design
A head-turner on the highway, the B-King’s radical style features twin exhaust pipes that suggest a truly one-of-a-kind riding experience. A stylish module carries the B-King’s high-beam/low-beam headlight, and clear-lens front turn signals are built into the integrated front bodywork. A specially designed instrument panel positioned in the B-King’s headlight module is centered around an analog tachometer with an LCD display digital speedometer and gear position indicator. Detail touches include: mesh grills on the tank side covers, the radiator cover and the center muffler cover; a three-form front fender and smooth, combined footpeg brackets and swingarm pivot covers. To complete the B-King’s incredible look, chrome and lustrous paint put the final touches on the bike, emphasizing the finish and texture of each part.

After its concept model debut in 2001, the one and only B-King has now arrived – complete with Hayabusa power and its own incredibly unique design. It’s the ultimate streetbike!

Boulevard C109R
Introducing the 2008 Boulevard C109R – a new kind of classic cruiser. Suzuki’s new flagship cruiser features traditional, classic hardtail styling combined with modern high-performance technology, including a muscular 109 cubic inch engine with Suzuki fuel injection. The C109R traces its technological heritage to Suzuki’s championship winning GSX-R sportbike line.

Engine
The C109R boasts a 109 cubic inch DOHC V-Twin engine, adapted from the powerful M109R cruiser. The engine has four valves per cylinder and an advanced, efficient digital fuel injection and engine management system. It’s designed and tuned to crisply respond to the throttle across the entire range of engine rpm with power delivery that is linear and strong. It features a huge bore and a long stroke, 4.4-inch forged aluminum-alloy pistons traveling through a 3.6-inch stroke, producing a bore/stroke ratio of 0.808:1 and a compression ratio of 10.5:1. The pistons carry three rings, feature a slipper design with friction-reducing cutaway sides, and are the largest used in any current production gasoline vehicle engine in the world.

Each cylinder head has four valves, two 42mm intakes and two 38mm exhausts, set at a narrow 13 degrees from the cylinder centerline in a compact combustion chamber. Overall engine height is further reduced and the overall center of gravity is lowered by positioning the crankshaft low in the crankcases. Peak torque is produced at 3,200 rpm, and the engine is rubber-mounted at three points to reduce vibration without completely suppressing the individual power pulses that make the C109R feel like a classic cruiser.

The C109R digital fuel injection and engine management system uses a powerful, 32-bit processor to improve power output, throttle response and fuel mileage while also reducing emissions. Based on engine rpm and throttle position, the engine management computer incrementally opens or closes the secondary butterfly valve to maintain the proper intake air velocity needed for maximum combustion efficiency and improved throttle response, especially at low-to-mid rpm.

Style & Design
The C109R establishes its own identity with its styling. It features traditional, classic styling with modern suspension and comfort. The double-cradle frame is built using high-tensile steel and carries the type of high-quality body parts prized by traditionalists. The wide-body 5-gallon fuel tank is topped by a chrome instrument cluster carrying an analog speedometer, LCD odometer and trip meter, clock and fuel gauge displays, and indicator lights for turn signals, high-beam, neutral and low-fuel.

Genuine large-volume, hand-crafted steel fenders feature rolled edges and envelop the wide front and rear wheels and radial tires. Chrome-plated steel supports accent the deep rear fender. The swingarm rear suspension looks like a classic hardtail. A common-sense riding position is meant for comfort on long hauls down the highway as well as short trips across town, with a wide and long seat for rider comfort, chromed pullback handlebars, convenient controls and generous floorboards.

The 2008 Hayabusa and B-King motorcycles will hit dealer floors in October 2007. The Hayabusa MSRP is $11,999 and the B-King MSRP is $12,899. The 2008 Boulevard C109R cruiser arrives in dealer showrooms in February 2008 with a MSRP of $13,799.

SOURCE American Suzuki