So want to modify your Hayabusa? What follows is your wish list.

You can't just own it. You can't just leave it be. It sits there and stares back at you. And the longer you do that, the more it speaks to you. Could change this. Tweak that. Modify this. Add a bit of this. Make this a lil better. That's typically how it starts. So what follows is my story. I started compiling a list of mods before I even bought my Hayabusa. This webpage has slowly grown through the years as the miles continue to accumulate. I use this bike only to travel and lead guided tours of California with my tour company- Pashnit Motorcycle Tours. I expect to ride through 80,000 miles this year on the Pashnit Hayabusa. Below are the products A-Z that I've used in my travels.

Note that a lot of these mods and products you can now purchase through the Pashnit Moto store. Additional busa products can be found in the all new Pashnit Busa Store. Need set of Galfer rotors? Click Buy Now. Like the camera mount I use? Click Buy Now. And so on. These are all tried-and-true experiences I've had through years of riding and leading guided tours that you sink can your teeth into. Read up and enjoy modding your Busa!

Thanks to the editors of Cycle World Magazine for publishing
my article 'Long Hauler' in the Sportbike Annual about the Pashnit Busa!

Adaptiv TPX Radar & Laser Detector

The Adaptive TPX Radar put out by Adaptiv Technologies is new on the market and the first radar detector that I'm aware of that was designed by motorcyclists for motorcyclists. Adaptive offers several mounts to fit various bikes (the busa mount just inserts into the steering head) plus can be plugged directly into a GPS or Comm system for total integration. The radar is water & shock resistant detecting all commonly used police radar bands. While I use a Comm sytem when riding, it also has a wireless headset option and an LED alert option.

Cost: $309 plus options
Source: Click to Buy it Here
Discussion Thread :  Click to Read

My Adaptiv Save Story:  Click to Read

Uses a sportbike mount that inserts into the steering head, plugs into Comm system

Tires are often one of those things that will split a room with a group full of dedicated riders. Everyone has their favorites, and rarely can we agree. Suffice to say, after all these years of riding, traveling and modifying the Pashnit Busa, these have to be some of the best tires I've ever used.

Some years back, I was using a 'Supersport Race' compound and was going through a lot of tires. At one point, I had to replace them every 30 days while leading Pashnit Tours during the height of the tour season. My mistake is liklely that I was using a very soft compound tire, and riding the bike hard. The busa eats tires they say. Maybe 2500 miles at best to a set.

The answer has been in the form of the Avon Storm ST sport-touring compound tires. Tire technology gets better every year, and the latest release from Avon has it using two different compounds- one of the middle for straight line travelin', and a different compound for the contact patch while leaned over. Now I'm running around 5000 miles per tire set, so about three rides. Pretty thrilled with that, and can gladly reccommend the Avon ST's. I was most impressed with the rear tire that had no squaring off. Just an even wear all the way down- even for a bike with this much horsepower at the rear wheel. And btw, I routinely alternate between a 200 & 190 series rear tire and admit I can't even feel the difference, despite what the textbook says.

Note that the Avon Azaro ST tire is discontinued and this is its successor. The Avon Viper Sport is their answer to a softer compound high performance tire.

Cost: ~$250 set
Source:Avon Tires & your preferred distributor

Thus far, I've been immensely pleased with the Autocom.  It's not cheap, but maybe the "get what you pay for" rule applies here.  Since I'm leading guided tours most of the riding season on the Hayabusa- having a top quality communication system is a must-have.  After a bit of homework, settled on the Autocom.  While there are several versions- I bought the most basic bike-to-bike system.  It's just a module like the one at right, without all the hookups for CD, radar, or passenger.  It ran $250 & then you also buy the 2-way radio- the Kenwood Freetalk XL for $200.   Military grade with a 5 mile range. 

Cost: $440 & up
Source: Autocom America
Discussion: Pashnit Forum

AutoCom Active Plus Bike-to-Bike Communicator Module

Bagster Tank Bra - Protector Tank Cover

From the site: The Bagster Tank Protector or Tank Cover is manufactured from coated PVC cloth (no, it's NOT leather) and is made specifically for each motorcycle model. The Tank Protector covers your fuel tank completely to protect the paintwork, has a foam lined soft underside, and does not move around on the bike. Depending on the model, it is fastened with 4 or 5 straps. There is an opening in the tank protector that allows you to gas-up your motorcycle without removing the protector. On the top portion it has a four point snap system for attaching a tank bag, providing optimal stability of luggage at high speeds. Two points are located at the front and two at the rear. Tank Protectors are customized to match the colors and patterns of your motorcycle, making them sleek and discreet.

Pashnit's Review: When I first got the tank bra, right after that I had the Hayabusa in the Motorcycle Show and the attention to the bra was interesting to watch. It really is a unique product and quite new to the USA. Over the years, as the list of mods has grown- this has to be at the very top of the list. It's that one product that really catches the eye (combined with the Race Ready products of course!). It's a great mod for the travel crowd too since it protects the entire tank from dings and scratches, plus for the Busa owner that desires a fresh look. And yes- it will work with magnetic tank bags- I still use my other RKA Maganetic tankbag all the time with just the bra.

Cost: $137 for tank cover only
Source: Ride Addict
Discussion: Pashnit Forum

From the site: The Tektra is the model specially designed for medium to large volumes. It is first of all spacious, including the wide and practical map-reader. The volume can be optimised to accept from 3.96-7.92 Gallons (15 to 30 litres). The two side pockets in rounded form only add to the charms of the Tektra.

The Tektra Tank Bag has several options, symbolic of Bagster service: a transparent rain cover stored in a pocket under the saddlebag, two shoulder straps allowing the bag to be carried on one's back, removable interior reinforcing piece, and an attachment system that folds away at the back and is adjustable in front. Available in 8 colors, the Tektra saddlebag will fit in with any motorbike's color scheme and this new line of saddlebags. Will hold full size helmet.  

Cost: $131
Source: Ride Addict
Discussion: Pashnit Forum

Bagster City-Route Tankbag

After riding with the Tektra bag for a short time, it quickly became apparent this was not the right tankbag for this bike. Or at least for my 165 lb 5'9" frame. I felt as though whoever had designed this bag had never sat on a Hayabusa before. Crazy Euros. The Tektra bag was so big, you had to sit upright or the bag was impacted into your belly.

A call placed to Ride Addict and the owner Fero sent out the smallest of the Bagster line- the City-Route tankbag and once it was on the bike- success!! It's the smallest bag I've used over the years but does work and is my daily 'man-purse'. The bag has hard sidewalls, an inside pocket under the map pouch and a rear pocket. Other than that, it's all business. There is an expandable version also.

Cost: $101 or $129 for expandable Alpha Tankbag
Size: 2.25 Gallon / 2.25 Liters or 7.92 Gallon / 30 Liters Expandable
Source: Ride Addict

Okay, so they look cool.  Solid aluminum milled bar ends- silver, lightweight, bling-bling.  But did you catch the red flag?  Lightweight.  Bar ends aren't supposed to be lightweight.  The weight is what keeps the buzziness and vibration from making it to your hands.  

So for sport-touring, they just weren't practical and I took them off very quickly after realizing my hands were numb after a 3 hour ride.  Went back to stock and then eventually the Throttlemeister bar ends.  But as for looks- these are fantastic!

Cost: $30
Source: Stedman Motorsports.com 616-261-5685

Blade Antenna for Kenwood Freetalk XL

Don't have a picture of this on me, but we sourced this via word-of-mouth from a discussion thread on the FJR Forum where they were talking about Blade antennas- which is a small flexible antenna about 10 inches long and 1 inch wide. It can be mounted anywhere with a bit of velcro and comes with a long coax cable to screw into the top of the Kenwood Freetalk XK walkie-talkie that we use with the Pashnit Tour Company.

We thought this would increase our range while riding for Tim and myself as we were leading and sweeping tour groups. I mounted mine on the steering head, my partner put his on the rear topcase. After a season of use, the end part of the cable the screws into the radio actually fell apart, so it was back to the stock short flexible antenna. Did it increase our range? Actually, I'm not sure, but likely.

Cost: $35-75
Source: Word of mouth
Discussion: FJR Forum Thread

Chase Cam - Bullet Camera

So you've taken a few videos with the tank mounted video camera, now what? Enter bullet cams with resolutions at 580 lines capable of being mounted anywhere on the bike or person. Seen here is the suction mount, but with the clamp mount it can be placed anywhere, as a helmet cam or a multitude of angles- anywhere. I acquired this bullet cam and then handed it over to my videographer assigning him to create a short film about my tour company- Pashnit Motorcycle Tours.

Shooting analog video, and fed into a remote video camera positioned in the tankbag, my videographer has managed to mount this all over his bike, helmet and even at the end of a long pole. We've been pleased with the rugged aluminum housing, replaceable lens and it's even waterproof. You'll need the right connectors, wires and adapters to make it compatible with your video camera so do your homework if you decide to invest in one of these. All the video editing is done with Vegas 6.

Cost: $275 + $70 for two mounts
Source: ChaseCam.com
Discussion: Pashnit Forum
Sample Ride Video: Pashnit Tours: A Short Film- 43M, 5:00
Watch: The Extended Mix Version- 39M, 12:00

There's a carbon fiber theme with this bike that comes standard from the factory.  When you sit on it, you're looking down on an instrument cluster adorned in a faux carbon fiber finish.  After trying out a set of matching blue lever, it just didn't look right.  So let's try a set of faux carbon fiber levers.  Ah, much better. They're still adjustable just like the stock models and the carbon fiber is little more than painted on, but it works.  

Your other choice of course is chrome, but as you start pricing out all the pieces that come chrome for this bike, it can quickly can expensive, about 3x as much as normal aftermarket prices.  So no chrome for this bike.  The carbon fiber levers match well, and they complement the style of the bike well as a low-cost mod. Have since gone to Pazzo Levers, but again, great low-cost mod.

Cost: $30
Source: Rumble Imports or eBay.com

I came across these on eBay and couldn't resist- these will work for any Hayabusa since the body style hasn't changed yet. A low cost mod that will further the clean look of the bike? Where do I send my money? I only paid like $70 for a complete set and had them several days later.

Manufactures of these just use a jig to form the grills which you could buy the raw material at Home Depot and do the mod yourself- but why? It's only a couple bucks and could save you hours of time!

The nice thing about the ones I got from Clark Custom Cycle grills is that they arrive at your door completely cut, formed, and trial fitted, ready to attach and ride.

Once you get them, you just obtain some heat resistant quick-set epoxy from the Hardware store, pull all the panels off and put them on. Hardest part was getting the epoxy to set quickly enough to hold them in place. An easy trick was to use pieces of duct tape to hold the grills in place while the glue dries overnight.

Available from High Gear Hobbies (Clark Customs seems to no longer exist).  Avoid the $20 sets which are little more than un-formed flat square pieces of cheap screen anyone can get at the hardware store.  Look for the words "pre-fit", "hand-formed" or "pre-formed".  (You get what you pay for!)

Cost: $70 
Source: eBay or High Gear Hobbies

Now that I have the clear alternative lens on the bike- I realize how ridiculous the yellow stock ones look. With the blue/silver- the clear lens blend right in with the silver tone of the Hayabusa. They just replace the lens- but from an aesthetic look- it's a must have. Aside from clear, you can also get tinted ones such as blue or even carbon fiber on eBay.    

This is another mod that after you purchase and install these- you'll wonder how you lived without them. They simply have a dramatic effect on the looks of the bike. They run about $100 for the pair and models are available for every bike under the sun.  Make sure you remember to swap the bulbs to amber though.

Cost: $100 
Source: Clear Alternatives - 1-866-CLR-LENS

A what? Yes indeed, an on board air compressor stored in the tail section of the motorcycle is what every tour guide needs. Or weekend warrior or for even your average everyday rider. As you can see, it's quite compact, and even comes with an optional second bag (at bottom of the pic) that holds the air pressure gauge the screws into the air line. The Cycle Pump simply plugs into the bike's Powerlet Products 12volt accessory plug (same one that powers the video camera) and you're live. Pump up any tire even in the midddle of nowhere.

This is a handy item to have and we have used it on the Pashnit Tours before after one of the participants picked up a nail in a parking lot. While his tire was shot, we were able to pump up the tire enough to get him back to our lodging for the night, then a new tire shoed on the next morning. Without it, he would have been stuck on the side of the road. You don't think you need one of these till you get a flat. Then you won't leave home without it.

	$100 - Cycle Pump Adventure Model
	$150 - Cycle Pump Combo, Tire Gauge & Tire Plug Kit

There's a mod to replace the Frankenstein bolts just behind the seat. A stock feature to the Busa - they're typically intended as a tie-down for your bungees.  

But you can buy custom bolts to replace these and achieve a cleaner look.  I got a set of custom-machined bolts off of SuzukiHayabusa.org, but have also seen this mod on eBay for a couple bucks.  Also called a 'Tail Bolt Kit'. 

Cost: $12 
Source: possibly eBay or Busa forums
Forum Discussion: SuzukiHayabusa.org

Many a motorcyclist are huge fans of steel braided brake lines.  Reason being the inability of the line to expand under heavy braking compared to stock lines.  Your braking ability is directly related to the fluid temperature and preventing the lines from expanding.  It might expand because of tiny air bubbles in the fluid which begin to boil under extreme heat produced with spirited sport riding.   It's most noticeable with the twin front lines.  While the change is slight, and it still takes at least two-fingers to bite down hard, there's a firmness there which is possibly due to any lack of expansion in the lines.  Brakes lines and high-permanence brake pads are one of those things worth springing for on a 550 lb bike with 165 horsepower. 

Once I added the front steel braided lines with EBC HH Sintered pads- I was suddenly riding a entirely new motorcycle!  This is one mod that should come standard from the factory, and I'd have to say this is the very first mod any performance-orientated Busa owner should do! Finally, able to do one fingered stops!  My first 1000 mile ride with these, my right forearm was actually sore at days end!  Seems I overused my index finger a little too much.  Another effect of adding this was the rear brake became useless.  Really no need for it anymore with spirited sport riding. You can also get various colors too.

Cost: $35 rear - $70 front
Source: Clicky to Buy Now

 After I fried the rear rotor from heat build-up and practically burned off the brake pads- I needed to make an upgrade.  There I was blasting down my favorite mountain road- and my rear brake quit working.  Blast.  At first I had no idea what just happened- this never had happened.  But the extreme heat of my trail braking heated up the fluid so much, it was boiling inside the lines.  Not good.  A few minutes later, it cooled down and back on the combat trail.  So replaced the brake pads figuring that was the problem. It happened again- this time it burned off the brake pads entirely- which were only 3 weeks old- and completely fried the rotor too.

Time for a wave rotor and HH Sintered Racing Pads.  The debate seems to rage on this product and I actually don't know the answer.  Do they work, probably, do I notice the difference? Not really.  Have I burned up any more brakes pads or rotors.  Not a one. Can I lock up the rear at any time.  You bet.

Cost:  $125 rear, $500 for front set
Source: Clicky to Buy Now

EBC Sintered HH Compound Brake Pads
Cost: $36
Source: Cycle Gear

I've always used Corbin seats on my last two motorcycles and the last 50,000 miles.  But as bulbous as the Hayabusa is, the Corbin just doesn't look right.  Enter the Gel Seat from Suzuki to which I am quite impressed with it.  Only paid $90 for it off the internet and for the price, can't be beat.  I have done 1000 mile 3-Day weekends leading Pashnit Guided Tours and it works great.  On the longest of days- sun-up to sun-down riding- the seat gets a bit uncomfortable but it sure beats stock. It is true that they heat up, but I only happened after a long day in the saddle on a warm day.  The first time this happened, I couldn't figure out why the seat felt hot. 3-Hour rides you'll never notice it.

One good thing about the Gel seat- is that it's rounded and fits right in with the lines of the bike. Plus the material is like a wet suit. I have seen older seats that have the fabric deteriorating, but so far so good. This seat is supposed to fit the GSXR models from 600 on up.

If you were going to do a cross-country trek- you might want to invest in a Corbin or Tobin Seat.

Cost: $90-125 
Source: eBay.com

Suzuki Gel seat is a must have sport-touring option. Note the RKA saddlebags.

Probably what I like best about this cover is it's very compact and works well when traveling. I don't need the most heavy-duty cover out there, but I also don't want the cheapest. I just need something to hide my bike from prying eyes. Geza Cover has just the thing with its ProStretch Bike Cover. The cover is a stretchy material that comes in either black or silver, and packs down in it's own pressure sack. The cover is compact enough, I can store it in the rear Hump via the Hump Mod.

Geza covers have been around a long time and come in several sizes and duties. From the simple to the extreme, Geza Cover makes a good product and have been great to deal with. I've always wanted one of these, finally got around to picking one up. Since it's stored inside the hump, I take it everywhere I go and within seconds, can have the bike covered. Also works well when trailering the bike too.

Cost: BUY IT TODAY - Clicky for Linky

Always been a sucker for a low cost mod, and here's another that fits the bill. After I had to cut off the original handle grips to install the heated tape (that goes underneath the grip), it was time to replace the originals with something new.  I could go with some generic sportbike grips, but why?  Since no blue/silver grips exist to my knowledge, had to settle for what's readily available. These grips are a carbon fiber motif with a bit of red and white.  Close enough. 

Cost: $18.00
Source: Rumble Imports

It's one of those things you'll wonder how you ever survived without.  100,000 miles of riding without heated grips.  What was I thinking!  That's what goes through your mind when you add these to your bike, and finally flip the switch on a cold fall day. 

The Symtec hand warmers are nothing fancy and really quite basic.  After removing the old handlegrips (good opportunity to install new ones like the set shown above), you unpeel the stickers on the backside, place them on the steel bar and slide on the new handlegrip.  Little easier than it sounds, but managed to get it all back together.  Wire in the grips to a hot wire (only when bike is on) and place the hi-lo switch somewhere.

I'll admit they aren't fancy, and for a mere $36- you get what you pay for but are my hands warm? Yep. 

Cost: $36
Source: Adventure MotoStuff

HMF Carbon Fiber Oval 4-in-1

First let me start by saying- it is a sweet, sweet sound.  The plethora of exhaust options is just amazing.  The HMF Oval 4-in-1 low-mount replaces the entire exhaust system, increases horsepower, offers weight savings and tunes in the sound coming from the motor.  It flows with the lines, and I prefer the low mount look. (You can also buy high mounts or twin slip-on mufflers.)

Maybe what impresses me most is the carbon fiber design.  It produces a tremendous sound that's not tinny or high-pitched.  This exhaust produces a low down growl and screams at high revs.  But the best part is around town, it's quiet in everyday traffic with a relaxed hand.  Plus there is a bit of weight savings too by pulling off the heavy stock system.

If you add an aftermarket exhaust, it's customary to add a PCII and get the bike dyno'd to dial it all in.  

Cost: $810
Source: Exotic Sportbike - 800-917-2453
Sound File #1: 60 Second Busa - 16M, 1:00
Sound File #2: Pashnit Busa on Hwy 1- 13M, 3:00

Hyper-Lites 
Blinking Brake Lights

One of the odd problems with the LED brake lights is riders behind me say they can't tell when I'm braking.  A solution was to add Hyper-Lites.  Plus it's a great addition for in-city riding to let automobiles know I'm braking- especially at stop lights. When you hit the brakes, they flash repeatedly.  

Had these on the ZX-11D and eventually put them on the Hayabusa. Real simple- you hit the brakes- these bright LED's flash as long as the brakes are on. You can modify them to blink then go solid but I prefer them blinking all the time. Heard any stoplight- "...didn't see you" stories?

There are numerous styles and combinations- but the basic does the job. They run about $65 from Hyper-Lites.com or Sport Touring Accessories or any other supplier.

Cost: $65
Source: Hyper-lites.com - 888-770-1010

MotoTeck Undertail w/ Icemann LED Taillights & Hyper-Lites - note the microphone

Nothing splits a room of motorcycling enthusiasts like a discussion about headlight modulators.  Some love 'em, some hate 'em.  After using them for the last 50,000 miles- I'm on the "pro" side of the fence.  So much so, I'd strongly encourage this mod to anyone concerned about safety or being seen.  They're legal because they don't actually turn the headlight off.  Instead it just pulses the signal and makes you extremely visible to other traffic.  They also are great if you are a devout lane-splitter, as in commuting here in California.

You wire it into the high beam- therefore you can turn it off at anytime.  Plus all of them come with a daylight sensor so it automatically turns itself off at dusk.

Signal Dynamics manufactures this mod.  The only problems I've had are minimal light- even a cloudy day will turn it off.  Position the daylight sensor directly upward and it seems to work well this way.

Cost: $70 
Source: BUY IT TODAY - Clicky for Linky

The hump mod in Busa circles is replacing the 4 bolts on the underside of the rear hump.  Ig sells this for a couple bucks as a package deal.  Just remove the old bolts, and replace with either the 'wing style' or 'cylindrical style'.  Do this and gain a bit more space for a set of spare gloves or map.

You can get the quarter turn fasteners just about anywhere, but I'd rather give my $$ to a fellow busa owner. After all, it's just 12 bucks.

Note how handy the Hump Mod is for storing the Geza Cover.