Sylvain Guintoli has been a Suzuki rider since 2017, a brand with which he experienced the joys of BSB, the title of World Endurance Champion, and the satisfaction of having been part of the 2020 adventure which is that of Joan's world title Mir. Because the 2014 WSBK World Champion with Aprilia is the brand's MotoGP test rider who will close his stand at the end of this year. But we still give him things to evaluate before the inventory...
Sylvain Guintoli is currently like all the staff Suzuki involved in the competition: looking for another employer. Because from Japan came the terrible news to stop everything, from MotoGP to Endurance. More than a management decision to face a difficult situation in the automotive sector, it is downright the sacrifice of part of the brand's history which is made on the altar of a supposed better emerging world. . But who, for the moment, feels guilty, devours and engulfs more than he creates.
As a symbol, it is a splendor of the range, which will soon be obsolete even in the eyes of its parents, which has been taken out of the nest to be placed in the expert paws of the Frenchman. This is the unmissable Hayabusa, the famous peregrine falcon which marked a time when we did not imagine that such ominous birds could exist in Hamamatsu.
Sylvain Guintoli: “ the motorcycle is heavy, large and very stable«
THEHayabusa, that takes us back to 1999, the end of the last century when a statutory sport tourer was installed in dealerships Suzuki claiming 300 km/h on its technical sheet. It was the first motorcycle to offer this joy to everyone and as standard. Since then, things have evolved, the Europeans have regained control while Japan is losing ground and Suzuki the head. The fact remains that the raptor is still available, with capacities which now place it in the Youngtimer class: 190 hp with 1 cm340, but a torque of 3 Nm at 150 rpm.
And it is this opus that Suzuki asked Sylvain Guintoli to try on the Donington Park route. An event spotted by speedweek which thus relays the words of the lively tricolor: “ it was interesting, Suzuki surprised me with the special fairing "Says Sylvain Guintoli. " Thus we celebrated the World Endurance Championship title and the victory at Le Mans and did some public relations. And we wanted to see what the bike is capable of on the track ».
« On the road, it's not so easy to see what the Hayabusa can really do. It's an absolute rocket he adds. " So I was able to try all the modes and various electronic gadgets. The motorcycle is heavy and large and very stable. You have to ride very precisely in tight corners to be quick out of it. Although you can feel the weight, it's a lot of fun to ride and I really enjoyed it ". And Guintoli finished : " Suzuki wanted to know what I think about this bike, I gave a full report on it. The design looks cool in photos, but it's great in real life ". And that gives you even more regrets.
