By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport vs Sport Tourer
Suzuki Hayabusa (MY2021) vs BMW K 1300 S (K40)
Suzuki Hayabusa vs BMW K 1300 S: different classes, one choice. Here's how to make it.
You'll feel the Suzuki Hayabusa's retuned engine shove you forward the moment you roll on through the midrange, and it's quick everywhere short of the redline. On the BMW K 1300 S, the twistgrip doesn't hunt for a sweet spot. It pulls hard in whatever gear you're in.
So which one do you buy?
The K 1300 S has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Small edge: K 1300 S
Day in, day out, the K 1300 S nudges ahead in traffic. It isn't a big enough gap to plan around.
Keeping running costs low
Slight edge: K 1300 S
The K 1300 S comes out a little ahead on upkeep. Only a little.
What makes each one tick
Hayabusa
Broken pavement gets swallowed by the Hayabusa's KYB suspension, which stays supple over every rut. The bars don't shake. As the bike steers into a corner, the long wheelbase keeps it calm on its line. At triple-digit speed, the chassis stays where it's pointed.
K 1300 S
The K 1300 S settles into long days in the saddle, with pegs set for sport and bars that don't fold you over the tank. On the Blue Ridge Parkway, the seat and bars still leave room for cornering fun after hours of miles. A bump at highway pace doesn't knock the bike off course, since the chassis stays steady at speed. The bars still fit at sundown.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Hayabusa has the lower seat: 31.5 in (800 mm) vs 32.3 in (820 mm).
- The K 1300 S has the lower wet weight: 560 lb (254 kg) vs 582 lb (264 kg).
- The Hayabusa makes more peak power: 190 hp (140 kW) vs 175 hp (129 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not built for it: Hayabusa
There's no comfort verdict for the Hayabusa here. Its job is somewhere else.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Both miss here
If this is your first motorcycle, keep looking. Neither one makes learning easy.
Count twisty roads as a draw. The deal on the table and the condition of the bike matter more here.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Hayabusa
What owners say
Strengths
- Supremely supple ride quality and rock-solid high-speed stability
- Comprehensive, user-friendly electronics suite
- Strong, creamy midrange from the retuned engine
K 1300 S
What owners say
Strengths
- Comfortable ergonomics for long-distance touring
Known problems to check before you buy
Hayabusa
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
K 1300 S
- Recall 12V487000: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Recall 12V487000 BMW is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 K1200 S, K1200 R, and K1200 R Sport motorcycles and 2012 and 2013 K1300 S motorcycles. In October 2012, BMW recalled 2062 2007-2008 K1200 S, K1200 R, and K1200 R Sport motorcycles. In November 2012, BMW informed the agency that it was adding model year 2012 and 2013 K1300 S (including HP Limited Edition) motorcycles to the recall campaign, representing an additional 421 units. The total number of motorcycles being recalled is now 2,483. In certain riding conditions, the brake fluid in the front brake fluid reservoir can foam.
What they share
- Engine
- Inline-four
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Front brake
- 320 mm
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Hayabusa | K 1300 S | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.5 in (800 mm) | 32.3 in (820 mm) |
| Wet weight | 582 lb (264 kg) | 560 lb (254 kg) |
| Hayabusa | K 1300 S | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1340 cc | 1293 cc |
| Power | 190 hp (140 kW) | 175 hp (129 kW) |
| Peak power at | 9,700 rpm | 9,250 rpm |
| Torque | 111 lb-ft (150 Nm) | 103 lb-ft (140 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 7,000 rpm | 8,250 rpm |
| Hayabusa | K 1300 S | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 5.3 US gal (20 L) | 5.0 US gal (19 L) |
| Hayabusa | K 1300 S | |
|---|---|---|
| Final drive | Chain | Shaft |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) | Duolever |
| Rear tire | 190/50-17 | 190/55-17 |
| Wheelbase | 58.3 in (1480 mm) | 62.4 in (1585 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Hayabusa | K 1300 S | |
|---|---|---|
| Cornering ABS | Standard | Not offered |
| Traction Control | Standard | Option |
| Ride Modes | Standard | Not offered |
| Wheelie Control | Standard | Not offered |
| Launch Control | Standard | Not offered |
| Electronic Suspension | Not offered | Option |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
| Cruise Control | Standard | Not offered |
| Quickshifter | Standard | Option |
| Slipper Clutch | Standard | Not offered |
| TFT Display | Standard | Not offered |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) | Not offered | Option |
| Luggage System | Not offered | Option |
| LED Headlight | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
