GSX-1300R TORNADO - A new twist on something even newer!
by Marty Kane

Well, it's not exactly intended for drag racing... but it's a pretty awesome none the less - and falls well within the "extreme limits" of Two Wheel Extremes... so we thought we'd feature it!

Last April, well before most of the world even got to see what a Suzuki Hayabusa looked like... the engineers over at Yoshimura were taking one apart, trying to figure out ways to squeeze every last inch of performance from it.

Starting with a ground up rebuild, they redesigned a "Tornado" body for it, added fully new rolling gear, and took the engine over to the dyno for some a few hop-ups.

You might ask... why would you want to make the fastest and quickest production bike ever made faster... because you can.. that's why!!

Engine changes began by removing the counter balancer... which was added to the engine to reduce engine vibration. Then, a drop in set of cams... mild by design, were dialed into spec. A then-prototype Tri-Oval Cyclone exhaust system, featuring piping made from titanium, and a canister made from carbon fiber. The stock electronic fuel injection was ditched for the addition of a fully controllable, and self adjusting, unit made by Motec. Keeping in line what how their customers would probably do their bikes... the engine changes stopped right there. Other parts are being developed currently, ranging from oversize piston kits to cylinder head porting and valve jobs... however that was not what this project was about.

After a few pulls on the dyno, a horsepower gain of 20+ horsepower appeared, giving a very optimistic outlook of the project. Now that the bike produced the goal horsepower figures, it's time to move on to the suspension department for what really makes this bike stand alone.

Though the geometry of this bike is not optimal for road racing (the bike was designed to be a great streetbike), the twin-spar aluminum frame remains totally stock - no geometry tweaks, no gussets or stiffening.

Life's tough when you are a factory supported race team, because you've got some really cool take off parts laying around. So it was through the junk bins that engineers started searching for every spare part that could be found from their 750cc Superbike team.

Having a set of Ohlins forks to put on, Yosh turned back to Ohlins Suspension who custom built a set of billet aluminum triple clamps. Clip-on handlebars were added above the clamps, just like stock, and six piston Nissin brakes were used to help stop at high speeds. Wanting to reduce weight further, Marchesini magnesium wheels were added, and a GSXR-750 swing arm replaced the stock unit - taking advantage of it's shorter length to achieve a quicker turn ratio. Since the swing arm was so different, a custom shock linkage needed to be made - which is the only one off part in the whole build up - and what a work of art it is!

A "Tornado" style body was made, reminiscent of a 1100cc bike built about ten years prior. The bikes rear tail sub frame was modified to raise the ride height, and a gas tank was hand pounded from aluminum sheet metal, retaining pretty much the stock shape - though additional height was added increasing the overall fuel capacity by nearly a gallon.

Further product development continued with billet rear sets, which raise the foot pegs up and back.

With all of these changes, the rider position is radically different, designed for better handling and weight distribution - but not comfort.

The Yoshimura Tornado Hayabusa now tips the scales at a light 419 pounds - which is over 100 pounds lighter then stock.

But further changes are planned in the future, including a total rebuild of the stock frame, and further engine building. Yosh hopes to be able to reduce the weight to less then 400 pounds, and increase horsepower by 15% or more.

-MK