• Unique specification
• Cost in excess of €100,000 to build
• Only 6,488 kilometres (approximately 4,000 miles) from new
• 198bhp (at rear wheel)
• Standing ¼-mile in 9.851 seconds at 150.93mph

The Japanese factories' abandonment of their voluntary 125bhp upper horsepower limit in the mid-1990s paved the way for a new generation of 'hyper-sports' bikes, the first of which was Honda's CBR1100XX Super Blackbird, launched in 1996. However, the 178mph Blackbird's reign as world's fastest production motorcycle only lasted until the arrival of Suzuki's Hayabusa in 1998. Boasting 1,300cc to the Honda's 1,100, the Hayabusa aced the Blackbird courtesy of a whopping 150-plus brake horsepower and a top speed of 193mph, at which velocity the speedometer would be registering over 200mph... Despite exploring limits hitherto unknown to production road bikes, the wind tunnel-styled Hyabusa proved as stable at 170mph as it was at 70. 'Riding the Hyabusa is like grabbing a surface-to-air missile by its fins and riding the mother at a distant target,' enthused Bike magazine. However, scare stories in the press about 200mph road-going motorcycles soon caused a rethink in Japan, and today's hyper-sports roadsters are electronically limited to a top speed of 300km/h (186mph) which, if nothing else, made the early pre-limited examples all the more collectible.

Shortly after the Hayabusa's launch, legendary tuning firm Yoshimura developed a very special 'X1' version to race in the prestigious Suzuka 8-Hours race's prototype class in 1998, which it won. A road-going replica of the race bike soon followed, albeit one that retained most of the stock Hayabusa, only 100 of which were made. Producing a measured 190bhp at the rear wheel and weighing under 200kg dry, the Hayabusa X1 possessed a mind-boggling power-to-weight ratio. When one was tested by Performance Bikes magazine in 2006, the resulting 0-100mph time of 5.44 seconds and 188.73mph top speed made the X1 the fastest machine they had tested at that time.

But for some people, too much is never enough, which explains the rationale behind the machine offered here. The owner wanted a powerful and unique motorcycle, very close to the Suzuka class-winning X1 but one that nevertheless could be used at weekends on the roads surrounding the Italian lakes. Based on a brand new Suzuki Hayabusa, taken straight from the crate, this machine has been extensively upgraded using only the best parts available, including many from Yoshimura, the aim being to surpass the specification and performance of the X1.

The Hayabusa was specially built (in 10 months) and delivered to the current owner in Milan in November 2001 by tuning guru Herbert Kainzinger of Hockenheim, Germany, who had been entrusted with this ambitious project. Yoshimura parts fitted include a full Tri-Oval titanium exhaust system, aluminium fuel tank, camshafts, and a footrest kit. Cooled by a larger aluminium radiator, hand-made by a German Formula 1 specialist, the engine was bored out to 1,400cc and fitted with a modified cylinder head, Pankl titanium con-rods, and a lightened, balanced, and nitrided crankshaft. A reworked air box, complete with BMC filter, enables the motor to breathe more efficiently. The engine has since been returned to the stock 1,300cc in the interests of long-term reliability, a move that has made almost no difference to its performance.

The chassis benefits from a reworked and stiffened rear sub-frame and a (shorter) GSX-R750 swinging arm. Machined from billet, adjustable triple-clamps hold Öhlins FG170 superbike forks, while the rear shock absorber and steering damper are also by Öhlins. Brake discs are by Spiegler, front callipers and radial master cylinder by Nissin (Honda WSBK specification), and the racing rear calliper by Brembo. The Marchesini wheels were specially made for this machine. The fairing and seat are X1, and the Hayabusa positively drips with titanium fastenings and carbon-fibre goodies. Kainzinger's detailed invoice for in excess of €100,000 is on file together with a full listing of the machine's specification (far too lengthy to reproduce here).

We are advised that the Kainzinger Hayabusa weighs less than 200kg (440lbs) in road trim and handles like a Supersport 600. Maximum power/torque figures - at the rear wheel - are 201PS (198bhp) at 10,400rpm and 155Nm (114lb/ft) at 8,300rpm respectively (dynamometer printout available). This unique machine has covered only 6,488 kilometres (approximately 4,000 miles) from new and is presented in exceptional condition.

This Hayabusa has been featured in three magazines: 'PS' in Germany, 'Option Moto' in France, and 'Motociclismo' in Italy. In its September 2004 edition, 'Motociclismo' said: 'Our dyno was shocked as it never registered 200PS at the wheel... Our tester was fired out to the ¼-mile at 242.9km/h (150.93mph) in only 9.851 seconds, absolute record in our testing history....' Copies of these magazines are on file together with extensive documentation and Italian registration papers. This unique motorcycle also comes with a cover, a battery charger, and front and rear stands.