As far as the Vance & Hines Pro Stock Motorcycle team sees it, the 2023 season cannot come soon enough. Two weeks ago, the team departed Gainesville chock full of positive energy following a beneficial test session, and now with the approval of the first new Suzuki Hyabusa body in over a decade. 

Not only did the bike perform above and beyond, rookie NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Gaige Hererra and seasoned veteran Eddie Krawiec laid down multiple 200-plus mph runs. 

"This was a great week for our team," said Crew Chief Andrew Hines. "Working with Gaige and Eddie, seeing how well our bikes performed, and now receiving approval from the NHRA, everything is coming together for this season."
 
“One of our objectives with our return to NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Drag Racing was to develop an all-new body modeled after the Gen 3 Hayabusa,” said Kerry Graeber, Suzuki Motor USA’s Senior Vice President. “Vance & Hines has done a terrific job with the new body and we’re pleased that it performed so well at its first test. Our vision is for all competitors racing Suzuki motorcycles in the NHRA series to transition to the new body.”
 
Graeber added that Suzuki will offer assistance to teams riding Suzuki PSM bikes to move to the new body.
 
This was the first test session using the new Gen 3 Hayabusa bodywork, designed to replicate the look of the newest generation of the legendary Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle. The carbon fiber components were designed by Vance & Hines in collaboration with ADC Inc, using digital scans of a new production Hayabusa motorcycle. The new bodywork closely resembles the look of the Hayabusa while accommodating a 10-inch-wide rear tire and a wheelbase that is ten inches longer than stock.

 
The new Gen 3 Hayabusa PSM bodywork is symmetrical, meaning the airflow on each side of the bike is similar or aerodynamically balanced. This allows the rider to guide the motorcycle with less physical input.
 
The rider cockpit is designed to accommodate a wider variety of riders, allowing both small and large-stature riders to fit on the bike.
 
Rider ergonomics, the interaction of rider and controls, is improved as well, allowing riders to more easily and comfortably ride the motorcycle.
 
NHRA has a strict process for approving new bodywork, and Vance & Hines worked closely with NHRA and Suzuki on the development and approval of the new design. With NHRA’s recent approval, Vance & Hines is working with Leading Edge Composites for production of the final Gen 3 carbon fiber panels. The bodywork will be available to all Suzuki-riding teams through Vance & Hines. Reed Motorsports, with riders Cory Reed and Joey Gladstone, has already placed orders for the Gen 3 Hayabusa Pro Stock bodywork.
 
The 2023 NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle season kicks off at the Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida on March 9-12, 2023.