Phạm Trường HàPowering the Hayate EP is a 113cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine with Suzuki Eco Performance (SEP) technology. Horsepower has gone up from 8.3bhp to 8.6bhp, though the bump in torque is more significant. The Hayate EP delivers 9.3Nm of torque at 5000rpm, which is 0.7Nm more and 500rpm sooner than the previous model. This has helped improve its low-end and mid-range performance.
The gear ratios have been configured to get you to the fourth gear as soon as possible. The Hayate EP easily manages to keep going at 20kmph in the fourth gear. The engine feels very smooth and refined up to 60kmph and bearable up to 75kmph. After that, the vibrations serve as a constant reminder that you are aboard a small-capacity commuter bike. On highways you can maintain a steady 70kmph, with enough power in the reserve for the odd overtake.
At 1305mm, the Hayate EP’s wheelbase is 45mm longer than the older bike. Suzuki has also replaced the older bike’s dated tubular swingarm with a rigid box-section unit. The suspension is inherently soft which makes for a very comfortable city ride. The Hayate EP also excels when it comes to the ability to weave in and out of traffic effortlessly at low to mid-range engine speeds. Even on broken roads, the bike glides over bumps effortlessly insulating you from the shocks.
However, the skinny 70/100 profile front and 80/100 profile rear tyres make it obvious that this motorcycle isn’t meant for intense cornering. While the bike is easy to tip into corners, the rear tends to get bouncy over undulations due to the soft rear setup which can hamper your confidence to carry high speeds through corners. The rear springs are five-step preload adjustable, tinkering with which might give you a more composed and confident ride.
My biggest grouse with the Hayate EP is its gearbox. A four-speed transmission with unidirectional shift pattern is common in this segment. An all down pattern isn’t. This gearbox pattern can take a while to get used to, and can be very distressing for the engine when you accidentally downshift when you meant to upshift.
