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Originally Posted by AtheK I am sure a lot of people are hunting to beat me, after reading this post ![Rolling Laughter](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/images/smilies/Rolling laughter.gif) |
I have a very different take on the Busa. This will be a long post, so pls bear with me.
The Busa earned its infamous title as the favorite of all squids, in 2 countries - India and US. Both have very liberal motorcycling license policies. There is no classification of motorcycles based on engine cc. The moment you get a license, you are allowed to ride anything from 50 cc - 2000 cc. As a result, without proper training and skills, anyone can ride the Busa. Plus the bike itself is very easy to ride. The power delivery is linear, the torque is abundant. It gives you a false sense of security. You get this sense that you can just hop on the Busa, twist the throttle and hit 300kmph and thus you are the most qualified and technically adept rider. That appeals a lot to novice bikers, who then post insta stories and videos in a bid to show off and contribute heavily to the squid culture. And then that stupid movie Dhoom made things worse.
In contrast, Europe, Japan, and other developed Asian nations like Singapore and Hong Kong make motorcycle licensing a very detailed and arduous process. To get a motorcycle license, you have to start at the lowest cc class and then progressively upgrade through 200cc, 400cc and wait years before you are allowed to ride a 1000cc motorbike. Those who ride a Busa in these countries are experienced riders who know their stuff. The squid culture in these countries is practically nil.
Back in 2018, 2 Japanese motorbike part makers came to Delhi to do a preliminary survey on exhaust systems, and bike sliders. They wanted me to be the primary importer and then down the line, set up plant to produce locally. I took them to the Kawasaki West Delhi showroom to have a chat with the dealer to get a sense of volumes, pricing, margins, etc. It was a very professional meeting. Japanese businessmen in suits, translators, the whole works. On top it was the Japanese folks first visit to India.
Call it bad luck, but it was one of those days when a rider belonging to a riding group (very infamous for poor riding behavior) was taking delivery of his ZX 10R. There were 70 bikers, with their wives + kids openly consuming alcohol at the dealership, revving their bikes hard and just making a total fool of themselves. I was half expecting celebratory gunfire.
Half of the group had Busas. The Japanese contingent was very interested to know what exhaust systems the owners had installed, what was the criteria, what power output was obtained, how was the ride quality and a bunch of technical questions. They wanted to know why the riders chose Busa and what was the decision making process.
This was how the conversation went through the interpreter, after I got hold of a few riders who were not inebriated and still had some sanity left. Or so I thought.
Japanese contingent (JC): Why did you install Yoshimura instead of keeping the stock exhaust
Squid squad (SQ): Sound maast hain, ekdum zabardaast
JC: Other than sound, does the engine feel smoother
SQ: pataa nehi, lekin sound to sunooo zaraa; Proceeds to revv bike for next 20 seconds.
JC (half deaf): do you feel a difference in the handling characteristics due to lower weight + increased horse power
SQ: bhaagta hain, aaj Yamuna expressway pe 300 top kiya. Sound to suno. Revs now for 30 seconds.
JC (totally deaf): Would you consider slip ons or full system
SQ: Koi difference hain kya, humko sound chaiye.. Revs again......
JC (eyes shut now, looking up at the sky): Why did you choose Busa over other makers
SQ: Speed bro, speed. It goes at 300 kmph. 30 bikers then immediately revv the bikes all together. It was utter cacophony. The police arrived 10 minutes later due to noise complaint and consumption of alcohol on a public road.
JC:.....................................
You may think I am making up stories, but I have pictures as I was documenting this. Needless to say, it was an unmitigated disaster. My interpreter was hiding in the corner, and the Japanese delegates were looking hopelessly at a bunch of adult men, dressed in leathers just revving their bikes non stop while holding beer bottles.
We went for dinner at a Japanese restaurant in Gurgaon and I asked the Japanese guys what their thoughts were. They were very polite, but they told me that the Indian biking scene is juvenile and people have no clue about bikes or products. In Japan, people do not buy exhausts simply because they are loud. People buy it on technical factors, and costs are the last. They were perplexed on why Indians are buying Busas, which in Japan, is a top end grand touring bike, and riding as delinquents and only considering about top speed and power.
Thankfully we had a few constructive meetings where we met bonafide Busa riders. But it was a small segment. Sadly the Japanese contingent decided not to invest in India.
My story summarizes what we are all seeing everyday. The Busa has been reduced to an object of ridicule in India. It is a very misunderstood bike. It was meant for touring with comfort and speed. Instead, it has become an Instagram prop for people to act as buffoons. But Busa is not the only one in this infamy. The ZX 10R is rapidly gaining, followed by the BMWS1000 and the Ducati V4. All 4 of this bikes are expensive, have tons of power and are now the prima donnas for idiots with small brains.
I have little hope that things will change for the better, but those who appreciate bikes for what they are, will cherish the bikes and treat them well. As I have said before, this forum and its members are the exception. The technical knowledge and professional riding skills exhibited by the riders on the forum are what everyone should aspire to, but the real world is the total opposite.
Rant over.