Salman Khan's safety advice to bikers

'Don't drink and drive. I don't understand why people have to zoom on bikes. These beautiful bikes are to be admired. Ride slowly and let everyone admire you with it. You zoom away and people can't even see who's riding, let alone the bike. I don't think this impresses women anymore,' said Salman to those who indulge in speeding and racing on bikes.

The first of Suzuki's launch in Mumbai (Suzuki normally launches its new products in Delhi) was a treat to the eyes and ears with Salman Khan and Parineeti Chopra presenting the 110cc scooter Let’s and the 155cc motorcycle Gixxer.

Speaking with the media Salman gave some useful safety tips to bikers and offered words of wisdom to speed monsters.

Kindly click NEXT to read what Parineeti Chopra thinks about Let’s

Parineeti the new brand ambassador for Suzuki scooters glided on to the stage effortlessly riding the Let’s sporting a Palazzo jumpsuit and high heels.

"I come from Ambala, a small town and to go to my school and singing classes, I always used a scooter because that is the most convenient way to travel for young girls and boys. And the Let’s is very comfortable. I would have said this even if I were not to be the brand ambassador of Let’s. Its really comfortable, it’s very light. As you can see I can ride it in my heels also," she said pointing at her feet.

The Let’s, a 4-stroke single cylinder 110cc engine scooter and touted to be the lightest in its category, gave Parineeti the ‘Let’s Go’ feel she said.

“I was shocked when I heard the name 'Let’s' as it took me back to my college days when we used to say, ‘let’s movie’ or ‘let’s mall’ instead of saying let’s go for a movie or let’s go to the mall,” the actress said.

Salman Khan joined Parineeti on stage, riding the 155cc Gixxer with the crowd cheering Jai Ho

Greeting the media with a kaise ho aap (how are you)? Salman went on to speak about his bikes, the Suzuki Gixxer and why he wants to gift a Suzuki to one of his fans.

“I have a fan with whom I have been trying to get in touch with. I had heard about him during Bodyguard. He travels 15 -18 km to see my films. He doesn't have any money to buy the ticket so whatever he grows -- fruits, vegetables -- he takes it to the cinema hall and requests for tickets for himself and his family in exchange. I think he cycles or walks those miles. The day I meet him I will gift him one Suzuki. He can sell it, keep it or do whatever. He may be in need of money. But I shall give him a bike.”

“I used to ride Suzuki bikes since long, much before I became the brand ambassador and much, much before they started giving me bikes for free (laughs!),” he said.

I have spent a lot of money to buy these bikes back in those days. I used to own a GT 125cc and then I had a Hayabusa. And now the people at Suzuki are very generous (laughs again looking longingly at the Gixxer). They make very good bikes. I am very happy with it. But what I want to ask is whether Suzuki is making money after getting me in or are they just burdened with me.”

Kindly click NEXT to read know how Salman quizzed a Suzuki official

This was one rare launch where the brand ambassador, who seemed quite impressed with the looks of the Gixxer, and not the media, started the Q&A session by questioning the makers! Here’s a sample:

Salman: The Gixxer sounds like I have heard this name before?

Atul Gupta, executive vice president, Suzuki Motorcycle India Limited: Yes sir. The Gixxer is derived from the GXRs1000 Racer. What you see here in the 155cc Gixxer is a combination of the speed and grace from the GXR 1000 and equipment form Hayabusa.

Salman: For a 155 cc bike isn't this rather large? It looks like more like a 250cc bike?

Atul Gupta: Yes as we have launched SEP (Suzuki Eco Performance) we have tried our best to get performance into an economic bike with this product. It is actually a combination of the best of power with the best of mileage.

Salman:How many colours is this bike available in?

Atul Gupta: 5

Salman: And are you giving any extra fittings or customised look?

Atul Gupta: We're going to launch this bike only after July so perhaps at that time we will take this forward.

Salman: So you are saying I will get this bike only after July (laughs!!)?

Am saying this because I had got the Inazuma T1 from Suzuki for testing much before it was luanched. It was so powerful! It’s a beautiful bike and I've used it in Jai Ho When I was riding it on the streets of Goa people seemed to be more interested in the bike… I said to myself ‘Better be careful’.

Here on the media took over… but all their questions were for Salman.

Kindly click NEXT to read where Salman’s rides his bikes

When do you get time to ride a bike Salman?

Whenever I want to see the population of Bandra I go out on a bike. I want to see how many bikes are there, what bikes are there, how safely people ride. I do check out how well Access is doing and how well Suzuki is doing. I mostly get out in the night when there are very few people.. Bandstand, Carter Road, Pali Hill is where I ride and then head back home.

If you plan to take a girl on a date would you take your bike or car?

Bike I think. Bikes are fun.

Kindly click NEXT to read Salman’s advice to speed monsters

With regards to safety what is important for bikers?

There should not be any gravel on the roads because bikes could skid easily on it.

There should not be any oil leaks from cars or any other vehicles on the roads. 

And of course there are lots of potholes on the roads (which could endanger a biker’s safety).

Most accidents happen because of this.

Don't drink and drive. I don't understand why people have to zoom on bikes. These beautiful bikes are to be admired. Ride slowly and let everyone admire you with it. You zoom away and people can't even see who's riding, let alone the bike. I don't think women get impressed by this anymore.

I also wish someone would make a helmet that is transparent. One gets this lovely bike, then he gets a gear, padded jackets etc and then a helmet. The sad thing then is no one knows it is him who is riding that lovely bike!

I buy a good bike so that I can be seen on it. I can look good with it and hence I have asked them – the guys at Suzuki -- to make transparent helmets.

There have been quite a lot of reports of deaths due to night racing involving young kids. Your words of advice to them…

That is very dangerous. Night racing and even what is happening on trains is very scary! I know these boys they bet and they race in the NIght and every other day there are one or two kids getting injured or dying. That has to stop!

This used to happen when we were growing up. Then it stopped for a long time and now it has cropped up again. It’s crazy! It’s not cool at all.

Kindly click NEXT to read about Salman’s life-fundas

What is your funda in life Salman?

You know me for so many years. Jaise jeeta hoon, vaise jeeta hoon, jo hoon woh hoon, apna way of life apna hota hai, jaise aapka hai (I lead my life the way I want to. I am the way I am. Everybody leads life on his or her terms, just like you do). I keep trying to not hurt anyone but fail everytime.

Something you would like to share with us while working on Jai Ho...

I love Suzuki bikes. We're using it in my recent movie Jai Ho. The bikes we've used in Jai Ho are RM's. And I love driving them. (I) had a blast on them... even fell off once but that’s fine!
There was some problem with the rig one day. This stupid guy put the camera rig near the front tyre and one of the bolts got stuck in the wheel as I braked hard and ended up with the bike toppling over. Bach gaya, jaise bach gaye picture mein bhi (Did hurt myself much just like in the movie).