Two Brand New 2012 in store.

[FalcoPerigri]

I do get the general feeling that the 2012 Busa is not going to make the World skip a heartbeat and sit up to be noticed. The era of Hayabusa supremacy is either regarded as over or at the very least, put to serious question. So yes, if Suzuki keeps the 08 Gen II model much the same except for colour scheme, that's like announcing loud and clear that playing 2nd fiddle is quite OK.
For me, my Busa will always have that extra bit of "Magic" which I don't find elsewhere, but new potential owners might not think that way, especially when they look in the direction of the S1000rr and the new ZX1400.
The 4 into 2 OEM (Busa) mufflers definitely make a monumental droopy impression, even though they sound quite silky and OK. If Suzuki simply brings in a proper 4 into 1 system as OEM(similar to the Akra full 4-1 system I put on mine) + better brakes and handling it would make a huge difference, but so far they seem totally disinterested which is a shame as it's relatively simple and it will gain 2 things.
Visual appeal and weight-loss. I think that if one is not actually striving to improve the product or oneself, you may as well give up altogether. Right now, I think the Busa is in danger of actually getting tossed out of the ball-park.