New H-D and BMW riders in Japan-they are machismo

[ultracyclist]

A few minutes ago Public Radio did a piece on new riders in Japan. Car sales have slipped, but the sales of BIG motorcycles are very good.

They are buying big machismo bikes. (I did not realize that big BMW's were machismo).

The Japanese riders admit that their own bikes are more reliable and more easily servicable. But in Japan, I guess that size really matters.

By the way, they do not get their motorcycle license until they can ride their bikes on a narrow beam.

There you have it. And congratulations to all K-LT owners who have been knighted "machismo".

 

[Semper_Fi]

Would like to see the beam riding test

 

[ultracyclist]

I would like to see the beam riding test, too.

I think it would look something like the technical terrain event where one has to ride as SLOW as possible over different things like downed trees, rocks, steep hills, etc.

 

[Semper_Fi]

Slight digression but ever see a trials event - unbelievable

 

[Visian]

harleys are FAR more machismo than BMWs... here's proof:


the Harley rationale...

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and the BMW pitch...

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ian

 

[The_Veg]

When I visited in 2007 I found Japan to be a very different, but interesting place for the two-wheeled enthusiast.

The most obvious thing was that what we think of as Japanese bikes are 'export models.' I don't think I saw a single high-performance 'crotch rocket' at all.

I saw very few bikes of much any size beyond 250cc. Understandable really, as my quick-n-dirty math determined that fuel was about $11/gallon.

Mostly scooters.

Lots of Honda Super Cubs used for mostly commercial purposes.

I did see a few Harleys and one W650 in Tokyo.

I saw two BMWs. One was an R1100R in Tokyo, the other was a K1200RS in Kamakura, which is an affluent coastal town that reminds me very much of Santa Cruz.

Here are some bike pics I took in Japan:

 

[xp8103]

When I visited in 2007 I found Japan to be a very different, but interesting place for the two-wheeled enthusiast.

So much 2-stroke smoke, so little clean air...