bluevolt

Most of us lust after the fabulous machines which the Japanese big (Hon-Suz-Yam-Kawa) four dish out - ever wondered what kind of bikes the Japanese themselves ride in their own country? What I have done in this thread is to document what kind of machines ply on the Tokyo roads during everyday riding. I have been planning to do this over a long time over the years, but finally managed to take some pictures! Following are the categories of the 2 wheelers in Japan, ranked by their popularity:

1) Honda cub 50cc moped: Undoubtedly the largest selling 2 wheeler in Japan. Extremely practical with phenomenal fuel efficiency.

2) Small Scooters: Small pep/dio type scooters.

3) Maxi Scooters: They are like lazyboy recliners on two-wheels. Huge, padded seats, even more humongous storage. Models like Yamaha Majesty, Suzuki Burgman and Skywave.

4) 400 cc nakeds/retros/sports: Sub 400 cc bikes are very popular in Japan due to the existence of license restrictions - you need a higher (and more expensive) level of license for over 400cc bikes. Honda CB400 is the best seller in this category and fully naked\semi faired versions exist. Yamaha XJR400 is another strong model. VTR 250 is also popular. A big second hand market exists for such bikes in Japan so parts and accessories are readily available.

5) Sub-400 cc cruisers: Bikes like Vulcans, Eliminators, Honda Shadow customs/classics.

5) Supersports/high capacity big boys: Do I need to say more? The other day I saw half a dozen (yes, 6) Honda Valyries parked side by side - and I did not take pictures, foolish me. Enough power to light up a district in Tokyo.

I will keep on updating this post with pictures over the next one week I am here. For a change, I am on vacation and not on work!

Honda cub:




Small scooters:







Maxi Scooters:








Express delivery/courier bikes - I think the first pic is a Ninja 250, followed by nakeds - mostly CB/XJR 400's and a few Honda Hornets.






Some sub-400 cc bikes:



A Ninja 250!

Aryan

General Biking Discussion Approved.

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Sunny

Look at those big scooters. Somehow a few images reminded me of Tintin in Tokyo (The Blue Lotus), I dont know why

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aargee

So you've flew to Japan from Bangy now huh? Good, the first pic looks 99% similar to Bajaj M80; may be Bajaj copied or the other way!!!

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bluevolt

Earlier, the 'bike street' in Ueno area in Tokyo(picture coming up soon!) used to the destination for second hand bikes, general accessories and gear, but it ain't so any more. I came here after two years and was terribly disappointed. The recession has taken a toll and a few shops have shut down too. I made a few bad purchases there last week!

That was because I did not know about the Motorcycle accessories and parts chain store called 'NAPS'. Now this store is a different place altogether. When I visited one of their stores earlier this week, my eyes popped open in disbelief. I thought I had seen it all in US, but this place was on a different level. They had everything - from stretchable Carbon fibre sheets to parts to waterproof Denims! Not to mention a mind boggling array of lights, bolts, exhaust systems, cleaners, luggage, protection and locks and much more which I could not figure. It took a lot of self control for me not to let my credit card loose in that store. I stuck to some practical purchases. On my second visit to another NAPS store a day back, I asked permission to take pictures from inside the store, but I was turned down




My shopping!

Sunny

Look at THIS! -> http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/a...a/IMG_6530.jpg :O

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Samyaza

Ninja 250 used by courier boys! What a slap in the face


How's the sheer volume of traffic compared to B'lore and how is it handled there?

bluevolt

This is the place of the Lotus eaters, alright! I never want to leave this country!

Oh yes, I flew in last week! The Honda cub has been around forever so the M80 seems a take down

Mostly practical (and relatively inexpensive) stuff like heat shields, colored and perforated spacers, titanium finish 10mm allen bolts, flexible funnel for oil/coolant changes, palm sized foot pump, heat resistant glass wool fabric, Arai helmet replacement straps, K&N air filter for the 250R, JB cold weld epoxy, rainproof boot covers/jacket/pants, camera mount for handlebars, Ninja decals, extra thick ty-raps, water repellant helmet shield spray, Kawasaki Lime green touch up paint pen, 'alarm installed on bike' decal.

Things I wanted to buy for the Ninja 250, but stopped short due to money/space:

1) Carbon fibre front cowl, side covers, chain cover.
2) Zero Gravity racing windscreen
3) Powercommander for Ninja 250R
4) Pirelli Sport demon tyres
5) Rear LED lights
6) Touring handlebar conversion kit
5) Gel seats
6) Radiator grill cover
7) Xena XN 18 lock
8) Carbon fibre number plate
9) Tons of luggage
10) Monster energy Arai

Sunny

Thats a nice way to make someone see green (pun intended!)

Congratulations on a wonderful trip though!

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bluevolt

At least all of us Ninja owners will get a job in recession hit Japan as courier boys. Not a bad deal, I tell you

In most developed countries, people stick to lanes, follow rules so any managing involves only re-routing the traffic. Traffic can a bit much during the morning/evening rush hours in the central business districts, but there will be a standard transit time which will be 90% predictable. And there is a lot of info on which roads are clogged up, so people can take alternate routes (info on electronic road signs or cellphone/GPS apps) to avoid the traffic. The big mass we see in Bangalore can't be called traffic, that is mass invasion of every space available!

But the local train network in Tokyo is so efficient, so owning a vehicle seems futile, at least in the city. People use a combination of cycle/train to reach their homes/offices efficiently. For example, I will own two bicycles, one at my home (which I can ride to the departure train station and park there for a small fee) and the second at the destination train station which I can ride to the office and back to the train station. There is ample parking everywhere. I have seen multi level parkings just for bicycles!