Triumphrat

DaveB · 09-25-2007

I've been on this RAT forum nearly 8 months & I've seen postings from many countries. The USA, Canada, the UK, Australia & New Zealand are all well represented on our forums. There's a handful of us from SA.

I've seen Ireland, Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Luxemburg, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Greece, Malta, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Poland & Peru represented here. Some of these countries are only represented here by one or two RATters which is a pity- the more the merrier I reckon! I apologise if I left any countries out. But I've never seen a posting from Japan.

I noticed a group of Ducati supporters at the Japanese MotoGP on Sunday and it got me thinking. What I'd really like to know is what it's like for a Trumpy rider in Japan, and to learn how he/she is viewed by the rest of the biking population there, 99.99 % of whom must ride Japanese bikes. I really like Japanese bikes (I've owned nine) and my question is out of pure curiosity. Can anyone help to answer the question?

DaveB.

Tbirdnz · 09-25-2007

Ah so DaveB san, Konbanwa, velly gud kweshun, me ride Splint in Tokya, me no ride rice burna, me no likey, Splint velly fast bike, me no buy kawasaki kamakazi. Tanku, Sayonara

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Ride on !

Nickwiz · 09-25-2007

The brit bike scene is very big in Japan as I understand it so I'd be suprised if there wasn't one. But I don't think we'll be hearing from them as their writing tends to turn into an undeciferable load of squiggles and blocks on my computer!

Tbirdnz · 09-25-2007

I used to be based in Hong Kong and visited Japan 3 or 4 times a year for over 15 years on business, I must admit I never saw one foreign bike, not that they are not there but they are not there in numbers.

I saw a number of Honda GB500's a copy of a Brit bike, there's even a few here. I saw lots of 'Harley' which turned out to be clones, I was mainly around airports and the city centre although I have toured as a visitor.

Not that they are not there, my friend bought an imported used Thunderbird from Tokyo, it was immaculate for a 2 year old bike, they must keep them in their bedrooms.

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Ride on !

Wombat · 09-25-2007

From what I understand from dealing with Japanese tourists and military personnel who where based in Japan, the licensing laws in Japan may have alot to do with what bikes you may see there.

It is very easy to get a license to ride a bike under 400ccs, but to get a license to ride a bike over 400ccs is very difficult and expensive.
On top of this, imported products attract a huge amount of tax, sometimes putting them out of reach of the average person.

steventhechef · 09-25-2007

Can you imagine an S3 doing a wheelie through the traffic in Tokyo ??

If there are any Japanese on the site "konichi wa"

Or for the trendy punk Japanese

Tbirdnz · 09-25-2007

I remember someone posting a vid about a squid going thru traffic at high speed in Tokyo about a year ago on BHO, even pinging his mirrors off the sides of trucks as he passed between them, it was quite inspiring. The guy knew how to ride, but I would think he was a 'temporary' citizen.

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Ride on !