Category Archives: Motorcycles
BIKES: Japan establishes Motorcycle Hall of Fame
The Motorcycle Federation of Japan has established a national Motorcycle Hall of Fame. For its inaugural year, it has inducted two important figures in two-wheel racing into its ranks. The inductees were announced Saturday, December 15, at an award ceremony … Continue reading
Posted in Motorcycles
Tagged honda, Isle of Man TT, kunimitsu takahashi, motorcycles, suzuki
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NEWS: Honda is coming out with a retro motorcycle too
With Kawasaki’s recent debut of a K1-inspired retro motorcycle, Honda is not about to neglect its own rich two-wheeled history. Internet sleuthing has turned up a Honda patent filing with Japan’s intellectual property administration that reveals what could be a revival of the legendary Honda CBX.
NEWS: Kawasaki’s retro-styled Z900RS Cafe goes on sale
Since its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show last year, the retro-styled the Kawasaki Z900RS has been well-received in its home market. The bike we called “the Kenmeri Skyline of motorcycles” for its place in Japanese motoring history just went on sale July 1 and … Continue reading
NEWS: Honda is bringing Cubs and Monkeys to the US
We were pretty torn up when Honda announced in April 2017 that it would discontinue its Monkey motorcycle by the end of the summer, especially when it was the 50th anniversary of the 50cc mini-bike. The reason given was that it was too hard … Continue reading
NEWS: Retro Kawasaki Z1000 MkII-inspired bike unveiled at Tokyo Motorcycle Show
One of the biggest news items in the world of nostalgic motorcycles came last year at the Tokyo Motor Show when Kawasaki unveiled the retro Z900RS. Our own San Mamiya called “the Kenmeri Skyline of bikes” due to the impact it had … Continue reading
Posted in Motorcycles
Tagged Doremi Collection, kawasaki, Tokyo Motorcycle Show, Z1000, Z900RS
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VIDEO: This is how Honda has made 100 million Super Cubs
We at JNC love the Honda Super Cub. Honda recently passed the incredibly impressive milestone of having sold 100 million units since the Super Cub’s debut in 1958. That’s the same sales figures as the Volkswagen Beetle, Toyota Corolla, and Ford F-series pickup, … Continue reading
MOTORBIKES: This 50th Anniversary Special will be last Honda Monkey ever made
As we reported back in April, the Honda Monkey will be discontinued at the end of August after 50 years of production. To mark the occasion, Honda has created one final special edition of the famed mini-bike. The Honda Monkey 50th … Continue reading
Robert M. Pirsig, author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Mainetenance, 1928 — 2017
American author Robert M. Pirsig died on Monday at his home in South Berwick, Maine. His passing was made known by his publisher, William Morrow, who said that the writer’s health had been failing. Pirsig is most known for his classic 1974 … Continue reading
NEWS: Honda Monkey celebrates 50th anniversary, to be discontinued in August
It is with great sadness that we report the Honda Monkey will cease production by the end of this summer. Honda has announced that at the end of August 2017, the 50cc minibike will finish its 50-year run. Before it goes, though, … Continue reading
BIKES: Honda reveals retro-styled 2017 CB1100 EX
Honda has announced the 2017 CB1100 EX, a motorcycle styled after the renowned 1969 Honda CB750. That model was the world’s first production superbike and transformed the world of motorcycling when it debuted.
Prince’s Purple Rain Honda motorcycle was awesome
The artist known as Prince passed away today at the age of 57. His musical achievements are well documented, but if you were a young motorhead in 1984 when Purple Rain came out, his custom Honda was the coolest bike around.
EVENTS: Naniwa Swap Meet
Among the items on our Japan bucket list was checking out a real swap meet. Turns out, automotive-themed ones are not terribly common there, but we were fortunate enough to have Osaka’s Naniwa Swap Meet coincide with our stay.
Posted in events, honda, kei, mazda, Motorcycles, nissan, suzuki, toyota, wagons
Tagged advan, c10, cappuccino, cressida, crown, Crown Majesta, dekotora, Hakosuka, honda, jimny, Kanjo Loop, kei, Kei Works, Laputa, mark II, mazda, motorcycles, Naniwa Swap Meet, osaka, passol, police, porter, publica, r31, s130, S180, sanitora, skyline, sunny truck, SuperCub, suzuki, toyota, tundra, wagons, x70, yamaha
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EVENTS: Tokyo Motor Show, Day 02
On Day One of the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show we saw one of the most significant concepts to come out of Japan since the FT-86. With that excitement out of the way, we spent Day Two seeing what Nissan’s major … Continue reading
Posted in concepts, events, honda, mazda, minicars, Motorcycles, toyota
Tagged atenza wagon, concept, corolla fielder, crown, daihatsu, deca deca, fc deck, fit, formula 1, honda, Ken Okuyama, kopen, mazda, motorcycles, nsx, ra271, rc142, s360, s660, SuperCub, tokyo motor show, tomica, toyota, toyota 86
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VIDEO: “Silver Bullet” Honda CB350 Cafe Racer
The last time we saw Electric Federal they were chatting with Brian Karasawa about his 1977 Celica Liftback. Now it’s time for some classic Honda love (of the two-wheeled variety). Gasser Customs builds classic cafe racers like this Honda CB … Continue reading
Yamaha Y125 Moegi is your retro 1955 YA-1 motorcycle
Our final report from the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show looks at another retro-styled concept from a Japanese manufacturer. The Yamaha Y125 Moegi is a lightweight motorcycle designed after the 1955 Yamaha YA-1. Its 125cc SOHC four-stroke single-cylinder engine gets 80 km/l, or an astounding … Continue reading
Posted in Auto Shows, Motorcycles
Tagged moegi, motorcycles, tokyo motor show, y125, ya-1, yamaha
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2011 Tokyo Motor Show Preview: Retro-electric Honda motorcycle concepts
The Tokyo Motor Show is widely known as a place where Japan’s auto industry cuts loose with the funkiest concepts their engineers can conjure. At the last biennial show in 2009, Honda showcased its future electric tech under a nostalgic, … Continue reading
Posted in Motorcycles
Tagged beat, honda, motocompo, motor compo, rc162, rc163, takahashi kunimitsu
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Honda Super Cub’s 50th Anniversary
Honda held a ceremony in Tokyo yesterday to celebrate a half century of the Super Cub motorcycle, which went on sale in August, 1958. Although its engines have grown in size and technology, the basic design of the bike has … Continue reading
Some Bike it Hot
Apparently this is quite the hot video meme in Japan right now. We were positively floored by the amazing skills of these Japanese riders, instructors at the Fushimi Techincal Center motorcycle driving school. The Japanese are just as fanatical about … Continue reading
Posted in Motorcycles
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