11-24-2016, 02:55 PM
Hatred of the Japanese bikes is nothing but disconnect from reality. When the Japanese came to popularity in the '60s and early '70s (yeah, I was riding back then) the European and American companies were in rapid decline in quality and development and unless you were part mechanic and total devotee you didn't ride much.
Tools and spare parts were required for even modest trips. The Jap bikes made quantum leaps ahead of the established makers. What could out run and out handle a classic British 650? A Jap 450. American big twins were all the rage and yet complete rebuilds at 25 and 30 thousand miles were common. A friend was the son of an HD dealer back then and a huge part of the business was overhauling the cities fleet of HD police bikes.
I learned to ride on Sportsters and Bonnievilles of the era. and even had a few Ducati and a Guzzi back then. The coming of the UMJ 4 cylinder was sea change in the sport. The improvement in over all performance was staggering. "Hate Japanese bikes"? We might not haveva modern motorcycle community without them.
Tools and spare parts were required for even modest trips. The Jap bikes made quantum leaps ahead of the established makers. What could out run and out handle a classic British 650? A Jap 450. American big twins were all the rage and yet complete rebuilds at 25 and 30 thousand miles were common. A friend was the son of an HD dealer back then and a huge part of the business was overhauling the cities fleet of HD police bikes.
I learned to ride on Sportsters and Bonnievilles of the era. and even had a few Ducati and a Guzzi back then. The coming of the UMJ 4 cylinder was sea change in the sport. The improvement in over all performance was staggering. "Hate Japanese bikes"? We might not haveva modern motorcycle community without them.