Japanese market stuff

[.Chris.]

Bored this evening, so decided to have a look at the Big 4's Japanese websites. They really do keep some of the best stuff to themselves! Particularly annoying if, like myself, you like smallish bikes - plenty are made, just none brought over here. Not sure how strict Japanese emissions regs are compared to ze Euro ones, but that may have something to do with it.

Kwak Estrella
Yamaha SR400
Suzuki ST250
200cc, 16bhp Suzuki Van Van
Honda CB223S
Honda VTR250
Honda CB1100

Plus all the usual 400cc versions of the bigger stuff. Real shame we get none of it over here .
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Chris
1985 Kawasaki Z550F

[Shinigami]

I like the look of that vtr.. though purely on looks, no idea about the important stuff
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Current: Honda City Fly CLR125 2003 Honda CB600F Hornet 2008 Yamaha FZ6 S2 + 1991 Kawasaki GPZ500
"Once you realize what a joke everything is, being the Comedian is the only thing that makes sense.

[Rogerborg]

Kawashima-san would be able to confirm, but it looks like it's down to vehicle and license categories, with a vehicle class change at 250 and anything 400+ needing a different license that looks to be expensive and hard to get. Seems to be something about riding on a balance beam, possibly with punji stakes on either side.

I like the look of those standard/retro bikes but we'll never see the 250s over here. The 400s, well, maybe, let's see what the 3DLD brings us.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Reid]

Worth noting the VTR250 is also an official import in America (although hardly any dealers seem to stock them) and Oz too. Just the UK misses out when it comes to the English-speaking market

[kawashima]

400 is the largest size with easier licence but 250 is popular here because we don't need MOT below 250. MOT costs us about £500 per 2 years so young students go to 250 class.
Regarding emission it became stricter(as same as Euro3 but at some points stricter than Euro3 like cold starting engine test added etc) since around 2007 therefore many small bikes now have Fuel Injection, and power dropped and price gone up.
I think why honda uk doesn't sell 250 (since CBF250 dropped) is most rider go up to 500 twin or restricted 600 after 125 class.
250 class bikes are being ridden with nearly no maintenance (no MOT), so when we buy used 250 or under, we must be careful.
Personally I like VTR250. New CBR250R is cheaper and faired. Honda sells both here. I wonder if Honda will drop VTR they seem to sell new CBR worldwide.
I personally don't like kawasaki small bikes so much cause most of them are made in Thailand and build quality doesn't look good.
On the other hand 125cc geared bike aren't sold much here, we can't buy Varadero125. And kawasaki big bikes are usually Malaysian version which isn't full powered one like one sold in uk, Honda sells CBR1000RR but it's 118PS, and they don't take care of full powered one with grey import. But we must thank we can buy far cheaper than in U.K.
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own:2020 Serow 250
owned: 2012 YB125SP, 2008 TDM900, 2005 W650, 2002 LS125R, 2002 CB400SF, NS50F, C50 / Trip to UK(2009), Hokkaido touring(2013)

[rac3r]

[Rogerborg]

[Polarbear]

[kawashima]

Most of us are lazy and have necessary inspection and maintenance done by dealer of bike shops. I selected an example of bike chain "Naps" but this is fairly cheaper than most of bike shops.
If done by user it costs only £157.

So £157 should be compared to MOT cost in UK.

And our shaken costs include liability insurance for 2years and weight tax. That's why ours seems to be expensive.
https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/shakenfee.png

Naps page
https://www.naps-jp.com/html/syaken/pdf/reliable_111017.pdf
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own:2020 Serow 250
owned: 2012 YB125SP, 2008 TDM900, 2005 W650, 2002 LS125R, 2002 CB400SF, NS50F, C50 / Trip to UK(2009), Hokkaido touring(2013)