part 1975－2016

Japanese English

　Our motorcycle went up a winding path in the thick woods upto Amagi-toge Pass. The unpaved road was a marvelous place for feeling the mysterious atmosphere radiating from Mt.Fuji.
　The silence, when I turned off the engine beside wet rocks on this Shaded path, enveloped us. And it purified our hearts and filled us with the mysterious power. The evening sun shining on the small fishing boat nearby, the brave figure of Mt. Fuji, and the scent of pine needles. We learned everything is a gift from heaven.
　The wind we felt on the motorcycle made us notice that we are living with nature.
　　　　　　　　　　　2016 Izu・Fuji (Japan)

　Harley Davidson Electra Glide.
　The TRUNKS capable of carrying supplies for two Japanese for a week, the EXHAUST like the howling of fierce animal, and the VIBRATION when we run in a suburban road at middle speed. A Harley's appeal isn't based on its performance data. We go, without pressing the brake pedal for many miles, without changing the gear for plenty of hours, with a happy feeling we trust our machine. We feel refreshed in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, which appear one after another. The scenery had the power to leave us thankful to see something so sublime. Many Canadians often spoke to us friendly "How's everything?". On coming motorcycle riders never fail to send the peace sign. All these times were times for re-recognition of what is truly important.
　　　　　　　　2016 Canada・Jasper, Banff

　Honda's VTX1800, getting off the ferryboat.
　The things waiting for us were the dazzling sky and the sea of Kyushu. Beautiful scenery of Nagasaki bay from Inasa-yama mountain, soft glances of the passengers on tram-train, and the scilence when I stopped the engine on the foot of Kaimon-Dake mountain. All those things were filled with great fascinations just as we expected. Even the birds flying in the sky or the leaves of potato fields were waving to us. Three-dimensional space with a motorcycle changed its appearance again and again.

　　　　　　　　　　

2016 Kyushu　（Japan)

　Harley Davidson Ultra Classic. The leviathan's steady going keeps the crews safe on stone pavement or on a tram-way in Europe. Starting the engine is formal like a ceremony, and strong vibrations of its large body assert that the big pistons are moving, increasing our heart rate. When U-turning, if the rider applies power on rear-wheel and steps on the brake hard, he can stabilize the machine wondrously. At the gas station in Salzburg, or parking place in Innsbruck, an old couple, a father with kids, a woman shopping and even a bus driver talked to this Japanese couple. All of these moments were made by a motorcycle.

　　　

2015 Germany, Austria

　Choshi-no-taki Falls in Oku-Hida flowed down effusively involving the buzz of the colored leaves with it. The fall's sound drowned out the V-twin exhaust howling and our breathing. Wood nymphs were looking toward us from the dark trees in the early evening with everyone. We wondered if it had rained or the water falls were merely playing. Autumn colors, air and the sounds of the woods went through our bodies many times over. The hot exhaust roaring of the motorcycle let us come into ourselves, we noticed it is just now in that wonderful moment.

　　　

2015 Oku-Hida　（Japan)

English

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

The beautiful city view of Hiroshima from an overhead highway was reflecting the light of potential power of Japan. The battleship Yamato, which was remade one smaller scale for an exhibition at the museum in Kure, let us feel the earnestness of our predecessors. Winding road in Akiyoshi-dai Karst plateau, a mountain path to Nageire-Dou in Sanbutsu-ji Temple, new pavement of San-In High Way. Now is a good time to ride on all the roads in Japan for they welcome big motorcycles. I want to keep riding, feeling the wind, chasing the sun light. With a motorcycle.
　2015 San-in, San-yo
　　　　　　　　(West part of Japan)

　B+com, A wireless Bluetooth communication device. Speakers and a microphone inside the helmet make it bi-directional communication possible. Between tandem riders and other riders on different bikes. Clear digital sound and automatic volume levels according to the noise of our surroundings. An hour of charging makes it possible to use all day long. ３channels are used for telephone, and music and speaking. Of course it is possible to listen the voice of a GPS navigation at the same time. We are old enough to know the amateur radio transceiver, we are nostalgic for using a PTT switch every time we speak. This is a useful device to share the light, wind, and time with a motorcycle.

　The Sony Action Cam. A very small video camera like a matchbox, it can record the point of view of the rider. Using Japanese made high image processing apparatus, the quality of the picture is incredible even at night or in tunnel or full of vibrating conditions. The monitor armstrap also works as on/off switch for recording, I must say it has very high operability. The brave figures of high mountains of Alps, the views along the Danube with a flood of light, heavy rainfall on Romantic Road. This instrument recorded these heart-pounding, exciting and thrilling feelings. I am looking forward to seeing the movies on the big screen with friends with good wines in hand, when I become too old to get on a motorcycle.
　2015　Germany

　The Harley Davidson Ultra Classic.
To say nothing about the acoustic system and auto-cruise device, the seats and trunks are high quality and make us happy with unbounded pleasure to have a long journey on a motorcycle. It never highlights the power capability or its ability of accelerating, but makes known the pleasure of its cornering ability that is characteristic of a two-wheeler, dynamically, but stably.
I must say motorcycle is one of the best things to share the taste of life, time, and experiences.

　

2015 Kyoto, Hokuriku (Japan)

　Its big torque from a low rotational frequency gives a sense of unlimited reliability, and even when tandem riding with full baggage, it is stable and easy for the rider to make a U-turn with only using the rear brake and accelerator. Before telling its horse power or fuel consumption or mechanisms, we can understand that motorcycles are exciting vehicles, and can realize how they made the unstable two-wheeler into a steady machine in a long history. A Harley is an extremely attractive motorcycle, made in America.

English

　　2015 Hokkaido・Mt Akan

　

　The dancing of cherry blossoms was in full swing on the mountain roads of Kami-Yahagi(上矢作) and Ena Village(恵那). The birds, waited and waited for spring, were playing with the spray of the Nodo-no-Taki falls(喉の滝). The flower petals beside Agigawa-ko lake(阿木川湖), dancing at blowing wind, were announcing the spring party would close soon, so visitors there had sorrow at parting from there. Every tree on the mountains sprouted, the winter which had silenced the surroundings until recently was not there. The moment when we felt extremely pleased was when we exchange greetings among other motorcycle riders as we passed each other.
2015 Kamiyahagi ･ Nodo-no-Taki Falls

The narrow road to Choshi-no-Taki　Falls (奥飛騨・銚子の滝) was covered with beautiful yellow and red maple leaves. The leaves falling like snow with the sound of water were welcoming us, the lucky visitors. All the creatures in mou
ntains were moving to prepare for the coming winter, and even the sounds of leaves rubbing against each other were just saying “Winter! Winter !”. The exhaust sound of our V-twin engine was just like the heart tones of some living organisms.

2014
Okuhida　Chosi-no-taki fall(Japan)

English
2014 France Paris/Mont Saint Michel
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

　The Harley Davidson Softail. The satisfying rotational torque of a 1600cc air-cooled two cylinders engine was perfect as usual, powerful from low to high speeds. If we describe the engine sound of a 4 or 6 cylinders jet plane, the sound of this Harley is exactly that of helicopter. It was a greatly satisfying to open the throttle at high gear on the suburban road, the Harley pushed us forward with loud roar.
It was easy to understand why there are a lot of Harley fans all over the world.
　Mont Saint Michel version
Paris/Chartres version

2014　Mt. Fuji　　

Nagoya port bridge

The Honda VTX-1800.
A 1800cc engine with two cylinders is quite enjoyable when we feel its strong beat. Its long wheel base makes it very straight, the feeling of controling this vehicle is easy and free with the wide steering bar. This big guy is good at tandem driving with big luggage, and is highly balanced to keep driving for a long distance. It is a monster-sized motorcycle which lets the driver want to keep riding even after a whole day of riding.

　Harley Davidson Road King.
　 If you would have experienced the full impact of the sound of its engine sound, its soft seat, and fat torque, you wouldn't complain about its mechanically wired dull clutch, or perplexing neutral gear position. A lot of things of this Harley Davidson troubled us a lot. But after a long ride without any stopping through large continental roads, we would still say "Well, let it go".
　It feels rough when we go and stop at the traffic lights from the extending and contracting of the suspention spring. But dramatically it changes to a first-class sofa on the high way. Then we can understand the insistence of engineers of Harley. And we accept the reason why many Harley fans are there all over the world.　

2014 Sydney（Australia）

The mysterious fellows on the motorcycles.
　They are males in yellow shirts with mysterious smiles. Their group name is "The Exhausted Riders".
　They usually are kind and calm vintage men. But change their expressions suddenly when they put their helmets and leather gloves on. They ride on their motorcycles. Sometimes on burning asphalts. Sometimes with ice on their jackets. They ride on ther favorite motorcycles.
　The liquid monsters waiting for the riders are “Shockers”, highly alcoholic concentration. Shockers try to put down the Exhausted Riders hard. But the Exhausted Riders never fail. They drink up all of the Shockers, with a loud laugh and smacking their lips.

Seseragi-Roadway（せせらぎ街道）
Enshu-Roadway(遠州街道)

　

English
　

2013　Noto Peninsula（Japan）

Noto Peninsula, about 20 years have passed since I was last here. The width of Chiri-hama became small, but the beauty itself was just the same as then. Amazing, fine and smooth highway took us to Wajima and Suzu. The nice garden in Kanazawa and Sen-maida, Wagura Onsen were fit with the feeling of modern Japanese refirement. All places were busy for preparing for winter which was coming soon. To have a trip by motorcycle is to connect with these wonderful moments.　

Yamaha DragStar 400

The Yamaha Drag-Star 400. It has a good seat hight and easiness for pushing and pulling even for the ladies. This Yamaha is a groovy motorcycle. With a good exhaust sound of a 2 cylinder engine changes usual pavement to the scenes of a Romantic movie, and the nice figure which is typical of Yamaha's gives riders the full satisfaction. The riders don’t want to stop the engine even after a long day touring. Good taste, and wonderful quality, superb partner for the rider, we must say.

　Kawasaki ＶＮ1700 Classic Tourer.
Good vibrations but smooth, a wild pulsation engine but still runs gently. Nice handling without quirky movement was the proof that the machine was made in Japan. Step boards which offer two crew a large amount of flexibility and comfort on long journeys along the Castle Strasse in Germany.Pannier cases which are easy to open and lock, Large saddles and backrest. Above all, the beauty of its form are neat and clean-cut. This is a masterpiece that many want to have.

　

2013
　　　　Ｆｒankfurt(Germany)

　This is the F6B. Honda’s Gold Wing transformed into a lighter and stylish machine. Only Taking off the top case and short-sized cowling made for such a lovely motorcycle. It has 1800cc, a monster 6-cylinders engine, but the low center of gravity and firm frame work of the F6b let the rider run through the mountain pass at our will quite easily. This super machine was redesigned not only by changing the cowling and top-case but also its seat, shape-upped styling matches the style of “A bit bad dad”.

　

2013
　　 Kyoto（Japan）

　This is the Harley Davidson FLH-R Road King, the flag ship of Harley. A 1700cc two cylinder engine lets a rider know each explosion definitively and its exhaust sound when I closed the throttle valve is much more attractive than opening it. We feel as if we are riding on the back of a living thing. It seems to be rather impolite to express this flagship as a “machine” or “instrument”. But we can be aware of the earnestness of Harley’s engineers and its deep history from riding it.

2013
　　Koya-san（Japan）

English　　　

Honda Gold Wing.
　Its overwhelmingly large body, and shape. Especially the view through the wide and high wind screen feels the same as a 4 wheels car. But the preoccupation that everybody has that it is “hard to ride and heavy” disappears fast. And riders will give the Japanese engineers a cheer and applause because this Gold Wing is marvelous and superb. Wonderfully powerful, smooth, torquing full engine, a low center of gravity, a reversing system with starter motor. Every characteristic of this big motorcycle should be admired all over the world. I want to have a long long trip on this perfect touring machine with my wife some day.
　　　

2013 Kamakura（Japan）
　　　

　Ducati Monster 696.
It was fantastic to ride around mountain districts in south France on this cute two wheelers. A dry and dapper sound from an Italian 2 cylinder engine echoed all along the roadway between the prestigious towns. We never got tired on the winding road that doesn’t have any traffic lights. This tomboy comes in brilliant Italian red. The ride was little rough and harsh for me, who was old enough and used to the smooth and modest Japanese machines.

　

2012
　 Nice(France)
　　　

2002～ Honda Pan European

Honda Pan European STX-1300.
It has a good windshield for comfortable cruising of long distances. As it is electrically powered and continuously adjustable, the rider has little negative affect from riding in the rain. Its 1300cc V4 engine gives off a lot of heat, that would be nice for the cold weather in Europe. This motorcycle was powerful enough to offer tandem riders very comfortable long distance touring. In Japan, tandem riding on the high ways was allowed after April 2005, so this motorcycle became the very machine for enjoying couple touring. And communication equipment using Bluetooth to talk not only to tandem riders but also to separate groups of riders while enjoying music. It is a great epoch for riders in history.
　　 Tandem ride Suzuka pass

　Yamaha V-Max 1200.
Have a look the glamorous styling. Water cooled V-four 1200cc engine that holds 140 hp made for fat and fierce exhaust sounds. The beautiful figure of it fascinated me at the garage, and was enough of a plus for me to overcome the wobbly feeling on high ways. The reliability of the shaft drive which made readjustment unnecessary charmed me, the lazy rider. This was the wonderful and lovely monster machine which I had a lot of journeys with for about 15 years.

　　　　　　　　1988～ Yamaha V-Max

　　　

1985～ Shiga-high land, Mount Fuji

CB250RS.
　When my wife was young enough to ride it herself she was satisfied with it's single cylinder exhaust sound very much. Since it doesn't have a starter motor, she had to kick start it every time. Its characteristical light exhaust sound always heads turns when it passes, even now. We rode our motorcycles while operating the PTT switch of an amateur radio transceiver, and we could comfort ourselves from the winter cold wind or rain by the warmth of our partner's voices in our helmet. The spork wheel of it reminds one of the history of vintage motorcycles, elegant and gentle lines.

　Honda CBX750.
I had underestimated it would be impossible to keep riding on motorcycles after becoming a member of society. But it was a nice mistake. The CBX750's style was nice, with a refined small wind shield. It was a machine with which I came to know the enjoyment of riding motorcycle while using an amateur radio transceiver. I wore leather overalls, riding around was a exceedingly happy time. That time was overflowing with motorcycle riders in Japan, men and women of all ages in their own rider jackets, came and went here and there. It was nice time for all Japanese motorcycle riders, particularly for me and my wife.

　　

1983～ Honda CBX 750F

Honda CB750K.
I thought it would be only while I was a student that I could ride motorcycles freewheelingly. So I myself and my good friend worked hard as private tutors and got the same motorcycles, the CB750K. A picture of the DOHC(Double Overhead Cam Shaft) 4 cylinders engine with 4 mufflers makes me excited even now. We arranged a rendezvous at 3 o'clock in the morning, rode in cold air on intermittent high ways to Nikko or even to Akiyoshidai in Yamaguchi-prefecture in those days. We young students didn't mind rain or cold, we enjoyed having journies by motorcycles. I am sure it was the time that I began to say "Thank you" to my motorcycle after a big tour, while stroking its fuel tank. It had a good figured air-cooled engine, and my late mother used to willingly get on it.

　　1980～ CB750K

Honda Dax 50.

When my wife was a university student, to make her field of activities wider, she invested in a new motorcycle. In manual cluch control, it ran cutely. Like a child's plaything picked from a toy box, the shape of the handling bar and seat were unique like an American motorcycle's. It insisted to be run at 30km/h which was wonderful for enjoying scenery.

　　1979～Honda Dax

　Honda HawkⅡ 400.
It was the first motorcycle that had over 40 hp for me after I graduated high school. I can't forget the impact of the power of the 400cc engine that was offered when I opened the throttle. Spoked wheels were ordinary for the motorcycles of those days, so the pentagon iron wheels of this HawkⅡ were fresh for me. Kettle-shaped fuel tanque and its wet exhaust sound were little funny. Influenced by some cartoon, motorcycle gangs, love to ride tandem even now, I feel quite happy because this motorcycle had a high durability.

　　1977～ CB400 Hawk Ⅱ

Honda CB125.
I was a 2nd year student of high school. Fortunately, I was allowed to ride this new motorcycle by my parents. The traffic was not so heavy compared to today's, but it was certain that motorcycles were dangerous vehicles. With only the words "Don't increase your speed", my father trusted his son. I dare say the CB125's 2-cylinder 4-cycle engine doesn't have a lot of power, but this motorcycle was a great instrument for me to enjoy the views. It was just the beginning of my wonderful life with motorcycles.

　　1975～　CB125T