HD Culture Alive and Well in Japan
By Bruce Montcombroux

Just like Sturgis, but serving sushi with the corn dogs.

 

Believe Harleys are very popular in Mexico and South America too.

 

Japan’s Harleys are quite the luxury item in Japan. They have quite a cult following. Strangely, the AMF Harley’s are the most desireable.

Check out Blue Groove (a Harley shop in Kamakura, Japan) that specializes in vintage Harley’s. The owner, the husband of one of my wife’s friends, travels to America about once a year and buys vintage Harley’s to bring back and rebuild in Japan.

Great shop and amazing bikes.

R,
Sanjuro

 

Funny that his should come up, I have been watching lots of japanese videos lately, and there is a shop with all kinds of vintage harleys being ridden out of, down the block, and around the corner. There are some real beautifull classics, makes me wonder how the hell they aquired them.

 

I can see that.
I stayed in Kamakura with family and friends, total surfer city, great vibe

 

I have watched a few of their HOG rallies on Youtube. The culture there is alive and well. There is a huge following for the older models.

 

So, this make me wonder, how do H-D dealers in Japan discuss with potential buyers the notion of "Jap Crap" motorcycles?

 

Korea is getting bit into Harleys too. I see them decked out with all the customization they can get. Not sure about Japan but Korean culture seems materialistic as in drive VERY nice and lux cars and living in crappy apt is okay. So I’m guessing it’s a huge status symbol to have these Harley bikes.

 

They even have their own MC’s. Not the same as the MC’s in the USA. The MC’s in Japan have all the visual accessories of an MC (vests, 3 patches, etc), and the membership, but their really just get together, have fun and ride.

No 1%ers type clubs in Japan. Most of the members in a Japan MC have high paying salary jobs (Harleys are about 50% more in cost in Japan, and almost all are bought new).

Actually, being in a Japan MC and having a Harley is a status symbol as only well off Japanese usually can afford the Harley life.

R,
Sanjuro

 

I just went there today, spoke to the owner. It was Golden Week, but he still let me in to buy a t-shirt and showed me around. Super chatty and friendly!

He said that he hasn't been to the US since before Corona-virus, and currently the yen to dollar rate would kill him if he went... Awesome bikes though!