How have Japanese motorbikes been received outside Japan?

It depends by country.  In several Asian countries where driving cars is still not common for a variety of reasons, motorbikes are very popular.  They are inexpensive, easy to maintain, fuel-efficient, and great to navigate in heavy traffic.  Thus, in these countries, motorbikes are an ideal means of transport for the masses allowing them to avoid public transport at least some times.

In the industrialized world, motorbikes serve a totally different purpose.  Since almost everyone who has a motorbike is very likely to use a car as a primary vehicle, the motorbikes are used exclusively for fun.  No wonder so much romance is attached to riding motorcycles as is evidenced by the almost fanatic culture of Harley Davidson riders.  It appears that no one disputes the fact that Harleys are a class by themselves and their riders have a unique personality, so much so that Harley riders behave as if they belong to a cult.  Then there is BMW that competes with its line of high-end motorbikes. 

The Japanese motorbike manufacturers have been extremely successful in supplying high-quality products to all those enthusiasts who either cannot wait to buy a Harley (the waiting period can be several months) or just do not want to spend as much as it takes to buy a decent car.  In these cases, buying a Japanese motorbike is a perfect solution. 

While not doing so in Japan, the Japanese motorbikes manufacturers have successfully accomplished an additional task: making motorbikes popular among women.  While men in the west have always treated their automotive vehicles as feminine objects, a motorbike has appealed to women as well and millions of them actually own a motorbike.  They engage in all activities that male riders do: partying with other bikers and then doing all the crazy things that happen during a biker rally.  Why do women prefer Japanese motorbikes?  We asked several such fans and the clear answer is the performance of the bikes, light weight, ease of handling, and a good balance between the macho-feminine design.

Do any of these women realize that they are next to a Japanese product - the land of temples and shrines, Kyoto, Nara, tea ceremony, and everything else that makes Japan what it is - a country that mixes the past and the present in a unique manner?

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