Biker culture is often associated with Americans, Harley-Davidson, and the rumbling sound of V-twin engines serenading The Star-Spangled Banner. However, there is a niche of biker culture that emerged on a faraway land.
The birth of Japanese biker culture or Bosozoku came from the combination of frustrated war veterans and the then popular American biker culture. Similar to its western counterparts, most who joined Bosozoku gangs were former military men who sought an adrenaline rush. Motorcycling culture eventually made its way into popular culture and TV shows. Particularly, in Japan, where anime originated.
Some of you might scream “Where is Akira?” if you see the list I offer, I can justify its absence. The bikes on this list were in production by manufacturers, not just fans, in real life, while Akira’s was not. In the past, these bikes can be bought, ridden, and totaled in the real world if you were born in the correct time period and had enough money. Although, some of these bikes were limited to just a few units and some were hard to get your hands on. One of the allures of these bikes come from their rarity, and it is not so easy to get your hand on one of them. These steel stallions are iconic for unique reasons, and made their way into the Japanese animated culture.
Eikichi Onizuka’s Kawasaki Z2 in GTO (1999)
The two-wheeled star of a legendary anime show, Great Teacher Onizuka, the Kawasaki Z2 was an all-out attempt by Kawasaki to grab the Japanese market. In the anime, the Z2 is our protagonist’s choice on road races and a myriad of delinquency. Eikichi Onizuka, however, eventually put a stop to his unlawful lifestyle and chooses to build his teaching career. His choice of pursuing career isn’t based on a pure intention however, he merely goes for it because of the thought of surrounded by high school girls. Although, his days of juvenile delinquency is practically over, the bike stays by Onizuka’s side. The Kawasaki Z2, also goes with the name 750RS, was an inline-four naked bike. The bodywork carried the classic UJM esthetics, a very distinct look compared to naked bikes of the later decades.
Gun Koma’s Honda CB750F in Bari Bari Densetsu (1986)
Bari Bari Densetsu is one of the most iconic Japanese animated movie based on a manga series with the same title. The 50 minutes movie tells about Gun Koma’s rivalry with a fellow street racer who ends up becoming his racing partner on the track. The movie opens with a race between Gun Koma and his rival, Hijiri Hideyoshi on a mountain road. Hideyoshi’s superior skills and his Suzuki Katana GSX750S proves to be too much for Koma to handle. The race ends abruptly when Koma high-sided his CB750F, luckily with no serious injury or damage to the bike. However, this left Koma’s ego bashed by Hideyoshi who dubs Koma as just a young rich kid. The movie then cuts to the opening, with Koma pushing his battered CB750F.
Rin Suzunoki’s Suzuki Katana 400 in Bakkuon!! (2016)
The smaller version of the Suzuki Katana line, the GSXS 400 appeared in 2016 anime, Bakkuon!! The anime revolves around a group of high school girls with an avid passion for motorcycles. Speaking of passion, Rin Suzunoki is particularly portrayed as a Suzuki diehard fan. Riding her hand-me-down GSXS 400, Rin Suzunoki’s love for the Katana roots from her father’s lifestyle, who is also a biker. Although on paper the Katana 400 is a great bike, its unique look often falls under mockery and criticism. Rin, a devoted Suzuki fan, defends her bike throughout this series, as if the Suzuki logo is part of her skin (IYKYK). The anime itself is full of Suzuki Katana propaganda parody, one of which even says the Katana is God’s bike of choice.
Reiko Terayama’s Bimota Tesi 1D in Golden Boy (1995)
One of the episodes in the short 90s series, Golden Boy, shows a story of a meticulous and elegant lady with a wild side. Kintaro Oe, our protagonist, in his adventure of eternal learning, encountered an avid biker riding a Bimota Tesi 1D. The bike itself was not a ride everyone has. The Bimota Tesi 1D was a rare and exclusive motorcycle in the early 90s. The bike featured a unique steering wheel hub instead of a telescopic fork. The engine was a Ducati made L-twin, with 851 cc capacity, capable of bursting 103 horsepower. Dubbing the Bimota Tesi 1D as a loveable bike is an understatement, especially for Reiko Terayama. She considers her steel stallion to be superior to men, even in terms of giving the pleasure of “riding” a motorcycle or anything else. Suffice to say, there are not a lot of bikers who love their bikes more than Ms. Terayama loves hers.
Kawasaki Raimu’s Kawasaki Ninja ZX12R in Bakkuon!! (2016)
Back to the 2016 anime, Bakkuon!!, there is one mysterious figure with a hidden true identity riding a liter bike. Raimu-senpai is the only character without dialogue in the whole anime. Her mysterious presence and never-to-be-seen face shares a similarity with “The Stig” in Top Gear. The anime depicts Raimu-senpai as an expert motorcyclist. Her ride is a bike that not everyone can handle, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R. The 1,199 cc engine emitted an unbelievable 178 horsepower, which increased up to 190 horsepower at high speed. The bike’s ram-air intake feature was the one responsible for its insane power. It is unclear which production year Raimu-senpai’s ZX-12R is. But, nobody would be surprised if it turns out to be the first generation ZX-12R, prior to “The Gentlemen’s Agreement” which limited motorcycle manufacturers to not make bikes exceeding 200 mph (321 kmh).
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