Japan Part II

Me with Jamie's NSR250

Jamie doing an awesome wheelie at the track

The next big trip was to a local race track with Jamie and friend Tak (which I must say is an awesome motorcycle rider!) I rode along with Tak in his pickup with a Rothmans NSR50 and Jog 80 in the back. Jamie followed us on his Rothmans NSR250. There we met up with other fellow mini bike racers. There were a couple of NSR50s and a super fast RS125. We probably spent all day there hanging out. It was just awesome taking turns trying out each other's bikes. We did some racing, stunts, and just talked about motorcycles in general. It was fun! Later that night I guess you can say we were getting a little bored and somehow found our way into the bushes. In there we discovered some NSR50 parts!! I was so suprised! Some guy probably brought in his street legal NSR50 and decided to prep it for racing on the track. Parts were everywhere! Frames, airboxes, lights, wiring harnesses! It was almost like a (free) junk yard!

Here are a couple of riders. Notice the sparks on the road from this MC28 NSR250 SP (in the middle)!! Remember, this is not a on a race track, its on public roads!  Notice the center yellow dividing line!

On Sunday, we rode to Yahagi dam. The 30 minute ride on an NSR250 for me was a real treat in itself. The scenery was beautiful and the roads were curvey. Yahagi dam is a popular biker's hang out for Japanese riders of all ages! There were a whole bunch of  riders ranging in their teens on their NSR50s/NS-1s to this older guy in his 50s riding a CRM250 (street legal CR250!!!) and everything else in between (including a Ducati with carbon fiber bodywork, NSRs, TZR250s, and even these two guys riding on their Honda Monkeys!! ) It was kind of funny looking at these grown men riding a little kid's bike. But in Japan, you get a lot of respect, even if you ride a Monkey!  It is a real treat to be able to watch these skilled motorcyclists push their bikes to the limits (on public roads too!!!!). You could hear their knee pucks grinding on the road along with the awesome sound of their 2 stroke motor filling the air! It was so amazing! I truely believe that the Japanese people have mastered the skill of motorcycle riding.

Click here to continue to read more of my trip!