Im pretty sure that is where this all started but I haven't concluded my research on the origins of the style yet. This small shop in Japan has been producing, in my opinion, some seriously innovative bikes. So much so in fact, that it has caught on over here in the states in a big way. Given the recent rend toward chopping 70's era Japanese bikes these days( i.e. xs650) it is definitely good to see guys doing something original as opposed to multitudes of freshly hard tailed bikes you see rolling out of suburban garages every day. The trademarks of the style are basically everything the American chopper is not. A short wheelbase, compact riding position, REAR SUSPENSION(the popularity of the hardtail design confounds me based on anything other than looks), and retention, if not modification, of all or most of the stock parts. The thing I like most about these bikes is they retain every bit of their original function, whilst showcasing the builders ingenuity and creativity. A fine juxtaposition to the stale, and unimaginative state of the american bike scene.
These are just some of the bikes that I feel are superb examples of the style. The high bars and tight seating position, as opposed to the American compunction to put forward controls on everything, is definitely more suited to a more "spirited" ride. In spite of the smaller displacement of these bikes in general, I imagine you would be hard pressed to find a big twin that could keep up with these little guys on a mountain road, or when traffic gets tight.
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