UNBELIEVABLE! Tokyo Motorcycle Culture is Like No Other

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Welcome to the first video within my travel series, today I check out some the coolest motorcycle spots in Tokyo Japan, including Brat Style, and Spice Motorcycles where I got to ride and extremely cool Harley-Davidson Chopper build!
Become a Channel Member to get early bird viewing privilage of our new videos BEFORE they go public! / @mrdarcy-olman

[@remveen5935]

I just got back from Japan, and it's remarkable how big Harley is there, in particular with younger people and with what fantastic craftsmanship they manage to customize Harleys from all decades. I also find it striking how little they take protective clothing seriously. With the exception of the Vans but including the half helmet and the Wayfarer, everything has to be vintage and oversized. Japanese people are style icons. Harley is not dead yet.

[@basilwatson1]

See my comment ... you can get a harley chop through the test but chop a Honda 4 and you wont get a plate

[@NorickFZS25]

"I also find it striking how little they take protective clothing seriously." In Japan, most people who don't wear protective clothing are those who ride modified motorcycles like this. They consider helmets and protective clothing to be lame.

[@jimstenlund6017]

Image is everything for many of these Japanese people.

[@ShogunMotorbikeAdventures]

Great to see you having an awesome time in 🇯🇵! It’s heaven for motorbike enthusiasts, from a great bike culture to absolutely incredible riding to be had. We love it!

[@LRangerdriver]

I've watched almost all of Mr. Darcy's videos, but this one has inspired me to travel to Japan and do what he had done.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

That’s amazing to hear! Thank you 😊

[@64thBuck]

Your expression at 15:09 was the same when I had my first spin on my '79 HD Ironhead about 4 years ago. They are such an experience to ride those old sportsters, can't get enough of them!

[@drewok1967]

The kanji (Chinese characters) written on the gas tank of that Bike basically translates to 'kamikaze', which is quite fitting for a bike with no front brakes haha

[@richyrara]

Darcy, dude, this is such an awesome video. Can't wait for the rest of this series. The colour grading looks lush and Tokyo's a feast for the eyes (this is making Freddie Dobbs' trips to Barcelona etc seem feeble, haha, no offence Freddie)! Love the Japanese custom scene, and reckon you'll come back to England at least 10% cooler having just been there.⚡Enjoy and thanks for taking us on the ride.

[@IanSixbikes-by6ei]

Great to see you having your first taste of Japanese biking culture, I can assure you the more you explore it the better it's going to get , as for the Kawasaki in the workshop that was an early Z1300, six cylinder shaft driven monster.

[@hooligan8595]

I'm very pleasantly surprised by this, I sat down with a pizza and saw you uploaded a video of visiting Japan of all places and it's the first time I see a westerner exploring their Harley culture, it's such a great surprise and I hope you have fun over there

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thank you so much! Very glad you enjoyed it

[@1234567marks]

As soon as I saw that front brake lever I knew the front brake would be hopeless 😂

[@2Cranks1bike]

Just go to Hokkaido in early June or July, It is motorcycle and bicycle touring HEAVEN. Thousands of moto touring dudes everywhere with immaculately kept bikes and top end camping gear all beautifully curated to match their outfits. Free or super cheap campsites that are immaculately kept, good roads everywhere, cheap food, epic nature from coastal roads to volcanic mountains. I just got done bicycle touring through it, vids on my channel! Completely different vibe from mainland Japan, quite desolate but peaceful.

[@Uncle_Tijikun]

Can't wait to go to Japan next year. I've been dreaming of going for 20+ years and finally I managed to buy the tickets last month. Watching your video hyped me even more man 😂😂😂😂

[@FreddieDobbs]

Wow!! I love those tiny alleys and eateries🤩

[@larsblankenfjell9814]

This is my first time on this channel, and I got lost in brain, I know how fun this is, a proper chopper, its amazing. I just got my bike home to Sweden from Spain, had a lot of work done to it, Changed all the tires, new rear breaks( drum break), and got a new seal in the Gearbox, so all is together, but there are 2pcs of rubber rings missing, to fit the t-pipe for the carburetor, which I hope to find soon. I have also to fit a renovated Linkert carburetor 12M, its a Beaty, and runs better than the Super E S&S, and then some adjustment with throttle wires, return spring, so its about 4-5 hours left to do, and then its ready to ride. Its an 1947 Knuckle Head engine 1200CC, with 16" extended fork, and a raked steering head, so even with longer fork, its level with the street, can't wait to get it ready

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Great to hear and welcome to the channel 👍🏼

[@coynecolm]

Hi Darcy. Colm from Ireland here that owns the xsr700. I’m collecting my Guzzi V7 Stone TEN on Thursday morning. It has checkered paint work on tank etc. I can’t sleep with excitement. I hope you’re enjoying your time in Japan 🇯🇵 Kind regards Colm

[@FreshlySqueezed]

Fun. Scary looking bike but makes for an entertaining video. Your reaction at the end is fantastic! 😊

[@BuckleBuster-n4p]

Great video dude. You mentioned near the start that the UK doesn’t really have a chopper/custom/cafe scene… you’re very mistaken, the UK chopper scene is huge. Check out The Hook Up, Trip Out, 13 County, and the 101 and you’ll see the Chopper scene is thriving massively in the UK

[@xnestapl]

That's a minority though, I can't even remember the last time I saw someone casually riding a chopper here. It's a shame, wish the UK had more choppers/Harleys rather than sports bikes. Japan and US are superior when it comes to the bike scene.

[@BuckleBuster-n4p]

@@xnestapl depends where you live I suppose. There’s a massive chopper scene in Bucks & Herts, I see them on the road permanently.

[@larsblankenfjell9814]

If anybody is interested, my spare Knuckle Head Engine 1946 1200cc, including a complete Gearbox is for sale. The engine been running 560km, same as the gearbox. The Engine was placed in a Trike, but I sold it , but kept the engine and gearbox, which are in excellent condition.

[@ianhalliwell8604]

That thing you were riding looked very scary and made a noise like a bag full of bolts, sooner you than me.

[@miked1254]

That’s definitely one for your memory books. I mean, how many people can actually say they went to Japan, and rode a crazy Frankenstein Harley/Triumph chopper in the middle of Tokyo? Seriously.

[@lovingmylifeasIage6741]

I do like choppers. I have to get mine back on the road. I miss riding it. It gets in your blood.

[@jamesomahoney2181]

71's had right side shift from factory.. I would let a couple friends ride 72' iron head.. it was fun watching them trying to shift w/rear brake and vise/versa

[@DARYLMELVIN]

You should really try making it to the US for one of the bigger chopper shows. I’d recommend Mama Tried in Milwaukee. It’ll be brutally cold and nobody will let you out on their chopper, but I’m sure your mind will still be blown by all the builds.

[@garryclarke-kray4071]

The bike culture in Tokyo looks so cool with loads of custom machines , great video

[@MentatOfDune]

Japan is definitely a bucket-list destination for me. Looks awesome.

[@MrUled]

Having lived in Asia for 8 years, across the region even to Thailand and Vietnam, Harleys are the default goto bike brand for locals that can afford it. It's simply an affinity for standing out, with the biggest, loudest thing possible. Plus the retro idea behind the American dream.

[@daniels2946]

I live in ishikawa, there's quite a strong scene here also. Strong bosozoku presence here which is quite interesting.

[@kainiukainiu5221]

Big ups to Spice Motorcycles! Japanese motorcycle style and culture is the business :)

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Yes indeed!

[@jdabel1]

In early 2020 (just as covid was arriving), my wife and I took the train from Shinjuku to visit Bratstyle. Although there was a bit of a language barrier, they were welcoming and showed me around including their collection up stairs. Well worth the visit. I was also lucky to see a group of Bosozoku riders in Kagoshima.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Sounds like a very similar experience to me! They took me around the whole shop, unfortunately I couldn’t film in the workshop though which is understandable

[@janbastein7355]

Sweden and Japan have the most beautiful Motorcycles!👍👍👍👍👍

[@SC-yf7qs]

You’re so patient & you’ve got such a love for bikes & such a lovely attitude going from shop to shop, I’m so glad you finally got to ride a bike in Tokyo!

[@Mason_van_Bike]

I'm originally from Canada but live in Japan. It's crazy how different the Harley image is over here. It's mostly young kids I see riding cheap old choppers, not old fat dudes on 30 grand wannabe bikes. Even at the big shows like the Tokyo and Osaka motorcycle shows, most of the people milling about the Harley booth are under 30. Harley needs to find a way to bring some of that energy to other markets.

[@kwakithailand]

That 🇩🇪 CEO tried a few weeks ago, backfired miserably 🤷

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

@@Mason_van_Bike yes it would be great to see more young people on Harleys all over the world 🌎

[@dcmotive]

In the US the Harley market is saturated with overweight older dudes with daddy didnt love me issues. Its a tired sector with a thriving leather vest market. The bikes are fun enough, but the douche vibe runs strong.

[@mraidymaddful]

I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable riding a hardtail chopper with such narrow bars, but you live and learn. What an experience though, riding any kind of bike in Japan, you're a lucky man. Maybe you could hire a bike from somewhere and do some exploring. That's what I'd do........

[@mithrandirthegrey7644]

The old Japanese flag pain job on that bike looked SO stylish.

[@williamnethercott4364]

Riding on the left, gears on the right, it's almost going to make me feel at home it it wasn't for my strictly limited Japanese language skills and I would struggle with the food. You looked really stoked, so it can't be bad.

[@sleethmitchell]

the japanese appreciation and esthetic is very much what i remember about the states back in the 60s and early 70s. my esthetic was flash frozen in that same era. my old indian looked very like that chief in brat style shop. wait! was that a 'divorced' sporty you were riding?

[@nonsononessunooko4066]

bosozoku bikes are cool too, my royal enfield classic has bosozoku style build

[@dasboot3350]

Really enjoyed this video. Not into Choppers but that Harley sounded awesome. Japan looks very interesting……🤔🇯🇵 Ps. Thanks for being friendly and having a chat when I bumped into you at Cooperb Motorcycles 👍

[@edmontontangobar4991]

Great video Darcy! More!

[@dozerblade]

Sounded better than the modern bikes, I had a 1979 xls Ironhead Sportster from new, great stuff !

[@kafkastrial8650]

Ilive on the South Coast in England . Back in the 60's we had a very vibrent

[@vicfdez7830]

You love Choppers that is for sure! lol Would be nice to see you returning to HD one day.

[@keithmayes4842]

Oh my god what an opportunity to ride a bike like that in Tokyo 😮 the 360 camera footage was like an acid trip lol

[@Quicksilver_Cookie]

That thing at 12:00 sounds absolutely filthy. I love it.

[@JW20236]

Great video. The Japanese really do know how to make any culture their own. I would love to go one day.

[@saltaireorangebicyclechopp8555]

It's so neat & tidy. 😮 Lovely video with such coolio bikes.

[@mithrandirthegrey7644]

A tall guy who likes motorcycles and plays the drums? Did the ol' man ever visit Sweden because I'm starting to think he might have met my mom sometime in the late 80s :D.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Haha no he’s never been to Sweden 👍🏼👍🏼

[@MikMech]

Brrrrrrrrrrrrr...... Wot. Wot. Wot. Gotta love that sound.

[@MarkSteedman-o2y]

That was a really cool clip 😎🪖thoroughly enjoyed that 👏

[@richardgitz2264]

Love this jumble of experiences, a good one Mr. Darcy, thank you.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Pleased you enjoyed it 👍🏼

[@tompayton84]

I’d love a bike like that chopper but in the UK you’d probs only get it out about 10 times a year! 😂. Awesome vid.

[@AmandaRochette]

Your videos are always so heartfelt and profound! Thank you for your creativity and your ability to touch the hearts of your viewers!🎼🥩🖲

[@whatsstefon]

Can’t beat old choppers for the most visceral feel. My body can’t handle much time on one these days. But I still long for that feel. You do feel everything.

[@jonboy4672]

Cracking video , vintage Harley’s rule 🤘, choose my shovel over my twin cam all day 😊

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thanks 😊

[@zenbiker4223]

OMG what a bike! 🤩

[@dcmotive]

Asia is a crazy different world. Have fun and post more vids on the crazy bikes you see.

[@Sirloincloth1st]

Good to see something differeent, rather than the predictable. Thanks. Very much appreciated.

[@allanmason7544]

you done well to ride that chopper in tokyo

[@JoJo-hc4dj]

Wow, its looks awesome in Japan 🇯🇵 Have a great time and what great motorcycle and car culture there!

[@MOTOUK1]

Braver man than me taking that out for a run, well done 👍 have a great trip Darcy, look forward to the next one

[@DucatiDiaries]

I lived in Japan for seven years. Loved every moment. Enjoy!

[@basedury]

No way! I've been eyeing Bratstyle's website for the last few weeks. I'd really like to build an older 883 Sportster in their classic subtle style. So cool you got to check them out!

[@markgreenhow7953]

You're brave riding that thing in Tokyo! The steering is so weird with the forks raked out, fair play to you I'd have made my excuses and left😂

[@blu203]

Awesome!!!

[@benoakes01]

Wow, there are some amazing vehicles on the streets of Tokyo. Thanks for taking us there.

[@wavehuntersjapan]

Brit here been in Japan since 1990…ridden 1340 evolutions and all kinds of other bikes. Next time, gimme a shout…glad you got a ride…..couldn’t agree more about the sound of a “real” Harley….so much more visceral and just…well…better !

[@jamesdreeveaudio5538]

Another Darcy classic

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thank you mate! 😊

[@davidnunnerley9084]

Awesome. Brave man riding that Harley around Tokyo. Rather you than me. Well done.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thanks! 😊

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

This takes me back. I think I told you before that I used to live in Tokyo. I used to buzz up and down streets like this on a DR250SH. 4:43 SR400, I think. You can still buy these new in Thailand. I don't think there was a customising scene back in the early '90s, but I might be wrong. I remember riding from Tokyo to Kobe in '92. Had a run-in with the bosozoku. When they saw my western eyes they all rode off. I kid you not. 7:21 Looks a bit like Piss Alley. It's represented on the bottom half of the cover of a novel I have coming out on a London independent in a few weeks. Set in 1990, it features a motorcycling private eye. I'll send you the cover. Just sent it. Those narrow handlebars look lethal. Very interesting video for me. I'd love to see the old place again. Nick John

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Great to hear and yes I initially found the handlebars narrow but they did feel like they really suited the bike 👍🏼

[@garyseaton4619]

Awesome video. Riding a chopper is difficult under most circumstances, and you're doing it in Tokyo. Cool looking bike. Grabbing life by the bars and going for it... Enjoy your time there!!!

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thank you very much! It was a challenge but an extremely fun one that I’ll never forget 😊

[@marwood1969]

That chopper looked quite the handful 😂 Good work.

[@hughmac7423]

Very cool video, Japan looks amazing. Loved the way the '71 Harley was clearing the sump of oil to start with.

[@VonLae]

I recognize my Gpz400F in that first shop!

[@Hippy75]

That was very cool getting a taste of Japanese motorcycle culture. Love it!

[@thebonniebiker]

That was amazing! Such a cool looking bike. Great find 👍🏼 Loving the colour grading and feel of this video, production levels through the roof 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thank you, pleased you enjoyed it 👍🏼

[@P45K141N3N]

I'd argue that Brat Style is internationally well known at least in moto custom circles, not just in Tokio :)

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Yes totally!

[@bogdan1207]

As a Honda owner, the reason you don't really see that many japanese bikes in urban japan, is that they kind of forgot how to make cool bikes. They make excellent, bomb-proof-reliable, long-lived and great performing motorbikes, but... not as cool as others. That's why you see harleys and triumphs. Many people there don't ride to go fast, nor to scrape pegs, or other things. They ride for the experience. Outside the city, well, that's another story.

[@AjaySingh-228]

Great video! This really helped me understand the motorcycle culture in Tokyo

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

@@AjaySingh-228 great, pleased you enjoyed it 👍🏼

[@t.d.9011]

Thanks for the nice video, again. That custom chopper sure was whicked & the handlebars just nuts. *sigh...its a dream for me touring through japan on a motorcycle one day.

[@backontwowheels9469]

The Kawasaki Z1300 was out at the same time as the Honda CBX in the UK, although I believe the Honda was the first one released.

[@chriswhite-i3m]

We use to have a bike culture like that but it is sadly dieing . That bike looks and sounds awesome a proper bike 😊

[@CaptHollister]

10:24 Kawasaki KZ1300. You should like to find and test one when you get back home. Quite a bit more powerful than the CBX1000, although also heavier. Early versions had carbs, but the later ones have EFI. A couple of the older sidevalve Harleys glimpsed in the background might actually have been Rikuos, a Japanese license-built (at least initially) Harley clone. Kudos for seamlessly adapting to the right-side shift on your ride, I know I would have had trouble.

[@darrenhall6509]

How good was that, thanks Darcy. Funny how old stuff is nearly always better than new...

[@sgtgrash]

That chopper looks & sounds flippin' awesome! 1:35 Is that Corby railway station perchance? If so, t'is but a stones throw from my humble abode... 👍

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

It certainly is! 😊

[@girthquake9655]

If you ever stop by America, you need to check out fuel Cleveland. Amazing show.

[@AdamForeman]

Darcy, you have to track down the Honda Hawk 11 and test ride that. I have no idea why this isn't available here and Kawasaki Meguro K3!

[@HunterVlog350cc]

there is carbon copy of enfield that Honda has made GB350 , ride it and see how they have still been able to give that character❤❤

[@ianglover9489]

Excellent video

[@karun_vv7190]

I sure enjoy this. Have fun in Japan.

[@savage22bolt32]

So many people buy stuff off amazon. I never have & never will. Be inconvenienced. Support local business and pay with cash.

[@matthewheale5836]

Just started watching you and the old man .. enjoyed your new video something different riding around Tokyo on an old chopper.. know the Japanese love there bikes scooters. keep up the good work.. looking forward to next instalment 🏍🏍🏍🏍 makes me want to buy an old Yamaha SR custom and Modified the little beasty.. great video thanks..

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thanks and welcome to the channel👍🏼

[@SaheaMarcello]

You need to experience the 60° C of the summer here in Brazil. 😂

[@raymorris952]

Looks like a death trap 😂, them narrow bars! Fing hell !

[@kwakithailand]

Awesome trip, stay safe out there, Darcy 👍

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thank you! Will do 👍🏼

[@charlesharper7292]

Not news. Japan has a very healthy appetite for American muscle cars too.

[@vinnylee878]

That's an old ironhead sportster with a big twin gearbox your riding,nice engineering,just subscribed, been in the chopper scene since 1983,I'm no expert on the gearbox but looks very early, WL maybe

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Welcome aboard mate 👍🏼

[@luddite6239]

What an experience! Looking forward to seeing what the mystery "Japan only" bike is going to be...🤔

[@christopheOG]

Great video good to see you out and about overseas, ive heard there is a bike bike cuture in Japan, some really die hard ton up bikers, looking forward to seeing some more coming up, thanks

[@saddle8bag]

Chopper baptism by fire. She doesn't quite ride like that Guzzi eh? 😉

[@boomwindsurfing2744]

Awesome video Darcy.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thank you!

[@a.c.t971]

Awsome video keep em coming

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thanks 😊