Motor Bikes in Japan?

[Giostigma]

Wasnt sure where to put this but....

Anyways. I know some Japanese don't like tatoos because of the Yakuza. So what about motor bikes? I know the Yakuza rides them. So is it good to ride them In Japan?

[Mike Cash]

Yakuza = motorcycle
Motorcycle = Yakuza

?????

Where on earth did you get that?

[Giostigma]

Got my answer. Jus heard it from other people.........

[bakaKanadajin]

The motorcycle activity you're referring to is bozosuko, which is a form of 改造車　(kaizousha - fixing up your car) in a gawdy or loud manner. As for the cars, most car owners are just into it for looks, they don't really participate in any gang activity although the police don't like them because some of the modifications they do to their cars are too extreme and do not fall under the permitted standards for road safety.

http://ekhatch.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/bosozuko05.jpg
http://ekhatch.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/bosozuko06.jpg

Then there are the motorcycle gangs which are also referred to as bozosuko if I remember correctly. They soup up their bikes but are most famous for traveling in loud, noisy packs, over-revving their motors and generally being a nuisance. You may think that's not serious gang activity but it's considered impolite and a disturbance of the peace and is regarded as very nasty behaviour here.

http://k53.pbase.com/g3/99/278099/2/57506380.DSCN0027.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dmmb0jJixUw

Some of these bike 'gangs' are actually tied to Yakuza in a way, but they're really just underlings working for street-level thugs who are in turn very loosely associated with the Yakuza. The real Yakuza wouldn't tend to associate with such low rungs on the ladder. But the connection is there and so they are generally viewed as outlaw bike gangs. Really, most are just punk *** kids on loud bikes.

In Japan the motorcycle and scooter are such an essential form of fuel and space efficient transportation they are generally regarded as the standard alongside cars, where as in the West they're still kind of 'toys' and hobby vehicles. Everyone from students to grannies ride two-wheeled vehicles here, so generally there is no negative connotation to them whatsoever. Actually Japan has a very active classic bike and chopper scene here as well.

[Giostigma]

Thank you. That was awesome. That helped alot.