Spotted recently on a transit through Tokyo for work this Bosozoku style Kawasaki Zephyr 400. This machine has all the correct Bosozoku styling cues: slightly raised handlebars, crazy upholstered sissy bar bar saddle, race exhaust and aero-wing tail trim. The only thing lacking for the full look is a high up mounted dolphin style fairing. The paint scheme is quite understated compared to many too. The classic Bosozoku helmets attached to the saddle are a nice touch.
The 400cc class is an important one in Japan as an extra license is needed to ride larger bikes and insurance is more expensive. Smaller fours and back in the day two stroke twins and triples are preferred Bosozoku mounts and the race exhaust is a pre-requisite. Part of the Bosozoku signature is playing crazy tunes on the pipe with the clutch in so a loud exhaust and a free revving engine is a requirement. Check out the embedded youtube clip of a Bosozoku meet rev battle, it's silly, brilliant and possibly as annoying as the crazy frog.
Recent rev battle at Bosozoku meet.
Vice News short film about a female Bosozoku.
This longer documentary from Vice News gives
a great insight into the culture then and now.
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