Report From Japan
REPORT FROM JAPAN
W. B. SWIM
THE MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION predicts another record year for Japanese motorcycle makers in 1964, and expects exports to top the 606,000 mark, a whopping 40 percent over last year's figure. A 20 percent increase in production, up to 2,400,000 machines, was also foreseen by the Association in an announcement of 1963 production figures made early this year.
There were 1,922,750 motorcycles and scooters made in Japan in 1963, which was up 14.8 percent over the year before when 715,256 motorcycles and 62,981 scooters were made. In 1963, Japanese makers turned out 1,859,769 motorcycles and 62,981 scooters. A big jump in the 80-90cc class accounted for most of the increase over the year before, showing that while in 1962 and a couple of years before the 50cc class was the rage, 1963 was the year of the 90cc motorcycle.
A breakdown by sizes is rather interesting (1962 figures in parentheses): under 50cc - 715,256 (670,832); 50-125cc -1,014,904 (818,382); 125-250cc - 106,661 (99,525); over 250cc — 22,948 (18,533).
In the scooter world it wasn't very good news, with 49,576 (52,209) over 125cc and 13,405 (15,444) under 125cc produced, both declines from 1962.
Of the 1.859,769 motorcycles made in Japan, 396.957 were exported last year. This is nearly double 1962's exports. Scooter exports numbered 3,428 as compared to 2,824 the year before.
By makers, Honda nabbed the lion's share with more than 65 percent of all motorcycles produced last year. Official figures show Honda made 1,217,180, Suzuki 270,438, Yamaha 167.370, Bridgestone 89,237, Tohatsu 49.844, Kawasaki 34,954, Meguro 7,176, Lilac 53 and other makers who by the turn of the year had gone out of business made 23,517. In scooters, Rabbit made 38,078, Silver Pigeon 21.608 and Honda produced 3,295 scooters, to bring its two-wheeler total to 1,220,475.
Honda is the only maker turning out vehicles in all classes. Yamaha makes everything but scooters. Suzuki is missing scooters and motorcycles bigger than 250cc. Meguro makes everything but a 50cc. Tohatsu, Kawasaki and Bridgestone make only up to 125cc models and little Lilac, with a total production for the year of only 53 machines, made some in every size except scooters.
Apart from Manufacturers' Association predictions of larger production and exports as well next year, there is much speculation around the country, especially in the executive offices of the manufacturers, as to which way the motorcycle
market will go this year.
Most had predicted correctly last year that the 50cc era was slowing down, and switched production to the 90cc class. This class proved so successful, with eood sales and competition events in Japan already including a 90cc event, that makers are reportedly thinking about another new class this year.
Crystal ball gazers won't be surprised to see a class between the 125cc and 250cc emerge this year, probably around 175cc but possibly 200cc. It is rumored that some manufacturers (or at least one of the big makers) has already begun development work on a 175cc.
Suzuki has announced a 55cc model of their new lightweight design. The Suzuki 55 M-31, based on the 50cc M-30, began early this year with a monthly production schedule of 4,000, which is to be raised as the season advances. The new motorcycle gives 5 hp @ 7,000 rpm and a top speed of 72 kph (45 mph) through a 3-speed constant mesh gearbox controlled by an automatic centrifugal wet multi-plate clutch. Bore and stroke are 43mm x 38mm. The Suzuki 55 has bottom link front suspension and a swinging arm rear end. Fuel consumption of 225 miles per gallon is claimed. Starting is by kick lever. Dimensions are: length, 1,750 mm (69 in.), width, 610 mm (24 in.), height, 930 mm (36.6 in.) and wheelbase, 1,130 mm (44.5 in.).
Japan is fortunate that it has one of the best road racing courses in the world in Suzuka Circuit for the annual Japan Grand Prix and other motorcycle and car events, but it is unfortunate that it has only one. With just a single circuit, it is strictly a seller's market and he can demand whatever the tariff will bear, and then some if he feels like it. Things came to a head recently, and Japan may have more than one racing circuit before too long. The Japan Automobile Federation wanted to stage the 2nd Japan Grand Prix for cars at Suzuka Circuit on May 2, but when the company which owns the circuit was approached it demanded a rental fee of 100,000,000 yen (nearly $300,000) for the one-day event. The Japan G.P. for automobiles is already listed on the FIA schedule for Suzuka Circuit, so the sponsor is in a bind. In addition, there is no other suitable circuit in Japan, so either an arrangement will have to be made with Suzuka Circuit or else the event scratched.
At the Japan Grand Prix for motorcycles last November, hard feelings were aroused when the track owner demanded 50,000,000 yen (nearly $150,000) from Suzuki to let them take movies of the race to complete a G.P. film they had been shooting at other international events all year. An appeal to the Motorcycle Federation of Japan, the sponsor of the event which had supposedly rented the track for the day, was to no avail. Suzuki refused to pay the exorbitant fee and ended up without the important footage showing Huge Anderson winning the 1963 50cc crown to go with his 125cc championship for Suzuki. A bad taste was left in mouths all around because the company owning the track and the MFJ are both reputed to be at the bidding of one large manufacturer. At the time, there were even rumblings that other Japanese makers would not participate in this year's Japan G.P. if the championships they are contesting are already decided by then. Last year, both the 50cc and 250cc crowns were still up for grabs at the Japan G.P., the last event on the classic calendar.
At least five plans for building new racing circuits are known, and others are rumored. Matsutaro Shoriki, the president of one of Japan's big thee newspapers, is building a Disneyland type amusement park named Yomiuri-land (after the newspaper) about one hour from Tokyo. He is reported thinking of constructing a racing circuit next door. Shigeo Mizuno, the president of the Sankei newspaper, is talking of building a circuit on a highland in Yamanashi Prefecture, about four hours from Tokyo. The governor of Yamanashi Prefecture, Hisashi Amano, wants to build a racing course in the foothills of Yatsugatake mountain, aleo about four hours from Tokyo. A famous stock broker and real individualist. K. Sato, who lives near Mt. Fuji, is talking of building a racing circuit. Not too long aso he got mad when his application to join one of Japan's better golf clubs was rejected, and laid down the cash to construct one of the finest 18-hole golf links in the country. Rikidozan, Japan's most famous professional wrestler, who had large holdings in real estate and entertainment enterprises, was planning to build a racing circuit near Mt. Fuji, about five hours from Toyko, before he was killed late last year.
One circuit which conceivably could be used for Grand Prix racing is nearing completion. Suzuki is building a 6.5 kilometer (4 mile) test course about five miles from its factory in Hamamatsu, which is nearly exactly half way between Japan's two big population centers of Tokyo and Osaka. The course is 30 meters (33 yards) wide with the middle 10 meters surfaced. It is located at an old air base, and is flat without hills like Suzuka Circuit. If used for a race it would be a high speed course. Construction of the track will be completed in May at a cost of about 160,000,000 yen (some $445,000). Compare that to the 100,000,000 yen rental asked for Suzuka Circuit from the car men. After the Suzuki test course is completed, stands for spectators, workshops, parking lot for 10,000 cars, etc., will be built, scheduled for completion by June, 1965.
Japan's fourth largest motorcycle maker, Bridgestone, recently reshuffled its motorcycle sales section and intends to enter the racing field. The parent company is one of Japan's largest tire makers. The firm lured a top designer with lots of race experience from another two-stroke maker early this year, and is reportedly fishing for a racing team manager and good riders. Bridgestone will confine its efforts to local races in Japan this year, but it won't be surprising to see the company enter the Grand Prix field perhaps in 1965 or the next year. Bridgestone makes only 50cc and 55cc models at present, and there is no word as yet when the 90cc and 125cc models they displayed at the Tokyo Motor Show late last year will be put on sale. Bridgestone took a single-cylinder 6-speed machine out to a dirt racing circuit a few days ago and reportedly got 135 kph (85 mph) out of it. They decided it needs eight or nine speeds to be competitive, and are also thinking of making a 50cc twin racer.
At the Japan Grand Prix last November it looked as if both Suzuki, this year's winner, and Kreidler, who was right on their heels, didn't have a ghost of a chance in the 50cc class this year from the way Luigi Taveri ran away from the field on a new twin-cylinder transistor-ignitioned Honda to win by more than 28 seconds. Early this year, however, pretty reliable reports say Suzuki has bested Taveri's time on the Suzuka Circuit, and by a pretty wide margin. Also, Taveri has contracted with Kreidler to ride their 50cc this season, leaving Honda without a really top notch rider in the smallest class.
Honda is splurging on a huge worldwide advertising campaign beginning in March on the theme, "You meet the nicest people on a Honda." This campaign was used successfully by American Honda last year and then by Honda throughout Japan later, with a boost in sales and prestige reported. Honda then decided to spend more than 50,000,000 yen (nearly $140,000) for four-color full page and double page ads in 12 of the world's leading international magazines. They are also furnishing distributors and dealers around the world, with the exception of Canada and the U.S., with many sales aids such as posters, brochures, badges, counter displays, flags, etc., all on the "nicest people" theme.
The competition season coming up in Japan in addition to being active with many events scheduled is going to be more varied than last year. Where practically everything was moto-cross last year except a few road races, two dirt track events and an endurance race, the calendar this year is sprinkled with trials and rallies, which should not only add some variety to the scene but also encourage new riders to come out.
