Pictorial History of Japanese Motorcycles [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Cornelis Vandenheuvel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1997

A decade-by-decade look at the Japanese motorcycle industry that started from scratch following WWII and grew to become the dominant motor-cycle manufacturers of the century.

By 1980, four manufacturers -- Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha -- collectively offered an astonishing array of models. Today, early Japanese motorcycles are favorites of collectors and enthusiasts who recognize the many technological achievements of earlier performance machines. Illustrated with a combination of archival photos, modern color shots.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks International; illustrated edition edition (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760304106
• ISBN-13: 978-0760304105
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,534,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good book but aimed more at the European market, February 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Pictorial History of Japanese Motorcycles (Hardcover)

I bought this book because of the cover photograph. The book does an adequte job of describing the history of Japanese motorcycles. The author clearly writes from a European point of view (which is fine). I would definitely buy the book again and I have recommended it to others.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best of Japanese classic bikes., December 5, 2002

By 

Harry A. Moses (Atlantic Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pictorial History of Japanese Motorcycles (Hardcover)

I thoroughly enjoyed Cornelius labour of love. His European perspective enlightens the North American reader on the global motorcycle marketplace. He reveals why models were more successful in certain markets. Read between the lines, and you will quickly see factories dumping inventories of unsuccessful products in other countries.

I particularly liked the chapter on the 1973 Yamaha TX750, as I had owned one of these bikes from 73~76. Cornelious provides an up-to-date account of Yamaha's long abandoned child. It was market flop when rider's wanted four cylinder bikes, not parallel twins. He fairly represents both the TX750's technical advances and its flaws. As Cornelius owns a high mileage example of this bike, he provides the reasons why the TX750 deserves respect today as a touring motorcycle.

This book encouraged me to recently buy a 30 year old classic Japanese motorcycle, the TX750 Yamaha, to restore and ride, and I am enjoying this bike immensely.

I hope you find your own favourite road machine in this book, and enjoy the entertaining story behind it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excelent!, July 30, 2000

By 

Greg Todd Galin - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pictorial History of Japanese Motorcycles (Hardcover)

A terrific history of the japanese motorcycle. The book focuses on the historically important bikes that made a major impact to the world of motorcycling. Explains not only technical specifics but the war that was going on between manufacturers as the sport of motorcycling grew. The only fault is that offroad bikes are largely ignored. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of the motorcyle.