That bike is cool as ****. The twin shocks make me wonder how old the design is, I know Japan likes to keep models alive for a long time. Also wonder how it compares to a Bandit 400. If it wasn't a popular rental, do you know what *was*?
Yeah I liked the bike. If they sold it here I'd consider one....though I'd want the Bold'or half fairing version.
It was comfortable and I got used to the upright riding position. Made my VFR feel like a Supersport when I got home. lol
With the rental company I went with, the BMW bikes were more popular (F800R and F800GS) as well as the Yamaha MT-07 and the MT-09 Tracer. The Tracer seemed very popular.
I originally wanted to rent the BMW G650GS but they told me it had overheating issues.
Also also I am interested in hearing about as much of the food as you are willing to write about.
Food huh? Well you're talking to the wrong guy. Though I like to eat I don't eat alot. Especially when I'm touring on a bike. I tend to feel like I'm wasting good weather when I'm sitting inside eating food. (and the Japanese don't eat outside much unless its like a patio)...and by that I mean you don't really see people get food to go and eat sitting on a bench or walking and eating or something.
Basically everything I tried I loved. I'm not a fan of the raw fish here but in Japan it was another world and it just melted in your mouth. I loved it there.
I'll share some of my food stuff for ya Kes
My first "true" Japanese meal was the night of my first day on the bike. I stayed at a Ryokan in Nikko. (Ryokan are traditional Japanese style rooms where you gotta take off your shoes and sleep on the floor etc etc) When I got there I quickly put my stuff in my room and went for dinner. They had this spread waiting for me and everything I tried I remember thinking "Omg this is sooo goddamn good!" :toothy8:
Japanese style dinner:
Japanese style Breakfast:
The breakfast was really good as well. I don't usually eat a meal at breakfast....I prefer just a Coffee or a shake in the morning, but this was all really light and it hit the spot.
I rode by a Dennys at one point and though: "I gotta try a Dennys in Japan!" So I turned around and went in. Luckily their menu has lots of pictures.
Japanese Denny's:
This was a "set" (basically what they call Combos in Japan) Salad with slices of raw fish and a scoop of Potato Salad (I dunnoh). pancakes, which seem to be really popular in Japan, and a Coffee. All for about $6.
It was really good.
This next one was at a Fast food chain. It's a set with Pork Cutlet with shaved radish on top, rice, some seaweed and bean salad, Miso Soup.....again...all really delicious.
I stopped at a really cool Biker/Car hangout called Mazda something near the Izu Skyline. Inside was a cafeteria like place with a restaurant on the top floor. One of the places on the mainfloor was called the Dammtrax Cafe. I got Fish and chips which were great. Still had the skin on the fish which made it really nice and crispy.
(EDIT: Link to this place:
https://www.google.ca/maps/place/MA...d67aec931aaa29!8m2!3d35.1843556!4d139.0490574)
Here are Octopus Balls from the Konbini:
Revolving Sushi restaurant:
Some amazing Soba with Herring and a small bowl of Mochi:
I was told by many locals that most foreigners say the McDonalds in Japan is better....and they were right.
This is a Teriyaki Burger from McDonalds:
Also you can get 5 Chicken nuggets instead of Fries in your McDonalds combos in Japan.
Here's some great food I had at an Izakaya.
This is some Pork in a Life changing sauce with egg on top:
This is Japanese Sanma (like mackerel) stuffed with fish eggs and fried in Tempura. To the right is mushrooms in a garlic butter:
Are we all hungry now?