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We’ve joined forces with the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club to showcase a series of iconic bikes. First on the list; Kawasaki’s inimitable H2 750.
Kawasaki’s H2 750 was launched in late 1971 with much hype from the Marketing Department and huge expectations from the public -finally the fearsome H1 500 triple had a bigger brother, that was hopefully even badder.
The reality was that the 750 was significantly more flexible than the 500, yet capable of biting its rider event harder. Targeted at performance not practicality the bike was the archetypal ‘bad boy’ of the period. Raw and powerful the H2 was everything Suzuki’s GT750 wasn’t.
You bought an H2 for regular, instant, doses of adrenaline not for long distance touring. Tuned and tweaked the big triple became a drag strip favourite. Year-on-year each model was gradually de-tuned by the factory yet marginally tweaked to improve handling but the myths arm wrenching acceleration and appalling road manners were already established in the publics’ psyche. Almost half a century on the bike’s performance might well be viewed as mediocre but nothing out there looks, feels, sounds or smells like a Kawasaki H2.
As the saying goes…”if I had to explain you really wouldn’t understand”…yes, they really are that special!
KEY INFORMATION
• 12 second quarter mile times as standard
• Capable of less than 20 mpg
• Came with a single disc with a second offered only as an option
• Many UK insurance companies refused to offer cover due to the bike’s reputation
• Want one? Viable projects start at £6500 with pristine examples touching £20,000
WANT TO KNOW MORE? SPEAK TO THE VINTAGE JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE CLUB.
Welcome to the VJMC, the UK’s premier club for Japanese bikes fifteen years old and over. The club was founded in 1982 by a small group of like-minded enthusiasts, who appreciated early Japanese bikes, their style, reliability, practicality and technological achievements. At the time of the club’s inception air-cooled 4 cylinder bikes still ruled the roost, twin shock absorbers were still in vogue and a middleweight bike was probably 350-500cc and almost certainly a two stroke. How times change; the very bikes that were new back then are now collectable and as prized as any early 60’s Japanese offering.
The club’s number one aim is to promote the enjoyment of Japanese motorcycles … pure and simple. You don’t even need to own a bike to be a member! How open-minded is that? All we ask is that members share the club’s passion for some of the most amazing mass produced bikes ever to come out of a factory. It really isn’t possible to stereotype a VJMC member; some own big bikes, others are moped mad. Some are passionate about one particular marque, others have wide ranging eclectic tastes. It takes all sorts to make a club and that is what the VJMC is all about; enjoying the bikes for what they are.
We aim to support our members with a range of services and are looking to expand on this side of membership in the next few years. Please have a look at the pages on this website and see what we can offer; if what you need is not there please ask.
We hope you can join us as a member or at our shows as we increase our visible presence on the classic biking scene. The UK division of the VJMC has approximately 6000 members and is one of the UK’s biggest classic bike clubs.
Outside the world of shows there are a large number of local sections where people from an area or local meeting on a monthly basis to discuss bikes and socialise. For many this is an important part of club membership and it’s a chance to swap knowledge, access help or pass on your hard gained expertise.
Members receive six copies of our award winning magazine (Tansha) each year all packed with the articles, features and stunning pictures of the cream of classic Japanese bikes. Included with the magazine is a Club Directory crammed with specialist services, details of local sections, bikes and parts for sale. For members needing help with parts there’s a wanted section where you can advertise for that elusive part you need. Via selected specialists the club has secured some very good deals on classic bike insurance. A year’s membership is normally easily recouped the first time you renew your cover. No catches, just join, get a membership card and enjoy another club benefit.
With ever tightening automotive legislation the concerns and requirements of anyone associated with classic vehicles needs to be addressed. The VJMC is an affiliated member of the FHBVC (Federation of Historic British Vehicle Clubs) and this organisation looks to voice our concerns when ill informed decisions are about to be taken that could impact upon our bikes and pastime. Although not directly involved in political lobbying the club is looking at other ways it can progress its members concerns and rights within European transport policies and plans.
Thanks for taking time out to read this. We hope it’s given you a flavour of what we are about and represent. Remember, the club is for all Japanese bikes 15 years and older, from a Fizzy moped to the first Fireblade the VJMC is YOUR club. Run by motorcyclists for motorcyclists!
GET IN TOUCH
EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: 01454 501 310
WEBSITE: www.vjmc.com
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