The Japanese motorcycle industry is one of Japan’s most profitable and leading industries today. From over 200 motorcycle manufacturers in 1955 to only four by 1973, the Japanese motorcycle industry has gone through massive changes. This episode reviews how this industry started, grew, and went from hundreds of manufacturers to only four in less than 20 years.

Show notes (with time stamps)

Introduction: 01:11 - 04:41

Pre-WWII: 4:43 - 12:11

Harley-Davidson: 12:15 - 15:34

Shimazu Motor Research Institute: 15:37 - 21:19

Miyata Motor Manufacturer: 21:22 - 26:05

WWII: 26:08 - 27:39

Post WWII: 27:44 - 31:26

1950s: 31:31 - 35:51

The Motorcycle Wars: 35:55 - 44:49

Honda: 44:53 - 56:51

Suzuki: 56:55 - 1:03:53

The Defection: 1:03:57 - 1:05:23

Walter Kaaden: 1:05:27 - 1:08:46

Ernst Degner: 1:08:51 - 1:27:01

Yamaha: 1:27:06 - 1:33:11

Kawasaki:1:33:16 - 1:38:21

Honda-Yamaha War: 1:38:26 - 1:41:21

Conclusion: 1:41:25 - 1:45:59

Music

Artist: Scott Holmes

Album: Road Trip

Track: Indie Rock

Resources

Stealing Speed: The Biggest Spy Scandal in Motorsport History by Max Oxley

Japan’s Motorcycle Wars: An Industry History by Jeffrey W. Alexander

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenzo_Tada

https://global.yamaha-motor.com/about/history/timeline/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_Corporation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki

http://steveadolph.com/honda-yamaha-wars/