[Webike News Editorial]

YAMAHA’s unique attempt:
“Guide the unlicensed persons to become the future riders!”

On July 23, 2016, Yamaha held “a riding class for the super beginners.”

What made this project even more unique was the fact that it was a class for people who did not own a motorcycle license. Normally, these types of classes are intended for riders with a license, who wish to brush up their safe driving skills. Yet, this class aimed to draw out the interest of people who never have even touched a bike, let alone own a license.

In other words, it was a program that intended to increase the number of “motorcycle fans” from the zero-based starting point.

Reserve the test course of DAYTONA for a day!

Participants of the class this time were bloggers who did not own a license. The class was to make them actually feel that they can maneuver a motorcycle and to relay that feeling of joy to a wide range of people.

The class took place in Mori-machi, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan; very close to where the head office of YAMAHA is located. They reserved the test course of “DAYTONA” for a day, to carry out the class in a safe closed area. Kentaro Sagawa, a motorcycle journalist and an experienced riding school instructor, led the instructors of the class.

Ten participants got together on the spot early in the morning. Two male and eight female participants. It came as a surprising reminder that so many women have interest in motorcycles. Though none of them owned a motorcycle license, they all seemed to have interest in vehicles, for most of them owned an automobile license. By the way, one member had an experience of riding a motor scooter in the past.

At the beginning of the class, the instructor taught them the driving characteristics of motorcycles in an easily understandable manner. They brought an actual motorcycle inside the classroom, and showed them the basic operation of parts such as the throttle, brake, clutch or shift. All of the participants were watching the motorcycle with great interest, and proactively asking questions, like the way to change the gear, etc.

The tense moment of riding on the track. Their expressions gradually changed to smiling faces.

After lunch, they all went out on the track and actually rode a motorcycle. Everyone looked a bit nervous. The male participants rode the 250cc YAMAHA TRICKER, and the female participants rode the YBR125, a model that was not sold in the Japanese market.

They first learned basic things like how to check their riding postures, how to handle the motorcycle, or how to put a motorcycle on a main stand. Ones who were expecting that it was something like a bicycle, seemed to be surprised at the heaviness of a motorcycle. Next, they learned how to safely start the engine, and then they got used to its acceleration and the brake operation by repeating the action of starting and stopping the motorcycle.

They eventually learned how to change the gear or how to make turns by one-to-one guidance, according to their progress level. The participants’ expressions gradually turned into smiles.

Apparently, male participants, who were well-built and had mechanical knowledge, were quick to adjust themselves to their first motorcycle. Ones who did not have an automobile license, on the other hand, seemed to have trouble understanding the clutch or the shift structure.

Still, after the half-day training course, they all managed to achieve the target of the class: “Go around the track changing the gear.”

The meaning of Yamaha’s activity: “Raise the mood of the motorcycle industry.”

I’ve asked the participants how they felt about the class, and they all told me about their first motorcycle experience in exciting tones, such as “Oh, I didn’t know that motorcycle was such a fun ride!” “I got to feel the sense of maneuvering. The motorcycle felt like it was my actual hands and feet!” or “I can’t wait to get a motorcycle license and go out on a touring ride in Hokkaido!” At least all the participants of this class have experienced the joy of riding the motorcycle and became new fans for sure.

Though it may be a small attempt, the fact that a vehicle manufacturer like YAMAHA went out to raise the mood of the motorcycle industry is significantly meaningful. I look forward to their future continuing activities.