Motorcycle models appearing in the TV anime "Bakuon!!" introduced by manufacturer and character!

About the TV Anime "Bakuon!!"

The TV anime "Bakuon!!" aired from April to June 2016 and focuses on high school girls who ride motorcycles.

The original manga began serialization in Akita Shoten's "Young Champion Retsu Monthly" in 2011 and is still ongoing as of May 2022.

Fifteen volumes of the tankōbon have been published (as of May 2022), and it is a popular work with spin-off series such as "~Amano Onsa's Nii-ichi Booming Business Record~", "~Suzunoki Rin's Ambition~", and "Taiwan Arc".

The anime adaptation also garnered attention due to the significant sponsorship from motorcycle-related companies, including the four major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, Italy's DUCATI, and domestic and international helmet manufacturers.

Synopsis of Bakuon!!

The story begins when Hane Sakura, who has just enrolled at Okanoue Girls' High School, encounters Onsa Amano, a classmate who rides past her on a motorcycle.

Hane wants to ride a motorcycle herself and joins the motorcycle club with Onsa, but Hane doesn't even know what a "license" is, let alone the existence of a driver's license...

Captivated by the appeal of motorcycles, Hane starts attending a driving school to get her license, and soon her motorcycle life with her friends begins after school and on weekends.

One of the charms of "Bakuon!!" is the appearance of numerous real-life motorcycles. So, what kind of motorcycles appear in the series?

Motorcycle models appearing in Bakuon!!, by manufacturer

Source: https://amzn.to/3SeAhW3

Many motorcycles appear in "Bakuon!!", primarily from the four major Japanese manufacturers, as well as imported vehicles like DUCATI.

Here, we will introduce "what kind of motorcycles the characters ride," along with explanations and specifications for each motorcycle manufacturer. Be sure to check it out!

Motorcycle models appearing in Bakuon!! - Honda Edition -

Let's start by introducing the motorcycles from Japanese manufacturers that appear in "Bakuon!!".

The first introduction is the "CB400SF SPEC2" ridden by Hane Sakura, the protagonist who was a motorcycle novice and didn't even know what a driver's license was.

CB400SF SPEC2: Hane Sakura

Source: https://twitter.com/nagase61606202/status/1463114877552103424/photo/1

The Honda CB400SF (Super Four) is a long-selling model, with its first model released in April 1992.

Through repeated model changes and the introduction of derivative models, it is still being produced and sold as a new vehicle as of May 2022.

Hane's CB400SF SPEC2 is a grade set in the mid-term model of the second generation (BC-NC39 type), which underwent a full model change in 1998, and features "HYPER VTEC SPEC2".

HYPER VTEC is a system that controls the valves according to the engine speed, achieving torquey acceleration at low speeds and smooth acceleration at medium to high speeds.

Another feature is that fuel efficiency is improved because the valves do not move more than necessary at low speeds.

The CB400SF is also widely used as a training vehicle for intermediate motorcycle licenses, but the training vehicle has a special specification without VTEC, making it easy for beginners to handle.

Engine type: Liquid-cooled 4-stroke inline 4-cylinder
Displacement: 399cc
Engine output: 53PS
Vehicle weight: 189Kg
Used car reference price: Approximately 550,000 to 900,000 yen

PCX150: Chisame Nakano

Source: https://twitter.com/sakusaku_toyama/status/1521338721806667777/photo/1

Chisame Nakano, with her twin-tailed hairstyle and perpetually grumpy expression, rides a Honda PCX150.

The PCX150 is a scooter-type motorcycle classified as a light motorcycle under 250cc. It features idling stop and a linked front and rear braking system that enhances braking power by coordinating both brakes during deceleration.

With its compact and lightweight body, it's easy to handle, making it a beginner-friendly light motorcycle scooter. As of May 2022, it is still sold as a new model, the PCX160, with increased displacement.

Engine type: Liquid-cooled 4-stroke single-cylinder
Displacement: 156cc
Engine output: 15.8PS
Vehicle weight: 132Kg
Used car reference price: Approximately 150,000 to 800,000 yen

Super Cub 50: Hijiri Minowa

Source: https://www.honda.co.jp/SUPERCUB/type/

Hijiri Minowa, the president's daughter of the Minowa Group conglomerate and characterized by her glasses, rides a Honda Super Cub 50.

The Super Cub 50 is widely used in various situations, from daily commutes to business uses like newspaper delivery.

Moreover, it's a super long-selling model with over 60 years of history, having been released in 1958. In 2017, it achieved a cumulative global production of 100 million units, making it the "world's best-selling" motorcycle.

Engine type: Liquid-cooled 4-stroke single-cylinder
Displacement: 49cc
Engine output: 3.7PS
Vehicle weight: 96Kg
New vehicle sales price: 263,500 yen

Motorcycle models appearing in Bakuon!! - Yamaha Edition -

Next, we will introduce the Yamaha motorcycles that appear in "Bakuon!!".

Serow 225W: Onsa Amano

Source: https://twitter.com/bakuontoribia/status/1520356515177439233/photo/2

The Serow 225W is the motorcycle ridden by Onsa Amano, who inspired Hane Sakura to start riding. It was also the first model to appear in "Bakuon!!".

The off-road type Serow 225 is lightweight and has a low seat height, making it easy to handle. This has made it popular with a wide range of riders, from beginners to advanced, regardless of gender.

The Serow 225 has a drum rear brake, but the Serow 225W that Hane rides has a hydraulic disc rear brake.

With a model change in 2005, the displacement was increased to 249cc, and the name was changed to Serow 250. Production ended with the final edition in 2020.

By the way, Onsa's family runs a motorcycle shop called "Nii-ichi Motors," and her Serow 225W is a "Nii-ichi" specification, meaning it's built from parts of two or more motorcycles.

Furthermore, even the license plate is "・2-51", a pun on "Nii-ichi", so be sure to check it out in the series.

Engine type: Air-cooled 4-stroke single-cylinder
Displacement: 223cc
Engine output: 20PS
Vehicle weight: 122Kg
Used car reference price: Approximately 190,000 to 520,000 yen

TZR250 Sanma: Onsa Amano

Source: https://twitter.com/area47_rz/status/1264481944311443458/photo/3

In addition to the "Nii-ichi" Serow 225W, Onsa Amano also rides a Yamaha TZR250 Sanma.

The TZR250 Sanma is a racer replica-type two-stroke model, known as a rear-exhaust model because its exhaust chamber outlet is located beneath the tandem seat.

Sanma is a nickname, derived from the model designation "3NA" for the TZR250 Sanma.

In the story, when Onsa thought her Serow 225W would be at a disadvantage in a cultural festival race, her father gave her a TZR250 Sanma that he had stored away in the back of the shop, allowing Onsa to participate with it.

Engine type: Liquid-cooled 2-stroke 2-cylinder
Displacement: 249cc
Engine output: 45PS
Vehicle weight: 136Kg (dry weight)
Used car reference price: Approximately 800,000 to 1,400,000 yen

Motorcycle models appearing in Bakuon!! - Suzuki Edition -

Bakuon!! features all four major Japanese manufacturers, with Suzuki offering the Katana and Intruder Classic.

Here's an explanation of which characters ride which Suzuki models, along with the models themselves.

GSX400S Katana: Rin Suzunoki

Source: https://twitter.com/astook/status/1523297411304632320/photo/1

Rin Suzunoki, with her blonde twin-tails, rides a Suzuki GSX400S Katana.

The GSX400S Katana, which debuted in 1992, inherits the design of the GSX1100S Katana, with its distinctive exterior design, including the star-shaped cast wheels.

Based on the racer replica GSX-R, it has increased low-speed torque, resulting in an engine that revs smoothly from low to high RPMs.

Rin's Katana was handed down to her by her father after she got her license; it's a "cursed" bike with a rolled-back odometer and flood damage. Rin is also a fanatical Suzuki enthusiast (Suzuki-kin), often getting into arguments with Onsa, who is anti-Suzuki.

Engine type: Liquid-cooled 4-stroke inline 4-cylinder
Displacement: 399cc
Engine output:
Vehicle weight: 205Kg
Used car reference price: Approximately 220,000 to 850,000 yen

Yoshimura Katana 1135R: Rin Suzunoki's Father

Source: https://twitter.com/xr_mt09/status/994541698842640385/photo/2

Rin Suzunoki's father, Jin Suzunoki, rides a "Yoshimura Katana 1135R," a complete model developed by a tuning manufacturer based on the final edition of the GSX1000S Katana.

The engine, based on the GSX1000 Katana's 1074cc, was bored up to 1135cc. With high-compression pistons, a Yoshimura camshaft, and a revised cylinder head, among other detailed modifications, the output was increased to 150PS.

Beyond the engine, Yoshimura's expertise was fully applied to the entire vehicle, including the chassis with a reinforced seat rail that was cut and re-welded, and a dedicated suspension system.

Rin's father had been trying to acquire a Yoshimura Katana 1135R, but to obtain one, he had to convey his passion through an essay.

However, when Rin was young, her father had an accident, and he almost gave up on getting the Yoshimura Katana 1135R.

Seeing his father like this, Rin had a strong desire to "absolutely let Father ride the Yoshimura Katana 1135R!" So, she wrote the essay on his behalf, and they successfully obtained it.

Engine type: Oil-cooled 4-stroke inline 4-cylinder
Displacement: 1,135cc
Engine output: 150PS
Vehicle weight: 198kg (dry weight)
New vehicle sales price: 3.59 million yen (limited to 5 units)

Intruder Classic: God (Jesus)

Source: https://twitter.com/jaga2151/status/1515203913946841093/photo/1

The person pushing a motorcycle due to running out of gas while on a Hokkaido tour is God (Jesus).

He is also a mysterious figure who, in return for Hane sharing her gasoline, bestowed upon her a Suzuki teacup (the Holy Grail) and the art of teleportation.

The motorcycle this "God" rides is the "Intruder Classic," an American cruiser-style bike that debuted in 2001, which Hane mistook for a Harley.

It features a noticeable exterior with large front and rear fenders and chrome-plated parts, and the studded seat enhances the classic feel, as suggested by its name.

Engine type: Liquid-cooled 2-stroke V-twin
Displacement: 399cc
Engine output: 33PS
Vehicle weight: 275Kg
Used car reference price: Approximately 250,000 to 900,000 yen

Motorcycle models appearing in Bakuon!! - Kawasaki Edition -

Next, we will introduce the Kawasaki motorcycles that appear in "Bakuon!!".

ZX-12R: Raimu-senpai

Source: https://twitter.com/1frGoYP7GT0cUcH/status/1523319415256670208/photo/1

Kawasaki is the manufacturer favored by Raimu-senpai, the mysterious motorcycle club president with over 20 years of study abroad experience.

The first bike to appear as Raimu-senpai's beloved machine was the lime green ZX-12R.

The ZX-12R was developed as a rival to Suzuki's Hayabusa, which was the fastest in the world, and was designed with aerodynamics to maintain 300 km/h.

When Onsa demonstrated how to pick up a motorcycle to help Hane get her license, Onsa struggled to lift Raimu-senpai's ZX-12R, but Raimu-senpai lifted it with ease.

Engine type: Liquid-cooled 4-stroke inline 4-cylinder
Displacement: 1,188cc
Engine output: 178PS
Vehicle weight: 210Kg
Used car reference price: Approximately 350,000 to 1,150,000 yen

Mach III: Raimu-senpai

Source: https://twitter.com/bakuontoribia/status/1522938533182590976/photo/3

Next up is Raimu-senpai's beloved machine, the "Kawasaki 500SS Mach III," which was developed with the concept of "creating the world's fastest motorcycle" at the time.

Thanks to the developers' tenacious efforts, it achieved a top speed of 200 km/h, the fastest in the world when it was released in 1969, and also set a brilliant record of 12.4 seconds for a quarter-mile acceleration.

As its name "Mach III" suggests, it was a motorcycle that was as fast as Mach, leaving others in its dust when it was released. The "III" after Mach indicates the number of engine cylinders.

Engine type: Air-cooled 2-stroke inline 3-cylinder
Displacement: 498cc
Engine output: 60PS
Vehicle weight: 202Kg
Used car reference price: Approximately 850,000 to 3,300,000 yen

GPZ250R: Raimu-senpai

Source: https://twitter.com/touchbikeks2/status/1523648285973508096/photo/1

The third of Raimu-senpai's (a Kawasaki enthusiast) cherished motorcycles is the GPZ250R.

The GPZ250R offered 35 color variations, with 7 body colors and 5 seat colors, but it was not very popular and did not sell well.

The reason for its lack of popularity was its exterior design, which was even called "Hato Sabure" (dove shortbread cookies), but it was also a記念碑的な model that first adopted Kawasaki's traditional 2-cylinder engine, which would continue to be used in the Ninja250.

In the story, Raimu-senpai not only won races on her GPZ250R but also spent her winnings from repeatedly betting on auto races to collect all 35 color variations, making her a formidable character.

Engine type: Liquid-cooled 4-stroke parallel 2-cylinder
Displacement: 248cc
Engine output: 43PS
Vehicle weight: 138Kg
Used car reference price: Approximately 300,000 yen (limited stock due to unpopularity)

Motorcycle models appearing in Bakuon!! - Others -

In addition to the four Japanese manufacturers, "Bakuon!!" also features overseas motorcycles such as DUCATI and MV Agusta.

Next, we will introduce motorcycles from "Bakuon!!" that are not from the four Japanese manufacturers.

750SS Imola Replica: Hijiri Minowa

Source: https://twitter.com/dadakomachi/status/1304031162294104064/photo/1

The DUCATI 750SS Imola Replica is a motorcycle owned by Hijiri Minowa, the daughter of the Minowa zaibatsu.

Hijiri's 750SS Imola Replica is equipped with a sidecar, and during the chicken race in the story, she rode in the sidecar driven by her butler, going straight into the river without braking.

The 750SS Imola Replica is a highly rare model produced in small quantities in 1973, created to commemorate the victory at the Imola 200-mile race in Italy.

After the production of the Imola Replica, the mass-produced 750SS model, based on the Imola Replica, began production.

Engine type:
Displacement: 748.9cc
Engine output:
Vehicle weight:
Used car reference price: No data available

1199 Panigale S: Hijiri Minowa

Source: https://twitter.com/hsjdifbrvwka/status/1453938900024524804/photo/2

In addition to the rare 750SS Imola Replica, Hijiri Minowa also rides a DUCATI, one of which is the 1199 Panigale S.

The 1199 Panigale S was produced and sold from 2012 to 2014 as a higher-end model of the 1199 Panigale.

It was a model that saw DUCATI evolve to the next generation, with the trellis frame of previous models being replaced by an aluminum monocoque frame, and a more aggressive engine and wet clutch.

With an engine output of 195PS and a vehicle weight of 195Kg, its power-to-weight ratio (engine output per Kg of vehicle weight) is 1, making it an incredibly fast monster bike.

Engine type: Liquid-cooled 4-stroke V-twin
Displacement: 1,198cc
Engine output: 195PS
Vehicle weight: 195Kg
Used car reference price: Approximately 1,200,000 to 1,900,000 yen

MV Agusta F4 Serie Oro: Hijiri Minowa

Source: https://twitter.com/motogp74daijiro/status/571342455850733569/photo/1

In addition to DUCATI, Hijiri Minowa also owns an MV Agusta F4 Serie Oro, another Italian-made motorcycle.

Similar to the 750SS Imola Replica, the F4 Serie Oro also has a sidecar, with her butler Hayakawa driving and Hijiri riding in the sidecar.

MV Agusta, which achieved the feat of 17 consecutive championships in past WGP500, produces its flagship F4 series based on the technology and experience gained on the track.

Among them, the F4 Serie Oro was sold in 1999 as a limited edition of 300 units worldwide, with a sales price of approximately 5.8 million yen. Ferrari, famous for F1 and supercars, was involved in the engine development.

At the time of its sale, the F4 Serie Oro was also called the "running jewel" due to its breathtaking beauty and rarity.

Engine type: Liquid-cooled 4-stroke inline 4-cylinder
Displacement: 749.4cc
Engine output: 126PS
Vehicle weight: 189kg
Used car reference price: No data available (almost impossible to acquire on the market)

BMW K1300: Tatsuko (Okanoue Girls' High School Principal)

Source: https://twitter.com/Nakako_275/status/981172376774701056/photo/1

The principal of Okanoue Girls' High School, where Hane and her friends attend, rides a BMW K1300R.

Twenty years ago, she was the head of the motorcycle club and a junior to Raimu-senpai, and her beloved bike was a 1988 NSR250R Rothmans color.

Now, as the principal, she bought a new black K1300R as a returning rider and boasted to Raimu-senpai about paying for it in cash.

The "R" in K1300R stands for "Roadster," and it is a model among BMW's horizontally-mounted inline engine bikes that has more sporty and aggressive driving characteristics.

Engine type: Liquid-cooled 4-stroke inline 4-cylinder
Displacement: 1,292.7cc
Engine output: 173PS
Vehicle weight: 258Kg
Used car reference price: Approximately 800,000 to 1,100,000 yen

Bakuon!! is full of motorcycle jokes that will make motorcycle enthusiasts laugh!

Source: https://twitter.com/ka_zoo33/status/1515299287021723654/photo/2

In addition to featuring real motorcycles, "Bakuon!!" is filled with jokes that will make any motorcycle enthusiast smile.

While some parts are a bit niche, the Suzuki GSX400X Impulse is featured in the series, and it's said to have the Tokyo Tower in its frame and a torii gate on its front mask.

Also, Hayakawa, Hijiri Minowa's butler, occasionally says, "DUCATI never breaks," which comes from a myth about four-wheeled vehicles.

Hayakawa's occasional phrase, "DUCATI never breaks."

Hayakawa, Hijiri Minowa's butler, had his 750SS Imola Replica break down while driving. Immediately, a replacement 750SS Imola Replica arrived by helicopter, and Hayakawa, without missing a beat, switched bikes and rode off, uttering one phrase:

"DUCATI never breaks."

This is a story based on a myth about Rolls-Royce, rephrased for DUCATI. It's the kind of content that makes those in the know chuckle.

The Rolls-Royce myth it was based on

A wealthy British man once embarked on a journey across the desert in his Rolls-Royce.

As he was driving through the desert, the extreme heat caused his Rolls-Royce to break down, leaving him stranded.

So, the wealthy man called Rolls-Royce to request a repair.

After a while, a helicopter appeared, delivered a brand-new Rolls-Royce to the wealthy man, picked up the broken one, and flew away.

The wealthy man, having successfully completed his journey in the new Rolls-Royce, waited for a bill for the broken one, expecting Rolls-Royce to contact him. But no call ever came.

So, the wealthy man contacted Rolls-Royce, inquiring, "I'm waiting for a bill for the Rolls-Royce that broke down, but it hasn't arrived yet." The reply was, "We do not offer such a service."

The wealthy man, having received the service, insisted, "But someone did come to pick it up when it broke down!" Rolls-Royce replied, "Rolls-Royce cars do not break down."

The story implies that since it doesn't break down, there was no exchange. Hayakawa's occasional line in "Bakuon!!", "DUCATI never breaks," comes from this Rolls-Royce myth.

Summary

Source: https://amzn.to/3NX5r1w

We've introduced the characters from the popular anime "Bakuon!!" and the motorcycle models they ride.

"Bakuon!!" features a multitude of motorcycles, including those from the four major Japanese manufacturers, all wonderfully interwoven with the story.

The story, which unfolds with unique characters and motorcycles, is enjoyable not only for motorcycle enthusiasts but also for those who aren't particularly interested in bikes.

As of May 2022, the manga is still ongoing, so if you enjoyed the anime, be sure to pick up and read the original manga.