American Rider October/November 2025 | Page 44

THE JAPAN INC. HARLEY

Story & photos by Uli Cloesen

The Japanese motorcycle industry we know today is a very different landscape from the one in the early 20th century. Among the lesser- known but historically significant players was Rikuo Motorcycles, a brand whose legacy is inseparably tied to

Harley- Davidson. With its unique blend of American engineering and Japanese craftsmanship, Rikuo occupies a fascinating chapter in the annals of motorcycle history.
44 | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2025 | AMERICANRIDER. COM