Mizuiro Motor Company

Shimizu Cycle Eight-Four '06
While the luxury car division of Shimizu Heavy Industries languished for over a decade after the collapse of the Japanese asset price bubble, its bike manufacturing division in turn saw an uptick in sales as a result of increased demand for more affordable personal transportation. After ten years of mostly producing small-displacement motorcycles and older models, Shimizu stepped up its game with the Eight-Four in 2006.

Hot on the heels of the litrebike craze of the early 2000s, the Eight-Four was a modern take on the classic “Universal Japanese Motorcycle” (UJM), a type of inexpensive, dependable, and mostly-unfaired general-purpose motorcycle with an engine displacement of between 400 and 750 cc. Nestled within its tube frame was a 797 cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected DOHC inline-four that produced both plenty of low-end torque and smooth power at higher revs. Intakes on either side of the fuel tank fed the engine and contributed to the bike’s muscular character, while an antilock braking system made stopping easier and faster. The seating position was engineered for both rideability and performance—useful, given that the Eight-Four was more agile and better-handling than its displacement would suggest.

The Eight-Four’s retro styling, modern technology, and riding dynamics made it a hit amongst riders young and old. In addition, one doesn’t need to be an experienced rider to enjoy all that it had to offer.

Eight-Four
SPECS
Displacement 797 cc
Peak Power 67 kW (90 hp) @ 8800 RPM
Peak Torque 82 Nm (61 ft-lb) @ 6700 RPM
Weight 213 kg (470 lb)
STARTING PRICE
¥1,030,000 JDM
$9,900 USDM
COLOURS

Space Blue

Deep Red

Titanium Bronze

Brilliant White

Piano Black
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