"Tetsuuma with βTITANIUM" (hereinafter referred to as "Tetsuuma") will be held on May 3rd and 4th, 2025 at the HSR Kyushu Circuit Course. This time, Takahiro Michioka of Realize and Yasuo Kusuyama of Webike will compete in the "NeoClassic350" class on a Royal Enfield "Hunter 350". We would like to focus on the vehicle, which has been customized for racing.
The "NeoClassic350" class allows you to casually enjoy racing on the "iron horses" that are overwhelmingly popular in Kyushu!
First, let's give a brief explanation for those who don't know much about "Tetsuba". As the name suggests, this event is a grass racing event in which "iron frame" motorcycles can participate, and it is a popular event that focuses on four-cylinders, but also has two-cylinder and single-cylinder classes.
It was launched in 2014 by volunteers from Kyushu custom shops, and the concept is almost the same as the popular racing event in eastern Japan, "Taste of Tsukuba (TOT)". Tetsuba is scheduled to be held three times a year, and the venue is HSR Kyushu near Kumamoto Airport, and the first race of the year will be held on May 3rd and 4th. By the way, a total of 2,000 people attended the Tetsuba held in September 2024.
And what I would like to focus on this time is not the four-cylinder class or the two-cylinder class, but the "single-cylinder class". Moreover, it is the "NeoClassic350" class in which only the air-cooled single classic vehicles Honda "GB350" and Royal Enfield "Hunter 350" can participate.
The lightly customized "Hunter 350" that will be competing this time. The Yoshimura muffler and YSS suspension are the main points.
The "Hunter 350" has been open to participation since 2024, but this time Michioka and Kusuyama will team up to drive two "Hunter 350s" customized for the race. Seven cars will be entered in the "NeoClassic350" class this time.
The two Hunter 350s scheduled to be running this time have different color schemes.
The Hunter 350 runs smoothly even in tests. Even with a light customization, you can still enjoy circuit riding.
Michioka, who will be competing in the No. 1 motorcycle with "Royal Enfield_TOKYO & Webike," became independent at a young age based on his experience at Sanctuary. While running the custom shop Realize, he is active in many areas, such as opening Royal Enfield Tokyo Central in addition to Royal Enfield Tokyo West. He is also a talented rider who has won an award in the "Monster Class" of TOT in the past.
Kusunoyama, who will be competing in the No. 2 car with "Webike & Royal Enfield_TOKYO," is a Webike member. He has won the Tsukuba Tourist Trophy in 2021. Let's introduce the custom Hunters operated by these two.
Hunter 350, powered by Yoshimura, YSS and Magical Racing
Michioka and Kusuyama's machine, the Hunter 350, has been minimally customized, with the exception of the intake and exhaust systems and suspension, leaving it in a mostly stock condition. However, they have succeeded in raising the rear wheel output by about 4PS compared to the stock version, and the improved suspension makes it fully capable of circuit racing.
Specific customizations include the creation of a step-raising bracket, installation of an under-cowl, replacement of the front master and hoses, replacement of front pads, replacement of internal parts of the front fork, replacement of the rear suspension, removal of the meter, installation of a number plate, and removal of the rear fender area, all of which are relatively light customizations.
Equipped with an original Yoshimura muffler! Although it has not yet been decided whether it will be commercially available, this will be the only Yoshimura muffler that will be installed on the Hunter 350.
The bracket that allows you to adjust the position of the step is also a prototype. We are currently checking the best position.
The highlight is the use of a Yoshimura muffler, which was developed for the Hunter 350. In terms of power output, the change to an air cleaner and a full Yoshimura exhaust system, as well as the setup of fuel adjustment at Royal Enfield Tokyo West, have resulted in an increase of nearly 4PS.
The front and rear suspension have been customized with the support of YSS, and an under-cowl has been installed by Magical Racing, giving the Hunter 350, which has few custom parts available, some racy equipment.
With the support of YSS, the suspension was installed with performance that exceeds that of the OEM product.
You can see that the power output has improved significantly from the blue standard. Just changing the intake and exhaust system made a big difference.
Webike member Kusuyama commented on this iron horse's participation in the "NeoClassic350" class.
"The reason I participated in the Tetsuba this time was purely because I wanted to enjoy racing with everyone in Kyushu. Many Webike members are racing fans, and many of them actually participate in TOT. This is my first time participating in the Tetsuba, but I wanted to enjoy racing in Kyushu, so I hit it off with Realize's representative Michioka and decided to participate in the NeoClassic350 class. The good thing about this class is that even air-cooled single-cylinder neo-classic bikes can be raced on the circuit with minimal customization. It's a rare class that even neo-classics can easily participate in, so I would like anyone interested in racing to join us," he said, expressing his enthusiasm for participating.
The only class where "GB350" and "Hunter 350" compete head-to-head, "NeoClassic350". This will be a hotly anticipated race at the Tetsuba in May.
