“I want to see various sights with my own power” - Mayo and the Royal Enfield Classic 350

The Royal Enfield Classic 350 was chosen for its classic style. Mayo, who enjoys her time with her beloved motorcycle, has recently become passionate about camp touring and photography.
This time, we introduce Mayo and her Classic 350.
(Top image: Photo by Kona)

2023 Royal Enfield Classic 350

Drawn to a Motorcycle that Lets You “Enjoy Scenery with All Five Senses, More Than a Car”

Mayo's beloved motorcycle is a 2023 Royal Enfield Classic 350. The color is Halcyon Green, which perfectly suits its classic atmosphere.

The reason she decided to ride a motorcycle came at a turning point in her life.

The long period of "staying at home" during the pandemic and changes in her personal circumstances.

After that time, the desire to see various sights with her own power grew stronger.

"My heart was screaming that I wanted to ride a motorcycle that allows me to enjoy the scenery with all five senses, more than a car."

Just one month after thinking this, she obtained her license.

While attending driving school, she visited various dealerships and motorcycle shops.

It was there that she learned about Royal Enfield through Instagram.

She had never heard of the manufacturer before, but seeing beautiful women riding Royal Enfields on Instagram gradually made her aspire to own one.

Then, at a nearby dealership, she encountered the Classic 350 in Halcyon Green.

"I fell in love at first sight when I saw the actual bike. I signed the contract on the spot (laughs)."

Thus, in September 2023, Mayo's motorcycle life began.

Instagram "Mayo | mayo"
https://www.instagram.com/mayoo0924

Mayo and her beloved Classic 350

Royal Enfield, which began with admiration. Now, she herself is an object of admiration for others.

Adding Her Own Touch to a Simple Body

Mayo's Classic 350 is not heavily customized.

"I've only done minor customizations (laughs)."

While saying this, her dedication to her beloved motorcycle is evident in the details.

First to catch the eye is the Italian long mirror.

She was looking for a mirror with a retro feel, with a long, stick-like shape, but initially didn't know its name or where to buy it.

At that time, her reliable source was her friends from the "Minna no Tankito" morning meetups.

"They told me where to get it, and I was able to install it successfully."

Through her motorcycle connections, she learns about new ways to enjoy it. Such connections also color Mayo's motorcycle life.

And then there are the pinstripes, which have been added little by little each year.

She asked Ken-san, who serves as a pinstriper for LLRR (LONG LEGS RYDERS RUN), to add one each year.

"The time spent getting it drawn is also fun, and I love it."

Instead of completing it all at once, she nurtures her beloved motorcycle little by little. This way of interacting also suits the Classic 350 well.

Her favorite Italian long mirror, recommended by a friend she met at her first motorcycle meeting.

Pinstripes added every year at the charity event LLRR.

Original Rear Carrier that Doesn't Interfere with the Single Seat

Her commitment to practicality is the original rear carrier made by tokyo new vintage.

It blends in with the bike's overall atmosphere, close to the original.

It is somewhat retro and simple.

And it does not interfere with the single-seat style.

This carrier, designed with these conditions in mind, maintains the Classic 350's atmosphere while being highly functional for touring and camping.

"Even when loaded with maximum camping gear, it held up with plenty of room!"

And another thing Mayo likes is the genuine headlight.

She finds the "piyo piyo" on top of the headlight, commonly known as "eyelashes," incredibly cute.

"I pet it every time I wash the bike (laughs)."

Such expressions of affection are also very typical of Mayo.

An original rear carrier by tokyo new vintage, balancing practicality and style.

Petting it every time she washes the bike... the "piyo piyo" on top of the headlight (commonly known as "eyelashes").

Washing the Bike After a Ride is Also Time Spent with Her Beloved Motorcycle

To enjoy her beloved motorcycle for a long time, she never skips washing it after a long tour.

She does what she can herself, such as oil changes every 4,000 km and replacing burnt-out bulbs around the lights.

She says the most challenging part of keeping it clean is maintaining the engine and spoke wheels.

"It's like a training session to polish them regularly (laughs)."

Spoke wheels, in particular, require time and effort to clean each spoke.

However, it is an essential task to maintain the classic style. The time spent moving her hands little by little while gazing at her beloved motorcycle is also a way of interacting with it.

Each spoke is polished clean. The more effort you put in, the deeper your affection grows.

A tank bag that fits the classic style of the Classic 350.

New Enjoyment Expanding from Motorcycles

Since starting to ride motorcycles, Mayo's ways of enjoying herself have gradually changed.

Recently, she has become passionate about camp touring and photography.

She enjoys camping at places she visits by motorcycle and capturing the scenery she encounters there with photos.

Her enjoyment extends beyond just riding to spending time at her destination and capturing those moments.

"I want to see various sights with my own power."

That initial feeling when she started riding a motorcycle hasn't changed.

Rather, by riding the Classic 350, the places she wants to go and the things she wants to try may be gradually increasing.

The beautiful presence of the Classic 350 viewed from the front.

The classic style extends to the rear view.

The Classic 350 colored by Halcyon Green.

Her own unique touches added to a simple style.

Many Friends Gained Through Motorcycles

And a significant change brought about by motorcycles is the connection with people.

"Thanks to my beloved motorcycle and Mintan-san (the author), I've made many friends. Thank you!"

The mirrors introduced this time were also recommended by a friend she met at a morning meetup.

Her connections with Ken-san, who does her pinstriping, and tokyo new vintage, who made her rear carrier, were also born because of her motorcycle.

A motorcycle is a vehicle for riding alone, but at the same time, it is also a vehicle that connects people.

And Mayo's Classic 350 also serves as a catalyst for creating such connections.

The current mileage is just under 23,000 km.

"I want to go to many more places, so I hope my beloved motorcycle continues to run safely without breaking down!"

Finally, a word that is very Mayo-like.

"Please continue to look after me, a socially awkward person! (laughs)"

Her motorcycle life, which began with riding, has expanded to include camping, photography, and many friends.

Mayo and the Classic 350's journey is far from over.

Instagram "Minna no Tankito"
https://www.instagram.com/minnano_tankito

これからもClassic 350と、まだ見ぬ景色を探しに行く。
Photo by Kona