About Toshihiro Wakayama | Career, Publications, and Orbitron Micro Reactor Road Test Evaluation Part 1

What does a rider actually feel when an ORBITRON micro-reactor is installed on a motorcycle?

For this evaluation, we asked motorcycle journalist Toshihiro Wakayama to provide his expert opinion.

This is a point we want to clarify thoroughly. Mr. Wakayama is not just someone who has been riding motorcycles for a long time. He is a person who has developed vehicles for manufacturers, raced as an International A-grade rider, and also been involved in tire development. He has experienced every side of the process: the side that builds the machines, the side that rides them to their limits, and the side that puts the differences into words.

Therefore, this video is not merely a product introduction. What did he feel? What is he looking for? We would like you to watch it first without any preconceived notions.

Who is Toshihiro Wakayama?

Toshihiro Wakayama was born in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, on February 18, 1954. He joined Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. in 1975 and was involved in the development of road sports bikes. His date of birth, year of joining the company, and development history can be verified in his author profile on Webike Plus, where he still publishes numerous articles.

Building vehicles in the development field, testing them, and confirming the differences through actual riding. The foundation of Mr. Wakayama's evaluation lies not in simple test-riding experience, but in his experience of having been involved in vehicle development on the manufacturer's side.

He was also active as a racing rider and was promoted to International A-grade status in 1979.

Development rider and International A-grade road racer

According to Yamaha Motor's Suzuka 8 Hours history, he competed in 1981 paired with Miyoshi Abe, and in 1982, he placed 4th on an XJ750. The 1982 race was shortened to 6 hours due to a typhoon and held in heavy rain. These results can be confirmed in the official race records of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.

Subsequently, as a contracted rider for Yokohama Rubber, he was involved in development testing for motorcycle tires. He placed 11th in the 250cc class at the 1987 Road Race World Championship Japanese Grand Prix. He is a person who has tracked not only vehicles but also how tires affect movement and road contact through actual riding. These credentials are also published on his Webike Plus author profile.

It is not just that he rode fast. He knows the development sites for engines, chassis, and tires, and he has verified the differences with his own body. This background supports Mr. Wakayama's evaluations.

Evaluating motorcycles as a journalist for over 30 years

He has been active as a motorcycle journalist since 1990. More than 90 articles, including riding theory, vehicle behavior, and test rides of new models, are published on his Webike Plus author page.

Mr. Wakayama's writing and commentary do not end with just sensory impressions. Why did he feel that way? What is happening in which part of the chassis? He delves into these questions from the dual perspectives of a developer and a racer.

Major books by Toshihiro Wakayama

Mr. Wakayama does not let his riding and development experiences end with just personal impressions; he has documented them in books. His works primarily focus on thinking about motorcycle structure, tires, and riding from an engineering perspective. You can check information on the new edition of one of his representative works, "Introduction to Motorcycle Engineering," on the official website of Grand Prix Publishing.

• "Basic Motorcycle Engineering for Riders" (1987, Grand Prix Publishing)
• "Motorcycle Evolution Theory for Riders: Basic Motorcycle Engineering Part II" (1989, Grand Prix Publishing)
• "The Science of Riding" (1990, Grand Prix Publishing)
• "Illustrated Motorcycle Mechanisms" (1992, Grand Prix Publishing)
• "The Science of Circuit Riding" (1993, Sankaido)
• "Introduction to Motorcycle Engineering" (1994, Grand Prix Publishing; later revised and reissued)
• "The Science of Tires and the Secrets of Riding" (2003, Grand Prix Publishing; later reissued)

His video works include the DVD "Toshihiro Wakayama's Science of Cornering" (2007, Nonaido Publishing).

Even just listing the book titles shows what Mr. Wakayama has been pursuing. He doesn't just talk about speed. Why does a motorcycle move? What are the tires doing? How should a person operate the machine? He is a person who has spent a long time thinking about, riding, and putting those answers into words.

The significance of having this person evaluate the ORBITRON micro-reactor

The ORBITRON micro-reactor is a product that is difficult to explain through numbers alone. However, we have no intention of leaving it at vague impressions.

He has the experience of building a chassis. He knows the limits from racing. He has tracked subtle differences in tire development. And he is capable of putting that into words. That is the reason we asked Mr. Wakayama.

We have not pre-determined the conclusion of the evaluation. Please watch the video and see for yourself what he felt and how he describes it.

Evaluation Video by Toshihiro Wakayama: Part 1

Please watch the video as it is first

To ensure we don't pre-determine how you receive the evaluation, we have included the words and sensations from the video without over-summarizing them.

The way it is felt varies depending on the type and condition of the vehicle, installation conditions, and the rider's sensibilities. This video is an evaluation of Mr. Wakayama's actual experience and does not guarantee the same changes for all vehicles.

Sequel now available

Toshihiro Wakayama delves further into the quality of vibration, the connection of engine rotation, response, and handling feel based on his actual riding experience.

Science or Illusion? Toshihiro Wakayama's Actual Riding Evaluation of the ORBITRON Micro-Reactor

Reference materials for profile, race history, and publications

• Webike Plus: Toshihiro Wakayama's Author Page — Date of birth, vehicle development at Yamaha, promotion to International A-grade, tire development, Japan GP, and journalism career
• Yamaha Motor Suzuka 8 Hours History — Participation records for 1981/1982 and the 1982 4th place finish
• Grand Prix Publishing Official Website — Information on the new edition of "Introduction to Motorcycle Engineering" and other publications

This article was cross-referenced primarily with official records, publisher information, and articles published under the individual's name; sources were updated on September 13, 2026.