Anyone from japan, or just got back from japan? I bought some coilovers from HKS that went bad in less then a year. they will not be covered by warranty because the support person said that japans roads are better then US roads. she siad the HKS hipermax II's i have are only intended for "track use" and "japanese roads". is there really a difference? i feel kinda ripped off and i just wanna know, are our roads really that bad compaired to our friends from the far east?

 

bump. can someone thats been to japan please help.

 

I've never personally seen a pothole in Japan. I've been there a few times during the warmer seasons over all the main islands except Hokkaido. All the markings and signage are extremely well maintained... at least the ones I've seen. The roads are pristine.

 

Do you have the documentation from your coilovers, (or the box they came in) also check their website, if it doesn't say "For off road use only" or "For track use only" or something like that, they are blowing smoke up your a$$, you should have some sort of waranty paperwork come with the coilovers, or at least paperwork noting the absence of a waranty in which case you'd be SOL

(I believe us law requires such disclamers, but now I'm just speculating)

 

I lived there a few years ago, this pic is from a road trip. Overall I'd say the roads in most of Japan are better than most of the US. But then they have extremely high gas tax and tolls, and there are less cars, so it makes sense.

 

^^ I completely agree. The Japanese roads are very well maintaned. I've been there 12 times in the past 8 years. I've been to quite a few places between Tokyo and Hiroshima (mostly in the Aichi Pref) and have yet to see a pothole.

Milder winters in these areas, far less "heavy" traffic (their cargo trucks are much smaller and load restricted) along with the discipline to maintain the roads all lead to overall better conditions.

On the flipside, there are areas of the US where road conditions are excellent as well. Eastern Tennessee, in my opinion, has back roads smooth enough to rival some tracks.

 

Also because Eastern Tennessee is lucky to have people wealthy enough to own a horse-drawn cart, let alone an 18-wheeled vehicle! Besides, what's the state gov't got to spend money on in TN? A Saturn plant? LOL

Surprisingly, in Japan, there is a significant portion of the population which doesn't own a single car, let alone two or three like here in the US. Speaking for CA, which has managed to strangle its citizens with taxes yet crippled us with crummy roads at the same time, my local senator spent major dinero trying vainly to convine me that the road upgrades she'd pushed through for Palm Springs made a crap-load of different to me in the desert community where I live. My K-Sport coil overs are set for "soft"...

 

We suck here in the US. For what we pay in property taxes here in CA the roads should be paved in gold. Unfortunately our tax money goes towards a state gov't bureaucracy that "administers" expensive social programs that just need more money and a few more years to yield some returns. (rolls eyes)

 

Sorry... you don't know what you are talking about. Nearly ALL Japanese households have at least one car. Even in Tokyo... and that is the only place where will find some households without a car. Otherwise... my wife's uncle has a car, his wife has a car, their daughter has a car and they have a truck for farm use. they are in the "country"... but still Tokyo-area (people live there and work in Tokyo).

The roads in Japan... very good. Potholes? What are those? Even in northern Japan where it does get quite cold and snowy... the roads are pretty good. Even on small roads in the mountains... they are pretty decent. Those are about the worst that you'll ever find and they are better than some sections of major roads in-town in michigan.

 

I lived in okinawa japan for 17yrs. i can say Okinawa roads >>>>>>Texas roads loll. only pot holes i ever see is in villages where roads are so narrow that 2 car have trouble passing each other. but those kind of roads you are going about 20mph max, so its really easy to void pot holes.

but japan we pay so much road taxes, they better have good roads. oh and Photomonkey, i say about 90% ppl in JA owns car or scooter/motorcycle. They just dont drive cars alot during the week, they rather take Bus or train to work. since traffic is a bixxh during the morning.

 

afly28,
Where in Okinawa? I lived there for a two years on Camp Butler when I was a kid. Man how I miss those polished concrete slides, those things would be illegal here!

Japan 8,
Michigan has some terrible roads, stay away from Telegraph and I-96 just west of D-town. Worst road I have ever seen. I haven't been there in years, hope it's fixed.

 

i lived at ishikawa city, but i did attend Kubasaki HS for 2yrs did you go there? i had some friends who lived at camp butler, before their dad retired . did you ever go to senuga? that was my favorite spot for drifting and naha port area. at the time i had 92 dark blue FC. but that was during 94-98. but cool man small world Btw robin hood sandwich is the best

 

I spent some time living in Japan, and still go back about every other month.

I have always envied how nice and smooth the roads are there compared to the US. I suspect Japanese car owners have far fewer complaints about rattles compared to here.

 

At least the roads in the Northeast of the US are close to the road conditions one would expect in third world countries.

 

Yup. New York City here. Can't blame all the SUV owners here. You sorta need one. I've lived in a 3rd world country, and comparatively, New York City roads are one of the worst. I had to get new struts after only 60,000 miles on my previous coupe.

 

Another New Yorker here

I've been to Japan once and I gotta say their roads are ..... fantastic ! Wth is potholes ? Jesus

In New York, Potholes are part of new york, jesus chirst man Just imagine. I have had 3 blown tires cuz those poleholes gave them all a nice and sharp sidewall cuts. 2 of my alloy Wheels Bent(and u know those are hard to bent, so imagine that), 2 Rear Member Brace replaced. All happaned during the 1 and 9 months of my 8 Ownership.

Im just wondering what will be the next one.

 

I'll answer for him since he just recently moved here. I-96 and Telegraph was fixed last year. Infact, all of I-96 East of Telegraph to just West I-75 was redone.......it's really nice now.

 

Yeah, I was going to say that Telegraph seemed fine to me and the same for I-96. Grand River though... pretty bad. Like at Haggerty and Novi Rd...

 

better roads or not (Im sure they are better in Japan)....does that equate to his suspension not even lasting a year? I still think that HKS could handle this guys case a little better, or I'd like to hear more about the driving habits of the poster.

Lots of cars and parts are made in Japan, and I can't imagine everyone saying its "designed just for Japanese roads". Still seems like a lame excuse.

 

ok... go read some of mike's post and find out. he noticed that someone, while driving his car, put a big fat dent in the car near the corner of the shock that blew. something about driving up a curb or something similar to that effect. mike did not know this and just found out after. so it's not really not the regular driving but other things that happened which caused it to blow. mike confessed to that and hks is willing to rebuild it at his expense. that's the story.

 

ahhh, now i see. that's good that its getting worked out...seemed like an extreme case.