Ribbon-chan, a motorcycle girl from Osaka, talks about why she chose a blue VTR250 as her first bike.

Ribbon Girl's Musings ✕ stonemaker003

We are pleased to introduce you to Ribbon-chan, an Osaka-based motorcycle enthusiast who is gaining in popularity for her bright and sassy YouTube videos, which showcase a range of riding abilities that one might not expect from her petite frame. Her favorite bike is a blue VTR250 of an unknown year. It is an extremely reluctant choice for a first bike, but the more we listen to her talk, the more we nodded our heads in agreement. On November 16, we met her again for the first time in two years at the "ENISHI 2025" motorcycle event in Gifu, and we asked her about her motorcycle life.

Who is Ribbon-chan?

First, I asked her to briefly introduce herself. Hello, I'm Ribbon-chan. I make touring videos in Osaka. The bike I ride is a blue VTR250 that I bought used! Choosing a motorcycle for the first time. While many people are confused about "looks," "price," and "size," she first focused on "practicality," which was surprisingly important to her: "It should be easy to handle, run long distances, and not break easily. These were absolute requirements. I also wanted to ride a bike as soon as possible, so I decided to look for a used bike instead of a new one." He then headed for a used motorcycle street in Tennoji, Osaka. In the unique atmosphere of dozens of used bikes lined up in a row. I knew it was the one." A bike I came across by chance. The expression "finding" rather than "choosing" is more apt for a first bike.

Mr. Ribbon begins practicing handling the bike as soon as it is delivered. The bare VTR250, which is not often seen, also looks very new.

The charm of the VTR that I realized after riding it

The longer he rides, the more attached he becomes to his VTR. What he particularly likes about the VTR is how easy it is to handle. It's easy to turn in small turns, and it's straightforward and easy to ride! I also go on long trips for touring, and I am very happy that it is easy to maneuver in a parking lot. The VTR250 is the "last of Honda's paratwin naked models" and is undeniably popular. Its light weight and solid frame rigidity are the reasons why it can be ridden with confidence by beginners and experienced riders alike. Ribbon's face was smiling the whole time as she talked about it. She seems convinced that she made the right choice.

VTR250 (MC33) Main Specifications
Liquid-cooled 4-stroke DOHC V-twin cylinder / 249cc
Maximum output: 30 PS at 10,500 rpm, maximum torque: 22 Nm at 8,500 rpm
Weight: approx. 161 kg / Seat height: approx. 760 mm
Fuel tank capacity: 12-13L, Tires: 110/70-17 front, 140/70-17 rear
The low seat height is very popular and girl-friendly!

Real worries and loading problems

Nevertheless, every motorcycle has its weaknesses. When we asked them about a few of their problems, they answered surprisingly easily. This is a common problem among 250cc users all over Japan, and is probably the fate of the displacement rather than a problem with the VTR. Another problem is loading. "I have started camping touring, but the side bags and seat bag do not fit together well, so it is difficult to install them each time.... I'm thinking of using a box from a hardware store (laughs)." This is the "box temptation" that all camp girls across the country go through at least once. The temptation to use a box is a temptation that all women campers across the country go through at least once. By the way, her favorite gear is a pair of custom-made leather gloves from Genius. I had them made in the shape of my own hand, and they fit so well and are so easy to use! His attention to detail makes him a true "swamp dweller.

The loading scene at the Koyasan observatory where the VTR250 was immobilized and towed away. The scene where they sing "Dona Dona Dona" live after this is my personal favorite.

The change that YouTube brought and her challenge to a big bike

Ribbon-chan's first encounter with YouTube changed the course of her life. I met viewers and YouTubers that I would never have met if I wasn't on YouTube. They are all very knowledgeable and have taught me a lot (laughs). (Laughs.) He also made an unexpected confession: "I was never the type to have many friends. But since I started YouTube, I've been told that I've become more cheerful. I've come to enjoy talking to people! Motorcycles are a vehicle for enriching one's life, but in her case, it seems to have also changed her "human relations. Although she had to leave her job as a new graduate because of her personal relationships, her strong and positive attitude always grabs the hearts of our viewers. The next topic of discussion was her large-size driver's license. She got her large-size license at M-Land, a training camp school in Shimane Prefecture. It is a place famous for "cleaning toilets with bare hands".

From Ribbon-chan to all those who are wondering about riding a motorcycle

There are not many young riders in touring spots these days, and I sometimes worry about the future of the motorcycle culture. I am happy that there are still young people, including Mr. Ribbon, who ride motorcycles, and I would like to encourage them to "encourage their friends and acquaintances to ride motorcycles. So we asked Mr. Ribbon to say a few words to those who are not sure about getting on a motorcycle. A bike takes you to many places, and you meet many people. They can take you to many places and let you meet many people. If you are not sure about what you want to do, let's enjoy your motorcycle life together and safely! His words are unassuming, but they push me forward in a mysterious way.

Although the videos are not updated frequently, Mr. Ribbon has a tremendous "mastery" of each one. There are many tricky finishes that are hard to take your eyes off, such as watching a motorcycle video and then realizing you are watching a short-distance running video.

Ribbon-chan, a motorcycle girl from Osaka, talks about why she chose a blue VTR250 as her first bike.

2025.12.2

We are pleased to introduce you to Ribbon-chan, an Osaka-based motorcycle enthusiast who is gaining in popularity for her bright and sassy YouTube vid...