Kirk here. This article appeared on "Essential Japan" but, from my perspective, it's non-essential enough that I wondered if I should even share it. But, nonetheless, I think it's a mildly interesting example of a connection between motorcycle racing (an activity I tend to associate with fearless, macho men) and Japan's cute culture. The connection to Kumamoto is that the bikes are designed by Honda Seisakusho in the Ozu area. See the article for an image of an actual powerful-but-cute bike.