The one custom bike per person rule that popped up (in Florida I think?) is not a good thing. That is a typical local legislator type of restriction that could spread once some other communities or states get the idea to follow along. I haven’t followed it much but I would hope the aftermarket companies are all over it or they’re in for trouble along with a lot of bikers. Laws like this appear out of nowhere and once passed are hard to repeal.

Yes, chinese clones have flooded the market and forced many builders out of business, but legislation both local and national government has helped the decline.
1. Instead of classing minichoppers as mopeds or low speed cycles and requiring basic road safety devices, many communities have outlawed these machines outright and restricted where to ride.
2. In addition, these minichopper builders are facing the tighter restriction that the EPA is imposing on all motorized transport. The amendment to the air quality act that doesnt allow personal paint booths and restricting paint suppliers from selling to the average garage mechanic soon. The restriction of allowing only ONE custom non-EPA compliant cycle to be owned in your LIFETIME.
3. The downright hostility that some people have encountered when trying to register a “different-other-than-big-business” vehicle at the DMV. (This goes for all vehicles)

Why would a consumer want to deal with any of that? The domestic laws have played a large part in stifling the market in minichoppers. In a greater sense, I predict this trend will spread to street size choppers soon and many chopper builders will disappear.

or if you look at the progress of lexus and infiniti in the last ten years with regards to bmw, audi, and mercedes then japan might be the new…?

(sniff…is that mob burning maple leaves? )