◾ After the Kumamoto earthquake in Japan Honda shut its factory in the prefecture as a precaution for further tremors and to inspect for damage. The site makes Fireblades, VFR1200s and Goldwings, the company’s prime products, accounting for 250,000 units a year. This isn’t the first time motorcycling facilities have been affected by earthquakes in Japan, with problems caused by the 2011 earthquake and serious implications after the Kobe quake struck in 1995.