Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

My family and I were heading out to the cottage on Sat morning, my wife and daughter snoozing in the back and me listening to tunes driving up front. Cruising along I spot a dude on a motorbike coming up behind pretty fast. He passes me then slows and looks over his shoulder at the van. He pulls in front of me and begins fumbling around in his vest, he pulls something out of his pocket and scoots back into the passing lane. He then slows right down so I would pass him, he then speeds up again to stay with me but behind the passenger door, I couldn't quite see what he was doing. He sped up again, looked into the passenger window held his camera up, took a pic of me, gave me a big thumbs up then sped off.

I wasn't quite sure what to make of it, actually felt a bit weird about it initially. Anything similar happen to anyone else here.

Cheers

Rob

I see camera phones pointing at Delica's all the time.

Common ocurrence with these rare animals.

Someone else can explain the reasons as to why;

but with bring in a few JDM's this year, motorcyclist are quite attracted to them. Last month driving a red Figaro up island received many thumbs up, including 6 Harley V rods slowing down beside me in the left lane (what me worry) each slowing down and 5 of the 6 giving me a head nod or thumbs up. Then there was Cache creek three summers ago when a whole mess of Harleys pealed off the highway to surround our Deli, only cause they just had to ask a million questions. All part of Delica owner ship.

Going to miss that

I've got a theory...but just a theory and certainly a gross over generalization as most theory are;

1 - motorcyclists are infinitely more aware of what is going around them compared to those driving vehicles with 4 wheels or more and enclosed in metal and glass. Motorcyclists generally do not talk on cell phones, eat lunch, drink coffee, or do virtually anything else that would otherwise distract them from proper defensive driving techniques - ie, PAYING ATTENTION - unlike the lovely lady who was applying mascara as she piled into the back of my 1976 Rabbit at a red light so many years ago. So, I think they (we) notice the different looking vehicles, and certainly notice the driver being positioned on the "wrong" side of the car and an entire host of other things that all in all add to the enjoyment and experience of riding a motorcycle in the first place.

2 - motorcyclists have already chosen to step out of the mainstream by riding a motorcycle, so it certainly suggests a higher level of interest in all forms of transportation that may not be considered "normal" - whatever normal may be.

That would also explain my choice in motorcycle - not everyones fancy - but I like it just fine...most certainly the big "ugly" touring rig is in my future now that the bones get sore, but for now I will rent the "bagger" for road trips and ride my "little 1200cc" bike around town.

Keep the rubber side down!!!

jrman wrote: So, I think they (we) notice the different looking vehicles, and certainly notice the driver being positioned on the "wrong" side of the car

Ironically, we are on the right side of the car

he just want to see your nice rig, he dont see this kind of rigs in manitoba & ontario so its new to them.
i give thumbs up to our nice Mitsubishi Delica here in canada. seems this delica suits our need in this country.
cheers; everybody,
Mardy

jrman wrote:I've got a theory...but just a theory and certainly a gross over generalization as most theory are;

1 - motorcyclists are infinitely more aware of what is going around them compared to those driving vehicles with 4 wheels or more and enclosed in metal and glass. Motorcyclists generally do not talk on cell phones, eat lunch, drink coffee, or do virtually anything else that would otherwise distract them from proper defensive driving techniques - ie, PAYING ATTENTION - unlike the lovely lady who was applying mascara as she piled into the back of my 1976 Rabbit at a red light so many years ago. So, I think they (we) notice the different looking vehicles, and certainly notice the driver being positioned on the "wrong" side of the car and an entire host of other things that all in all add to the enjoyment and experience of riding a motorcycle in the first place.

2 - motorcyclists have already chosen to step out of the mainstream by riding a motorcycle, so it certainly suggests a higher level of interest in all forms of transportation that may not be considered "normal" - whatever normal may be.

That would also explain my choice in motorcycle - not everyones fancy - but I like it just fine...most certainly the big "ugly" touring rig is in my future now that the bones get sore, but for now I will rent the "bagger" for road trips and ride my "little 1200cc" bike around town.

Keep the rubber side down!!!

Nice Buell!!

So wanted to buy a 94 Thunderbolt off a close friend, was just such a satisfying machine to ride. For one, you always felt in touch to the motor, and where your were in power delivery without having to look at gauges. Similar to a Delica, which by virtue of sitting on top of the engine, can communicate with you and keep you more in tune with the mechanical operations your are controlling.

And another reason is everybody has to check out a Buell, also.

Cheers,
Kev

Somewhere between Fort Nelson and Fort St. John we stopped at a roadside cafe to get coffee. There were several Harleys parked, and on the porch were the riders, dressed in the cliche leathers and looking tough. They were all looking at us, we were a little nervous. I got out, and they said, "nice ride" and proceeded to ask all kinds of questions about the Delica. They loved it.

That hasn't happened to us but that must have been very entertaining for all involved including other travellers around you. We went to Victoria last wknd and was actually pasted by a delica going very fast and coughing up black exhaust ...hopefully they have Glen's number I just never expected to get past by one of our own...going so fast. I'm not wagging my finger; it's just that I didn't think our buses liked to go so fast. Maybe we were just going really slow

I've encountered some bikers on the road.

One guy summed it up.

That is the f'ing coolest, ugliest looking van I have ever seen.

Then the questions came and my answers flew back.

It was pretty fun.

last year on one of the long weekends i was parked in a parking lot in lake louise waiting for the other half of our group to arrive and I had a biker approach me, made me a little nervous at first, but then he was asking so many questions I nearly couldn't get him to let me leave! these things do get a reaction, but that was one of the most interested ones I've ever had.

I have been interviewed by an American biker on a gas station on hwy 97 across from Liard Hot Springs campground. After all he went under my Delica to inspect the undercarriage.

At a gas station in oregon a few weeks ago i had a guy on a brand new harley ask me all about the van and tell me how cool it was. This guy was on one of the monster touring bikes loaded with all the extra's !!

That trip was very fun because of all the attention. They never see rhd vehicles down there. (i know about the rhd mail jeeps etc.....)
So many people,asking about it and pointing at the delica while driving.

Tks for the props Kev - as stated, pretty happy with the Buell, was actually looking for a T-Bolt (definitely better on longer rides) when I came across this one.

As for the bikers - I'm not sure why anyone would be surprised that they would be as curious as anyone else, since there is not one demographic called "biker". Bikers come from all walks of life. Any motorcycle enthusiast is a biker - and on my last group ride we had the President of a company, an electrician, a mechanic, two retired loggers, two QC guys, an accountant, and a salesman - but once the gear was on and the bikes were running, everyone was a biker - there is no hierarchy. I've heard the term "real biker" and truthfully - a single definition doesn't exist unless talking about someone who wears colours - and that's an entirely different sub-species of "biker" altogether.

Sorry for hijacking the post....guess what I was trying to say is that deli's rule, and bikers like things that are different and interesting.
Cheers.

I'm not sure why anyone would be surprised that they would be as curious as anyone else

I think the point was they seem MORE curious than everybody else... or at least more willing to follow up on their curiosity.