Motorbikes in Japan

[scieck]

Does anybody knows if there is any restriction in terms of engine size (cc) for street motorbikes in Tokyo or Japan ?

For example can a Honda CBR600 legally circulate in Tokyo ?
Last time I was there (Tokyo) I had the impression that there weren't bikes above 400 cc around, but I could be wrong.

Many Thanks

 

[Dogen Z]

From what I've read, midsize and over motorcycles couldn't pass Japan's emission control laws until just recently. But thanks to the development of new engine technology, both Honda and Yamaha have been able to develop 650 cc class bikes for the streets of Japan. Both models are built for comfort.

Sorry I can't give you any more details, this is about all I know about motorcycles.

 

[scieck]

Thanks Dogen Z, the 20th of May we (me and my wife) are moving to Tokyo and I am in the process of selling my beloved CBR600 but I am thinking of buying a new one in Japan.

窶堋?窶堙ｨ窶堋ｪ窶堙??堋､ﾂ。

 

[dblbstrd]

They have bikes of all sizes here.

There are many 250 and 400cc bikes on the market and that's mostly what you'll see on the streets.
250 cc bikes are popular since they are exempt from the shaken (inspection every 2 years).
400 cc bikes because it's the cut-off between the "futsuu" license and "oogata" license. In the driving school, it costs almost twice as much to get the oogata, though the shaken doesn't cost any more for bigger bikes.

If you get your license from home changed over in Japan, it used to be that you'd get a futsuu license, and had to take the test at the license center to get the oogata. But I heard this year they changed that foreign licenses transfer directly to oogata if they don't specify a limit of what engine size you may drive.

You can get a CBR600RR in Tokyo for sure (they run for about a million yen new I think), but if you get the Japanese market model, it will be restricted to a lower horsepower.
It's also possible to get a re-imported export model though, which will not be restricted, and apparently it is cheaper that way than to bother with doing the mods to power up the domestic model.

Hope that helps!

 

[scieck]

Thanks so much dblbstrd, I sold my CBR600 F2 last Thursday, it was very painful, the new Fireblade looks amazing, I don't mind the reduced horsepower.
As soon as we settle in Tokyo I will look into changing my Italian license for a Japanese one, and I will get a new bike, I would love a Fireblade, but I will be happy with the 600 too. If new or second hand it will depend on the job I will manage to secure.

I just got my spouse visa as well, is attached to my passport from the Japanese ambassy here in London, so exciting, many things to do still here but the day is coming soon.

Many thanks again.
ﾆ但ﾆ停?愴檀ﾆ椎槌但窶堙ｦ窶堙ｨﾂ。

 

[airurandojin]

scieck,

My English friend I'm sorry but I seemed to have began a new topic using the same title you did. My apologies. But, now that I've screwed you maybe you can help me. How practical is it to use a bike for transportation in Japan and how difficult is it for a gaijin to get a license?

 

[airurandojin]

And, again, I'm sorry about the title thing.

 

[Mike Cash]

From what I've read, midsize and over motorcycles couldn't pass Japan's emission control laws until just recently. But thanks to the development of new engine technology, both Honda and Yamaha have been able to develop 650 cc class bikes for the streets of Japan. Both models are built for comfort.

Sorry I can't give you any more details, this is about all I know about motorcycles.

If that is all you know then the entirety of your knowledge is built on mistaken information.

The relative rarity of larger bikes in Japan was due to the incredible difficulty of getting a license to operate one. In recent years it appears that they pass them out a wee bit more freely than they used to. Either that or more people are willing to go through the time, expense, and hassle of getting a "large" (over 400cc) bike license these days.

 

[Dogen Z]

If that is all you know then the entirety of your knowledge is built on mistaken information.
The relative rarity of larger bikes in Japan was due to the incredible difficulty of getting a license to operate one. In recent years it appears that they pass them out a wee bit more freely than they used to. Either that or more people are willing to go through the time, expense, and hassle of getting a "large" (over 400cc) bike license these days.

Thank you for pointing out my error but you're a little slow, someone had already done so weeks ago.

On reflection, I think what I had read was that a few companies, which had abandoned this market segment in Japan, had reentered due to advances in catalylic converter technology.

 

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

I mention it beforehand.
Because I am a Japanese, I answer only in a Japanese viewpoint.
And there may be mistranslation because I am weak in English.
About the change of the driver's license of the car, please refer to a site of this JAF(Japan Automobile Federation).
Now,
crackdown of the parking violation of the motorcycle became very severe.
The confirmation of the parking lot is necessary, but it is difficult to find the parking lot of the motorcycle on the street.
The search site of the parking lot of the motorcycle.
excite-webtl.jp
By the parking lot of the motorcycle, there may not be space for large-sized motorcycles.
Tokyo has much one way,
There are particularly much the Kanda areas.

About ETC,
When I use a highway, I recommend it because rate of discount is high.
However, the ETC device for motorcycles does not have much number of the production.
It takes time to the purchase.
In addition, a Japanese credit card for ETC is necessary.

About a navigator for motorcycles.
A lot of navigators for motorcycles are sold.
In the Metropolitan expressway being complicated
The navigator for motorcycles is useful very much.
GNV035-002
http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/switch-l...BYI/ref=dp_change_lang?ie=UTF8&language=en_JP
English / Chinese / Japanese
A navigator for motorcycles