Hi all,

Just hoping to get some advice from people who have done this before. I may have put the horse before the cart and listed my old Serow before handing in the number plates. To my shock, the bike sold in 10 minutes on Yahoo Auctions.

My question is, do I need to hand the number plate in and get a return certificate? Or is it fine to sell the bike with plates and just provide the new owner with a transfer certificate and power of attorney? I'm going to struggle to get down to the Road Transport office in the next week, so I am hoping that it is okay to sell with plate attached.
Buyer is in Tokyo and I am in Gunma if that changes anything.

Appreciate any advice you can provide.

If anyone knows a good company/website or recommends their own type of gps tracker I can attach or put under the seat of my future bike for theft prevention, it would be helpful. Thank you in advance!

Fellow riders,

I got my first bike here with insurance arranged by the dealer.

I need to check if I actually have all the correct paperwork from the insurance (mainly in case of control on the road etc).

Could you tell me what documents we are supposed to get? name in Japanese? What do they look like?

Thanks in advance.

PS: As an aside insurance here is very very cheap compared to UK - I couldn't believe it.

Hi, I’m looking for someone to join me for a ride to Lakeside Terrace in Chiba, on Saturday (the 23rd). I’m a 25F living in the Shinjuku area, and I ride a Ninja400. Let me know if you’re interested in!:)

11月23日土曜日に千葉にある東金 Lakeside Terraceに一緒に行ってくれる人募集しています！都内在住の25歳です。今年バイクの免許を取ってニンジャ400に乗ってます！よろしくおねがいします！

Hi!! I recently moved to Tokyo and was wondering where people find riding groups? I will be here for a year and would really like to make some friends to ride with. English speaking or Japanese speaking is fine, I speak both !! Thank you in advance!!

こんにちは！！最近東京へ引っ越した事でバイクの皆さんはバイク乗りグループがどこで見つかれるのか知りたいですけど。1年間日本に住みますので、バイクを乗っている人と仲間になって、一緒に乗りたいです。英語も日本語でもいい、両方(日本語はまだ勉強しているところけど　笑)話せますので〜！

よろしくお願いします！！

I have two questions! 1 . Can I take written exam test and after that practical test for 125 Cc without going to any japanese driving school. 2. I have a car and moped license from my country... Later I want to do convert to japanese car license. Can I do that later too. Appreciate your help.

As per title really...

Back home it was easy to find self service jets or cheap staffed cleaners.

What's the deal here?

EDIT: Thank you all for the advice!

I'm often up during the night working and I constantly hear sirens from the police stopping cars, more so than during the day. I also live in a business district so there is basically no traffic going through here during the night. So my question is, is there a bigger risk of getting caught for small mistakes during the night? do the police start going after smaller things because there are less violations to choose from?

When my bike is delivered I hope to go on some nice morning/sunrise rides, but it's also my first year so really don't want to get any points, especially not for small unintentional mistakes. Should I avoid nights and early mornings?

Im from the Maldives and have rented motor bikes before in countries like Morocco and Thailand. I read the license requirements and was wondering if i can rent one in japan. I cant figure it out

Hey guys, I am doing a little week moto trip in japan soon, and I need to buy some gear when I get there,. I'm Canadian, and very tall, looking to buy some leather on the cheap, that can fit my 6'4 body.

Any recommendations on new or used leather and gear in Tokyo. I am picking up my bike in Ueno district.

Thanks!

It became apparent from a comment made in another thread that some people don't understand how the license point and suspension system works, so thought an explanation was in order. Note that ChatGPT and other AIs explain the system incorrectly, and should never be relied upon for legal advice.

The Japanese driver's license point and suspension system is designed to encourage safe driving/riding by penalizing traffic violations with points that can lead to license suspension or revocation if accumulated excessively. Here’s a breakdown of the system:

Point System

Traffic Violations and Points: Each traffic violation in Japan is assigned a certain number of points based on its severity. Minor infractions like failing to signal might incur a small point penalty (1 point), while serious offenses, such as reckless driving (12 points) or causing an accident, carry a higher point value.

Accumulation of Points: Points are added to a driver/rider’s record with each violation, and the Japanese system is based on a rolling period rather than a fixed time frame. Points are accumulated and remain active for one year from the time of the last infraction at which time all points are reset, unless they result in a license suspension or revocation, which also resets the count. So, points (and suspensions) are generally reset after one year without infractions. Revocations (discussed below) stay on your record permanently.

Thresholds for Suspension: Reaching certain point thresholds results in license suspension or revocation. Below is the basic table for someone who has an otherwise clean history:

Repeat Offenders: driver/riders with repeated violations face stricter penalties and longer suspensions. If multiple infractions happen within a short period, they’re more likely to receive an extended suspension or permanent revocation.

Points Reduction and Traffic Safety Courses: Driver/riders can take traffic safety courses (the "violator" course, 違反者講習) to reduce points, if they accrue six points with NO tickets exceeding 3 points. These courses reset your points without a suspension. You can only do this course once every three years, and it is not open to people with a criminal record.

License Suspension and Revocation

Suspension: When a driver/rider’s points reach the suspension threshold, their license is suspended for a set period. During this time, they cannot legally drive, and driving with a suspended license is a serious offense. There is an option to attend a course to have the suspension reduced - a 30 day suspension can be reduced to as short as 1 day. Completion of the suspension reduction course still leaves a suspension on your record.

Revocation: If a driver/rider’s points exceed 15 (less if they've had previous suspensions), or if they commit especially severe violations (e.g., causing death due to reckless driving), their license can be revoked. To regain a license, they must reapply and complete a driving test and other requirements. Revocations may last as long as ten years, and will stay on your license permanently, affecting future revocation terms.

Table of Administrative Penalties

The administrative penalties go like this (points vs. # of suspensions held)

(Parentheses) = had a previous revocation

Most of the posts about parking are about parking in big cities and paid lots.

I live in smaller city where most everywhere has free parking and shops all have lots, but I've never once seen any "motorcycle" parking. I've never seen motorcycles parked in the car spaces even though my understanding is that is where they belong. I do occasionally see them, regardless of displacement, parked either near the bicycles or just to the side of the entrance to shops. I know I should be parking in the car spaces but sometimes it is crowded and people get angry at me for taking up a space (obviously fully within my right and the law, but I'm tired of old dudes yelling at me) and also car drivers are morons and pull into spots without noticing a motorcycle there. Been bumped before and I dread the day there is some real damage.

What do you usually do if you live in or visit smaller cities with no dedicated motorcycle parking?

I was under the impression that to ride motorbikes bigger than the pink plate 125cc ones, riders must use full-face helmets. However, I keep seeing people riding full-size white plate motorcycles and scooters with half cap helmets. Are they breaking the law, or am I misunderstanding the rules? If I am misunderstanding it, what is the rule?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQxckRDfJf8

Rider does 73mph in 50mph expressway and gets a 6 month driving ban and $700+ fine!!!

Victoria, Australia

My partner (she passed her M2 license but not her M test yet) and I (full M license) are moving to Japan next year. We're looking to convert our licenses to Japanese motorcycle licenses but are unsure about the conversion method. I know that for full M licenses it gets converted to a full Motorcycle license in Japan with no CC restrictions, as it is the same for full G licenses, but I am not sure if Japan recognizes any of the tiered licenses such as M1, M2, which has no restrictions except that for M2 you aren't allowed to have alcohol (0% Blood Alcohol) which is the standard in Japan anyway.

Does anyone know or have any experience transferring Canadian motorcycle licenses to Japan?

Thank you!

Note: For Canadians the process to transfer licenses to Japanese is different than Americans. Americans need to do a test to get their license, while Canadians don't.

Hi. Can anyone let me know how long I need to hold a bike license overseas so that I can simply transfer it over to a Japanese one? I've heard be in possession and hold it continuously (i.e., out of the country) for at least three months. Is that true?

So I got my XSR900 and I'm looking to change some of the covers to different colors, sadly the parking space I rent clearly states I can't do any kind of mods or work on the bike inside the garage, and there is cameras so I don't wanna risk it even though it's quick work.

So is there any kind of space where you can work on your bike yourself around Osaka? Can't seem to find any commercial options, if there is no such thing do you know any kind of space around Kansai, abandoned parking lot or something where it would be easy to do some quick work without attracting too much attention.

What is the motorbike scene like in Japan?

From what I can see on the internet the car scene seems to be amazing with places like Daikoku being packed with people and cars basically every night, and that's just the Tokyo area. From what I've seen other cities like Osaka have their own places that have a similar community, where enthusiast come out to meet and just look at other cars, on a regular, if not every night basis.

Does the bike community also exist in a similar way or is it entirely different? And if it does exist why is there basically no content to showcase it on sites like YT or similar? If you know of any content creators that do show that side of Japan please share.

Also I am aware that certain parts of the motorcycling community are probably not to interested in meetups like this but still I reckon that the majority would be down, so where are they?

I have a 250cc VTR250 that I regularly ride out for long trips. Recently the engine vibrations have been bothering me quite a bit. I don't have a tacho on my bike, but I'm guessing maybe 7500~ on the highway. The vibration on the wrist and the footpegs have been causing some discomfort, and sometimes pain.

I'm wondering if bigger displacement bikes that rev lower when cruising are easier on the arms and legs? The one I'm thinking of upgrading to is an XSR900-GP. Posture wise, they're mostly the same, so it's really a question about the vibration from the enginer.

Hi guys, basically the title. I’ve spoken to the dealership, but obviously they’re a bit evasive about the question. Do you know if I can hope to get a full refund or I should just swallow my frustration? Thanks.

So I'm hoping to buy a used XSR900 2019 - 2021 sometime during the winter, I'm wondering if there is a certain time where it either tends to be more in stock or prices gets lower. I'm kind of assuming people might be selling their bikes off during the winter months, but I guess they also buy new at the same time so it balances itself out.

Edit

In regards to goobike, is there any room for negotiation on prices? or like asking them to add usb or etc or something for the same price? I know it's various sellers, just wondering if anyone experienced getting something extra by acting unsure about the purchase, wondering if I shouldn't sound too eager.

Hello! Can anyone recommend a good PPF shop for motorcycles in Tokyo? 🏍️ #motorcycle #PPF #tokyo

From Australia and been riding here in Japan for a few weeks now

One thing I really like about Japan is how there's no speed cameras. It makes riding so much better as I can actually focus on the road and not the damn speedo like I would have to do back in Aus.

Thank fuck!

Hello,

I am looking for recommendations for great motorcycle cafes in Tokyo. I would love to find a place where I can enjoy delicious food and connect with fellow riders while immersing myself in the motorcycle culture. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much for your assistance.

Hey guys, I’m visiting Japan around October next year. I already have all the plans for my wife to visit.

Apart from all the other places we’re visiting, I would want to visit the famous Daikoku PA. Although I like cars, I also love motorbikes as well. So my plan is to rent a bike (just a Yamaha MT-25) from Rental 819 Odaiba and ride to Daikoku PA, look at the cars there and then go back. However, I’ve already put in the location on Google Maps, there is no option for Motorbikes.

I understand that bikes below 125cc cannot be on the expressway, and some expressway cannot have 2 people on bike.

Hopefully a local can answer me if it is even allowed for me to ride to Daikoku PA with the MT-25 with my wife as the passenger.

Thank you!

I have been looking at this taillight and blinkers system for the xsr900, seen many using it here in Japan, but wondering if it's actually legal? would it pass shaken?

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/XSR-FE-S/dp/B07W8SKTVZ?

https://youtu.be/QWuRXH8hVnU?si=d7wftOc8eGmC8f93&t=188

Hey everyone! I'll be in Tokyo tomorrow (Sunday) and Monday and was hoping to connect with other riders. Are there any motorcycle meets or events happening on these dates?

If not, I'd love recommendations on where to go. Are there any motorcycle-related spots I shouldn't miss, like museums or even cool dealerships where I can just go and look at motorcycles? I ride myself, so anything bike-oriented or just cool places to explore as a rider would be awesome.

Thanks in advance for the tips!

Hi, I am planning a motorcycle trip in Japan with my wife. While I see several options for guided tours and self guided tours, they seem to lack flexibility and possibly shorter riding days. This will be my wife's first trip with me, so I'd like to take it easy this time. Couple of questions: Is beginning of April a good season or would it be cold/icy on the mountains? We do not speak Japanese. Would it be possible to make hotel reservations each day as we understand out progress and pace? Appreciate your insights

Hi all! Im trying to get one of those official kawasaki jackets but it seems imposible to find a physical shop to try the clothes. Do you think it's possible to get them in a store?