Cool! Nice choice of bike! I hope that you have fun riding in Japan! Thank you for sharing your experience too! I hope that it will help everyone else that watches this video!!!

@@team819s Hey 819S, do you happen to know any up to date websites that explain all of the "rules of the road" in Japan (in English) for motorcycles? Things like lane splitting, passengers, expressways, helmet ratings, protective gear, etc. There are some great PDF for driving cars in Japan, but not so much for motorcycles. I found one helpful website, but it must be ancient because it referenced things from 1993, which might be irrelevant nowadays. Thanks!

@@Soffex I looked around but I have the same experience as you. I don't know of anything that is up to date. I will let you know if I find something. I think that I will try writing that for my own website too though since it is not readily available. If there are any other topics (or specific questions) other than the ones you listed above, let me know and I will make sure to include them too.

@@team819s That would be awesome! The one's mentioned above are the main topics that I can think of

Did you have to fill In the paper work yourself or did your girlfriend do it? I ask because I know how annoying it is for some people to write in japanese

I hope that it can help more people ride in Japan!

Thanks! I hope that you can buy a bike!!

Yeah. It's not difficult but it can be frustrating if you don't know what is involved.

I found an XR650 and I was drooling... Maybe someday... Stay safe!!

Thanks! I hope that it helped.

I have never looked into it. I will put it on my list of things to check out when my work finally slows down.

@@team819s That will help alot of people looking for parts for old models like 90's era bikes with four cylinders. Also make a video on back model parts.

Most dealers that I have been to in Japan have new and used bikes. Both multi and single brand. The used bike selection is often more limited at a single brand shop. If you are here, or , when you come; look around. It can vary from area to area!

Thanks for watching! That's the truth!

Hey! I did a bunch of research but then got busy. Sorry. My understand is what you just explained. The 25 year rule is for motor vehicles so it should apply. I think you will better off using an export company. If you go through the process, I'd appreciate it if you could get in touch and let me know what you did. I will post it so it can help other people too.

Sounds great. I’ll keep you updated, and if you hear anything in the meantime, please share it. 🤙

Yeah. It is one of the reasons that I bought a 250. I don't need to get my bike inspected. If you stay on top of maintenance, it can be cheaper. I just wanted people to know what they could be in store for.

@@team819s very informative. Too bad it's such a hassle to have a bike in Japan. Back when i lived there i only had a car licence, would be nice to ride a bike if they ever open back up that is...

Hey! Thanks for the comment. I think your assessment is correct. Things do not move quickly in Japan. It will be impossible to buy a bike and get it registered the same day. You will also need a "Proof of Residency" document but since you are a tourist it will be impossible to get. There are shops that will sell a bike without it but you still need to provide proof of your address in Japan. As for the parking permit. Cars need them but motorcycles do not. When borrowing a bike, every registered motorcycle is required to have "Compulsory automobile liability insurance" or "ji bai seki". It applies to the bike and only offers minimal coverage. It is enough to ride legally but if you are involved in an accident it may not provide enough coverage. Most riders also have ”Optional Insurance" or "nin i hoken". It covers all riders of the motorcycle and is based on the age of the rider. You need to check with your friend to see if you are covered. Just as an example, my optional insurance card lists people 26 and older. Unfortunately, renting may be the best bet. If you have any more questions, please let me know!

@@team819s Thank you again. I'll ask my friend about the optional insurance, and if he has it. I imagine he will. He does have a motorbike as well. It's a shame I can't borrow that as it's very nice! Hahaha😂

Thanks! It will depend on the dealer. You will most likely need one but check with your dealership. A hanko should not be too expensive to get and it will make your life easier in Japan.

Thank you for the answer, I did not need a hanko. :)

To be honest, I am not sure about the HP limits, but the classes are 125, 400, and unlimited.

Yeah. You can take the test without going to school but you will likely fail several times. It's a lot smoother if you go to driving school. Unfortunately, I am not sure about a driving school in Okinawa but there is a US base there so I bet there is a driving school that teaches in English. Good luck!

What bike do you want to buy that is actually 250cc? Most bikes that are sold as "250" are actually 249 or slightly less than that. Street legality in Japan also requires a headlight, taillight, turn signals, horn, street legal tires, an exhaust that passes emission and noise standards, etc... I have seen shops that will make all the mods to make dirt bikes street legal but most shops will not do that. There is too much liability for the shop. Also, you can modify a bike that is 249cc or less but if the mod is illegal, the police can still stop and ticket you.

@@team819s cool couldn’t find anything online about this, thank you.

Your US license only matters for converting to a Japanese license. You will not be able to buy from a dealer with just a US license. If you have an international license, most dealers should sell you a bike. Ask at the dealer you are at. I have been told you can not buy a bike, even privately, if you don't have the right license. I think you can actually buy it privately but you will have trouble trying to get it on the road since you can not legally ride it. Again, you should be able to with an international license. Finally, if you are in Japan for more than one year, you can not use an international license to ride or drive. You will be arrested for operating a motor vehicle without a license. And one of my viewers pointed out that the US embassy warns residents about riding with an international license. For more info, google "Driving in Japan US Embassy" I hope that helps. If you have any other questions, let me know! Thanks for watching!

@@team819s thank you!

Hey! You are correct about needing a verified parking space for a car. Fortunately, motorcycles do not require one. For your American license, it depends on the state. If you have a license from Hawaii, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia and Washington, you do not need to take any tests and can convert both at the same time. If your license is from from Indiana, you have to take a paper test but no driving test so I think you can do both at the same time. If you are from other states, you need to take a knowledge test (paper test) and a practical skills test so you will need to do them both separately. For more info: www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/multilingual/english/traffic_safety/drivers_licenses/index.html If you have anymore questions, please let me know!!

@@team819s Hey I have a question regarding the license transfer. Luckily im from hawaii so can just transfer, but when you do, what class does it transfer to for japan? Planning on getting the same bike I had before (a Drz400sm). So if its the normal one then that would be perfect. Also do they have any noise regulations or emissions exhaust laws for bikes there as well?

Hey! It is possible to convert a license from a foreign license to a Japanese one but it depends on the country your license was issued in. It's a bit of a time consuming process but it is a good idea to get it. What country issued your license?

@@team819s Hi. I'm from Argentina and it cannot be converted. I can use the International License for 1 year though.

Yeah! Absolutely!! Wow! I go there sometimes but there are a lot of other shops closer to my house.

Multi brand dealers have tons of old motorcycles. Go to your local dealer and look around. Goobike.com can help you find what you are looking for but the bike could be anywhere in Japan.

@salgaf2364 I am glad that the video helped. I think you went too far with the inkanshomeisho. You do not need a registered inkan. The only time I used an inkanshomeisho was when I bought my house. How long have you been in Japan? An international license is only valid your first year in Japan. If you have been here more than a year, you need to convert your license to a Japanese one or go to driving school and get a license. When you buy from a private party, It will depend on how big the engine is. If if's 125 and under, you need either 廃車証明書 (hai sha shou mei sho) ”Certificate of vehicle disposal", OR jyoutoshoumeisho (jyou to shou mei sho) "Certificate of Assignment". You will also need their "Ji bai seki hoken" and a document to transfer their "Jibaiseki hoken" to your name, if there is time remaining on the insurance. The transfer document needs to be filled out by them with their inkan stamped on it. Take those documents and go to your city office. They will give you the paperwork that you need to fill out and they will ask you for the documents that they need. Finally, you need to go to the insurance agent's office to transfer the Jibaiseki to your name. You can ride at that point but you should look into "任意保険" (nin'i hoken) Voluntary Insurance / Optional Insurance. I have done that. It's not too bad but it takes a lot of time. If it's over 125, you need to go to the "Vehicle Registration Office / Vehicle Inspection Office". 126-250 are "Light Vehicles" and I think you need "軽自動車届出済証返納済確認書" to register it. You would get that from the seller. for 251 or bigger, you need 車検証. I have not done these yet so I am not 100% sure about everything that is needed. What bike did you buy? What city do you live in? I can look up a bit more information.

@@team819s Oh really! Well, I guess the hanko will come useful later on. I am going to check out a CBR600RR on Friday this week, and am pretty set on purchasing it. I live in Shinjuku and have only been here for almost 3 months, will be staying until the end of next year. So from what you are saying, I need "Jibaiseki hoken" and a document confirming the switch. I am assuming I get these documents from the seller? Since it is a bigger engine would I need to get 車検証 from the seller as well? Also, one last thing, is it possible to do all this in one week? The seller wants it done in 2 but I am busy all week that last week, so I would like to get it legally registered and switched ASAP! Once again, thank you for your help and that reply!!!

Hey! I am really sorry! I asked a friend to confirm what needs to be done but he never got back to me and I got busy. Did everything work out? Did you get the bike? If you still have a question, let me know.

@@team819s Hey! No worries, such is life. I did get the bike and figured it out myself on how to register it! Took some time but it worked out in the end with the little Japanese I know! Thanks

I don't know anyone, Japanese or a foreigner, that went the direct route. Don't quote me on this but I believe the procedure is to take a written test. Then you can apply for the practical test. I believe that that test will only be available in Japanese. I also believe that they will be a bit stricter with you on the practical test since they can not confirm that you had a "proper education" on the rules of the road. If I come across any information about getting the license without going to driving school, I will let you know.

It will be cheaper and much easier to go back to Australia, renew your expired license and the convert it to a Japanese license! I did it ages ago, so I can’t remember the exact process, but I had to make sure to tell them I could ride over 400cc on my license

@@JDMism though I only have my Ls in australia haha

State side we have emissions requirements for yearly registration renewal (which vary from state and county, i.e. my county had emissions for vehicles older than 5 year from manufacturer and vehicles older than 20 were exempt.) The cost of the test $15 US and registration was $80. In my area. Some places require new vehicles to under go emissions and some place dont require emissions at all. I have a coworker who lives a county over and has no emissions test, and registration There is $30

Opps replied to wrong comment. Atleast a boost for the algorithm. 😊

There are already some businesses that do that. That service os more popular with JDM cars but there are services that sell bikes too. There are a lot of legal hurdles to import or export so you need to do a lot of research.

@@team819s Thank you

I looked around but I have not been able to find any. I am not sure that it was sold in Japan. From what I found online, it looks like it was sold in the UK. If I see anything I will let you know.

I haven't seen pocket bikes at most dealers. They are around but you have to look around. I think you will have better luck with Yahoo Auctions.

Motorcycle and scooters need to be BIGGER THAN a 125 to use the highway. 125's are not allowed (because they most often have a 124cc engine).

@@team819s okay.. thanks.. 😊

I think you can find better deals further from main cities. The engine is up to you! Buying from a city near you may be best.

Are you in Japan now? Do you have a license? Do you have a "residence card"?

It's a great idea! Riding made my life so much better! Good luck!!

There are no problems with renting a bike that I know of. I will talk to a rental company and let you know more clearly what is required.

@@team819s excellent thanks

@@shadowradish5757 Hey! Sorry for the late reply. I called the big rental shop and they said you just need your international license, your normal license, and your passport. They suggested checking their website if you want to know more. They have an English site. I have never rented from them before and have no other affiliation but the link is here: www.rental819.com/english/ I hope you can come to Japan and ride!!!

Haha! I have not looked into it but I guess not. There used to be a lot of four wheelers that drive on the street. They don't really sell them new anymore so I don't see them much anymore. I would guess you could get away with a 250 riding lawnmower.

I wish I could but I can't. I don't have free time and I do not know the laws for exporting bikes. Sorry.

Just to clarify, do you want to import it yourself? Did the dealer import it and are selling it? In general, I don't think it's bad. Make sure you can get a license plate for it. That means, if it's a big bike, does it meet all the necessary standard to pass inspection in Japan. It could be difficult or slow to get parts depending on the bike you want to get.

@@team819s There's a shop called SOX and they seem to sell imported bikes, the reason why I want it is that it's very cheap. And there's a lot of 150cc bikes there, the only 150cc in Japan right now is Suzuki Gixxer

@@y.tomohiro952 I don't think there will be a problem with those. SOX can support you with parts and service if there are any problems. I saw them at SOX before and asked why them sell them. They said what you said, they are cheap. They also said that they are allowed on the highway and bypasses. Bikes called 125's are often technically 124cc or 123cc so they can not use the highway or bypasses.

@@team819s Thank you for answering, right now I'm still saving money for my motorcycle license, since highschool students can't have a salary of 1 million yen a year I can't buy a motorcycle because I'm also getting the car license meaning half or almost all of savings will fly away. The Japanese motorcycle line-up cost a lot of money after all lol. And again thank you!

@@team819s I have a last question question, do you think if I bought a imported bike from a different dealership SOX will still support me?

www.goobike.com/index.html or motorcycle.goobike.com/