Hi,

I was talking with a friend of mine the other day - hes booked in a holiday with his mrs to Japan later in the year - he asked me if I knew anything about riding bikes in japan - do they have ride days, could he turn up and lease a bike, etc etc... Id never thought about it before so Im throwing the questions over to you guys - Has anyone been to Japan, and if you have did you manage to get any riding in while you were there?

foreigners who live in japan forum, might be able to help your friend out chris

http://www.gaijinriders.com/phpBB3/index.php
http://www.gaijinbikers.com/bigben/rentals.htm

Hi

I have been a number of times and anytime we asked to ride, loan or hire a bike (i.e every day!) we were told no. Apparently the licencing and registration is a problem.

Also finding your way around would be EXTREMELY difficult, the place is a rabbit warren like you wouldn't believe.

I made light enquiries into a english GPS but didn't have much luck, although i think things are improving on that front a little.

If you do find anything out i would love to know.

Mark

I think hes specifically looking to do a ride day at a Japanese track, and also hopes to hire a bike for the day at the circuit...

Hi guys, I live in Fukuoka Japan. Fukuoka is on the southern main Island called Kyushu. I am not sure what the rules are but I will look into for you. My friends ride at Autopolis in Oita all the time, and in fact I may be going to get my race permit on Monday. Waiting to see what the weather will be like and if I get swamped with work.

As far as riding on the street, I think if you have a international permit with the motorcycle stamp, it should be OK. At least it was when I moved here from Canada three years ago. I have heard that finding a place to rent a bike may be difficult though, and you will only be able to ride bikes upto 400cc. My friend said he knows of a place around here where you can rent.

I think there are some free track days where you don't need your race permit, but it's not a regularily scheduled event that I know of. Basically my friends are telling me when it is OK to go and I just say sure. When are you guys planning on coming and to what cities? In the meantime I will ask a few questions and let you know.
_________________
Les

MC21SE
CB400SF

Mtes, better transfer your license to a Japanese one right away cause you are riding illegal, anybody living and working in Japan for more than 6 months needs to do so, if you are caught you will be busted. They changed the laws here a couple of years ago. Its actually not that hard especially if you are from Canada....no more international licenses for non tourists...sorry

As for bike rentals in Japan, its just not done except for in Okinawa which is a tourist place kind of like Hawaii and has many US army dudes stationed there. Car rentals are fine, but have never seen bike rentals except for Okinawa.

Thanks Jamie, I know about the whole license transfer. I was talking about when these guys coming to visit. They would be fine with the international permit. By the way Jamie do you have your big bike permit? If so how was the test? I have heard you need to take a written test as well as the obstacle course. Is this true?

But I agree that it will be tough to rent, although like I said a Japanese friend of mine says he knows of a local place that does rent. Although he hasn't been over that way for a while to know if they are still there and he can't remember their name. He will check next time he is in the neighbourhood though.
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Les

MC21SE
CB400SF

Get your license transfered before you get caught, the police are getting serious here now in Japan compared to years ago...Yes, I have my big bike license and also had a Ducati too. You don't need the paper test as long as you have your car license transfered over already, just the driving test, its hard but I passed on my first attempt. If you are planning on living in Japan for a long time it might be better to take a couple of courses at the local driving school before you take your road test...If your Canadian than changing you license over is really easy compared to if you were from the US, cheers

Sorry I guess I wasn't very clear yet again. I transfered my permit a within a year of moving over here.

Someday I may take the time to get my big bike permit but for now I am enjoying my shaken free NSR. I also have a CB400SF for now, but it doesn't seem to get riden very much. Go figure, eh!!!
_________________
Les

MC21SE
CB400SF