Anyone ridden around Japan?

[Bikernereid]

Thinking of heading to Japan for 5 weeks and wondered if anyone has toured on a bike or has had any riding experience in the major cities. Sure it wont be like riding in Viet Nam.

Need as much info as possible to help plan the trip and transport.

Cheers, Lily

[howdamnhard]

I know someone who has lived in Japan and rides. I'll ask him.

[Bikernereid]

I know someone who has lived in Japan and rides. I'll ask him.

Cheers that would be awesome!!

[owner]

If you can't latch on to a good rider and use him to show the country, I would suggest learning to brake first

[That looks like fun]

Awesome place to bike around. The Japanese are very considerate (but fast) drivers. Did quite a few ks around Kyoto a long time ago. Wife got some happy smiles as she sat on her bike in her mini skirt. They don't have our strange left turn give way rule and the cities are mind boggling. Any competent courteous rider will be ok in Japan. Have fun

[Bikernereid]

Awesome place to bike around. The Japanese are very considerate (but fast) drivers. Did quite a few ks around Kyoto a long time ago. Wife got some happy smiles as she sat on her bike in her mini skirt. They don't have our strange left turn give way rule and the cities are mind boggling. Any competent courteous rider will be ok in Japan. Have fun

Thanks for the advice I shall bear it in mind. Will not miss the left turn rule and if the cities are too hectic I will rely on foot power!

[CookMySock]

Wife got some happy smiles as she sat on her bike in her mini skirt.

ay?

Steve

[Bren]

I will give my brother a link to this page...He lives in Sendai and rides a Royal Enfield up there

[That looks like fun]

ay?

Steve

We were young and bullet proof!! Saftey was not such a priority in the 80's

[CookMySock]

We were young and bullet proof!! Saftey was not such a priority in the 80's

Oh fun!

Steve

[Odakyu-sen]

Thinking of heading to Japan for 5 weeks and wondered if anyone has toured on a bike or has had any riding experience in the major cities. Sure it wont be like riding in Viet Nam.

Need as much info as possible to help plan the trip and transport.

Cheers, Lily

Hello Lily,

I lived in Japan from 1984 through to 2000 and rode a motorcycle there during those years. I was based in the Shonan area on the coast, about 25 km southwest of Yokohama.

Are you going to Japan specifically to tour around on a bike or are you thinking of riding a little bit here and there? I assume that you will be renting a 250 or 400 cc machine.

Gee. Where to start. Basically, you've got two types of roads: free local roads (legally 30 - 50 km/h everywhere, but there are no cops up in the hills away from the towns and cities on the plains) and toll roads (100 km/h motorways that cost about $10 per 70 km for a bike). I would stay out of the major cities as the roads there are horribly congested. You can bypass most of the main cities. My 2-cents-worth is rent a 250 and stick to the back roads.

To give you an idea of riding conditions, check out this guy's blog. It's called "Let's Enjoy Motorcycle Life." http://blog.livedoor.jp/taka_517/ and check out the "Archives" section. For example, 2010年06月 means "June 2010". It's all in Japanese, but the photos and maps are outstanding. It will give you a very good introduction to riding conditions throughout the year. Check out the maps as well. This guy is a genius.

Japan is one of the most underrated places for motorcycling in the world, but the rural areas are fantastic. Will you be travelling with someone who can speak Japanese?

Japan is a safer place to ride than NZ. The drivers drive on the same side of the road as we do in New Zealand and are trained to a far higher standard.

If you have any specifc questions, let me know.

[Rogue Rider]

but i did ride around NZ on a Jap bike once lol...... SV1000S K3. That was before I saw the light and got a Triumph, now that I am anointed on a holy stallion I feel awesome.
Wonder what Japan has instead of whale watching, owh owh Harpooning......

[Odakyu-sen]

but i did ride around NZ on a Jap bike once lol...... SV1000S K3. That was before I saw the light and got a Triumph, now that I am anointed on a holy stallion I feel awesome.
Wonder what Japan has instead of whale watching, owh owh Harpooning......

Check out the link in my post above and be enlightened.....

[gijoe1313]

Sugoi ne! Omoshiroi ... I definitely want to be riding around the land of the rising sun one fine holiday.

Keep us all updated on your findings and efforts!