Traffic moves on the left side of the street, as in the U.K.
Whitelining is very popular here.
Unlike in America, you can turn off your headlight (but best to *always* ride with it on).
Traffic can not turn on a red light (unless specifically allowed by a left turn sign).
Wet road paint has a friction coefficient of 0.00 -- Rainy weather isn't much better (and it rains A LOT in Japan). By far the biggest hazards are lumpy roads, rain/snow, and gravel. There is always a lot of construction in Japan, and dump trucks carrying dirt from construction sites scatter gravel and sand every time they hit a bump. The result could be a disaster for you. Manhole covers are another danger. You'll find them every few feet on Japanese roads, often worn as smooth as glass from constant traffic. They are extremely slippery, even more so when wet. And some Japanese road shoulders don't even have any pavement--only a grating. Avoid these wherever possible. And if the driver behind you doesn't like it, too damn bad. It's your body that's on the line.
It's common for people to run red lights up to several real seconds after it turns green for the other direction. This is especially bad if the cars are turning at an intersection, and you have four cars platooning one after another.
Police cars often drive with their lights flashing. If their siren isn't sounding as well, it generally means nothing (it really means "hey, there's a cop here, so you'll probably want to drive nice and slow, so we don't have to give you a ticket"). [Their siren is distinct--a long wail, in contrast to ambulances which are more of a loud "pee-poh, pee-poh, etc".]
Horns are used *often* by all to say "hey, let's be careful, I'm here". This appears very rude to some Americans, for whom the horn usually means "Fuck you, asshole!".
Bosozoku will try to kill you, [and being minors they can get away with it.]
You are legally required to come to a full stop at all railway crossings
(regardless of status of lights and gates). This is obeyed to varying
degrees; personally I figure the chances of getting rear-ended by some
bozo in a cage who isn't expecting me to stop are much higher than the
chances of getting clipped by a train coming when the gates are open, so
maybe slow a little bit but rarely come to stop. HELMET CARE-- It's very easy to wreck or ruin your helmet in Japan. It frequently rains, which means
that if you leave the helmet hanging down the side of your bike and the insides get wet, it'll eventually
ruin it, or provide a nice place for lots of mold and mildew to throw a party. The same goes for
leaving your helmet in a scooter trunk (under the seat) during the summer months for several days at
a time. Also, bicycles and bikes often park together in small areas in the cities, and it's very easy for
some dickhead to scratch your new $200 helmet while sandwiching his bicycle between your bike and another.
DISTANCES--Japan runs on the metric system--if you don't, you're going to have lots of problems.
GASOLINE-- Prices have come down considerably in the last few years (finally!). Before
gas was typically 130 per liter, now it's about 95 per liter + 5% tax (that's about 380 yen
per US gallon).
OIL--Most motorcycles and all scooters run on 2-cycle oil (which means you just add more). Larger
bikes often are 4-stroke, and need periodic oil changes. Make sure you put the right kind of oil in your machine....
PUBLIC TOILETS--The stench is worse than the bosozoku assholes. Some of them are nearly
wide open for the
whole world to watch you. Others don't have any toilet paper. If you're out far away, you might bring some with you.
And then of course, you'll have to deal with the Japanese toilet......
(photo)
MAPS--Urban design in Japan is as backward as your behind--make sure you have an extremely
detailed map of where you want to go. Some roads aren't even on some maps.
THE "THANK YOU ACCIDENT"--A common urban motorcycle accident you should be aware of
is called the "Sankyu Jikou", or literally translated the "Thank You Accident". It occurs
during
a traffic jam between you and some oncoming car trying to turn in front of you. Some drivers
moving along just ahead of you will stop in front of a side street or entrance way, then
wave through an oncoming car waiting to turn through your line of cars. Unfortunately,
neither the car turning nor the driver waving him through know about you coming up the
road along the shoulder from behind until too late. Then, BAM! And you're the one bleeding
because of it. Be very careful when you see a car in front of you not moving like the cars
ahead of it.
[Can *not* send a bike from Japan to Canada, according to Sev.]
Probably too expensive anyway, so just skip it. One info source said that it cost about US$1,800 each way to ship a bike by sea ( 4-6 weeks from/to America, up to 2 mos. for Australia).
Make a report to the police.
Be able to tell them the license plate number, engine number, and frame
number (actually, any one of these should be enough, but best to be safe).
Chances are about 50/50 that it will be found (in some state of health)
within a week or two. If not, chances are that it will never be found.
Often, they're stolen by BOSOZOKU (暴走族) that just want to joy-ride,
and they'll dump it when they get tired of it, it runs out of gas, or they wreck it.
Larger, nicer bikes often find their way to showrooms outside the country.
The steering column lock (HANDORU ROKKU ハンドルロック) is virtually
useless... a screwdriver and pliers, or pair of scissors can have it broken in a
matter of seconds. A U-lock at the *front* wheel should be enough to
deter the casual bosozoku thief (if put through the rear wheel, they can
rev the engine, drop the clutch and use the rear wheel itself to snap
the lock). A thick cable lock is also effective, but bulky. A stapler-type
brake disc lock is also available.
If you see a "suspicious" bike or scooter (one that looks as if it's been
abandoned), report the engine serial number (should be easy to find) and
location to any police box. They should be able to tell you in real time
if it's stolen or not (and if it is, you'll feel good for having helped recover it).
Be aware though that many people simply dump their bikes by leaving it in an alley
or small street, take off the license plate, and go home. This is very typical for
scooters, which have an engine life of about 25,000km -- and it's cheaper to get a
new bike than replace the engine.
GOOD STORES FOR STUFF
Tetsuya Nishimura recommends, in the Nagoya area:
Nankai Buhin Nagoya-ten parts & accessories
1-16 Tsurumai 3-cho^me, Showa-ku, Nagoya-shi, tel (052)741-1669
Nankai Buhin Nagoya Higashi-ten same as above, 3-320 Urasato, Midori-ku, Nagoya-shi,
tel (052)892-6221
Ito Motors bike sales, gymkhana, riding school, 2-14 Showa-machi, Tsushima-shi
tel (0567)26-3894
Tell the "Shachou" that I referred them to you!
Go on to Racing, Race/Advanced School, and Suzuka
Go back to the Shaken
Go back to the The Table of ContentsA Few Other Notes...
SENDING A BIKE TO/FROM JAPAN
IF YOUR BIKE IS STOLEN...
