Hello from Japan

Post by **gaijin** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 2:53 am

After I did Iron Butt Run last September, Harley Davidson is not a bike for me. I traded HD into local BMW dealer for 2002 R1150R and I am looking forward to ride this fine machine after winter season is over in April.

fj_pastor · Post by **fj_pastor** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 4:11 am

Welcome on board

machinehead · Post by **machinehead** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 4:44 am

Hello gaijin,
Here is Henk, from Holland (Europe).
Today is 7 degrees Celcius, and in the afternoom I will take my R1150R for a ride through the country. I'm going toghether with my friend Dik (BMW K75).
Greetings from Holland to Japan!
Henk

Post by **Biff's R** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:08 am

Did you do the Iron Butt Ride in Japan?

Post by **boxermania** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:48 am

gaijin

Welcome aboard, where in Nothern Japan are you? Last year I spent 11 months on assignment in Tokyo, stayed just east of Tokyo in Nishi-Funabashi, Chiba prefecture. My favorite hangouts were Ueno, the motorcycle nest....you could find bikes thre that I have not seen since I was a kid and in great condition, Ame Yoko....the open market and Yokohama the port and Chinatown.

Didn't ride at all....too much of a paperwork hassle to own and park a bike for a visitor, but I did enjoy my stay.

Dozo

Post by **wncbmw** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 12:27 pm

Welcome. We are not exactly unbiased here but most of would think you made a good trade!

Japan, Holland, I love this board!

Post by **gaijin** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 6:42 am

Yes, I did the Iron Butt in Japan (all on the toll roads). It took me from city of Misawa (Aomori Prefecture) to the middle of Japanese mainland (Island of Honshu), cut across the so-called Japanese Alps to Niigatta, Western coast of Japan, travel south of Niigatta to Toyama. One way is almost 850 km and back track to Aomori (Northern region's capital) and finished at nearby town. The total distance was 1020 miles (23 hours and 10 minutes). I would not make 1000 miles if I was to take the back roads (50 kmh max.) Expressway is my only choice (max.speed 80 kmh); I was occasionally went over 100 kmh. If I was to go faster than 100 kmh, the police will be waiting for me when I arrived at the toll gate. I AM STILL WAITING FOR MY VERIFICATION.

Biff's R wrote:Did you do the Iron Butt Ride in Japan?

Post by **gaijin** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 6:54 am

I am living in the city of Misawa; it is about 680 km. north of Tokyo. The so-called Tohoku which means Northern Region.

I love it up here and been here over 10 years now. Tokyo is a place for visit but I do not like to live there (too many people). I will avoid Tokyo if I had to travel south.

Domo Arigato

="boxermania"]gaijin

Welcome aboard, where in Nothern Japan are you? Last year I spent 11 months on assignment in Tokyo, stayed just east of Tokyo in Nishi-Funabashi, Chiba prefecture. My favorite hangouts were Ueno, the motorcycle nest....you could find bikes thre that I have not seen since I was a kid and in great condition, Ame Yoko....the open market and Yokohama the port and Chinatown.

Didn't ride at all....too much of a paperwork hassle to own and park a bike for a visitor, but I did enjoy my stay.

Dozo[/quote]

Post by **gaijin** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:01 am

Hello Henk,

I was in Amsterdam in mid-70's and did a Nymeken (100 miles in 4-days walk). Did I spell the name of city right? Today is 0 degree Celcius at midday; it is -6 Celcius at 3 A.M. and lot of snow.

machinehead wrote:Hello gaijin,
Here is Henk, from Holland (Europe).
Today is 7 degrees Celcius, and in the afternoom I will take my R1150R for a ride through the country. I'm going toghether with my friend Dik (BMW K75).
Greetings from Holland to Japan!
Henk

machinehead · Post by **machinehead** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 12:00 pm

Hi Gaijin,
Did you mean Nijmegen? Every year, in june, there is a big walking event, called "de nijmeegse vierdaagse". It still exists and is still very populair in Holland.
Bye,
Henk

gaijin wrote:
I was in Amsterdam in mid-70's and did a Nymeken (100 miles in 4-days walk). Did I spell the name of city right?
machinehead wrote:Hello gaijin,
Here is Henk, from Holland (Europe).
Today is 7 degrees Celcius, and in the afternoom I will take my R1150R for a ride through the country. I'm going toghether with my friend Dik (BMW K75).
Greetings from Holland to Japan!
Henk

1150929 · Post by **1150929** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:36 pm

Welcome Gaijin.

Tell us more. I always had the impression that Japan wasn't very friendly to big displacement bikes, especially foreign bikes. Is this true?

And why is Ueno THE spot there for bikers, is it kinda like the Rock Store in Cali?

Post by **gaijin** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:54 am

Buenos Howdy 1150929,

Japan is a beautiful country but crowd (127 million). If you ever decided to come to Japan and ride your bike, you must know:
1. Japanese spent roughly $2500 to learn to drive and license (there is no dad taught me to drive). That is a no no. You must go to school. If you failed your test; you will pay another $2500 and start all over again until you passed the test. After they received their driver license, they drive like a mad man, disregard to laws and orders.
2. The roads are narrow; you cannot go very fast. The maximum speed on national highway is 50 kmh and in the city is 40 kmh. The fastest mean is to go on the expressway, 80 kmh (toll road) which it is very expensive. Example, I live about 680 km north of Tokyo; it will cost me almost $300 round trip, closed to 10 hours one-way. Can you imagine drive at 50 kmh to Tokyo?
3. It is not that Japanese was't friendly to big bike. Since bigger bike required special handling, riding must receive additional training and added cost again. In Japan, you must have license on everything; you pay to get license for 250-400cc. Getting anything larger than 400cc, you must pay again. Foreign bikes seem to cost more than Japanese bikes. Japanese had placed lots of restriction to foreign bikes. Foreign bikes (new) must have brakes and emission check. Cost added up if you must pay someone to do these inspections ($4000). High price is one main reason that Japanese avoid buying foreign bike. For the price of Naked BMW R1200R, you can buy two Naked Kawasaki 750CC.
4. Ueno is part of Tokyo, crowd. Young and silly people hang-out place. There are zoo, department stores, major subway station, bullet train station and a connection to Tokyo Narita airport by train. Bikes and bicycles are everywhere, due to the traffic jam. How bad is traffic jam? I can walk to a train station in 15 minutes; by car will take 45 minutes. If you like to weird looking characters, it is the place.

1150929 wrote:Welcome Gaijin.

Tell us more. I always had the impression that Japan wasn't very friendly to big displacement bikes, especially foreign bikes. Is this true?

And why is Ueno THE spot there for bikers, is it kinda like the Rock Store in Cali?

Ves · Post by **Ves** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:57 pm

Gaijin-san welcome. Wow, that traffic sounds crazy... and the speed limits unbearable. Are there any empty roads where you can pick up the speed?

Post by **gaijin** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 12:19 am

Hello Ves,

Expressway (toll roads) is the fastest, not to exceed 80 kmh unless you want a ticket. Cops will not chase after you; they will wait for you when you pay for the toll. I am heading to the Island of Hokkaido (North of Japanese Mainland) this year after snow melted. Hokkaido has wider roads, so, you can ride wide open. Ticket is expensive Ves; I got one 3 years ago and it costed me $150.00.

[quote="Ves"]Gaijin-san welcome. Wow, that traffic sounds crazy... and the speed limits unbearable. Are there any empty roads where you can pick up the speed?[/quote

Post by **gaijin** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 12:40 am

gaijin wrote:Buenos Howdy 1150929,

Japan is a beautiful country but crowd (127 million). If you ever decided to come to Japan and ride your bike, you must know:
1. Japanese spent roughly $2500 to learn to drive and license (there is no dad taught me to drive). That is a no no. You must go to school. If you failed your test; you will pay another $2500 and start all over again until you passed the test. After they received their driver license, they drive like a mad man, disregard to laws and orders.
2. The roads are narrow; you cannot go very fast. The maximum speed on national highway is 50 kmh and in the city is 40 kmh. The fastest mean is to go on the expressway, 80 kmh (toll road) which it is very expensive. Example, I live about 680 km north of Tokyo; it will cost me almost $300 round trip, closed to 10 hours one-way. Can you imagine drive at 50 kmh to Tokyo?
3. It is not that Japanese was't friendly to big bike. Since bigger bike required special handling, riding must receive additional training and added cost again. In Japan, you must have license on everything; you pay to get license for 250-400cc. Getting anything larger than 400cc, you must pay again. Foreign bikes seem to cost more than Japanese bikes. Japanese had placed lots of restriction to foreign bikes. Foreign bikes (new) must have brakes and emission check. Cost added up if you must pay someone to do these inspections ($4000). High price is one main reason that Japanese avoid buying foreign bike. For the price of Naked BMW R1200R, you can buy two Naked Kawasaki 750CC.
4. Ueno is part of Tokyo, crowd. Young and silly people hang-out place. There are zoo, department stores, major subway station, bullet train station and a connection to Tokyo Narita airport by train. Bikes and bicycles are everywhere, due to the traffic jam. How bad is traffic jam? I can walk to a train station in 15 minutes; by car will take 45 minutes. If you like to weird looking characters, it is the place.

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj30 ... hi0014.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj30 ... hi0028.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj30 ... hi0026.jpg

These are some pictures from 2007

quote="1150929"]Welcome Gaijin.

Tell us more. I always had the impression that Japan wasn't very friendly to big displacement bikes, especially foreign bikes. Is this true?

And why is Ueno THE spot there for bikers, is it kinda like the Rock Store in Cali?

[/quote[/url]

markg · Post by **markg** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 1:20 am

Welcome and thank you very much for sharing your experiences as well as pictures from your travels.

ROBOX · Post by **ROBOX** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 3:19 pm

Hi there Japan from wet old England. Had the R 2 weeks and only been out twice !! Roll on the summer.

1150929 · Post by **1150929** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:02 pm

markg wrote:Welcome and thank you very much for sharing your experiences as well as pictures from your travels.

Ditto.