A small two-wheel motor vehicle (小型自動二輪車, kogata jidō nirinsha), sometimes referred to as a small motorcycle, is one of the vehicle categories in the Road Traffic Act of Japan. Such vehicles (motorcycles) have a displacement of more than 50 cc but no more than 125 cc, or their rated output exceeds 0.6 kW but is no more than 1 kW.
In contrast, in the same act, such vehicle with a displacement of more than 50 cc but no more than 400 cc is called a standard two-wheel motor vehicle (普通自動二輪車, futsū jidō nirinsha), or ordinary motorcycle. Thus, a small motorcycle is a subcategory of an ordinary motorcycle.
Meanwhile, a motorcycle with a displacement of over 400 cc is called a large two-wheel motor vehicle (大型自動二輪車, ōgata jidō nirinsha) (heavy motorcycle).
Categories
editSome of the vehicle categories under Japanese law are as follows:
| Name | Japanese | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Moped | 原動機付自転車 | Any motorcycle with engine displacement of 50 cc or less. |
| Small motorcycle | 小型自動二輪車 | Any motorcycle with engine displacement over 50 cc but no more than 125 cc. |
| Ordinary motorcycle | 普通自動二輪車 | Any motorcycle with engine displacement over 50 cc but no more than 400 cc. |
| Heavy motorcycle | 大型自動二輪車 | Any motorcycle with engine displacement over 400 cc. |
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License
editA license to drive a small motorcycle can be obtained from the age of 16 onward.
| Displacement | 50 cc or less | 125 cc or less | 250 cc or less | 400 cc or less | Over 400 cc | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Road Traffic Act | Vehicle classification | Moped | Ordinary motorcycle (small motorcycle) | Ordinary motorcycle | Heavy motorcycle | |
| Type of license | Moped license | Ordinary motorcycle license (limited to small motorcycle) | Ordinary motorcycle license | Heavy motorcycle license | ||
- Motorcycles with displacements of 250 cc or less are exempt from a motor-vehicle inspection (車検, shaken).
Other details
edit| License type | Minimum age | Displacement | Loading capacity | Legal speed limit (general roads) | Expressway riding | Pillion riding | Bus lane riding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moped | 16 | Up to 50 cc | 30 kg (66 lb) | 30 km/h (19 mph) | No | No | Yes |
| Small motorcycle (incl. AT) | 16 | Up to 125 cc | 60 kg (130 lb) | 60 km/h (37 mph) | No | Yes (1 year after license acquisition) | No |
| Ordinary motorcycle (incl. AT) | 16 | Up to 400 cc | 60 kg (130 lb) | 60 km/h (37 mph) | Yes | Yes (1 year after license acquisition) | No |
| Heavy motorcycle (incl. AT) | 18 | No limit | 60 kg (130 lb) | 60 km/h (37 mph) | Yes | Yes (1 year after license acquisition) | No |
Gallery
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Honda 70 (72 cc) -
Honda Super Cub 110MD (used for delivering post in Japan) -
Honda CB125 (124 cc)
