| Author | Message | ||
     Sgthigg |
I am going to Iwakuni Japan for 3 yrs in Jan 07. I am wondering what to expect to get my 2 Bikes (05xb12scg, 06 650 suz Boulevard) leagal on the roads out there. Do I have to pay for emissions,inspections once I get it there and anybody know how much it cost? Do they charge you all kinds of fees to get your bike on the road? Thanks | ||
| Rr_eater |
I have someone right here who has been military in Japan Several times, and here is the lowdown as of Jan 04: 1: The factory EVERYTHING had better be installed on both vehicles. They are going to be looking for the EPA stampings on the mufflers if nothing else. BONE STOCK is the only way they will inspect the vehicles. Everything to include intake, exhaust, seating, braking, tires, lighting, reflectors, mirrors, pretty much EVERYTHING the factory equips them with. 2: Go online at HD.com, and search "brake Inspection" criteria and procedures for out-of-US criteria. This is an inspection that MUST be done to meet Japan's requirements. 3: Emissions Inspections cost can be upwards of 800 US dollars per vehicle, with no guarantee of passing the inspection. As of Jan 04, the nearest Emissions Testing facility is in the area of Tokyo. You will have to provide/pay for shipping of the bikes to the testing station, as obviously they cannot be riden on the road to get there. 4: You will also need to go the local HD dealer in Japan, and have a shift pattern sticker bought and installed on the primary case showing the shifting pattern of the bike. Sounds silly, but they make the rules. 5: MAKE SURE your driver's license will be valid for the duration of your tour in Japan. Some districts do not recognise the auto-extension policy of the respective states licensing policy, and thus you could be sighted if found not to have a current, fully valid (to them) license. This was not meant to scare you into not wanting to take your bikes over there, but keep in mind that a 650 anything is considered a LARGE displacement vehicle, and they have a tiered licensing system, we (military) dont have to do, so count your blessings per say about the Buell. Good luck, and make some phone calls to your receiving commmand, there has to be someone who has a motorcyle there who can give you a verification if these requirements are still valid. Bruce | ||
| Sgthigg |
WOW.Thanks for the info.. I tried to do the search @ HD.com couldnt find anything on brake inspection. Anyone know where I can pick up one of those EPA stamps to throw on my aftermarket pipe? I wonder now if it would pass emissions. Are the Buells sold in Japan stock the same as in America? If so it should pass emissions. Or I wonder if they use the California set up? | ||
| Rr_eater |
WHat can are you using?? Japan is VERY ANAL about emissions compliance, more so then even California!!! I will check the link tomorrow to the inspection stuff tomorrow at work, and post it here. This is one of those situations where the Drummer would be a great choice, as KD retains the EPA stamping on the can!!  Bruce | ||
| Nutsnbolt |
I guess no one has ever been to Japan and actually seen the locals on THEIR bikes and hear THEIR bikes, and see the flames that come out to THEIR bikes. Again Higg, I would go about avenues that I had told you about a couple of days ago. Yeah, some things have to be stock but it's not as bad as you think. If you were stationed in Yokouska, then I would say.. Yeah, Tokyo. But, you are going to be in Iwakuni, there's a station near Iwakuni. I can't remember the name of the town (city, whatever) but there is one. Like I said, call base reg. in Iwakuni (DSN) and the skinny through those Marines, there. A lot of us had motorcycles and I was just a LCpl/Cpl at the time and I didn't make 800 bucks in a pay day, but I can't remeber what I paid but it fit in my budget, I can tell you that. To be quite frank with you, it's a lot easier to just buy one there, used. Find some other Yankee plated bike and get that one. For the most part, I agree with Rr eater. The shifting pattern thing sounds familiar. I do remember having to go to the dealership for a sticker. I can tell you this, after you get your bike all legal schmegal, you are gonna go ridin around... See the local Japaneese club of riders and think to yourself.... WHAT??? It's like a great irony knowing how stock your bike is and how NOT STOCK their bikes are. Like I told you before, my best advice.... Be aware you have yankee plates, because THEY are extremely aware that you do. Mark happy birthday, Marine |
