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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 21 Apr 2009
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buying a second hand bike in japan
Hi,

I was wondering about buying a bike in japan.
I have read this thread http://www.horizonsunlimited.c...-in-japan-20879
about the procedures involved (By the way something change since then?).

The thing I was wondering about was the price of a second hand bike in japan.
how much will it cost(+-) to buy a decent 400cc dual sport second hand bike (for example
kle400, TRANSALP 400V and such....)

what is the best place to buy a second hand bike?

Thanks alot!
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  #2  
Old 21 Apr 2009
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Thumbs up
Try Red baron in Tokyo. They are easy to find, heading towards Chiba.
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  #3  
Old 21 Apr 2009
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Thanks for the tip, the problem is that I'm not in japan.
I just want to find out what are the prices there so i can adjust
my budget accordingly.

My plan is to buy the bike in japan, register it and take the ferry to Vlad.
(by the way do you think that as foreign in japan who does not speck Japanese i will be able to do it in two weeks ?)

Thanks again
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  #4  
Old 22 Apr 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by baror View Post
by the way do you think that as foreign in japan who does not speck Japanese i will be able to do it in two weeks ?)

Thanks again
That all depends on if you can find the bike you want right away.
Step 1: Register your self at city hall where you will have an address. At this time, get a Certification of Registered Matters (Toroku Genpyo Kisai Jiko Shomeisho). Document needed to prove your address.
Can usually be done in less than an hour, I think. However, I don't know anyone who has personally done this on a tourist visa. The law does not require registration for less than 90 days. But it does not say you can't register. The person at the counter may have to do a lot of checking as usually nobody registers for a stay of less than 90 days. I would recommend a city hall in central Tokyo, as you will probably find someone who speaks English.

Getting the international license plate may take a couple weeks too.

So, if you get busy right away, 3 weeks is possible. Things will go faster if you have someone speaking Japanese with you. I, unfortunately, cannot be of much help, because I don't live in Tokyo anymore....

Links to English speaking dealers (I don't have personal experience with these, though)
MARS-I
WELCOM! ASIAPARTS MOTORCYCLE SHOP
http://www.bmw-bike.jp/english/pdf/B...g_Dealers1.pdf

Some used bikes (prices in red are 10-thousands of yen i.e. 52=520,000 yen)
Transalp
KLE
DR-Z400S
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Last edited by Chris in Tokyo; 22 Apr 2009 at 06:13.
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  #5  
Old 25 Apr 2009
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Ok, let me see if I got this right.

First step: register myself at a city hall where I would have addressee.
What kind of an address will I need?
Could I use address of hotel I'll stay?

Second step: get a Certification of Registered Matters (Toroku Genpyo Kisai Jiko Shomeisho). Document needed to prove your address.
Where can I get this document?

Third step: buy and register the bike

Fourth step: Get international registration from Land Transport Office.

Fifth step: Get international license plate from JAF.

Sixth step: get somebody to deregister the bike after I leave the country.

Final question - what do you think will be the added cost to the purchase
of the bike (insurance, registration etc)

Many thanks!
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  #6  
Old 25 Apr 2009
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The steps are as noted in the thread you linked to, but to answer your questions.

First step: register myself at a city hall where I would have addressee.
What kind of an address will I need?
Could I use address of hotel I'll stay?

I assume an address where you will be staying will be fine as long as you can receive mail there. I wouldn't put a hotel name on the application, though. You have to go to the city/ward hall for that address. Or ask someone in the Japan Community if you can borrow an address.

Second step: get a Certification of Registered Matters (Toroku Genpyo Kisai Jiko Shomeisho). Document needed to prove your address.
Where can I get this document?

At the the city/ward hall where you register, as it says in my previous post of many years ago.

Third step: buy and register the bike

Yes

Fourth step: Get international registration from Land Transport Office.

Yes

Fifth step: Get international license plate from JAF.

Actually, I think someone else is issuing them now, but JAF will probably help you with the application.

Sixth step: get somebody to deregister the bike after I leave the country.

Yes. Leave the original Japanese number plate with that person when you leave Japan, and put on the international number. The Japanese number plate must be returned when deregistering.

Final question - what do you think will be the added cost to the purchase
of the bike (insurance, registration etc)

If the inspection has not expired, third-person minimum coverage will come with the bike. If inspection is expired, it will need to be re-inspected at a cost of about 50 or 60 thousand yen.

Note that this is all theoretical from experience with individual processes. I have not heard any first-hand accounts of the process. You may find it does not go as smooth as you would like. Someone in the Japan Community or at the local motorcycle group World Touring Network-Japan may be able to give you a hand.
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  #7  
Old 27 Apr 2009
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thanks
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  #8  
Old 2 May 2009
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Those prices seem expensive for a DRZ400s. I thought they would of been cheaper seeing they are made there. I can buy them cheaper in Australia.
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