Japan Large Motorcycle Theory cheat sheet

A large motorcycle (大型自動二輪車) is any two-wheeled vehicle with engine displacement above 400 cc; it requires a 大型自動二輪車 licence, obtainable only at age 18 or older.

The general road speed limit is 60 km/h unless signs state otherwise; on expressways a motorcycle may travel up to 100 km/h where the posted limit is 100 km/h, but never above the posted limit.

Motorcycles may not use the expressway with a passenger unless the rider has held the relevant licence for at least 3 years and is 20 or older (highway two-person riding rule).

Two-person riding (二人乗り) on ordinary roads is allowed only when the rider is 20 or older and has held the licence for 3 years or more; violation carries points and a fine.

Motorcycles must travel in the leftmost lane except when turning right, passing, or when the leftmost lane is designated for other traffic; lane splitting between cars is not permitted.

At intersections without signals, vehicles on the wider road have priority; a motorcycle turning right must yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning left.

Motorcycles are prohibited from riding on sidewalks, pedestrian crossings (except at designated crossings while walking the bike), and bicycle-only paths.

Headlights must be on at night (from sunset to sunrise) and in tunnels; daytime headlight use is required in principle for motorcycles on all roads.

Following distance rule: maintain at least the distance travelled in 2 seconds at speeds up to 60 km/h; increase to 3 seconds in rain or on wet roads.

Braking split: front brake provides roughly 70-80% of stopping force on dry pavement; apply both brakes progressively, front first with light lever pressure, then rear.

Cornering sequence: slow before the curve (brake upright), look through the curve, maintain constant throttle, and accelerate gently only after the apex.

Blind spots: a motorcycle sits in car blind spots; avoid riding alongside vehicles and position to be visible in mirrors or ahead of the vehicle's front bumper.

Target fixation: look where you want to go, not at the hazard; the bike follows the rider's gaze, so keep eyes on the escape path.

Wet-road hazards: painted markings, manhole covers, tram rails, and oil patches at intersections lose grip; cross them upright with minimal lean and no braking.

Group riding: keep a staggered formation, never ride side-by-side in a curve, and leave at least a 2-second gap to the rider directly ahead.

Fatigue and alcohol: alcohol impairs balance and reaction even below the legal limit; the legal limit is 0.15 mg/L breath or 0.3 g/L blood, and any detectable level can trigger penalties.

Chain slack: typical specification is 20-30 mm of free play at the midpoint; adjust at the rear axle and check for tight spots by rotating the wheel.

Tyre pressure: check cold before every ride; under-inflation reduces contact patch and causes overheating; replace tyres when tread depth reaches 1.6 mm or the wear indicator shows.

Engine oil: check level with the bike upright on level ground; change interval is typically 6,000-12,000 km or annually, whichever comes first.

Brake fluid: DOT 4 absorbs moisture; replace every 2 years regardless of mileage; a spongy lever indicates air in the system or degraded fluid.

Battery: a 12 V battery at rest should read about 12.6 V; below 12.4 V indicates partial discharge; charging voltage should be 13.5-14.5 V with the engine running.

Pre-ride check (日常点検): tyres, brakes, lights, horn, chain/belt, oil level, and mirrors; these are the items legally required in the daily inspection.

Shaken (車検): motorcycles over 250 cc require inspection every 2 years; light motorcycles (125-250 cc) every 3 years; 50-125 cc are exempt from shaken.

Valve clearance and spark plugs: check per manufacturer interval; a fouled plug or tight valve causes hard starting and poor idle; use the heat range specified in the manual.

Red circle with white horizontal bar means no entry (進入禁止); a blue circle with a white arrow indicates a one-way direction of travel.

A yellow diamond sign warns of a hazard ahead; a red triangle with a symbol warns of a specific hazard such as a curve or slippery surface.

Solid white edge lines mark the road boundary; a solid yellow center line means no passing or crossing; a broken white line permits lane changes when safe.

A blue circle with a motorcycle symbol designates a motorcycle-only lane; other vehicles may not enter except to turn.

Flashing red at a railway crossing means stop; flashing yellow at an intersection means proceed with caution after confirming safety.

A pedestrian crossing marking (zebra) requires vehicles to yield to pedestrians already on or about to enter the crossing.

Stop line (停止線): a vehicle must stop before the line at a stop sign or red signal; the front wheel must not cross the line.

Signal meanings: green = go if safe; yellow = stop unless stopping would be dangerous; red = stop; a flashing green arrow permits the indicated turn.

Emergency braking: squeeze both brakes firmly and progressively, keep the bike upright, and do not lock the front wheel; if ABS engages, maintain lever pressure.

Skid recovery: if the rear wheel locks, keep the brake applied and steer; if the front locks, release the lever immediately and reapply progressively.

Swerve technique: brake first to reduce speed, then countersteer quickly, keep the body upright, and avoid braking while leaned over.

Hazard scanning: look 12-15 seconds ahead (about 100 m at 60 km/h), and check mirrors every 5-8 seconds and before any lane change.

Intersection hazards: watch for vehicles turning left across your path, cars emerging from side streets, and cyclists running the light; cover the brakes when approaching.

Rain and standing water: reduce speed, avoid sudden braking, and cross standing water upright; aquaplaning risk rises above 60 km/h on wet roads.

Night riding: reduce speed so stopping distance stays within the illuminated area; use high beam only when no oncoming traffic; watch for pedestrians in dark clothing.

If a tyre blows out: hold the bars firmly, avoid hard braking, ease off the throttle gradually, and steer to the shoulder before stopping.

Helmet use is mandatory for both rider and passenger on all roads; the helmet must be properly fastened under the chin and be of a standard approved type.

A passenger must sit astride the seat facing forward with feet on the footrests; a side-saddle position is prohibited.

Two-person riding on expressways requires the rider to be 20 or older and to have held the licence for at least 3 years.

Cargo limits: load must not exceed 60 kg on a large motorcycle, must not extend more than 30 cm beyond the rear, and must be securely fastened.

Cargo width must not exceed the handlebar width by more than 15 cm on either side; height must not exceed 2 m from the ground.

A passenger under 16 may not ride on a motorcycle; children under 6 must not be carried on any motorcycle.

The rider is responsible for ensuring the passenger wears a helmet and that the pillion seat and footrests are fitted and secure.

Carrying cargo that obstructs lights, mirrors, or the rider's view is prohibited; loads must not drag or touch the ground.

The points system (点数制度): violations add points; reaching 6 points in one year triggers a 30-day suspension; 9 points triggers 60 days; 12 points triggers 90 days.

Serious violations carry immediate licence suspension or revocation: drunk riding (25 points), driving without a licence (19 points), and hit-and-run (35 points).

A first-time minor violation may qualify for the beginner driver programme (初心者講習) if within the first year of licensure and under 3 points.

Administrative disposition: a hearing (意見の聴取) is held before suspension or revocation; the rider may present a written statement and evidence.

Fines (反則金) are paid under the traffic violation notification system; non-payment leads to prosecution and a criminal record.

Licence renewal: gold licence (5 years) requires no violations in the previous 5 years; blue (3 years) and green (3 years) depend on violation history.

Revocation after drunk riding includes a mandatory 3-year waiting period before re-acquiring a licence, plus completion of a rider training course.

Points are cancelled after 1 year without violations, or after 3 years for a licence with no violations in that period.

Idling stop: turn off the engine when stopped for more than about 30 seconds to reduce emissions and noise, in line with the idling-stop ordinance.

Noise etiquette: avoid revving in residential areas, especially at night; exhaust systems must meet the regulated noise level and be properly maintained.

Muffler replacement: modifying the exhaust to increase noise violates the Road Transport Vehicle Act and can result in inspection failure and fines.

Rider responsibility: a motorcycle rider is a full road user; yield to pedestrians, signal intentions early, and never ride on sidewalks or in pedestrian zones.

Environmental riding: smooth acceleration and steady speed reduce fuel consumption and emissions; avoid unnecessary high-rev riding.

Parking etiquette: park only in designated motorcycle parking; illegal parking on sidewalks or in front of shops can be fined and the bike towed.

Sharing the road: do not intimidate cyclists or pedestrians with engine noise; give way at crossings and keep a safe distance from bicycles.

Community responsibility: report accidents and hazards, assist injured riders, and never leave the scene of an accident.