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It has been explained to me that Japan has a tiered motorcycle license system. This is what I was told:

• up to 50cc
• up to 125cc
• up to 400cc
• over 400cc

This sounds righteous in terms of rider training versus engine size. The problem is that there is no difference in training except the cost (fun tax). It is completely possible that there were some language barrier errors in my interpretation of what I was told, but the fellows I am visiting stated that the difference was cost. A lot of cost to get the over 400cc license - $1500!

I didn’t ask how much insurance and/or plates were, but I will tomorrow (heh - I am attending my first Japanese BBQ and I was assured there would be nothing with tentacles on the menu).

Interesting though. Something that started sounding smart, really isn’t. In fact, if the above is 100% accurate, its worse. With the same amount of training, the options should be open.

SIDEBAR: One of the guys here in Japan that I am working with raced 50cc two strokes ‘back in the day’ on a Yamaha RD50. He used to race along side MotoGP’s Daijiro Kato (may the fallen two-wheeled brother RIP). I asked if he ever beat Kato-san, my co-worker replied “not even close…[he was] much too fast”.