Job Discussion Forums

kah5217 · Joined: 29 Sep 2012 Posts: 270 Location: Ibaraki

I want to buy a bicycle eventually, but I know Japan treats them differently than the US. Do you have any advice before I start looking around?

Cost- how do I know if I'm being swindled? One store I walked past yesterday had them for 2 man, while the one next to the train station has them for under a man (though they're clearly used).

Insurance- I heard they have insurance for bicycles. Is this just theft insurance, or is it injury? Do I need to register the bicycle with city hall?

Is there a good time of the year to buy one? And should I stick to local stores or big stores?

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

You're unlikely to be swindled with new bikes. The market for shopping/home to station bikes here is pretty competitive and prices are pretty standard, whether small or large stores. A more expensive bike will have more features. 15,000 to 20,000 is about standard for a basic new mama-chari.

You need to register the bike with the police. If you buy it new the seller will usually do this for you.

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

Yeah don't bother with a used bike. They cost almost as much as a new one. As Aspara said a decent one with 3 gears goes for about 12000 to 18000 or so

stumptowny · Joined: 29 May 2011 Posts: 310

first off, these people don't swindle. it's not thailand or a poor country.. unless it's the japanese gov. and currency manipulating... another matter..

bikes.. unless you want a nice new bike, don't buy one. especially if you are just looking for a piece o crap for short trips.. >> momma chari!

find an abandoned bike. there are many if you walk around enough. remarkably, while recycling trash with prescribed vengeance, these people ditch their bikes faster than umbrellas at the wince of any mechanical problem and you will see them in the same place for weeks, usually with just a flat tire.

it's gonna put you out the cost of a tube and the 500 yen registration. did it once. the bike shop owner did not ask about the bike or check its registration from before. was as if he'd done it many times before. he sold me a new registration, fixed the flat. good to go.

many abandoned bikes will have a pretzled wheel, or rust from being out so long, or something worse. sometimes just has the wheel locked. these people also toss 'em in rivers.. amazing that the urban rivers in japan can sustain these huge carp while people are tossing their bikes in there...

if you are patient you will come across something... walk around

stumptowny · Joined: 29 May 2011 Posts: 310

[quote="rxk22"]Yeah don't bother with a used bike. They cost almost as much as a new one. As Aspara said a decent one with 3 gears goes for about 12000 to 18000 or so[/quote]

used bikes are 5,000 - 7,000yen for momma chari at some bike shops and recycle shops. nothing great but simple. there are no new bikes even close to this price...

stumptowny · Joined: 29 May 2011 Posts: 310

[quote="Apsara"]You need to register the bike with the police. If you buy it new the seller will usually do this for you.[/quote]

can register anywhere they sell bikes...

OneJoelFifty · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 463

If I were you I'd buy a used one, they are usually in good condition and you can get a lot more for your money. No point shelling out on a good new bike until you are sure you need it for a certain journey you're going to be taking regularly. If somewhere down the line you decide you want something better, by then you should have a good idea of what you want, how much it should cost and where is best to get it.