Job Discussion Forums

mtheta · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 76

Hey guys, I have been here in Japan for 3 weeks now, and after discovering that I practically live on a mountain, I have been considering purchasing a used scooter because I see MANY people riding them. As I have not lived through the winter months here, I was wondering if this would be a safe alternative to walking or taking the bus. I am a female and don't feel all that comfortable walking alone after work in the dark. I am told it is safe, but there are some dark ally's ext.
Anyways, I live in Sendai, so if you know the area you know that the city is flat but just outside gets "hilly". Can I us my scooter in the rain up/down hills? Will I be able to use it for the majority of the year? And does anyone know how much it costs to insure a scooter?

Thanks!

Like a Rolling Stone · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Posts: 872

I think don't worry too much "live fast, die young!" is my middle name Cool

BedTiger · Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Posts: 55

Don't worry about the weather, those scooters are close to indestructible. I live in Vietnam and drive a 125cc Honda Wave to work everyday rain or shine. And when it rains it pours. MY street floods at least once a week and I have to drive down the street with water up to my knee's. Also here people will load them with boxes and 100's of pounds of extra gear and people.

I would suggest if this is your concern get a Honda Wave as it has bigger tires than some more of the fancier, trendy bikes. The bigger tires offer better grip in the rain and mud.

Sorry for the blurry pic, but thats my street at least once a week.

mtheta · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 76

Can you buy special tires in the winter? I'm looking at a Honda Live Dio. But I think I'll shop around and look into the bigger tire thing. Thanks!

BedTiger · Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Posts: 55

If there is snow on the ground forget about driving one of these. For lots of rain though, try to get a better tire with good threads for displacing water. Ask them at the bike shop for this, also I can't recal but check to see if the front brake is a drilled disc ( a disc with holes drilled in it) it it does make a diffrence when driving in the rain.

pastis · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 82

Driving a scooter in the rain can be a bit dangerous, partly because the roads can get slippery in a downpour, but mainly because it's hard to see. If you can afford a good helmet with a full visor that will deflect the rain effectively (I always thought a little mini-windshield wiper would be nice idea Wink

), it should be alright. Otherwise, once you start accelerating the rain begins to batter your face and thus severely impair your vision, especially if you have no protection at all (if nothing else, goggles might work okay too). Obviously using a rain suit is a good idea as well. I recommend getting a decent quality one that thoroughly seals off outside water getting in (though if you're on a budget you can probably find cheap little plastic ones at a hyaku-en shop, they work reasonably well too).

Also, in the winter it's not so much the icy roads that are a problem (though I didn't drive in the countryside in the winter, so I'm not too sure about it), but the the fact that on a scooter it feels *really* cold. Basically the wind chill will freeze your fingers once you start going a decent speed (at least this is my experience)... Again, maybe if you can buy some gloves (perhaps heated ones?) or something to keep your hands (and feet) from going numb, it might be okay. Finally, if you have a small scooter, there's no way it'll be able to drive on snowy roads - tires are just too small and it would be slippery...

Sorry I can't remember how much to insure the scooter. I believe it depends on the type (i.e how many "cc"). Should be pretty cheap though.

I highly recommend scooters overall. Much more practical than cars (unless of course you need to transport other people), cheaper for gas, easier to park etc. Good luck!

Khyron · Joined: 10 Mar 2006 Posts: 291 Location: Tokyo Metro City

Do you have a motorbike license? If you want anything larger than a 50cc, then you need one. Otherwise, a drivers license will do.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

pastis · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 82

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Sorry, I was going to respond to the OP's questions too, but in my response to Khyron I forgot to do that...

Japan is a pretty safe country -- aside from your groping perverts on the trains, even most dark alleys are safe -- although I wouldn't exactly be going out on purpose just to test that theory either.

A scooter will run you about 40,000 yen and up. If you are paying less, you may want to ensure that it's mechanically sound. Vehicles smaller than 50cc are not subject to the national "shaken" inspection, so there is nothing that says people must keep their scooters in any sort of good shape for any reason. Many people literally run them into the ground -- but they last well -- it's not unusual to see many scooters on the road that were made in the early 1980s. In terms of other costs, mandatory insurance will run you 7,500 per year. The more years you purchase at once, the cheaper it gets. This is liability insurance. Any additional insuruance, e.g. against theft, collision damage on your own vehicle, etc is at your own additional cost. (I've never purchased additional insurance). Yearly vehicle registration with the city is about 1,500 yen. In addition, if you purchase your scooter (used) from a shop, please add AT LEAST 20,000 yen to the sticker price. This pays for: printing the invoice, mandatory pre-sale inspection, other fees (all of these are a scam -- but you gotta pay them). You may get away with paying less (like about 10,000) but make sure you budget for up to 20,000.

Riding a scooter in the rain: OK, albeit VERY carefully. You know those painted-on lines you see on the pavement? (eg. crosswalks, lane markers) -- they are only slightly more slippery than ice when wet...

Riding a scooter in the snow or in icy conditions? No way. You WILL hurt yourself. The only way around that is to buy scooter wheel chains -- and the only vehicles I've ever seen use them are the Honda Cubs that the post office carriers deliver the mail on. Even then, I don't think I'd want to risk it.

Cold? No problem. Just go to your local motorcycle shop and buy some good quality, Thinsulate (tm) (or Gore-Tex (tm) ) insulated motorcycle gloves. Regarding safety..... MAKE SURE THEY ARE GOOD QUALITY MOTORCYCLE GLOVES!!!! Please take it from someone who knows. Last November I bit the pavement at 50km/h on my scooter, causing NASTY abbrasion to my hands and knees. Even though I was wearing motorcycle gloves and they were shredded into salad! I went clean through them. I can't imagine how much worse it would've been without them, or wearing gloves that weren't made for motorcycling. Good gloves will set you back 6,000-14,000 yen.

As an additional safety note, when riding a scooter or motorcycle -- safety equipment is very important. On my scooter I'm perhaps a little more lax than I should be, but when I ride my motorcycle, I don't leave the house without my spine-guard, shin/knee guards, elbow guards, full helmet and kevlar gloves. This stuff will save yer life! Trust me! Don't think that just because you're wearing a helmet you're protected. And don't take your lessons from Japanese riders -- they commonly ride with little to no regard for their own safety and rarely use proper gear -- even though it's readily available in any motorcycle supply shop.

Lastly, in regards to safety, when dressing to go out, consider what kind of jacket and pants you are wearing. There's a reason why motorcyclists wear leather. It's so that when you skid out on the pavement, you don't get burning-hot synthetic fabrics melting into your skin. Natural fabrics and leather won't. If you don't have (can't afford) motorcycle pants, then at least wear denim -- it won't melt when you drag it across asphalt at 50 or 60 km/h.

Hope that helps. If you need anything more on this stuff, you can PM me. I ride a lot (ever day) and my friends ride extensively so there's a fair chance that I can help you with any questions, and if I don't know -- I can probably ask or find out for you.

Cheers,

JD

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

mtheta · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 76

Wow JD, you have given me a lot to think about! Great info, and a good reality check. I have never riden, so the whole crashing thing is a huge concern, but I am also a fairly hesitant person so I would generally be going pretty slow.

Any suggestions on what important questions to ask when purchasing a used scooter, nit from a shop.

M