A, sometimes referred to as a small motorcycle, is one of the vehicle categories in the Road Traffic Act of Japan. Such vehicles (motorcycles) have a displacement of more than 50 cc but no more than 125 cc, or their rated output exceeds 0.6 kW but is no more than 1 kW.
In contrast, in the same act, such vehicle with a displacement of more than 50 cc but no more than 400 cc is called a standard two-wheel motor vehicle (普通自動二輪車, futsū jidō nirinsha), or ordinary motorcycle. Thus, a small motorcycle is a subcategory of an ordinary motorcycle.
Meanwhile, a motorcycle with a displacement of over 400 cc is called a large two-wheel motor vehicle (大型自動二輪車, ōgata jidō nirinsha) (heavy motorcycle).
Some of the vehicle categories under Japanese law are as follows:
| Name | Japanese | width=800 | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moped | Japanese: 原動機付自転車 | Any motorcycle with engine displacement of 50 cc or less. | |
| Small motorcycle | Japanese: 小型自動二輪車 | Any motorcycle with engine displacement over 50 cc but no more than 125 cc. | |
| Ordinary motorcycle | Japanese: 普通自動二輪車 | Any motorcycle with engine displacement over 50 cc but no more than 400 cc. | |
| Heavy motorcycle | Japanese: 大型自動二輪車 | Any motorcycle with engine displacement over 400 cc. | |
A license to drive a small motorcycle can be obtained from the age of 16 onward.
| Displacement | 50 cc or less | 125 cc or less | 250 cc or less | 400 cc or less | Over 400 cc | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Road Traffic Act | Vehicle classification | Moped | Ordinary motorcycle (small motorcycle) | Ordinary motorcycle | Heavy motorcycle | |
| Type of license | Moped license | Ordinary motorcycle license (limited to small motorcycle) | Ordinary motorcycle license | Heavy motorcycle license | ||
| License type | Minimum age | Displacement | Loading capacity | Legal speed limit (general roads) | Expressway riding | Pillion riding | Bus lane riding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moped | 16 | Up to 50 cc | 30kg (70lb) | 30km/h | No | No | Yes |
| Small motorcycle (incl. AT) | 16 | Up to 125 cc | 60kg (130lb) | 60km/h | No | Yes (1 year after license acquisition) | No |
| Ordinary motorcycle (incl. AT) | 16 | Up to 400 cc | 60kg (130lb) | 60km/h | Yes | Yes (1 year after license acquisition) | No |
| Heavy motorcycle (incl. AT) | 18 | No limit | 60kg (130lb) | 60km/h | Yes | Yes (1 year after license acquisition) | No |