A, sometimes referred to as an ordinary 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 400 cc.
In contrast, in the same act, such vehicle with a displacement of 125 cc or less is called a (small motorcycle), and is a subcategory of a standard two-wheel motor vehicle. Meanwhile, one with a displacement of over 400 cc is called a (heavy motorcycle).
A standard two-wheel motor vehicle can be operated with an ordinary motorcycle license or a heavy motorcycle license.It is defined in the Road Traffic Act's Enforcement Regulations as a "two-wheeled vehicle (including one with a side car) other than a large special vehicle, heavy motorcycle and small special vehicle".
Three-wheeled vehicles are treated as ordinary vehicles, and are not classed as motorcycles. However, the safety standard for motorcycles is applied to a three-wheeled vehicle that has coaxial wheels with a width of less than 46 cm, where the body or wheels incline when turning.
A license to ride an ordinary motorcycle can be obtained from the age of 16 onward.
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. | |
| 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 |