GENERAL NEWS

JAPAN IS THINKING ABOUT CHANGES TO MOTORCYCLE CLASSIFICATION

125S COULD POSSIBLY BE RECLASSIFIED AS MOPEDS OR MOTORISED BICYCLES?

BY Lucy England ON 20 September 2023

New thinking in Japan is suggesting that motorcycles up to125ccs, should actually be classified as motorised bicycles, going forward, instead of motorcycles. The thinking behind this seems to be that anyone could then legally jump aboard a 125cc bike - bicycle that is - and zoom into the sunset. Currently the focus group in Japan and Japan’s National Police Agency, are looking at machines which make less than 15bhp as some de-restricted two stroke 125s in fact make more than 15bhp. The new classification of 'motorised bicycles', would only apply to powered two wheelers up to 125ccs, which make less than 4kW or 5 bhp - nothing too powerful.

Currently, as we have covered in previous articles, UK motoring groups are trying to change the confusing motorcycle testing laws here, so this would provide an interesting addendum to this. If the classification of motorcycles was different, then the whole testing system would have to change as well and would that be a good thing perhaps? Not that this is going to happen here but it is interesting to hear about other countries thinking outside the box.

Any thoughts on this one? Contact us at: [email protected] or drop us a message on Facebook