Buying motorcycle equipment in Japan's Kanto region
 

I'm getting ready to buy my first bike very soon, and I need to get the equipment to go with it. I already have a jacket, but now I need a helmet, boots, and gloves.

I live in South Ibaraki prefecture, and I was wondering if anyone here knew a good place to get bike gear at a decent price. I take somewhat large sizes (XL helmet and size 10-11 boots, or about 28-30 cm). I can get into Tokyo and the surrounding areas quite easily.

Helmet shouldn't be too much of a problem. However you will have troubles finding boots larger than 28 cm. Most boot companies in Japan don't even make them larger than 28 cm. So the stores can't special order them. Maybe order from Aerostich in the USA. They ship to Japan.
As for shops, Rico Land is a large place with a shop in Chiba, and Driver Stand car accessory shops also carry motorcycle gear. Then there is the 'bike street' in Ueno: Lots of volume, but also lots of the same stuff (i.e. not much variation)
Have fun!
And don't forget to get your Japanese license. You can only use an international license for one year. Even a valid IDP is illegal to use after you have been here one year. (Just letting you know in case you don't already)

Thanks for the info. I actually did find one place that has steel-toed motorcycle boots up to 29 cm, but I was hoping there might be somewhere else that had them a little cheaper.

Any recommendations on what kind of helmet to buy?

Oh yeah, I got my Japanese ogata license back in October, but thanks for mentioning it anyway.

Oh, one more thing:@that shop in Chiba you mentioned, that's in Chiba city, right?

If you can get to Tokyo, I found everything I needed on 'bike street' in Ueno. I've found a few stores that cary gaijin sizes in clothing. There's always the Harley shops as well...



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Improvement makes strait roads, but the crooked roads without Improvement, are roads of Genius - William Blake

Where exactly is this "bike street?" I've heard about it from a bunch of people, but I have no idea how to get there. Which exit do I take from Ueno station?

Exit the Ueno station on the east side, (Opposite Ueno Park). Then go North (left) parallel to the station. Walk a few blocks and you see a couple of bike shops to your right. Keep going until you see the taller Corin buildings. You are now in the middle of Bike Town. At first it didn't seem all that huge like everyone said. My third visit was an eyeopener. It is huge. WAY bigger than the Hein Gericke/Polo/Lois orgy in Hamburg (though thats cool too). Take some of the side streets. Check out the multi level stores at first, then try the specialized stores. I bought my helmet from a shop that had 3 floors of helmets. Only helmets. I even talked to the owner and negotiated the price. Good luck! I'm sure you'll find the boots you are looking for.

Oh, BTW, have you found the outdoor gear Mecca in Shibuya yet?

bah, I really envy you and Chris. Far and away, Tokyo is my favorite city...

Excellent! Thanks a bunch! I'll probalby head down there next week. I've found the perfect bike at the Red Baron up in Tsuchiura: a 1997 Honda CB 750. Nothing fancy, but a goods starter bike IMHO. I can't wait to get out on it and test it out on the Irohazaka in Nikko.

As for the Outdoor mecca in Shibuya, I haven't found that either. Where is it?

ah, the ever present Red Baron...

The Outdoor Gear shops are perpendicular to the Shibuya station. If I remember correctly, take Inogashira Dori past Seibu then right at the fork. Its about the size of Bike Town in Ueno. You'll know you are there once you see the big Montbell store. In addition the Montbell, which is like REI in the States, there are many smaller shops all over the place for every outdoor hobby. Prices were fairly normal from what I remember.

Enjoy your CB750!