Japan has raised the expressway speed limit for motorcycles from 80 km/h to 100 km/h (approximately 62 miles per hour). This is now the same speed limit as for automobiles in that country.


Motorcycle riders had complained of being unable to travel with the flow of traffic and of being harassed by automobile drivers.


The raising of the speed limit is predicted to increase demand for larger displacement motorcycles in Japan, notes MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY magazine.


Motorcycles are still prohibited from carrying passengers on the expressway.