Can I get the 400cc sport bikes on the new A2 restrictions?

[Fizzlers]

I'm wanting to pass my test relatively soon but I'm only 21 (argh hate the new laws moving it up to 24 but hey I can't do anything ) so I'm having to do the A2 restriction law in contrast to the new laws and it states:

Category A2 (medium motorcycles up to 35kW)
Category A2 covers medium sized motorcycles, with or without a sidecar, which have:

NOTE:- Riders under 24 years of age with provisional entitlement to motorcycle category A on their licence are limited to taking the Category A2 test (test on a motorcycle over 395cc / 400cc with between 25kw (33bhp) and 35kw (47bhp)) an engine power output up to 35kW a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.2kW/kg - the motorcycle must not be derived from a machine of more than double its power.

Now of course that cuts out all the 600cc sport bikes like R6, GSXR, CBR, ZX6R and so on... but what about the 400ccs?

The specifications for the 400's are:

ZXR400:

47.8 kW (64.1 hp) (slightly less on the older models)

CBR400:

55 bhp (41 kW)

GSXR400:

60.6bhp (44.7kW)

VFR400:

59 hp (44 kW)

RVF400:

59.4bhp (43.9kW)


So as you can see these little pocket rockets are a little bit over the restricted bhp but they are not producing over double the restricted bhp (like a 600cc would being 100bhp+) so am I still legal to get one of these once passing my test and restricting it to 47bhp?


Thanks Fizzler

[Alpha-9]

Yes, but they're mostly old and shit, allegedly

It doesn't cut out 600s, they just need restricting
Also 500 twins are a goer

A 600 wouldn't be 100bhp over, more like 60-70 and that's in tiptop condition I reckon
Just checked, 2012 XJ6 is Power: 76.44 HP (55.8 kW)) @ 10000 RPM

So you can restrict and ride that on an A2 license.
I did my test/training on an ER5, mod 2 on wednesday!!!1111!!!
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Fzr-600 1999

[Fizzlers]

I've heard the complete opposite, that the little 'pocket rockets' (as people call them) are actually pretty damn good bikes and are not as likely to get you killed as say an R6.

I only want sports bikes as I like the look of them and they appeal to me the most, I have nothing against other riders having other types of bikes like cruisers or sport tourers but its not my cup of tea.

I'm wondering whether or not you can even buy 47bhp restrictor kits or actually just have to get the 33bhp and ride that on your 47bhp restricted license?

I've found a site that does for a specific ZXR400 the 47bhp kit:

46.6 BHP / 35kW Rating
Kawasaki MODEL YEAR VIN PART NO. PRICE (RRP) BUY ONLINE (TRADE ONLY)
» ZXR400 1991- ZX400L 03-ZX400L-K35 £179.99

I'm presuming the - after the 1991 means for all the ZXR400's after that year?

[CaNsA]

[Rogerborg]

[Joncrete Cungle]

The 400's are great bikes. BUT by now a large number of them have been thrapped from cold by numpties, crashed, bodged and poorly maintained by numerous previous owners. IF you manage to find a well looked after one, with service history and plenty of receipts for sensible money you might be on to a winner.

They do need you to keep on top of the maintenance, be fairly mechanically sympathetic and I personally would not rely on one 100% for commuting. Parts are not that hard to find on ebay, cmsnl, wemoto, David Silvers and the 400 greybike forums.

If you are willing to invest in some tools and invest some time learning about them and how to maintain them go ahead. If you want something easy that just needs the chain lubing and adjusting every now and again and you get a once yearly oil & filters change done at a main stealers, look at a newer bike or a twin.

[Fizzlers]

I've found some nice ZXR400's (post 1991 which there is actually a 47bhp restriction for on a site I've found on https://www.fiinternational.com/ShowDetails.asp?name=ZXR400&type=Kawasaki there and as you can see its £180.

A few ZXR's I've found whilst browsing eBay is:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-KAWASAKI-ZXR-400-L9-/321099046482?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item4ac2fe9e52

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-ZXR400-L9-0NLY-7000-MILES-/121093431238?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item1c31bb1fc6

This one is a beauty but it comes with a price for a 400!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-ZXR400-L9-/181090085694?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item2a29cf6b3e

I'm wanting this bike to take me to work and back (only about 8-9 miles each way) as I'm sick of cycling there and I have to spend a short time on a dual carriageway which is not pleasant when working nights and you have the lorries passing you and that large gust of wind nearly knocks you off balance.

Of course I want to take the bike out when I'm off work for a little ride, I live in Newcastle and heard there is a bikers meeting called the wetlands or something and lots of bikers go there so I'd probably pop along there and I know that in South Shields there is a place called minchellas and lots of people stop there on bikes in the nice weather as its right beside the beach too.

Regarding whether or not I'll be unlucky or naughty, ner I do have my head screwed on and ain't stupid and realise that I might as well keep it legal for the sake of 155bhp or something anyways, it was different before the new laws came in as people had R6's and claimed to be restricted to 33bhp but really on a 100bhp+ machine and 'technically' riding it illegal, I don't want to break the law over something so stupid when I can just wait I don't need to go fast all the time and plus I'm not into wheelies or anything like that neither. One thing that does appeal to me though is small letterbox numberplate and a nice exhaust on a little pocket rocket... ah its great!

I think after my restriction period is over without trying to run before I can walk I'll probably get something like an R6 or ZX6R or something...then move onto the bad boy 1000cc's.

I'm only wanting to keep this bike for the two year restriction period and then move myself up to a bigger sports bike but I want to gain experience on this one first, I'm 22 in October so I guess if I do my test relatively soon I can take the unrestricted license when I'm about 23 1/2 years old which isn't really a problem for me as the 47bhp is fast enough for the time being and will do what I need it for.

I am just glad I'm this age, I feel very sorry for 17 year olds just starting out considering the fact you can pass your car test at 17 and then get a Ferrari if you could get insured, its awful how much the law are against us riders compared to drivers.

[thomp1983]

the zxr's you've linked to in here are massively massively overpriced, also considering there age you want to be looking for one that's been used not been stood around all it's life as the with low mileage the service schedules often get overlooked.

as an example the below one cost me a grand just over 18 months ago, ive probably spent that again but most of that's from wanting to keep it in tip top condition, now it's probably not worth more than £800 which considering it has had most of the desirable upgrades done makes it alot of bike for the money and probably a better deal than the ones you linked to,

https://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f109/thomp1983/20110719_002.jpg

[CaNsA]

As mentioned above,

They are uber priced.

I bought mine, 1991 17k miles, mechanically spot on, a bit tatty, for 900 quid.

[Fizzlers]

That's a sweet bike mate.

How much am I actually looking in for a 1991 onwards model?

This site here: https://www.fiinternational.com/ShowDetails.asp?name=ZXR400&type=Kawasaki does the 47bhp restrictor kits but it says "1991-" is the hyphen just meaning onwards as normally a hyphen is used to join two separate words together.

What are the ZXR400's actually like to ride regarding just around town and every now and then a ride out?

Also, I have had experience on a 125, I had an Aprilia RS125 when I was 17 for a year... so I know how to ride a geared bike and have common sense of the road and I am not the typical young lads thinking of "GET THE FASTEST THING I CAN AND JUST TAKE STUPID RISKS", I am sensible and had no crashes on that bike and have no problem with doing this way (although I do feel the new laws are incredibly harsh on new riders) and sticking the 47bhp in for 2 years before moving up.

I really do prefer the ZXR over the 400's sports bikes.

[Rogerborg]

Those prices are getting into gratuitous self indulgence territory.

How about you get licensed up first and then decide? You'll be doing your tests on something like a GS500 or an NC700S which will give you a good feel for whether you want to stay on a sensible commuter bike, or get something with sportier aspirations

Oh, there's also a 0.2kW/kg maximum power-to-weight limit on the new A2 license, so if you have a 35kW bike, it should weigh at least 175kg. I doubt that you'll ever find anyone who will care though.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Alpha-9]

Hurr I haven't even looked into restricting mine, I probably just wont and hope for the best

I like living on the edge
____________________
Fzr-600 1999

[thomp1983]

'91 on they became the L models where the number refers to manufacture year, L1 '91, L2 '92 so on until the L9 being the last in '99. they are fundamentally all the same, the restrictor kits will certainly fit all models but DO NOT buy any overpriced tat from FI international. on zxrworld there used to be details fro making your own 33bhp washers the same deal will apply to 47bhp washers and someone over there will probably be able to tell you the required hole size to make 47bhp.

£1500 tops will find you a very good condition bike, how are they to live with, i love mine the handling is brilliant i found mine really comfortable (im 5ft 10 taller people my find them abit uncomfortable) i used to commute 19 miles to work and play out at the weekend in the peak district and it did all those things well, they are a good bike to begin your education on ive only move on as i saved the money to buy a ducati

[Fizzlers]

[Fizzlers]

[thomp1983]

basically there's a criteria for what you can restrict down to 35kw, the maximum weight of a bike you want to restrict to 35kw is 175kg and it can't be more than 94hp from the factory

[thomp1983]

yes you can restrict a bike yourself nothing illegal about it, there is no legal requirement to have a certificate or proof of restriction, but the police can and do stop bikes and dyno test them if your on a restricted licence and i suspect this will become more common with the new rules and money to be made.

your right that you shouldn't pretend to have it restricted but many do/have done but that's a personal choice

[Alpha-9]

It should be innocent until proven guilty not the other way around, regarding restriction proof
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Fzr-600 1999

[thomp1983]

it is that way?

[Fizzlers]

[Fizzlers]

[thomp1983]

there's nothing to work out i did it for you, when you look at any bikes make sure they don't make more than 94bhp from factory and they don't weigh more than 175kg. if they made less power then they could weigh more.

and the police will only make more money if people flout the law it's a mute point really, the rules are the rules if you break them then you know the punishments, if you don't there's no money for them to make

[Fizzlers]

[Alpha-9]

If you were to get a Paddy Cert™ of good quality forge, claim it came with the bike paperwork when you bought it, no reason to doubt you or it
seems legit one might say
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Fzr-600 1999

[thomp1983]

dry weight is 159kg for an L which id imagine is the figure used so is therefore under 175kg, i can't imagine they use the wet figure as it could differ from bike to bike depending on what fluids you fill it with.

alpha the paddy cert works until you get stopped at a roadside dyno (which i have seen but wasn't pulled over) as ignorance of the law is no defence. it's your job to check your restricted, the same as making sure you have the relevant licence etc, yes the chances are small but that's down to the op to decide and in his case he's not comfortable with it