Street Triple & the bloody A2 license...

[Dashmore93]

Hi all,

New to the forum, I'm 22 and I am half way there to my A2 license, after getting a years riding experience on an R125. Just the Mod 2 to go now which is booked in.

Originally, my mind was set on the MT07 as it seems to be one of the best bikes for the A2 license aesthetics/performance/fun wise.

But I've been doing a bit of digging around on the Street Triple 675 and this so called (gold dust) 70kw version. I'd much prefer the Striple over the MT to be fair - and I was wondering if anyone on this forum has any experience with the restricted (Spanish?) version of the bike. There's threads out there but they are very vague.

I've seen a few folk on this forum say that they just use the 105bhp version on A2 as it's technically on the DVLA website as being A2 legal if you read it quick enough.

Could you buy a restriction kit for the 105bhp version and blag it? Yes officer its restricted it says so on the DFT website.. *Show printout*

OR

Can you get the ECU flashed down on the 'normal' version to 95bhp and then further restricted with a throttle stop?

If I'm going to get one I want to do it properly and have the right one, don't want a spill and then have to worry about having too much power at the crank and in turn having void insurance..

If it's too much hassle it will just be the MT I reckon?

Thanks for any advice in advance

[Albigularis]

I'm the top guy on this particular subject as I've obsessed over it so here we go-

The Street Triple comes as standard 79kW, and from the new shape onwards (2013/62 plate) you could order a 70kW version with 35kW restrictor direct from Triumph. This compromises of a different cam shaft to the one in the standard bike (according to the engineers I spoke to) which reduces power to 70kW. The restrictor is a throttle stop with anti-tamper stickers.

The V5 does show a 'kW' rating which means that you should technically know your bike isn't A2 compliant. However, it doesn't mention anything about the specific A2 bike that they make on the DFT list and having checked the registration plate of one, they are exactly the same model. I had an '09 STR on A2 - I have a plastic wrapped copy of that DFT web page in my wallet to this day.

"But it says so on the DFT website" would buy you some degree of leeway, but I expect that ultimately you'd get shunned out and be out of pocket unless you did have the actual 70kW bike in an absolutely be-all-end-all court setting. Although the chances of your insurance thinking to go down this route are slim. You'd just tell your claims handler guy the info and that it's on the DFT list if he questioned it. Probably wouldn't hear anything about it from there on. Much like cheating on your spouse, the key is to avoid suspicion in the first place.

Ultimately it's up to you. But if you're going to actually restrict it (I didn't, sue me) then you're as well with the MT.

Here are the questions to ask yourself to justify the risk-

How likely is it that I'll get pulled over?
How likely is it that the officer will think the bike isn't A2 compliant?
How likely is it that the officer will check for restriction and/or not believe you that it is?
How likely is it that the officer wont believe the DFT website evidence?
How likely is it that the officer will make you produce the V5 and have suspicion to cease the bike until shown you are allowed to ride it?
How likely is it that your insurance will check if it's the full power model in the event of a claim?
How likely is it that your insurance will suspect the bike isn't A2 compliant to begin with in the event of a claim?
How likely is it that your insurance wont pay out due to it not being A2 compliant, but on the DFT list in the event of a claim?
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Biking history so far-
Aprilia RS125 - Kawasaki ZXR400 - Triumph Street Triple R - Suzuki GSXR1000 L3 - BMW R1200GS - Kawasaki Z1000 - Kawasaki ZX10R C1H - Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Touring - Suzuki Hayabusa

[andys675]

the old A1 restrictor kits from triumph came with no instructions or certifcate, just some parts in a box
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Some people feel the rain, others just get wet.

[Dashmore93]

I was hoping you'd reply Albigularis

When I said 'some folk' I was directly referring to you lol.

Thanks for the info mate that was very detailed. Few more quick ones if you don't mind?

Could you actually restrict the '09 STR in the first place to comply with the 47bhp limit?

I don't mean legally in the eyes of the A2 laws, I mean was/is there a restriction kit available to actually bring the HP down? Obviously, you'd be restricting a 105bhp bike to reach the 47bhp limit, but like you say its 'on the list' so to speak. How am I to know any differently it isn't compliant, your honour.

If you are involved in an accident and the bike is inspected, at least the restriction kit is present?

I don't know, it seems a lot of hassle. I have a Triumph dealer nearby so I guess i'll have to call and find out if they have any in stock OR how much it would be to have the 105hp one de-tuned? (New camshaft? Can't be cheap) Don't really fancy buying a sub-category version of an already popular bike, would be a pain in the ass trying to sell it.

I'm guessing the Z800e is similar. The MT just seems like the smart option? I'm covered if anything was to happen and it's got great reviews. However, the looks/performance just don't come close to the STR.

[Albigularis]

[Rogerborg]

tl;dr version from me would be: print off a convincing looking receipt for fitting a 35kW restrictor kit and shove it under the seat, put some sort of "35kW" tag or plate or sticker on the throttle body, ride.
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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

[Polarbear]

I personally wouldn't want to be lumbered with a bike that couldn't be returned to bog standard BRITISH spec easily, cheaply and quickly.

Somewhere along the line you are going to be screwed out of a shed load of money and have a bike that performs as it is not designed to.

Get the MT07, do your tests than when you are able, ride a standard, non strangled STR and see ho good they really are
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Crumbso]

I rode an unrestricted Thundercat when I was younger. Crashed it, police turned up and I got the LC20 endorsement with no points for "driving not in accordance with licence" but..... that also meant my insurance was not valid and I got an IN10 with 6 points as well..

I couldn't rent a car/van for 5 years and my insurance was pretty fuckin high for that period too. It wasn't worth it.

Get something properly legal, you'll still shit yourself at the power. Then go properly mental once you've got a totally unrestricted licence and get a Speed Triple.

[dydey90]

I really like the Z800 so I looked at getting a Z800e, which is exactly the same thing on paper. They're very new though and therefore very expensive, so I ended up getting something cheaper for now with a view to trading it in when I upgrade to full A class.
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This post is probably not serious and shouldn't be taken literally.
Past: CBR125,ER6f NINJA 650, ZZR600 Current: VFR750

[Rogerborg]

[Crumbso]

[talkToTheHat]

Sat at lights/junction and a twat drives into the back of you, or pootling through a housing estate at 25 mph and someone pulls out on you. Smashes bike, you get hospitalised. Police recover bike and check details as due process, you get a merry stack of points and enough penalty codes to make future riding impossible. Can easily turn what should be you back on the road once you're healed, with a big wodge of compo into so far out of pocket it's not funny.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[cheeseman]

Surely the resale value of one of these lower power STR with a not-so-hot cam fitted would be pretty crap. There must be a business opportunity out there for selling normal cams to folks lumbered with these in the future.
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XJ600S->Sprint ST 955i * ; Now ST1100 + W650