A2 license restrictions for old bike

cleggy92 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 18 Dec 2015 Karma :

Hey guys. Have a question I'm not sure is asked often, as I couldn't seem to find anything anywhere else (though I'm not even sure what to type into Google for this kind of inquiry).

Basically I just passed my A2 not a few hours ago (Woooo!). I'm fancying myself a Suzuki Bandit GSF 400. Thing is, the bike is just over the 47bhp limit for an A2 license holder (54bhp). However the bike is from 1993, so I imagine a few of those bhp's have been lost over the years (I think that's how it works?), if so would it be legal to ride without restriction? I really don't want to have to restrict the bike for the sake of a few bhp, but obviously I want to be legal in the event I get pulled or have a crash (I doubt I would even get the insurance to begin with if not legal).

Of course I'll probably get in touch with the respective authorities on the matter, but I figured I'd ask some fellow bikers their thoughts on the matter first. Perhaps someone else has been in this situation or simply knows how it works? Thanks all the same.

Louis

DRZ4Hunned · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Apr 2014 Karma :

It's the power output stated by the manufacturer from new.
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cleggy92 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 18 Dec 2015 Karma :

Copycat73 · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jan 2013 Karma :

typically washers of a peticular size and shape are fitted into the inlet manifolds .. kits maybe available on-line .. likely e- bay...
try a google search.
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pdg · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Sep 2012 Karma :

I just googled "suzuki gsf 400 restrictor kit" and got 47 billion results.

The first 2 results were for ebay and amazon where such kits are sold by various people for about sixty english pounds.

There was a youtube video on how to remove restrictors so you could watch that backwards to see how to fit them.
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andy_uk · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Aug 2011 Karma :

Copycat73 · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jan 2013 Karma :

i note that * A Certificate of Fitment is supplied with every `Kickstart Engineering` Restrictor Kit. `Kickstart Engineering` is a * recognised specialist in restricting vehicles...

personaly i would have it laminated and carry it in me top box or a bag.
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Whatever I post I have no citation and no intention of providing one..
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M.C · Super Spammer Joined: 29 Sep 2015 Karma :

cleggy92 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 18 Dec 2015 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Oft asked, rarely answered. It's a non-issue, until it's an issue.

The chances of it testing enough over 35kW to matter are pretty minimal.

However, having a piece of paper saying that it's been restricted to 35kW might be useful.

You really only need the piece of paper, mind.
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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

Teflon-Mike · tl;dr Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

pdg · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Sep 2012 Karma :

MCN · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2015 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Here, I'll help.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/97
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/2864/regulation/3/made
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/977/schedule/3/made

Let's see if we can spot the 'quoted' phrase 'manufacturers declared power'.

Well, then let's Google for it:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q="manufacturers+declared+power"

What's the top hit?
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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

cleggy92 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 18 Dec 2015 Karma :

MCN · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2015 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Copycat73 · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jan 2013 Karma :

Matt B · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 May 2012 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

There's been a couple. If you stack your unrestricted racebike into a farm gate after overtaking a bunch of horrified Fred-and-Doris witnesses out for their Sunday bimble, then you're making your own luck.

An old naked 400, you'd need an epic fail to end up in the same situation.
____________________
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

Az · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Apr 2013 Karma :

I think you'll be fine, according to this site it pushes 48.7 hp at the wheel, so it's bound to have lost more than a 1.7 hp over its years. Many people ride much more powerful bikes near to the 70kw limit without restrictions or a certificate and never encounter issues in the 2 years they've been riding on their A2.

Personally, i'd keep a certificate to hand (it's really not hard to make a convincing one) and if you are to ever be pulled.... The bike's restricted, here's my certificate. But I wouldn't even bring it up if you ever get pulled, just produce a proof of restriction if you're asked (which would be your certificate) which has no legal standing anyway, it's just a promise note pretty much.

Or if you really want to be anal about it, take it to any dyno, pay £30 to have it put on a dyno and see it's power output. If it's under 47bhp happy days, it's £30 wasted but your mind's at ease and if it's above 47bhp and you really want to restrict it, buy one of these restrictor kits and fit it (clicky). If it's anything like my Bandit 600 they fit in the carb' inlet rubbers & it's not too time consuming to fit. If you're not mechanically minded, it wouldn't take a mechanic more than 1.5hr to fit imo.

Saying all that (and sorry for the Tef' like post)... the real question should be, why have you picked a Bandit 400 as your weapon of choice? Shocked

M.C · Super Spammer Joined: 29 Sep 2015 Karma :

cleggy92 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 18 Dec 2015 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

howmanyleft.co.uk reckons there are only 17 GSF 400s left in the UK, the majority of which are on SORN. WeMoto have a fair amount of parts, but owner support is likely to be limited.

Contrast with a Bandit 600. Vastly more around, so you'll be less likely to convince yourself that a lemon is a peach. Tons of spare parts - literally tons, most of them anodised - and everybody and their dog has had one or worked on one so any problems will be shallow.

You'd have to really want a 400 to seek one out now.
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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