33Bhp Bikes

BillyJ · Nearly there... Joined: 07 Jan 2013 Karma :

Hey guys,
im one of the few with an a2 licence before it all changes and was wandering if someone knew of good bikes that i can ride without restriction/modification and no 2stroke 125's please.

also i don't really want a 250, apparently with the new restrictions they will be hard to sell on.

Thanks!
Billy J Thumbs Up

Derivative · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Karma :

I don't think there are any modern bikes out there that are bigger than 250cc and below 33bhp.

If there are, the selection will be very limited.

I'd go for a 500 and restrict it. Mine is unrestricted, it'd just be like not going above 6k rpm.

Which I haven't done anyway since getting it, if I wanted to gun it I'd get a sports 600.

I've done 6k miles on it, up and down the country many times, commuting, the lot. About the only complaint I have is that it could do with a bit more weather protection.

P.addy · *Formerly known as* P. Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Some 2 stroke 125s are still outside of the power/weight ratio anyway.

Under 33hp, you are looking at 250cc really.

Nothing is hard to restrict, if you even bother restricting it.

Lowest power non 250 I can think of are the DRZ400, CB1 and the usual 500 twins.

BillyJ · Nearly there... Joined: 07 Jan 2013 Karma :

hmm even the old ones? but i guess your right.

so what 400/500 would restrict well, and still be a happy bunny? Mr. Green

P.addy · *Formerly known as* P. Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Derivative · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Karma :

BillyJ · Nearly there... Joined: 07 Jan 2013 Karma :

ok awesome, on from that which are the cheapest to insure?

Derivative · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Karma :

BillyJ · Nearly there... Joined: 07 Jan 2013 Karma :

I also find a lot of people wont insure me with the "stated modifications" of a restrictor so its often cheaper to not state it. Is that ok because your over insuring yourself so your less of a risk then stated. And surely they can tell its restricted because of my a2 licence type?

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

There are some lists of 33bhp bikes out there, google it.

Off the top of my head, the following are all 33bhp or less

Cagiva River 500
Honda Bros 400
Suzuki Goose 350

Any of the older 1 or 2 cylinder 250s - so any CB250, GN250 (and possibly 400) etc.

I think the Suzuki Savage 600 is 33bhp on paper, which gives you an idea of what state of tune it's in.

Get a CB250RS and be done with it. It'll be worth more in a couple of years than it is now.

BigDan1190 · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 03 Mar 2010 Karma :

Buy a bandit 600. Some restrictor plates off eBay for £30. Self fit because its easy. Win.

Plus they always sell on well due to being commuters.

Cadbury · Crazy Courier Joined: 05 Oct 2011 Karma :

A while back I made a list for my younger brother.

*BHP figures taken from MCN/Wikipedia so may not be 100% accurate*

Under 33BHP:

Suzuki tu250x (16bhp)
Yamaha ybr250 (21bhp)
Honda cbf250 (22bhp)
Honda cbr 250 new (23bhp)
KTM duke 200 (25bhp)
Suzuki inazuma 250 (25bhp)
Hyosung GT250 (28bhp)
Kawasaki ex 250 (28bhp)
Kawasaki 250 zzr (28bhp)
Yamaha wr250 (30bhp)
Honda CBR 250 old (30bhp)
Honda NT400 bros (31bhp)
Suzuki DR-Z400(33bhp)
Cagiva canyon 500 (33bhp)

Just over 33BHP:
Cagiva river 500 (34bhp)
Kawasaki KLR 650(37bhp)
Kawasaki ninja 300 (39bhp)
Honda SLR650 (39bhp)
Yamaha XVS650 (40bhp)
Aprillia moto 6.5 (42bhp)
BMW F650 strata (42.5bhp)

Probably loads more though. As you can see, its mainly 250s that are on the limit, although a couple of the lower power 'bigger' bikes may well have lost a few BHP over the years and so be under without any need to restrict also.

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

GPz305 claims a whisker over 25kW but will be safe for all practical purposes. Buy mine. Wink

snikks · Spanner Monkey Joined: 15 Jan 2011 Karma :

Royal Enfields are below 33bhp I believe, and available in up to 500cc. They're not the most modern or fast bikes though, and as far as I understand it, not the most reliable, but have the benefit that pretty much anything that goes wrong with them is DIY-able.
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- CBT: 02/01/11 Theory: 26/04/11 Mod 1: 19/05/11 Mod 2: 19/08/11
- 2007 Honda XL125V Varadero (Sold), 1999 Yamaha FZS600 Fazer (Sold), 2001 CBR600F

pepperami · Super Spammer Joined: 17 Jan 2010 Karma :

BillyJ · Nearly there... Joined: 07 Jan 2013 Karma :

Derivative · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Karma :

BillyJ · Nearly there... Joined: 07 Jan 2013 Karma :

yep tpft but then tpo is still over 1.5
The reason im doing tpft is because of where i live.. someone tried to steal my cbr 125 and couldn't figure out what a bloody immobiliser was so just left it with no key barrel F***ING A**HOLES... that cost me a small fortune to replace my key set and what not....

but imagine if they took it... i would be left with nothing.... that's over a grand.... GONE.. poof.. Sad

not cool...

Derivative · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Karma :

BillyJ · Nearly there... Joined: 07 Jan 2013 Karma :

yeah that is a fair point i guess.....
i just need to hammer into my head that its cheaper to have my bike stolen.... Sad

pepperami · Super Spammer Joined: 17 Jan 2010 Karma :

These insurance scum-bags KNOW that you are new to the bigger bike market and so they are trying to sting you because you are not wise to thier greedy tactics.

ASK them what is the cheapest bike to insure with them .
TELL them that you will be talking to other insurance companies and you my have money burning a hole in your pocket.
Dont take thier first answer about price.

Let me give you an example : my Hyosung GT 250 efi has just come up for renewal.
They quoted me a price £50 more than last year Evil or Very Mad

.
I called them and TOLD them that I had been with them for 5 years, and if they did`nt give me a quote noticablly lower than last year I would be going elsewhere for my insurance.
The shark at the other end of the phone told me "that`s the best we can do sir".
I told him fine and to cancel/not bother renewing my insurance.
Ten minutes he called me back and announced that he had just worked out a way to reduce my premium and I got my insurance for £30 less than last year.

Be strong when dealing with these little shits, and remember you have money and they want it so MAKE them give you a good deal.
Yes it is hard and I have the advantage that if they dont give me what I want the bike can sit in the garage until they do.
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

Humour me. Run a TPO quote for a 1980 Honda CB250RSA and see how it comes out.

I'm also in an F* postcode in London, and my insurance is very cheap.

Then, when the quote is pleasing, come and buy my bike.

sgtcalle · Spanner Monkey Joined: 07 Sep 2011 Karma :

Id recommend a honda bros 400
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CBR600F '02
Manchester

pepperami · Super Spammer Joined: 17 Jan 2010 Karma :

mosc7pc2 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 29 Dec 2012 Karma :

If you don't want a 250, then a restricted 500-650 is the way to go.

I was in a similar situation recently and did a lot of reading on this topic, it seems a restricted 600 twin would be a sensible option as you lose less performance compare to a inline 4. I came across a few people who are quite happy on their restricted ER6s, might be something worth thinking about.

I hate the sound of twins so I went for a inline 4 in the end, it's plenty fast enough for me! (For now Mr. Green

)
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CBF125 (Traded in)
GSX650F (Present)