Tuned Bike on A2 License?

OxideRides · Derestricted Danger Joined: 27 Jun 2018 Karma :

I've struggled to find anything on this, but it's a question that's been going through my head for some time...

I've just gotten myself a KTM Duke 390 and I was thinking of doing a few modifications in the next few months. Just the regular stuff... Decat exhaust tail tidy etc. And I was wondering if I do these mods, would the reduction of weight I squeeze out of it make my bike no longer A2 compliant??
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Bike owned: KTM 390 Duke 2018
Previous Bikes: KTM 125 Duke 2012

stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

I thought the KTM 390 has to be slightly restricted by a few bhp by the dealer to keep it within A2 power/weight legislation. As I understand in full 43bhp form it's over the A2 limit.

A performance exhaust and ECU map could add maybe 2-3bhp so on a non A2 compliant example it does become a bit more illegal. I'd be keeping any dyno prints to yourself if you did do such modifications as it certainly won't be making the bike any more A2 compliant than it was before if at all.

temeluchus · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Oct 2008 Karma :

Duke 390, stock, is over the A2 limit. Tuning will make things more illegal, as will reducing the weight as A2 is not just a power limit, it's a power to weight limit as well.

Up to you if you want to risk it.
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Pjay · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Jan 2016 Karma :

It's one of those 'I'm not doing anything criminal, as long as I dont get caught'.
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OxideRides · Derestricted Danger Joined: 27 Jun 2018 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

OxideRides · Derestricted Danger Joined: 27 Jun 2018 Karma :

OxideRides · Derestricted Danger Joined: 27 Jun 2018 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

OxideRides · Derestricted Danger Joined: 27 Jun 2018 Karma :

rpsmith79 · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 Jan 2017 Karma :

OxideRides · Derestricted Danger Joined: 27 Jun 2018 Karma :

redeem ouzzer · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2015 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

redeem ouzzer · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2015 Karma :

But applying the same level of attention to detail to all weight saving does pay dividends. Me and my mate went from front to back of his racebike and found a 16kg weight loss just from lots of small things and drilling out bolts etc.
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MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

temeluchus · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Oct 2008 Karma :

Looking at the 2017 model, it's so close to the edge on the power to weight limit that any minor weight savings could make it illegal, certainly nothing a rider could notice. It's like a tenth of a HP/KG.
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stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

KTM weren't daft and they knew exactly what they were doing by making a bike that's right on the edge if the Power/weight limit. They saw the comparatively heavy Kawasaki and Yamaha and thought "hmmm not enough race bike for us".

I do agree with Marjay on some of the aftermarket fasteners comparing them to OEM mild steel ones in that they can be heavier.

My pro-bolt kits are very nice and light compared to std. But I've got several stainless steel fasteners on the bike from a generic fastener company that are heavier or have a slightly bigger head size or flange diameter than the old OEM fasteners too.

I don't care personally as there's only 11 kg between an 86 KMX 125 and an 86 KX125. When you consider all the road going equipment and battery etc that's not alot of difference.

I'd like the 34bhp of the KX much more though, and I'm trying my best to get some of that power into my bike.

temeluchus · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Oct 2008 Karma :

I was never under the impression that the Duke 390 felt underpowered either. It's no rocket, but for a 400 single to crack the ton seems perfectly fine to me.
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

dydey90 · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Oct 2013 Karma :

I’d be of the opinion that making modifications would be legal.

Why? Because it was specified that you can’t use a 20 year old bike that made 71kW out of the factory, even though there’s no way it’s over the limit now, it’s the original design that matters.
So why can’t it be the other way? Get it restricted to bob on 0.2kW/kg at the factory specification and then play with it as much as you like.

We need Rogerborg back for this sort of thing.
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Past: CBR125,~~ER6f~~ NINJA 650, ZZR600 Current: VFR750

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

What a pointless exercise in futility that would be.

Wink

stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

Not sure you can use the "it's a 20year old engine so it's lost enough horses to qualify" argument though. Not all 20year old bikes will be in the same condition, have done the same mileage or been looked after the same with servicing etc.

What about the ones that have had engine re-builds?

I remember watching a test of a 200'000mile VW Tdi something or other that was just 10bhp down from about 115bhp that it had new.

dydey90 · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Oct 2013 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

The law references the original listed factory power of the bike, so you can't do the old "I've left the gate open for the last 20 years and all the horses have galloped away" top gear defence.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.