125cc or bigger and restricted?

[insurgo]

this has been bugging me for a while now. im not sure if i should get a 125 or just to get a bigger bike like a 300 or 250 and restrict it down to 33bhp? are there any specific benefits to either one?

cheers people

[druidsam]

a larger restricted bike will be faster and accelerate a lot quicker than a 125, it will alse be a helluva lot more fun,just remember that some bikes restrict better than others.



.......................Sam

[Shamblatron]

Like what Sam said!

More fun and and a damn site smoother ride from biger engined bike, so if you legally can, go for it.

Shamb

[insurgo]

nice!!! could you give me a few bikes that would restrict well?

thanks for this i had no idea what would happen if i restrict a big bike so this is great news for me.

[skycat]

Hiya, I've got quite a bit to say on the whole restricted issue... so bear with me as there might be some good advice in here.

I passed my test in 1997 on a 125cc (mainly due to my size, I'm only 5'4" and 8 stone so struggled at the time with big bikes), I then bought a CBR 400 (NC29 Gullarm). I took it to a place in Manchester to have it restricted down to 33bhp, they simply put four washers in the top of the carbs, dead easy. With it came a certificate that proved (to the police or anyone else who was interested) that it was indeed restricted.

When I got home I took the washers out and rode the bike without ever having a problem. If the police think that you are riding a bigger cc bike than you should be doing (by the noise/speed etc.) - and I must point out here that I have never come across one that questionned this - then obviously they can't start taking your bike apart at the side of the road to check. They have to book the bike in at a time and place suited TO YOU, by which time the washers are back in the carbs. My 'friend' is a traffic cop, and he says that they all know this would happen so never bother to check any, there's just no point.

So I did the test on a 125cc then rode whatever I liked. If you do still want to restrict a bike then definitely the CBR400 is a great bike to work on. I've got an MV F4S 750cc now, but I always keep hold of a CBR400 as well as they are absolutely my favourite bike. Handle awesome. It depends on your riding style though, I've got a KDX enduro too (too many toys eh) which are really good fun if you live somewhere without decent bike roads (most of Lancashire) or something super-moto'y would do.

Other things to consider are:-
1) If you buy a 125cc you'll lose a load of cash on it by having to then buy a bigger bike, but if you 'restrict' you are only buying once.
2) Although you can buy a restrictor kit for 'any' bike, be careful as some bikes don't like being restricted, especially the more powerful ones.
3) Cops are dumb. The car-driving ones don't know 33bhp from 33pence and the bike-riding ones won't care anyhow.

GOOD LUCK.

[papasmurf]

Originally Posted by skycat

3) Cops are dumb. The car-driving ones don't know 33bhp from 33pence and the bike-riding ones won't care anyhow.

GOOD LUCK.

Crash investigators and insurance assessors aren't dumb and you could end up being uninsured in the case of an accident.

[skycat]

This is only partly true. It used to be that insurance companies could throw out a claim at the drop of a hat (or bike) but this changed 7 years ago with new regulations from the FSA.

For any insurance company to throw out a claim, the 'ommission' must e a MATERIAL FACT to the cause of the accident. For example, if you don't tell your insurance company about 3 points on your licence, then crash whilst speeding, they can rightly refush to pay out. If however the same 'ommission' happens but your bike is stolen, they are not allowed to throw your claim out. In this case they would put the points on your policy (backdating to the start date) then ask you to pay the extra premium (i.e. what it would have been in the first place) - only then will they pay out - but they do have to pay out.

Finally if any insurance company does want to refute a claim, they have to pay the FSA around £350 first for them to look into it and agree, so all small claims get paid out regardless.

I know the above because I worked as a Risk Manager for an insurance company for 7 years.

Xxx

[insurgo]

thanks a lot skycat, realy cool stuff in there but i dont think i will take off the kit until im ready for a boost in power thanks again everyone!

[Manky Cat]

Skycat, a quick question. Can I buy say a cbr400 restrict it, but still ride with L-Plates on? I know the easiest answer is to go off and do my das, but i'm talking in the interim. I'm currently riding the new Yamaha YZF 125, this handles like a bigger bike a it has full size frame and chassis, but I can't help but think it cuold do with a bit more power, advice would be much appreciated.....

[grotbag]

Originally Posted by Manky Cat

Skycat, a quick question. Can I buy say a cbr400 restrict it, but still ride with L-Plates on? I know the easiest answer is to go off and do my das, but i'm talking in the interim. I'm currently riding the new Yamaha YZF 125, this handles like a bigger bike a it has full size frame and chassis, but I can't help but think it cuold do with a bit more power, advice would be much appreciated.....

She hasn't been around since May Manky, will I do?

You can now ride a learner motorcycle (up to 125cc and power output not exceeding 11kW) on the road while displaying L-plates. You may not ride on motorways or carry a pillion passenger.

After passing your A2 test you are restricted to motorcycles up to 25kW with a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.16kW/kg (33 bhp) for two years.

I think the answer is no unless you have already passed your A2