To restirct or not restrict!?

To restirct or not restrict!?

Author
Discussion

vtecgobwah

Original Poster:

39 posts

119 months

Sunday 20th July 2014
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Hi All,

Just returned from a 10 day drip to the pyrenees and all over france for that matter! Seen some amazing sights and done most of the big tour de france big climbs! I was a pillion rider for the full ten days (as i don't have a bike/ liscence) and shared between a K1600GT and a Multistrada 1200s. Anway, after looking in more detail at licensing system (I'm 20), I can have a bike no more than 46hp on a A2 license, and then a fully unrestricted license in two years from now.

Turns out you get still get some pretty nice bikes that fall into that power category from stock such as the honda cbr500x, nc700 or bmw G650GS etc.. and restrict some nice bikes too like the ninja 650 or duke690. I would like a machine that could to a bit of touring.. what would people recommend with regards to buying a bike that already falls into the A2 category or restricting one the doesn't ? also what bikes in particular would people recommend ?

Cheers for the help!


BritishRacinGrin

24,602 posts

159 months

Sunday 20th July 2014
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Are you really likely to want to keep the same bike for much more than two years? I'd say buy a bike which fits in the bracket and upgrade when you have your A1 and feel like upgrading.

Divvyboy

450 posts

117 months

Sunday 20th July 2014
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Depends how long would yo keep the bikes for.if it's until you can go full power find something as near to 46 bhp as you can.otherwise buy big restrict. I know a few people with the 500 Hondas and love .. them to bits

Willy Nilly

12,511 posts

166 months

Sunday 20th July 2014
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My brother commutes on an NC700x. Last we went on a guided tour of the Black Forest in Germany this year we did a self guided tour down to the Dolomite's. So the NC is perfectly capable of pan European touring. They aren't fast but all day comfy, practical and 90 mpg is there for the taking.

vtecgobwah

Original Poster:

39 posts

119 months

Sunday 20th July 2014
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BritishRacinGrin said:
Are you really likely to want to keep the same bike for much more than two years? I'd say buy a bike which fits in the bracket and upgrade when you have your A1 and feel like upgrading.

I'm planing on doing a 3 or 4 day course which covers your A1 and A2 license, using the test centers bikes. So the first bike i buy will hopefully be a 46hp bike! (A2 is above the A1 btw!). Judging from my car owning experience I do get bored quickly though haha! currently looking at somthing to replace my ST.. but thats another story.

Mr Floyd

14 posts

187 months

Sunday 20th July 2014
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When I passed my restriced access test several years ago I bought a Thundercat and had it restriceted to 33bhp (from 100bhp). The garage that fitted the restrictor kit said I would barely notice the difference, and they were largely correct. Sure it wouldn't do 0-60 in 3.5 seconds (more like 5 seconds perhaps) but it would hit 100mph (maximum restricted speed, versus 160mph stock) without breaking a sweat and I felt this was more than enough power whilst I honed my skills smile
Since I removed the restrictor it is more of a beast, I can't deny that, but unless you plan to ride it like a tw*t I can't say that you'll notice too much difference. The slight loss of top speed and acceleration may prove a Godsend whilst you get some experience under your belt.
As for touring, the Thundercat may be a bit long in the tooth now but it is reliable and comfortable, not quite a tourer, not quite a supersport, kind of a nice compromise between the two. Lots of useable power (unlike modern 600s where the power seems to be at the top end and not the midrange) and it won't give your Nobby Stiles grief after an hour in the saddle wink
Most of the guys here will probably slate me for my opinion but hey, it's still a blast and perhaps just a bit more user-friendly until you build experience.
Hope this helps - salutations from Mr Floyd wink

Mr Floyd

14 posts

187 months

Sunday 20th July 2014
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Of course the other side of the argument is that any bike will only go as fast and as quickly as your right hand tells it to - I was told I needed the touch of a ballerina and actually had the touch of a blacksmith, hence going for the resticted licence to start with lol smile

vtecgobwah

Original Poster:

39 posts

119 months

Sunday 20th July 2014
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Mr Floyd said:
When I passed my restriced access test several years ago I bought a Thundercat and had it restriceted to 33bhp (from 100bhp). The garage that fitted the restrictor kit said I would barely notice the difference, and they were largely correct. Sure it wouldn't do 0-60 in 3.5 seconds (more like 5 seconds perhaps) but it would hit 100mph (maximum restricted speed, versus 160mph stock) without breaking a sweat and I felt this was more than enough power whilst I honed my skills smile
Since I removed the restrictor it is more of a beast, I can't deny that, but unless you plan to ride it like a tw*t I can't say that you'll notice too much difference. The slight loss of top speed and acceleration may prove a Godsend whilst you get some experience under your belt.
As for touring, the Thundercat may be a bit long in the tooth now but it is reliable and comfortable, not quite a tourer, not quite a supersport, kind of a nice compromise between the two. Lots of useable power (unlike modern 600s where the power seems to be at the top end and not the midrange) and it won't give your Nobby Stiles grief after an hour in the saddle wink
Most of the guys here will probably slate me for my opinion but hey, it's still a blast and perhaps just a bit more user-friendly until you build experience.
Hope this helps - salutations from Mr Floyd wink
Some good info thanks! How was this bike actually restricted.. I know some modern KTM's are just a re-map which means they cant really be de restricted easily if you feel like it haha. Was is a throttle stop in the thundercat ?

Mr Floyd

14 posts

187 months

Sunday 20th July 2014
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4 steel discs with holes cut in them to restict the amount of air entering the carbs via the inlet manifold. The mechanic that fits the kit and provides the necessary certificate will (hopefully) ensure the carbs do not run rich as a result of this (!) - the factory inlets are a fair bit bigger in diameter than a 50 pence piece and the holes in the restrictor discs are more like a 1 pence piece. Simple yet effective. Also simple to remove when you decide to, whenever that may be wink

vtecgobwah

Original Poster:

39 posts

119 months

Sunday 20th July 2014
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Mr Floyd said:
4 steel discs with holes cut in them to restict the amount of air entering the carbs via the inlet manifold. The mechanic that fits the kit and provides the necessary certificate will (hopefully) ensure the carbs do not run rich as a result of this (!) - the factory inlets are a fair bit bigger in diameter than a 50 pence piece and the holes in the restrictor discs are more like a 1 pence piece. Simple yet effective. Also simple to remove when you decide to, whenever that may be wink
Lets say someone who has a full unrestricted wants to use the bike at full power.. would removing the restrictor be a job that can be done at home wink ? (this is typical me, wanting to run before i can walk)!

Mr Floyd

14 posts

187 months

Sunday 20th July 2014
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It's a very easy job, took me less than half an hour as I recall. Just remove the fuel tank, air filter, remove the restrictor discs from the inlets and refit air filter and fuel tank. Simple as that smile

vtecgobwah

Original Poster:

39 posts

119 months

Sunday 20th July 2014
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Well thats defo something to consider thanks! Any more thoughts on a first A2 bike everyone ??

Mastodon2

13,818 posts

164 months

Sunday 20th July 2014
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I seem to recall the SV650 being recommended, as there is still plenty of torque after restriction, so the loss of power is not so obviously felt. Might be worth checking if they are eligible under the current rules, as once you take the restriction out you've got a 75bhp, torquey V twin that sounds great and is forgiving to ride and learn on.

I must admit, despite Floyd giving some good advice, if you ride a bike with 100bhp, and get used to the power to the point where you're not scared to use it and then restrict it, you will definitely notice losing 66% of your power. They might not feel that different at part throttle, as when you're not using full throttle and riding it to the redline you're not using 100% of the power the engine can generate, but when you try to open the taps on it, the difference will be night and day.

Mr Floyd

14 posts

187 months

Sunday 20th July 2014
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I certainly agree with Mastodon - I only rode my T'cat once before having it restricted. In it's restricted guise it provided plenty of oomph and power to put a smile on my face every time. It still felt bloody quick! But of course I wasn't riding it at it's limits which is where the difference is mainly felt - I was merely commuting and having a cheeky/spirited weekend bimble... But once I removed the kit I could definitely feel the difference, no denying that.
When the taps are opened wide the gulf in torque, bhp and top speed is clear for all to see - the first time I took mine out after I removed the restrictors it felt like riding a missile. My crimper was like a rabbit's nose and I didn't dare blink for fear of meeting a hedge head on haha wink
I suppose the point I'm trying to make is that my bike still had plenty of power despite being somewhat 'tamed' with the restrictor kit fitted. It still allowed me to develop my skills as a rider before I removed it and felt the full power.... Now I want a Duke 1199 wink

Edited by Mr Floyd on Sunday 20th July 23:29

mopman94

417 posts

134 months

Monday 21st July 2014
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I believe that with the new law even if you restrict a bike is can't have more then 90ish BHP to begin with? (I think about 94?).

As for bikes, you could look at:

Honda CBR650F, you would have to restrict this, it could be used for touring but the insurance will cost an arm and a leg. http://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/supersports/#!/...

Honda CB500X, this is designed for your restriction and you can get panniers and a top box for it. http://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/adventure/#!/cb...

Yamaha MT-07, you would have to restrict this one slightly. For touring you can get a top box and throw over panniers. http://www.yamaha-motor.eu/uk/products/motorcycles...

Yamaha XJ6 Diversion F, they do a half faired version of this as well which would be cheaper on the insurance. Its a sports tourer so you can get panniers and a top box, it would have to be restricted. http://www.yamaha-motor.eu/uk/products/motorcycles...

Kawasaki ER-6F, they do a naked version of this as well. You can get panniers and box for it, it would have to be restricted. http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/en/products/sports/2014/...

Suzuki GSX650F, would have to be restricted, you can get all the panniers and stuff for this as well. https://www.suzuki-gb.co.uk/motorcycles/motorcycle...

Suzuki SV650S, the worlds ugliest bike. https://www.suzuki-gb.co.uk/motorcycles/motorcycle...

Edited by mopman94 on Monday 21st July 14:52

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

254 months

Monday 21st July 2014
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mopman94 said:
Suzuki SV650F, the worlds ugliest bike.
Unless the ZZR1400 disappears of the face of the earth then the SV is pretty safe from that title.

EDIT: I'm presuming you meant the SV650S which you linked to rather than the SVF650 (no such thing as SV650F)?

mopman94

417 posts

134 months

Monday 21st July 2014
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Mr2Mike said:
Unless the ZZR1400 disappears of the face of the earth then the SV is pretty safe from that title.

EDIT: I'm presuming you meant the SV650S which you linked to rather than the SVF650 (no such thing as SV650F)?
Yeah I meant the S, I've edited my post smile

vtecgobwah

Original Poster:

39 posts

119 months

Monday 21st July 2014
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haha what so bad about that suzuki ?? Apart from the front wheel looks detached from the bike.. It doesn't look too bad?

vtecgobwah

Original Poster:

39 posts

119 months

Monday 21st July 2014
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And thanks mopman94, some nice bikes to consider in that list! I'm starting to think restricting one could be a good idea again!

defblade

7,392 posts

212 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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I rode a 650 bandit for 4 years, first 2 restricted.

Going from 15bhp to 33bhp was a much bigger jump than 33 to 70 when the restrictors came out.

Pretty much all the torque is still there, you're quick up to 80, 85 mph and then the rate slows a bit; I never took the bandit north of the ton. Taking the restrictors out made it a bit more rewarding between 10 and 12k rpm, but otherwise very little difference. This is, however, an engine noted for flexibility and lack of nasty surprises, not for a screaming top end wink





(However, I'm now on a K1200R Sport... going from 70 brake to 163 is an e-nor-mouse jump!)