Restricing a Grom for a 16 year old?
Discussion
My son will turn 16 next month, and I have promised him (exam results depending) that I will buy him a motorbike.
In addition to that, my missus did her twist and go only CBT a year and a half ago, and is keen to progress up to a geared bike and ultimately move on up through the ranks in bike size.
I kind of wish that I hadn't promised my son a bike at 16 as I really don't want him on a 50cc scooter, and I don't want to shell out on something like an RS50 which will be redundant once he can move up to a 125cc.
So my thoughts are to kill 2 birds with one stone. Well 3 birds really, I fancy having a Grom to mess around with because they look hilarious.
Which has led me to consider a Grom which all 3 of us will be able to ride. Naturally, it will be restricted so that my son can ride it, but my Mrs can also use it to gain confidence in riding a geared bike.
My question is... Are restrictor kits available for them? Are they easy to fit and then reverse again?
In addition to that, my missus did her twist and go only CBT a year and a half ago, and is keen to progress up to a geared bike and ultimately move on up through the ranks in bike size.
I kind of wish that I hadn't promised my son a bike at 16 as I really don't want him on a 50cc scooter, and I don't want to shell out on something like an RS50 which will be redundant once he can move up to a 125cc.
So my thoughts are to kill 2 birds with one stone. Well 3 birds really, I fancy having a Grom to mess around with because they look hilarious.
Which has led me to consider a Grom which all 3 of us will be able to ride. Naturally, it will be restricted so that my son can ride it, but my Mrs can also use it to gain confidence in riding a geared bike.
My question is... Are restrictor kits available for them? Are they easy to fit and then reverse again?
I didn't think you could restrict a 125 to make it 16-y-o friendly? Isn't there a rule written in for 50cc max capacity?
https://www.gov.uk/motorcycle-test/motorcycles-mop...
https://www.gov.uk/motorcycle-test/motorcycles-mop...
Afraid not, requirements for the classification is 50cc limited to 45kph (so all the RS50s running about at 40mph are less than legal too).
My advice would be to hold off till 17, those little 50s are death traps. Grom (MSX125 technically here) is a great choice, I'm on the market for one myself actually as a little fun bike to customise.
My advice would be to hold off till 17, those little 50s are death traps. Grom (MSX125 technically here) is a great choice, I'm on the market for one myself actually as a little fun bike to customise.
airsafari87 said:
My son will turn 16 next month, and I have promised him (exam results depending) that I will buy him a motorbike.
In addition to that, my missus did her twist and go only CBT a year and a half ago, and is keen to progress up to a geared bike and ultimately move on up through the ranks in bike size.
I kind of wish that I hadn't promised my son a bike at 16 as I really don't want him on a 50cc scooter, and I don't want to shell out on something like an RS50 which will be redundant once he can move up to a 125cc.
So my thoughts are to kill 2 birds with one stone. Well 3 birds really, I fancy having a Grom to mess around with because they look hilarious.
Which has led me to consider a Grom which all 3 of us will be able to ride. Naturally, it will be restricted so that my son can ride it, but my Mrs can also use it to gain confidence in riding a geared bike.
My question is... Are restrictor kits available for them? Are they easy to fit and then reverse again?
Spotted one of these last night , gotta say i think it looks odd but then its a matter of opinion.In addition to that, my missus did her twist and go only CBT a year and a half ago, and is keen to progress up to a geared bike and ultimately move on up through the ranks in bike size.
I kind of wish that I hadn't promised my son a bike at 16 as I really don't want him on a 50cc scooter, and I don't want to shell out on something like an RS50 which will be redundant once he can move up to a 125cc.
So my thoughts are to kill 2 birds with one stone. Well 3 birds really, I fancy having a Grom to mess around with because they look hilarious.
Which has led me to consider a Grom which all 3 of us will be able to ride. Naturally, it will be restricted so that my son can ride it, but my Mrs can also use it to gain confidence in riding a geared bike.
My question is... Are restrictor kits available for them? Are they easy to fit and then reverse again?
Got my son a 50cc ped made by Sinnis. New its a grand all in so cant go far wrong. He rides it in a slow coastal town so generally no heavy traffic or muppets doing 100mph!
I am mindful though he is inexperienced and there isnt much power to get out of trouble so i tend to ride with him 95% of the time.
I was reluctant initially to buy him a 50 but its generally on quiet roads.
he still needs training. I was shocked how dangerous he was when he first passed his test.
Ar*e!
I didn't realise the licensing restrictions were so stringent, I had hoped that a restricted 125cc would have been fine.
Good point about an RS50 being worth what I pay for it once I do come to sell it again, I hadn't really taken that in to account before.
One thing we do have going for where we live is that it is fairly rural (County Durham) so I could ride with him on quiet roads until his roadcraft improved. Setting him loose on his own, on a 50cc ped without any supervision or guidance fills me with total fear.
Still might buy a Grom as well though `for the Mrs'.
I didn't realise the licensing restrictions were so stringent, I had hoped that a restricted 125cc would have been fine.
Good point about an RS50 being worth what I pay for it once I do come to sell it again, I hadn't really taken that in to account before.
One thing we do have going for where we live is that it is fairly rural (County Durham) so I could ride with him on quiet roads until his roadcraft improved. Setting him loose on his own, on a 50cc ped without any supervision or guidance fills me with total fear.
Still might buy a Grom as well though `for the Mrs'.
^^^^^^^^^ Agree with this 100%
I let my youngster loose with an RS4/50 after he'd got his CBT at 16. Sure he scared the wits out of me initially with much time spent on closed industrial estate type roads while he got the hang of gears but like all of us, he got there in the end. It was certainly capable of more than the 30mph 'legal' limit and set him up nicely for the step into a 125. He also found learning to drive a car pretty straightforward having a bit more road sense than many of his non-riding contemporaries.
Lost nothing on the RS4 (a 2013 version) in the year he had it, just the running costs.
I let my youngster loose with an RS4/50 after he'd got his CBT at 16. Sure he scared the wits out of me initially with much time spent on closed industrial estate type roads while he got the hang of gears but like all of us, he got there in the end. It was certainly capable of more than the 30mph 'legal' limit and set him up nicely for the step into a 125. He also found learning to drive a car pretty straightforward having a bit more road sense than many of his non-riding contemporaries.
Lost nothing on the RS4 (a 2013 version) in the year he had it, just the running costs.
airsafari87 said:
Ar*e!
I didn't realise the licensing restrictions were so stringent, I had hoped that a restricted 125cc would have been fine.
Good point about an RS50 being worth what I pay for it once I do come to sell it again, I hadn't really taken that in to account before.
One thing we do have going for where we live is that it is fairly rural (County Durham) so I could ride with him on quiet roads until his roadcraft improved. Setting him loose on his own, on a 50cc ped without any supervision or guidance fills me with total fear.
Still might buy a Grom as well though `for the Mrs'.
I had been riding motorcross bikes and things as a child. So might be worth getting him used to clutch and gears before letting him loose on a Rs50. Stalling at junctions etc will not go down well and will put him off riding!I didn't realise the licensing restrictions were so stringent, I had hoped that a restricted 125cc would have been fine.
Good point about an RS50 being worth what I pay for it once I do come to sell it again, I hadn't really taken that in to account before.
One thing we do have going for where we live is that it is fairly rural (County Durham) so I could ride with him on quiet roads until his roadcraft improved. Setting him loose on his own, on a 50cc ped without any supervision or guidance fills me with total fear.
Still might buy a Grom as well though `for the Mrs'.
I paid £1500 for my rs50 10 years ago and sold it a year later for the same.
supercommuter said:
Get him an RS50. You will get back what you paid for it in a year and it will teach him what riding a bike is about. He will also learn some mechanics having to clean the carb out every 15 miles.
Personally think getting a moped or a 125 when he is 17 , with a fairing is a bad idea, a trail style or supermoto style is much more appropriate to learn on , easier to steer ,better visibility and wont cost a fortune when he drops it . bimsb6 said:
supercommuter said:
Get him an RS50. You will get back what you paid for it in a year and it will teach him what riding a bike is about. He will also learn some mechanics having to clean the carb out every 15 miles.
Personally think getting a moped or a 125 when he is 17 , with a fairing is a bad idea, a trail style or supermoto style is much more appropriate to learn on , easier to steer ,better visibility and wont cost a fortune when he drops it . Get him an RS50 IMO. I did, now look at me I'm a riding god
supercommuter said:
bimsb6 said:
supercommuter said:
Get him an RS50. You will get back what you paid for it in a year and it will teach him what riding a bike is about. He will also learn some mechanics having to clean the carb out every 15 miles.
Personally think getting a moped or a 125 when he is 17 , with a fairing is a bad idea, a trail style or supermoto style is much more appropriate to learn on , easier to steer ,better visibility and wont cost a fortune when he drops it . Get him an RS50 IMO. I did, now look at me I'm a riding god
t itself in that year agreed it will hold its value . However drop it and any saving is gone . whatever you do don't be tempted by a reiju whilst they look good when new they are a pile of poop. Poor lad at work har one 2 years old 2k miles and knackered headaches fork seals and swing arm bushes along with corrosion , he still owes nearly £2k on finance and yet all its work is £600.
And just remember he is learning and will probably drop it a few times what about an old 50cc geared bike? Or a modern Honda or Yamaha twist and go just for a year under £2k and saleable ?
Grom is a fine idea next year though so much fun!
And just remember he is learning and will probably drop it a few times what about an old 50cc geared bike? Or a modern Honda or Yamaha twist and go just for a year under £2k and saleable ?
Grom is a fine idea next year though so much fun!
The idea would be to keep hold of the Grom for all 3 of us to ride/mess about on, so resale value after a year does not worry at the minute.
I can see the advantages of a twist and go while he learns a bit roadcraft, but I would prefer him to start out on a geared bike. They are what I grew up with, and the first time I rode a twist and go scooter, after some 20 years or so of riding proper bikes I was all over the place. It was like my very first time riding a bike all over again, I had nowt to clamp my knees to, I didn't have a clue what to do with my hands and feet, pulling up at junctions and roundabouts was like Riverdance.
I can only imagine going from a twist and go to gears will be even trickier? I remember speaking to the guy in the garage when we had the front pads replaced on my girlfriends Vespa. He said that they hardly ever change front discs or pads because new riders mainly just use the rear brake. I'd hate to think he got used to that and went to pull up at a junction or whatever, pulled the clutch expecting to slow down, then panic and cause an accident injuring himself and potentially other people.
I might just save myself all the hassle, tell him his exam grades were sh*t and make him wait a year.
I can see the advantages of a twist and go while he learns a bit roadcraft, but I would prefer him to start out on a geared bike. They are what I grew up with, and the first time I rode a twist and go scooter, after some 20 years or so of riding proper bikes I was all over the place. It was like my very first time riding a bike all over again, I had nowt to clamp my knees to, I didn't have a clue what to do with my hands and feet, pulling up at junctions and roundabouts was like Riverdance.
I can only imagine going from a twist and go to gears will be even trickier? I remember speaking to the guy in the garage when we had the front pads replaced on my girlfriends Vespa. He said that they hardly ever change front discs or pads because new riders mainly just use the rear brake. I'd hate to think he got used to that and went to pull up at a junction or whatever, pulled the clutch expecting to slow down, then panic and cause an accident injuring himself and potentially other people.
I might just save myself all the hassle, tell him his exam grades were sh*t and make him wait a year.
I don't think a twist&go would be too much of a bad start - it lets them learn the roadcraft, and generally start to appreciate the rules of the road (something not covered on a CBT) while operating a simpler machine.
As you've already said, they feel totally different to ride, so it's not like he's going to revert back to previous muscle memory. Out of interest does he ride a push bike at the moment? If so he'll be used to front+rear braking, surely?
As you've already said, they feel totally different to ride, so it's not like he's going to revert back to previous muscle memory. Out of interest does he ride a push bike at the moment? If so he'll be used to front+rear braking, surely?
I think restricting kids to 28mph on a 50cc 4 stroke is nuts. The law needs changing to keep up with the times. A 4 stroke is half the power of an equivalent capacity 2 stroke and 28mph is slower than a bicycle ffs and will be overtaken as often.
When I was 16 my 2T Aprilia RS50 topped out at 77mph and was a blast and way safer than my mate who was stuck at 30mph being overtaken by all and sundry on his AR50. Yes most 50cc's were restricted back then but many were easy to de-restrict. I believe 16 year olds should be allowed onto a 125 and learner 17 year olds up to a 300cc with CBT.
Given these learner bikes are allowed on national speed limit roads they should at least be capable of 60mph. I see the Aprilia RS4 50 is still a 2 stroke so in theory should still give decent performance. That's what I would be looking at, a decent bike with decent brakes and handling. The list price is crazy at 4k but there are deals around, £3,495 with free cbt at a quick ebay search or £2900 for a 180 miler on ebay.
I had to pay for my own bike, that was the deal I had with my parents, I started working all holidays at 14yrs and saving bdays and xmas'es to do it. They bought me the helmet, gloves and jacket and paid the insurance.
It's quite a good incentive, a kid will only persevere if they REALLY want it and really, unless they do, do you really want them out there if they don't have that interest?
When I was 16 my 2T Aprilia RS50 topped out at 77mph and was a blast and way safer than my mate who was stuck at 30mph being overtaken by all and sundry on his AR50. Yes most 50cc's were restricted back then but many were easy to de-restrict. I believe 16 year olds should be allowed onto a 125 and learner 17 year olds up to a 300cc with CBT.
Given these learner bikes are allowed on national speed limit roads they should at least be capable of 60mph. I see the Aprilia RS4 50 is still a 2 stroke so in theory should still give decent performance. That's what I would be looking at, a decent bike with decent brakes and handling. The list price is crazy at 4k but there are deals around, £3,495 with free cbt at a quick ebay search or £2900 for a 180 miler on ebay.
I had to pay for my own bike, that was the deal I had with my parents, I started working all holidays at 14yrs and saving bdays and xmas'es to do it. They bought me the helmet, gloves and jacket and paid the insurance.
It's quite a good incentive, a kid will only persevere if they REALLY want it and really, unless they do, do you really want them out there if they don't have that interest?
I think they should just do away with the 50cc/16 thing altogether. 17, car or bike, not sure about upping capacity beyond 125 though - when I think of the stupid stuff we got up to with 50hp cars at 17, I wouldn't want a bike with 5x the power-weight ratio in the hands of someone with just a CBT under their belt. A 125 is a bit quicker than the cars, but not hugely.
I'm referring to 4 strokes. A modern 125 4 stroke gets wheezy at 60. Our old 2T 125's were very quick with 36 odd bhp, my RS125 went to 130mph indicated. Even allowing for speedo error, still a massive difference compared to puny 15bhp modern 4T 125's and that's before a big bore kit. A Ninja 300 is 39bhp so comparable to a 90's era 125.
Another thing to think about for the OP. Not many people know this, but at 16, you can take a proper test and lose the L plates and carry pillions. I did it back in the day when it was effectively the full test at 16, which you had to take the exact same one again at 17 for any bike. I just looked and you can still do this;
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/governmen...
At least if you do go to a derestricted 50cc, having no L plates will let you go under the radar so far as the 28mph thing is concerned and you get some extra training/qualifications to boot!
Another thing to think about for the OP. Not many people know this, but at 16, you can take a proper test and lose the L plates and carry pillions. I did it back in the day when it was effectively the full test at 16, which you had to take the exact same one again at 17 for any bike. I just looked and you can still do this;
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/governmen...
At least if you do go to a derestricted 50cc, having no L plates will let you go under the radar so far as the 28mph thing is concerned and you get some extra training/qualifications to boot!
Krikkit said:
I think they should just do away with the 50cc/16 thing altogether. 17, car or bike, not sure about upping capacity beyond 125 though - when I think of the stupid stuff we got up to with 50hp cars at 17, I wouldn't want a bike with 5x the power-weight ratio in the hands of someone with just a CBT under their belt. A 125 is a bit quicker than the cars, but not hugely.
Alright for you to say that...when i was 16 being able to travel around when living in a rural area was a god send. They are already stopping people from riding as it is, the introduction to 'biking' as the only means of travel at 16 is often what keeps people hooked past 17.If people have the option at 17 for car or bike they will take car.
I hate it when older generations of people want to strip away things that they had when they were younger.
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