33hp or 47hp restriction?

[martin15s]

Here in Spain I was interested to note that the group A2 motorcycle licence restriction is 47hp as against the UK 33hp. To qualify you must be aged be over 18, and there is no need to have completed A1. The restriction is valid for 2 years. Over 20's require 2 years A1 and an aptitude test to migrate to A2.

A full A licence requires 2 years A2 and some form of additional course (cannot find details).

As the EU are continually "harmonising" rules and regulations it will be interesting to see whether this great power limit will be extended to the UK.

Funny thing is that Spain has one of Europe's highest fatal accident rates and yet they have actually raised the limit for safety reasons.

As far as the actual engine restrictions are concerned the ECU, washers or whatever MUST be fitted by a certified and qualified garage, and then the certificate and bike taken to one of the independent MOT stations for the vehicle documentation to be changed to show the new power restrictions. The kits cost at least €400 plus about €40 for the document change. Then of course a garage has to remove the restriction (more €) and the MOT station to amend the documentation (another €40).

Many people simply have the kits removed but leave the documentation to "help" potential buyers.

Just thought the 47hp part might be interesting to you. Oh the 47hp is regardless of engine size or configuration, but the power to weight ratio must not exceed 0.2 kW/kg.

[orose]

My understanding is that this harmony is intended to be brought in when the European driving licence directive 4 is made part of the law over here. I'm not totally up to speed on the plans yet, but I think I heard that it would likely be a two part restriction starting with a 33 bhp limit as currently in place, followed by a further higher limit for 2 more years, with the only way to get to your higher limits being via further testing.

I'll have a bit more of a dig and post a follow-up later on.

[yorkie_chris]

but I think I heard that it would likely be a two part restriction starting with a 33 bhp limit as currently in place, followed by a further higher limit for 2 more years, with the only way to get to your higher limits being via further testing.


Oh for ****s sake. Not more rubbish, hard enough to get a proper license anyway.

Hopefully this nonsense will not go ahead.

[martin15s]

Oh for ****s sake. Not more rubbish, hard enough to get a proper license anyway.

Hopefully this nonsense will not go ahead.

Bearing in mind Spain's reluctance to enforce EU laws (unless it suits them) I was kind of thinking that the 47hp might supercede the 33hp.........the only real downside I can see is the power/weight ratio - it effectively rules out R6 and GSXR's etc - might increase SV650 sales though.

[yorkie_chris]

I mean the 2 part restriction stupidity, I'd be all for raising a single limit to 47bhp. It would allow people to use useful bikes like GS500s (which lets face it don't have the power to bite your head off) without rigmarole of restrictor.

[martin15s]

I mean the 2 part restriction stupidity, I'd be all for raising a single limit to 47bhp. It would allow people to use useful bikes like GS500s (which lets face it don't have the power to bite your head off) without rigmarole of restrictor.

true - I'm sure that someone will be able to dig up some more on this