33BHP Restriction Kit on new license?

[AlexRider]

Right, so I'm about to get my A2 license; which of course means my bike must not exceed 47bhp, and if it does it has to be restricted down.

So I've bought an 06 SV650; and so far I know of 3 restriction methods:


Washers in the carb models
Throttle Restriction
ECU restriction


Personally, I want to use the ECU restriction as it's so easy to fit - however, I can only find 33BHP ECU's. Now, I'm not bothered about the power difference between 33BHP and 47BHP, my issue is the legality behind it.

Due to being on the newer license, am I actually allowed to restrict the SV down to 33BHP, or is that too low?

I would go with the throttle stop, but I'd have to take it to a garage as I'm not mechanically savvy right now - and they tend to charge ridiculous prices; especially if I need one of those BS restriction certificates from them.

Fitting the ECU and chucking the bike on a dyno is much cheaper.



So all in all, is a 33BHP ECU legally allowed to be fitted with the new A2 license restrictions?

Thanks :)

- Alex

[Tomor]

You are not allowed to exceed 47 bhp. You could in theory restrict it to 1 bhp but I wouldn't advise that ;) I don't think suzuki have made a 47 bhp restrictor so if it was me I would just use the 33bhp one.

Sent from my magical portable device

[Nutsinatin]

You can't exceed 47bhp on A2, an SV650 with a 33bhp restricted ECU is A2 compliant including the power to weight ratio. There is not a 47bhp restrictor for the SV, speculation is that it is being saved for the SV's replacement so you buy the new bike with a 47bhp restrictor. The ECU restriction is preferable to the mechanical restriction as personally it feels more natural and less noticeable when riding. The bike doesn't really need to go on a dyno when restricted, my K9 SV650 did run a bit lean with the restrictor and the throttle and engine braking were a bit snatchy but it wasn't a big deal, see how you go. The certificate isn't worth the paper it is printed on (as you could easily derestrict the bike yourself) so if the police suspect the bike is not restricted they will dyno it themselves. The only problem is that I don't know if the bike would meet the criteria to take the A test on as it might be a bit low on power, but that's a totally different matter!

[AlexRider]

Thanks guys, my enquiry comes because I saw this comment on the Gov website under the A2 license:

If the original unrestricted power of your motorcycle was 60kW, you can’t restrict it to less than 30kW.

So wouldn't this mean that a bike can't be restricted to less than half of the original power? And I'm sure the sv650 is around 70 bhp or more, so wouldn't that mean half is 35bhp - making the 33bhp restriction illegal for use on the new license..

Or am I wrong? Can somebody she'd light on this?


The comment comes from this link (https://www.gov.uk/motorcycle-practical-test/rules-for-mopeds-and-motorcycles-used-in-the-practical-riding-test) under the Sub-category A2 (standard motorcycle) title

[Ch00]

That link covers what you can ride for the purpose of the test only.

Once passed you can ride what you like as said before as long as its under the 47bhp.

For the test it might be easier to hire something that fits the bill!

[Jayneflakes]

Hi Alex,

My other half went to Cardington last year for the official DSA instructor training and discussed this very issue with their Instructors and even they were confused by some of it.

When I questioned her on this, this is what she said.

Riding on the restricted bike after your test will not be a problem, it is just a shame that you cannot find a higher restrictor, because you can ride any bike up to 47BHP. What you cannot do is take the test for 47BHP license on a bike that is so much less than that. Hiring a bike from your training school for the test may be your solution.

I hope that this helps. If in doubt don't bother with the DSA website which can be ambiguous and confusing, instead give them a call and find a confused DSA Instructor who can go through it all for you. Good luck with your test and happy riding.

From my own experience (and baring in mind that this is now opinion rather than fact), the ECU restriction felt far nicer than a throttle stop. The ECU on my K3 gave a smooth power range that stopped the bike producing power in the higher gears. In real world performance, I could carry a pillion, ride happily everywhere and on the test track that we used, topped out at 105MPH on the straight.

The throttle stop restricted new K8 (maybe a K9, I cannot remember now) that I tried, had only a third of the throttle opening and the bike never got a proper blow through, so felt sluggish and under powered when compared to mine.

[Foot]

Definitely get the 33bhp ECU, when I removed mine I didn't feel a huge amount of difference. The ECU stops you from using the top end revs which you don't generally use anyway (v-twin, not much point).
So it was nice to have more revs without the restriction for the odd spirited overtake, but I reckon the derestricted SV is only any different when you get 100mph+ which - of course - no one would surely do (?). And even if you do go that fast, the acceleration still pretty much feels the same as when it was restricted, so you don't really miss out on loads.

At 33bhp, you'll still be faster than almost any car you find.

[AlexRider]

Thanks for all the answers everybody I appreciate it!

I'll use the 33bhp ecu to restrict my bike, and get it dyno'd as proof for insurance if required. I think that would be the easiest solution. I'm not too bothered about the power loss anyway :)

As for the test, I still have 2 years to think about the next one; and I'll probably use an instructors bike anyway so that's not an issue.

Again, thanks for the answers everybody :)

[Tomor]

Think of it this way. The way you thought it was ( 33bhp being too low) means one you have passed your test you cannot ride a 125. ;)

Sent from my magical portable device

[Foot]

Thanks for all the answers everybody I appreciate it!

I'll use the 33bhp ecu to restrict my bike, and get it dyno'd as proof for insurance if required. I think that would be the easiest solution. I'm not too bothered about the power loss anyway :)

As for the test, I still have 2 years to think about the next one; and I'll probably use an instructors bike anyway so that's not an issue.

Again, thanks for the answers everybody :)

Just so you know (unless they've changed the system when bringing in the new licencing) the certificates are totally unneeded. Obviously if the police ask you to prove it that's a different situation, but I think it's pretty rare to be asked to do that.
Check this: http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2009/november/nov1309-the-33bhp-certificate-rip-off/

[AlexRider]

Just so you know (unless they've changed the system when bringing in the new licencing) the certificates are totally unneeded. Obviously if the police ask you to prove it that's a different situation, but I think it's pretty rare to be asked to do that.
Check this: http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2009/november/nov1309-the-33bhp-certificate-rip-off/


Yeah, I had a read about these 'certificates' and found that it isn't legally necessary - absolute waste of money. Police can't do anything either, the most they can do is take your bike and Dyno it themselves - costing their own money and time. I'm not worried because I don't plan on taking the restrictor out - I ride because I enjoy it, not for the speed :)

I mentioned chucking the bike on a dyno because despite the certificate not being legally necessary, some insurance companies do ask for proof of restriction. If it did come to that, I'd just show them the dyno results and leave it at that :)

[Nutsinatin]

Yeah, I had a read about these 'certificates' and found that it isn't legally necessary - absolute waste of money. Police can't do anything either, the most they can do is take your bike and Dyno it themselves - costing their own money and time. I'm not worried because I don't plan on taking the restrictor out - I ride because I enjoy it, not for the speed :)

I mentioned chucking the bike on a dyno because despite the certificate not being legally necessary, some insurance companies do ask for proof of restriction. If it did come to that, I'd just show them the dyno results and leave it at that :)

Get some quotes and talk to the insurance companies before hand. Neither company I insured with (and neither company my friend insured with) when restricted asked for proof, it was just the standard clause of I can only be insured to ride a bike for which I have the appropriate license. If the company you want to go with wants proof, factor the cost of a dyno run to your premium and maybe go with a different company?

Definitely get the 33bhp ECU, when I removed mine I didn't feel a huge amount of difference. The ECU stops you from using the top end revs which you don't generally use anyway (v-twin, not much point).
So it was nice to have more revs without the restriction for the odd spirited overtake, but I reckon the derestricted SV is only any different when you get 100mph+ which - of course - no one would surely do (?). And even if you do go that fast, the acceleration still pretty much feels the same as when it was restricted, so you don't really miss out on loads.

At 33bhp, you'll still be faster than almost any car you find.

I found this as well, only saw a difference about the 80mph mark and past 7,000 RPM, top speed changed from about 111 to 136 (indicated - obviously didn't find this out on the road.)

Only really noticed a bit of difference on overtakes, was a bit easier to make them.

[AlexRider]

Get some quotes and talk to the insurance companies before hand. Neither company I insured with (and neither company my friend insured with) when restricted asked for proof, it was just the standard clause of I can only be insured to ride a bike for which I have the appropriate license. If the company you want to go with wants proof, factor the cost of a dyno run to your premium and maybe go with a different company?


Hmm, see I was going to send an email to a few insurance companies to see if they required any proof, but then I thought that would make me sound suspicious - maybe I'm overthinking it lol.

Either way, I now need to find an ECU that fits my 06 SV - off to the sale section :salut:

[Foot]

Hmm, see I was going to send an email to a few insurance companies to see if they required any proof, but then I thought that would make me sound suspicious - maybe I'm overthinking it lol.

Either way, I now need to find an ECU that fits my 06 SV - off to the sale section :salut:


I don't think you'll have much problem, they insure you just based on your licence. If you're abiding your licence, that's fine - they won't want dyno stuff. They'll only ask for a dyno if you're involved in an incident and it's brought up. So don't get a 140mph speeding ticket ;)

[AlexRider]

I don't think you'll have much problem, they insure you just based on your licence. If you're abiding your licence, that's fine - they won't want dyno stuff. They'll only ask for a dyno if you're involved in an incident and it's brought up. So don't get a 140mph speeding ticket ;)

Ahh fair enough; these licensing laws are so crap, but I won't let them sway me from riding :D

I would be proud to achieve 140mph on a standard SV650, let alone a restricted one haha ;)