A2 Restricted Licence Changes & Curvy - What would you do?

[Ruffy]

Background:
My eldest son is currently learning to ride. He's 19 next March. Fingers crossed he'll have his theory passed next week and his instructors say his road work is pretty close to test standard so we're hopeful he'll be able to follow up with practicals fairly quickly. We have a curvy lined up for the day when he passes his Mod2, subject to appropriate restriction.

Issue:
The new licence changes come into play next January. The restricted A2 licence allowances change. Old rules are 25 kW (33 bhp) for two years then automatically allowed to ride any bike. New rules are 35kW (46bhp) for at least two years then a further practical is required for open access. As he's 19 pretty soon after the rule changes, he could wait a couple of months to take his Mod2 and have access to 46 bhp rather than only 33bhp, the downside being he'll be stuck with that 'til he passes a further test when he gets to 21.

Questions:
1. Does anyone know if A2 restricted licenses automatically upgrade to the power limits, i.e. do existing 25 kW restriction automatically change to 35kW after 19 Jan 2013? I can't find any official info about this.
2. Does anyone know how to restrict a carbed curvy to 47bhp rather than 33bhp? Will larger restrictor washer holes do the job? Who can calculate the required dimensions? Anything else required? I'll probably be looking into some dyno time to test, so ideas/answers welcome.

I hope I've understood right. What would you do - try to get through test before 19 Jan or wait and suffer the hassle of the later test?

If I understand it correctly if you pass under the current rules then that is it. If you wait then you will be licensed under the new rules.

I'd save the hassle in preference to getting the tiny bit more power.

Originally Posted by Spank86

I'd save the hassle in preference to getting the tiny bit more power.

+1 and the cost/dyno time.

Are restricted bikes even still allowed under the new rules? Or does it have to be a bike under 46bhp from the factory? Sounds very much like a limit designed to allow most 500cc bikes, but nothing bigger.

Don't pass at 46bhp. He will then have to take more tests to unlock his derestricted licence, unlike the current system where it derestricts automatically after 2 years.

He can't ride an SV unless he does his test now anyway. Taken from here http://lightningpass.com/eu-3rd-lice...directive-3dld I have no idea if it's right or not, do your own research and don't shoot this messenger if it's wrong.....

Category A2 (Restricted Licence) also has several changes. You have to be at least 19 to take this test, and once you have passed you will only be able to ride a motorcycle of up to 400cc and 35kw

Plus doing two tests is just one more chance to fail and get to be the lucky winner that gives the government even more money.

Talk to fallout about that one, he loves it.

[Ruffy]

Thanks all for replies so far.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Are restricted bikes even still allowed under the new rules? Or does it have to be a bike under 46bhp from the factory? Sounds very much like a limit designed to allow most 500cc bikes, but nothing bigger.

Restricted bikes are allowed as long as the full power version is not more than twice the restricted power. So approx. 92 bhp max - SV650 should be fine.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

He can't ride an SV unless he does his test now anyway. Taken from here http://lightningpass.com/eu-3rd-lice...directive-3dld I have no idea if it's right or not, do your own research and don't shoot this messenger if it's wrong.....

Sorry, but my research so far says that's wrong. There's no capacity limit, only a power output and a power to weight restriction. There are draconian rules about what bike can be used for test, but not on what can be ridden after the test has been passed. No shooting the messenger, I hope - just shows how unclear it all is, still. Info on gov.uk is sketchy at best IMHO.

The aim is to try to get him through asap under current rules, but I was really trying to weigh up what the downside was if he doesn't manage it.

Also, still wondering if there's a loophole (in riders' favour, for once) that means anyone with a current restricted licence can now ride something higher powered than previously???

[Tomor]

I would go for it before the change unless you want him to have e very long winded way of getting to a full license.

[joshwalker094]

I'd get him to pass it before the changes, I have 9 months aprox. Left on my restriction and as others say it automatically comes off. And I have had a look, there doesn't seem to be any loopholes to allow us restricted under the current rules to ride higher power under new rules. Which fair if I'm honest.
Hth
Josh