Hi all,

I passed my CBT a few weeks ago, and i've got my first bike already (which I adore!! :blush: )

I am taking my full licence test in two weeks, i've chosen to go the traditional route rather than DAS, mainly because I can use the money i'm saving to put towards learning to drive as well.


Anyhoo, i'm going to be restricted to under 33BHP for two years (assuming I pass, ever the optimist) I know I can get any size bike and have it restricted, but as I like window-shopping, I wanted to know what bikes are under 33BHP?

Most just list engine size, which doesn't really give much of a clue :help:

My aim for the future in general is to have a trike, or at the least a combo, but like I say I like to window shop (god ebays good for 24hr wish-list making :D )

Also, I believe someone mentioned a while ago about creating a bike 'club' on SF... has it happened? is it going to?

I'd say that pretty much all 125cc bikes are under 33 B.H.P.
Even the de-restricted Aprillia RS125 only makes 30ish bhp so anything you go for should be safe. If it was my choice I'd go for the Suzuki SV650 with the limited power. with this you still get the bottom end grunt of a big V twin. also the suspension and brakes are far beyond that, what you'd get on any 125cc. It'll still do 100+mph but to look at no-one can tell. And it'll be easier to get your knee down ;-)

When i did mine i got a Aprillia RS125. Fookin quality bike....

Get your power valve on it, FLIES!!!!!

Great fun, Great on petrol, Great on insurance, Great on tax £15 p.a...

Cant go wrong!:thumbsup:

I'm wanting to take my bike test, but haven't got the money or time to do it!

I wanted to do the week intensive so could ride wanted I wanted after that, but again time and money!

I didn't realise that you could limit the larger bikes - thats good to know as it makes taking the CBT, then the full licence and being limited after that more appealing.

I'll get investigating!

beansforyou, there are restrictor kits available for many 'big' bikes these days that restrict them to 33bhp and make them legal for someone to ride with a restricted license.

My own bike has one available, but I did the DAS course instead as I didn't want any restrictions and you also get cheaper insurance with a DAS pass instead of a restricted pass. The only difference on the test is that DAS is done on a 500cc bike, normally a GS500 or similar, and that the test standards are a tiny bit higher to pass, but other than that it's the same test.

If you can afford it, and it's not much more, I would recommend doing the DAS test (and if you are over 21).

What type of bikes are you in to? I am sure there will be a restrictor kit out for something you like, but if you give me an idea of what you want I can try to find out for you.

Also remember that these kits have to be fitted professionaly for your insurance and you have to provide the insurance with a copy of the restriction certificate. There are some garages that will provide you with the certificate if you buy the restrictor for them, but may 'forget' to fit it, but this is of course illegal and I know no one would do this for a much faster bike ;)

Ah, the recommending of bikes is a minefield.

One (wo)man's dream machine is anothers nightmare.

First of all, what type of riding are you going to do and what type of riding are you in to? Do you picture yourself as the next Rossi on the roads, or are the bikes more of a functional tool?

What are your dimensions? The SV650 is a wonderful bike but it does have rather a high seat compared to, say, a 400/4 grey import or Yamaha Virago.

Also, there is the matter of insurance. Both the 400s and the 650 are typical beginners sports bikes and, typically, beginners come off them at some point and so insurance tends to be rather high.

Do you plan on keeping the bike after you've completed your two years on 33bhp? Whist it seems daft to buy something like a CBR600 and restrict it to less than a 1/3 of its normal output, if that's the bike you will want eventually, it does make a little sense to get it now and get used to it. Just don't sling it down the road.

It's also worth mentioning that the 33bhp limit has also a factor of power to weight mentioned in it - I believe (although am not certain) that a de-restricted Aprilia RS125 is above the power to weight index for a beginners bike.

To just give you a bias - I'm a Honda man through and through. I think they offer the best build quality and longevity and usually the best all round performance. The fact that they are considered 'bland' by many doesn't bother me. Bikes, for me, are both a tool to get from A-B (I used to commute in London) AND a toy to use on track days and the like. Consequently, I like a bike that will start every day without fail and that I can also wear down the footpegs round Cadwell if needs be. I must admit that I loathe Kawasakis through previous experience with a GPZ900R and ZX-7R and have never been much of a fan of Yamahas despite the all-conquering R1. I've respect for Suzuki, as I think they make some of the strongest engines in the biking world, but their bikes tend to be too extreme for my tastes. Maybe I'm just getting old... Italian exotica, well, if you can afford it and you have a second bike for when the Italian Stallion is being fixed, then great. I don't.

However, my current bike reflects more the lightness of my wallet than any of the previous requirements...

Originally posted by ADC_28
...What are your dimensions? The SV650 is a wonderful bike but it does have rather a high seat compared to, say, a 400/4 grey import or Yamaha Virago...
But don't forget, the mark1 SV650 has a lower saddle than the later reincarnation...

Originally posted by ADC_28
...Also, there is the matter of insurance. Both the 400s and the 650 are typical beginners sports bikes and, typically, beginners come off them at some point and so insurance tends to be rather high...
...and the naked mk1 is only group 9, so you won't find many "big" bikes cheaper to insure.

:)

I have a 400 gery import. It's a Honda NC30 and is a great bike to get used to riding on.

I passed my DAS 2 years ago after riding 125s on and off for about 9 years and jumped straight on to this bike.

I love it.

It's only 400cc, but it does 0-60 in 4 seconds and 140mph top end, so it's by no means slow.

Another good point is the size and weight of the bike. It kills my mate's Aprillia RSV Mille (1000cc) around the bends because it's so easy to chuck about. On the straights he can open up and start to leave me, but any fool can ride fast in a straight line.

The 400 sports bikes are a great area to start in if you want to ride sports bikes. Cheap to insure too, mine cost me £300 for the first years insurance, with 7 points on my license.

After the two years I've had my bike from, and learnt a hell of a lot from it, I am now ready to move on to a bigger bike and am now selling mine shortly and going for a ZX6R or a GSXR600.
I had a mate that went straight to a 600 when he passed his test and he always envied my bike as it was a lot more forgiving and easier to get used to. It took him a lot longer to settle in to riding bikes than it did me because my bike is a great learning tool as well as an amazing little sports bike (read the MCN review of the VFR400 NC30, they love it) when you are ready to open it up and get it well over on the corners.

Anyway, if it's sports bikes you are looking at then definatley take a look at the NC30, CBR400 or ZXR400. All excellent bikes and very suprising what you'll get out of them despite them having 'smaller' engines.

the suzuki goose is very nice and 33bhp

theres no difference in test price for doing a DAS and i know a instructor who is very good and alot! cheaper than bikesafe and mct who i passed first time with

list of 33bhp bikes

Honda
Rebel 250
GB250
Steed 400
CB400
FT500
XL500S
XL500R
BROS400
GB400TT
NV400C
VRX400
MAGNA250
CB250RS
CB250NH
XLR250
XLR250Degree
XR250
Kawasaki
KE175-D
Z200-A
Estrella 250
KL250-C
Z250-A
Z250-B
Z250-C
EL250-D/F
KL250 D7
KLX250-G
Suzuki
Goose 350
DR350S
Intruder 400
DR250S
Desperado 400
DR400S
SP400
SP370
GS250T
GSX250E
GT200
GT250E
LS650F
SB200
LS400Savage
LS400Tempter
SX200
VS400
TS185ER
TS250ER
GN250
DR350SE
LS650P
Yamaha
DT175MX
RD200DX
RS200
SRV250
XS250SE
XS250
XT250
SRX250
Drag Star 400
SRX400
SR500
SR250
XV250
XT350
SDR200
TT250
Serow 225
SR400
SR500

The SV is a wonderful bike, I have one. Mine is the mark1 (curvey) version and the seat is fine for my 6'2" frame. Full power version (mine) they are just under 70bhp. And I have heard that you can have them mechanically restricted with some small bolt in components. They are great chuckable and light bikes and excellent for a novice progressing from a small bike.

The later ones (pointy) which have the unusual LED tail lights in two straight lines have fuel injection rather than carbs and they are restricted with a plug in electronic module.

Originally posted by ADC_28
What are your dimensions? The SV650 is a wonderful bike but it does have rather a high seat compared to, say, a 400/4 grey import or Yamaha Virago.
You can lower the seat heigh on any SV by changing the Dogbones on the suspension and dropping the front forks, a dealer will do this for you very cheaply, it is a very common modification for smaller riders.

Dogbones available on e-bay £1.70
SV Lowering Kit (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7989560887&category=10534&rd=1)

Originally posted by foo_fighter
B
...and the naked mk1 is only group 9, so you won't find many "big" bikes cheaper to insure.

:)

I'm going on what the nice chap at Bennets told me when I phoned up for some quotes. He said despite the fact that the SV has a lower group, they impose a surcharge on fully comp with them because so many are pranged with no other vehicle involve by beginners.

I, too, have an NC30 and it really is a great bike. However, Hondas of that era tend to have electical gremlins. It's nothing fatal and, to be honest, other bikes of that era tend to have worse problems. The 140mph top end is no exaggeration, but many of the 400 greys come with a speedo restriction to 110mph. Easy as pie to remove, though.

Finally, there is something deeply, deeply satisfying about riding around the outside of people on R1s/Blades etc on the track on something that's 600cc less, £6000 cheaper and yet still twice as fun.

but restricting a bike costs alot of money £200 and i think beansforyou was after one that is 33bhp or less naturally

Originally posted by ADC_28
I, too, have an NC30 and it really is a great bike. However, Hondas of that era tend to have electical gremlins. It's nothing fatal and, to be honest, other bikes of that era tend to have worse problems. The 140mph top end is no exaggeration, but many of the 400 greys come with a speedo restriction to 110mph. Easy as pie to remove, though.Only problem I had was with the UK spec bulbs burning out the Jap switch.

Two fixes for this, 1) buy Jap bulbs, but they are pricey and not as bright on low beam. 2) fit a relay before the wire reaches the switch. I went for option two and got my mate to fit it, works a treat!

Originally posted by ADC_28
Finally, there is something deeply, deeply satisfying about riding around the outside of people on R1s/Blades etc on the track on something that's 600cc less, £6000 cheaper and yet still twice as fun. The joys of having an NC30 :D
They may be 400cc in size, but it's amusing watching people's faces when you suprise them on handling and how quick the mighty midget goes.

I may regret this but does anyone want to swap a go on their 400cc bike for a tuned 1200 bandit? I'd love to have a go on one, see if they really corner as well as i've read.

Originally posted by ADC_28
I'm going on what the nice chap at Bennets told me when I phoned up for some quotes. He said despite the fact that the SV has a lower group, they impose a surcharge on fully comp with them because so many are pranged with no other vehicle involve by beginners...
Don't ya just love insurance companies, give a bike a low group and then surcharge it...

...great. :mad:

Wooah there daddio!!! :heyhey:

Thanks to ADC for reminding me about this thread, I started it a while ago and didn't get any response and then forgot about it.

After googlin' alot of the bikes you've lovingly thrown at me, I notice a penchant for the knee down racer within you all :lol:

I have to stress at this point, i'm more of an easy rider kinda gal ;)

The bike I bought when I passed my CBT was a Kawasaki Eliminator bn125(a1) and I adore it, I just wish bin lorries/council vans/other large heavy goods vehicles didn't keep tearing away from me at the lights :lol: But then again i'm there for the ride, not the finishing line.

As for what i'll get when I take my test (on the 18th by the way...I expect cards & pressies) the main bike thats looking at me lovingly at the moment is the Yamaha Dragstar xvs400, I believe this is a grey import tho and a bit like hens teeth (one went on ebay a few weeks back for just over £2,000).

I am in torment as to 'get a big bugger n restrict it' or just stick to the 125 for a few years, it's a lovely bike, but I do feel a lil' alone on it (who wants a 125 in their gang? :( )

in an ideal world, i'll end up with either a big old bruiser custom jobbie or a trike.

As for size, i'm 5'8 and built pretty sturdy, if not the strongest person in the world.

If any other female restricted bikers (not restricted to being a woman lol, but to the bike) and they fancy going out for a spin and a high tea, give me a shout, i've gone out to Matlock and castleton but once you get there it's a bit weird walking about on your own (with all the big boys looking at you).

Saying that, I do notice alot of couples stopping and looking at the bike, with the women usually nodding and looking optimistically at the seat height :)

Thanks for all the info, keep it coming...

I'll give you a nod if I pass you one day :lol:

beansforyou, if you fancy a ride out somewhere one weekend and don't mind it being with a group of lads then let me know. We are always happy for extra people to join in and come along for a ride (this is open to anyone by the way).

I ride my NC30, there are two lads on R6s and one on a Aprillia 1000.

You may need to get something a bit quicker than what you are riding at the moment, but when you have the bigger bike you should be ok, let me know :)

We tend to have quick blasts around ladybower a lot and if we plan ahead go for longer rides to various locations such as random seaside locations.

Cool,

I went over the Woodhead last saturday to see my mate in Stockport, Thoroughly enjoyed it, until you get to the traffic jams before the big island.

I was a little worried to filter, then two guys on big Harleys went crawling past me, so I just dived in behind them (and hoped they couldn't see me in their mirrors lol)

Its my birthday in september, and me and my OH (none biker) are thinking about finding a decent bike show to go to, maybe with camping?

The only other women I have met who are into bikes are the ones also doing their lessons at hillsborough, but they mainly go out with their OH's and are into sports bikes.

There must be some other gals out there that like to get a bit o' muck under their finger nails! :)

I was also hoping to do the Motorcycle maintainence course at castle college this year, but I believe they have stopped running it, which is a shame as I would love the chance to learn more, rather than have to learn how to fix it in the middle of a dual carriageway!

You should to go to the BMF show in peterborough. Best show by far. it is on the 17th - 18th sep. it has camping and make sure you go in the car, You'll never get all the bargains you buy back on the bike!!!!

Yeah we're going to that too and camping. I wouldn't fancy 90 miles on the A1 on a 125. If I were you I'd go in the car..

Hi all,

Anyhoo, i'm going to be restricted to under 33BHP for two years (assuming I pass, ever the optimist) I know I can get any size bike and have it restricted, but as I like window-shopping, I wanted to know what bikes are under 33BHP?

Most just list engine size, which doesn't really give much of a clue :help:

This is a V8, so not exactly what you're looking for, but it's pretty distinctive http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT/motorwhl/roadster.jpg