If you’ve already got your full licence – fine (lovely, smashing, super). But if you haven’t yet (or know someone about to embark on getting it done) these are the PS-era bikes to look at
Back in the day after passing your test, you could jump straight off a 125 and onto the biggest, fastest bike you could afford. That was the well-trodden route to ripping up our L-plates and finally razzing about on a ‘proper’ machine.
For kids today, however, the path to big bike ownership isn’t as easy. There’s now a thing called an ‘A2 licence’, which acts as a stepping-stone between novice and a full, unrestricted licence.
It’s not a bad idea – swapping a YZF125R for an R1-M would more than likely end in broken fairing panels and a trip to A&E. An A2 licence forces young riders to hone skills on mid-sized, mid-power bikes rather than biting off more than they can chew. So, what is an A2 licence and who are they for? In a nutshell, anyone over 19 years of age looking to move on from a 125.
A2 bikes are restricted to 37KW, or 47bhp, with a kerb weight no less than 175kg and a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.2KW or 0.26bhp per kilo. Bikes producing more than 94bhp can’t be restricted to A2 level.
A bike’s A2 eligibility boils down to two things: it either meets the regs in its full power form, or it needs to be restricted to comply with the rules. Restricted bikes aren’t fun though – remember 12bhp 125s?
It’s the same with A2 bikes. Anything that doesn’t naturally meet the 47bhp limit is pegged back via an exhaust washer, throttle restrictor, inlet reducer, or via its ECU.
Either way, you’ll have to provide proof that your bike meets the criteria when you use it to take your A2 test. The DVLA website states that dyno readings are not acceptable proof that a bike complies – instead you’ll need a letter from a dealer who fitted a restrictor kit to your bike, or written proof from an expert or club (like the VJMC) that your bike is eligible.
But why ride something that’s had its nuts chopped off when you can own and enjoy a full power PS-era machine that fits the bill perfectly, instead? There are plenty of decent, older full power (or lightly restricted) A2 ready bikes to choose from.
If you’re young, looking to move up from a 125 and fancy something old school, here’s our pick of prime A2 PS-era rides…
HONDA BROS 400/650
Why Honda UK never broug
