What you should know before buying a restricted motorcycle for an A2 licence?
Buying a Restricted Motorcycle for an A2 Licence
The issue of motorcycle restrictions is relatively recent. In 2009, legislation in Spain was amended to introduce a new motorcycle driving licence, which is when the A2 licence appeared, replacing the old 25 kW restriction for the A licence. Under this new legislation, A2 licence holders must wait two years before they can take the A licence test, which will then allow them to ride any motorcycle without any power restrictions. With an A2 licence, only motorcycles that do not exceed double the power they will deliver with the restriction can be restricted.
When obtaining an A2 licence, we must bear in mind that we cannot ride any motorcycle with any power output. Before deciding on a motorcycle model, we will need to check that the power output is appropriate for the type of licence we hold.
We need to consider several options before making a decision; buying a new motorcycle directly from a dealership is one of the quickest and easiest options. The dealership will provide it already restricted from the factory to 35 kW (47.6 hp), and we won't have to install any restriction kit. This is one of the safest options but also one of the most expensive. Furthermore, when we want to upgrade to a higher displacement motorcycle, it will lose much more value than if we bought it second-hand.
Another option is to look for a second-hand motorcycle that does not exceed 70 kW of original power and have a restriction kit installed by an authorised workshop. For this, it is crucial to remember that restriction kits must be approved (homologated) and the installation certified by an authorised workshop. Additionally, the motorcycle will also need to pass the ITV (Spanish vehicle inspection) so that it is reflected in the motorcycle's technical data sheet.
Alternatively, we can look for a motorcycle that originally does not exceed 35 kW of power, or one that is restricted to 35 kW and does not exceed 70 kW of original power. We can also opt for a motorcycle that is restricted to 25 kW, but remember that its original power must not exceed 50 kW.
Motorcycles Restricted Only on Paperwork
You may also find some motorcycles that are only restricted on their technical data sheet. In this case, it is best to forget about the motorcycle and look for another one that can be ridden legally. If the motorcycle's actual power is not reflected in the documentation, you will be riding illegally. But can it be known that I am riding a motorcycle that is not actually restricted? Yes. It's as simple as a speed camera photographing you at a speed that doesn't correspond to the restriction, or traffic officers suspecting it's not restricted and impounding the motorcycle to check if it really is, not to mention other more serious problems that could arise if you had an accident. In short, this option is not recommended at all.
Buying a Restricted Motorcycle or one Specifically Designed for an A2 Licence?
Motorcycles specifically designed for the A2 licence have some advantages over higher-power motorcycles that can be restricted to 35 kW: their weight and dimensions are designed for the maximum power the motorcycle can deliver, fuel consumption is usually lower, and they often offer better performance. In contrast, on a motorcycle that originally delivers 70 kW, the weight is usually higher, and components such as brakes, suspension, and tyres are designed for a greater power output. For the 35 kW allowed by the A2 licence, these higher specifications would not be as necessary and would increase maintenance costs.
These are some of the motorcycles expressly designed for the A2 licence:
- KTM Duke 390
- BMW C 400 GT
- BMW G 310 GS
- Honda CB 500 F
- Honda Forza 300
- Kawasaki Ninja 400
- Suzuki GSX 250 R
The A2 licence allows riding motorcycles with a maximum power of 35 kW and a maximum power-to-weight ratio of 0.20 kW/kg, and not derived from a vehicle with more than double its power.
Restriction Kits for the A2 Licence
If you ultimately opt for a motorcycle that is not restricted, you will need to install an approved (homologated) restriction kit. You cannot carry out the installation yourself, as the law requires a workshop to perform the installation and issue a certificate with the restriction kit's serial number. You can find these restriction kits on various websites, such as ATIMPEX, but you must bear in mind that they are not reusable, and once installed on one motorcycle, they cannot be used for any other. So, forget about buying second-hand kits, as they lack the necessary documentation to be reinstalled.