Restricting a CRF 450 to A2 licence

Irongamer727

Hello! I know the CRFs are mainly sold as A registered. Do you know if it's possible to restrict them and re register them as A2? I have spoken to several dealers including Honda and they can't get hold of any restrictions. What do you think?

Calum

Yeah, usually it's a throttle stop to limit the power.

Irongamer727

@Calum problem is it has to be done so you can get a certificate right?

NINJA

@Irongamer727 It might be easier just to get your full licence???

Irongamer727

@NINJA I'm 18.. haven't got the A2 yet. There really expensive when they're registered on A as well.

Calum

@Irongamer727 Get a 300 KTM EXC will decimate an unrestricted CRF250 lol.

Or just get an Aprilia MX125, they're plenty quick enough and much more chuckable!

NINJA

@Irongamer727 AAAHHHH well that explains it then.

Irongamer727

@Calum Its the 450 am taking about. I ain't buying Ktm period. Honda is what I want. Might consider wr450f or whatever there called.

Calum

@Irongamer727 Right, well you're missing a trick there mate.

I boycott EXC 125's because bang for buck I don't see what you're getting.

Jump into the 300 zone and it's a totally different kettle of fish

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ktm300exc/132994164796?hash=item1ef711e83c:g:P4IAAOSwjMBckA0F

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£3000 buys you a 2015 KTM EXC 300 Two Stroke 50+ horse power of bollock wrenching raw power.

Or get the same year CR450F
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https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-crf-450r-2015/264246632028?hash=item3d86539e5c:g:CqcAAOSwW4hckUFe

For 3.5K.

It's a no brainer, it's the rip roaring two stroke all day long.

As I said, I totally with you on the 125 scene as you'll pay that sorta price for an EXC, when you could have an MX, tuned to near enough the same power but more reliable, and change.

That's why I don't like the 125. But go into the 250 and 300 realm and you will struggle to win that argument.

Irongamer727

@Calum The plan is to use it as a road/stunt bike. Supermoto is a must.

Calum

@Irongamer727 Even more of a reason to go for the EXC, plenty of supermotos about and a lot lighter and more powerful than the 4 stroke. But what do I know.

Minia

You can't. A CRF450 is far too powerful, you won't pass the power to weight restrictions.

For a start the new CRF450 is over 60hp, you're limited to 47hp and on top of that to have the full 47hp the bike must weigh at least 175kg.

You want a supermoto for A2? Supermotos are around 120kg weight, at that weight you cannot have a motorcycle that produces more than 24kw (32hp). Honestly, unless you do some modifications (which are nightmare to deal with for insurers) you are going to have a really hard time finding a supermoto you can rind that is not a 125. At this point though, I'd recommend a crm125.

Irongamer727

@Minia Thing is, most KTMs are A2. They are registered at like 9kw.

Minia

@Irongamer727 said in Restricting a CRF 450 to A2 licence:

@Minia Thing is, most KTMs are A2. They are registered at like 9kw.

What is registered at 9kw?

Irongamer727

@Minia the engines? The KTM 450 exc

Calum

@Irongamer727 Don't think they are mate. Pretty sure the DT is 11Kw and the make no power.

Minia

@Irongamer727 said in Restricting a CRF 450 to A2 licence:

@Minia the engines? The KTM 450 exc

A 450 exc-f produces 62hp. Or 46.2kw. That is a power-to-weight ratio of 0.584. You're only allowed a maximum of 0.2. You'd need to get it down to 21hp... which you can't do because you are not allowed to restrict a bike by more than half of its power output. So why bother when you can legally ride a crm125 that produces 29hp?

I think you need to read up on the A2 restrictions. The only way you can ride a supermoto is with a full-power 125 like a crm125.

https://www.visordown.com/features/learner/a2-licence-what-you-can-and-cant-restrict

Irongamer727

@Minia The KTMs come like this from factory. That's why it works. I wont buy another 125

Minia

@Irongamer727 said in Restricting a CRF 450 to A2 licence:

@Minia The KTMs come like this from factory. That's why it works. I wont buy another 125

If you want to ride an exc-f 450 on an A2 you're going to have to restrict it to 21hp (for the record an unrestricted DT will do about 20hp) It's going to feel like a turd and you won't get any enjoyment out of it, its a competition machine designed for a top-end rebuild every 65 hours. It is not a road bike. I don't get this whole "KTM engines are registered at 9kw" rubbish, they aren't. And even then it doesn't matter, it is your job to be legal. Not the insurer's or manufacturer or dealer.

I'm not trying to kill your joy, but I'm hoping you will understand that I'm trying to help you here. You can go through the effort of making a 450 enduro/motocross bike legal but it will be a pain and you will not get the best out of it, at all. Or you can risk saying its "restricted", but if you're caught it will be insurance fraud. With rational thinking, you are better off buying a bike designed for the road that you can enjoy more than a competition-designed off-road bike. A DRZ springs to mind or as I said earlier a full power 125, like a crm. Not sure why the dislike with 125cc engines, they are engines and bikes and work the same way and often better than the bigger machines.

Honestly, if you want an excf or crf450, wait until you're 21 and have your A license. Save yourself the bother, time and money.

Glynn123

Alot of enduros are registered under power from factory, they can be riden on A2 however if police decide to Dyno you it can cause issues. My mates Beta 300rr came brand new registered at something like 11kw, and I have seen alot of the KTMs are the same. Some insurers ask for proof of restrictions with a2 bikes, most don't. It's on you wether you want to risk it or not, however the likelyhood, atleast in the UK, of being convicted seems fairly slim, I know alot of people riding 600s, KTM 690 unrestricted etc on A2 with no issues, but in the event of a crash you may not be paid out, but the same goes for not declaring modifications. Insurance nowerdays is a nightmare, it's up to you how you want to go about it all.