Comments for Matt Bearman

Comment on UK Motorcycle Licence Law – 33 bhp (25 kW) Restriction by Tim Woodcock

Tim Woodcock — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 10:20:09 +0000

According to an article published in MCN there is no requirement in law to have a certificate to prove restriction. In the same article Carol Nash insurers say insurance companies don’t require a certificate either.

But…. it’s a good idea to have proof, by way of a receipt from a mechanic, that the kit has been fitted. That could save a lot of hassle, especially if you have to make an insurance claim.

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Tue, 18 May 2010 19:40:12 +0000

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Comment on UK Motorcycle Licence Law – 33 bhp (25 kW) Restriction by Matt Bearman

Matt Bearman — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 08:42:08 +0000

Keep an eye on ebay, there’s currently a set of GSXR 600 restrictors on there for £20, I’m sure a set for a 750 will come up eventually. I wouldn’t recommend making them out of bean cans though, if you don’t make them all exactly the same your carbs will be un-balanced, which will ruin the performance.

Definitely don’t buy the certificate, you’re right in saying say are completely worthless, and not at all legally binding.

Also, how do you mange to wreck so many engines? :p

– Matt

Comment on UK Motorcycle Licence Law – 33 bhp (25 kW) Restriction by Ben

Ben — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 20:15:15 +0000

I am under 21 .. 20 in september and took my test just after i turned 18. I first kept riding my cbr 125 for a few months until i upgraded to an aprilia RS 125 which produced 33 bhp. The engine in that malfunctioned so i got rid of it and bought myself a CBR 400 ( NC23 ). This produced 55 bhp and i had every intention of getting the bike restricted.. that was until I looked on FI international and saw the ridiculous prices for 4 cheaply made washers ( I could probably make them in the CNC machine at my university for less than £6 ). I rode around on that for about 8 months unresricted which takes me up to now. The engine blew when a con rod snapped and came through the crankcase so after fitting a cheap engine i got rid of it and have just purchased a GSXR 750. I have only a few months left on my restricted license and have no intention of having my beautiful GSXR siezed by the fuzz. This is my solution to the problem. find the diameter of your carb outlet ( take into account that the washer must fill the carb thouroughly to avoid being sucked into the engine destroying your cams / valves) cut out of the bottom of a heinz tin a circle measuring the diameter of your carb. Do some research and find out the diameter of the washer hole for your specific bike, drill a hole through your self made washer measuring the correct diameter and pop it into your carb outlet. Keep an eye on the washer as i dont know if the tin will rust while in your carb as the FI international ones are made from stainless steel… if you want you could probably cover the washer in some kind of sealant to prevent this ( if anyone has any good ideas as what to to seal it with let us know ). get the bike dyno’d if you want to be sure its at 33bhp and keep the certificate. Not only are you safe and legal but you are sticking it to the man that is FI international without breaking any regulations. The certificate is not actually a legal document so DO NOT BUY IT !! you are being rinsed of your money for something you dont want or need.
Stay Safe everyone
Keep it shiny side up

Comment on Phising with texts – I may be entitled to 3750 pounds! by bob

bob — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:42:03 +0000

I have just received the exact same text.

I love your lateral thinking, and I will also do the same form of protest you suggest! Thanks for the idea

Comment on UK Motorcycle Licence Law – 33 bhp (25 kW) Restriction by Matt Bearman

Matt Bearman — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:06:58 +0000

@Julian Bates – I would have thought as the law states 33 bph that the kits would restrict the hp to 33 at the crank, as that’s what bhp means. Having said that I think even if your bike was seized, the police aren’t likely to dismantle the bike down to the engine to measure the bhp, they’ll just put it on a rolling road.

As for powers of seizure, riding a bike over 33bhp on a restricted licence is tantamount to riding without a licence or insurance, so if the police have reasonable grounds to suspect you, they can take your bike.

@Josh – We’re all real proud of you…

@Tony – To be honest I wouldn’t even waste the money on getting the bike tested on a dyno, if you’ve got the restrictor in, then you’ve got nothing to worry about. Check out this article on MCN, it basically confirms my suspicions that the restriction certificates aren’t worth anything.

Comment on UK Motorcycle Licence Law – 33 bhp (25 kW) Restriction by Tony

Tony — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:41:21 +0000

If you do fit a kit yourself, surely there is nothing stopping you taking your bike to a rolling road and getting the BHP tested… then you can show the nice constable exactly what BHP your bike is making across it’s rev range, and it should even have the date and where you had it done on the paper so My Plod could verify it he wants… and that’ll cost you loads less than £200…

Comment on UK Motorcycle Licence Law – 33 bhp (25 kW) Restriction by josh s

josh s — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:26:28 +0000

i have been riding a gsxr600 on a 33bhp licence and it is not restricted and i have been pulled so many times and have never been asked if it is restricted

Comment on Phising with texts – I may be entitled to 3750 pounds! by jjxf

jjxf — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:21:48 +0000

i will be doing the same i am getting texts from 07926026878

Comment on UK Motorcycle Licence Law – 33 bhp (25 kW) Restriction by julian bates

julian bates — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:14:42 +0000

Matt, the other ambiguity is with where the measurement is made. Measuring at the crank is prohibitively impossible and all restriction kits are calibrated according to the rear wheel Bhp measurement.

It is possible to buy a bike that produces MORE than 33bhp advertised by the manufacturers at the crank, but which ONLY produces 33bhp at the rear wheel. This bike would still be legal under current legislation. A bike producing about 40hp at the crank will produce about 33bhp as an estimate, at the rear wheel.

How would you prove this? A dyno print out of your bike is not a legal verification – meaning perhaps your bike could be taken?

Matt, do you know the law of police powers of seizure? Apart from the obvious, (pulling wheelies/excessive speed) what would count as reasonable grounds to take a bike?

I’m in the same position – being older than 21 but on a restricted licence – out of choice. Which is fine, and was a personal choice. My current bike produces less than 33bhp at the rear wheel – so i am fully legal.