Buying and selling restricted motorcycles?

Majik

I've been a biker for over ten years, and my other half is on a restricted licence. For those of you who don't know, this means that for the first two years of her riding career, she can't ride a bike with more than 33bhp. There are "restriction kits" out there which have to be installed on a bike which is naturally over 33bhp, to reduce it's output (yes, there is such a thing as a 33bhp Fireblade), which aside from effecting the bike negatively, cost a couple of hundred quid plus fitting! I've recently discovered through a policeman friend of mine that even these kits, despite being sold as fit for purpose, are flawed and if your "restricted" bike, for whatever reason, produces more than 33bhp if the police pulled and checked, the rider would be entirely responsible. So that is: riding not in accordance to your licence & riding without relevent insurance! The police themselves are pretty confused by the system, and most the restricted riders I know are either petrified, or ignoring the law completely and riding what they like.

Here's my idea, and I'm hoping for some help from MSE here on whether it could work, or the pitfalls I may encounter...

I can spin a decent spanner, and there are plenty of bikes out there that are below 33bhp. So - source under 33bhp bikes (probably without an MOT) and MOT them up, a good clean and spruce (I've got a spray compressor if a basic paint job is needed) and sell them on. I'm thinking that consumer confidence that they had a selection of bikes which are naturally under 33bhp would be good, and the fact that there are no restriction certificates or worries would help enormously too. I'm thinking eBay and a basic Joomla shop website, which would also contain information from VOSA/DVLA/other relevant people about riding whilst restricted.

Thoughts and worries? Exactly what would I be responsible for as far as warranty? I think the idea is good, but am not sure whether the actual business is going to make some pocket money for me...

DansMum_2

You wouldnt be buying restricted bikes as such, just bikes which are under 33bhp. The older market would be better for you, such as the old 250cc and some of the 400cc (not the CBR's etc)

I'm sure you are aware that the 33bhp restrictor kit is only legal if fitted by the manufacturer or by F International, the kits them selves are £50+ its the fitting which is expensive each bike is restricted differently (ie gs500 restricted in the carb, fazer restricted via the ecu)

Older bikes can have their restrictors removed and thats when you come into the problem of being prosecuted as you describe.

If you are buying and selling bikes as part of your trade then they need to be compliant with the sale of goods act (ie fit for purpose etc) Any vehicle could be returned for a full refund by the buyer if found to have a fualt within 6 months which wasnt described. Check the act out carefully! The older smaller bikes may not have such a pull as the newer 33bhp target market such as the ZX250 ninja, CBF250, Virago 250, An400 etc BUT your bikes which have a better price tag than these! You may be able to take 125/50cc in part ex and sell those on ebay.

There are also 33bhp restricted bikes for sale and the restrictor kit and certificate is transferrable between owners. Speak to F International they're really hlpful. Bikes in our area have been tugged recently and crushed if their owners are not legal as well as the no insurance, other than accordance to a licence etc.....

Good luck though! Let me know if you get going....

Cheers DansMum - Training school manager

New_leaf_5

Its not true that the restrictor has to be fitted by the manufacturer, according to Carol nash insurance(,and the local bike training centre) they do not require any certificates etc, as long as you have them fitted in accordance with your licence thats enough for them.