Katana Owners Club U.K.

Hi Chaps,

Anybody here with knowledge of the law and learner riders?

We have a young lad in town, razzing round on a 1981 Honda CB125T sporting L plates.

Now, as far as I can work out, provisional entitlement says a bike of not more than 125cc, and not more than 11kW maximum power output (14.76BHP).

Every bit of info I can find on the 125T says they have a BHP of 16.5, and will pull 80MPH top whack. "Back in the day", you were allowed to ride a 250cc on L's so it wasn't really an issue.

I'm not convinced he's legal - but having a chat in town last night with him and his dad, his dad seemed to think that if the bike was made before a certain date (the exact date he gave escapes me now as I was trying to get the info in a "tactful" way), then it's exempt from the maximum power limit.

Even our friendly local instructor (who is a retired Police Inspector/Rider/Instructor) has doubts about the legality.

Obviously, if he isn't legal, then he really ought to be taken off the road, as doubtless his insurance will be invalid - and he rides like a complete and total loon, and it's only a matter of time before he ends up taking himself out, and somebody else!

Cheers,

J

i remember these bikes from back in my learner days, they were allowed as learner bikes because they were just prior to the 12bhp law and tbh plod was more concerned with lc125s with ported barrels. unless you are going to start dragging round a portable dyno behind you to test these things, what else do you want to do. so his 125 has more than 12bhp im sure there are plenty of knackered oned putting out 10bhp, what do you want to do about them? and is 15bhp really dangerous compared to 1/2 a ton of corsa with a loud pipe black windows and 4 neds on board? and to be honest, if you dont mind me saying, what on earth has it got to do with you? have you never fitted an aftermarket exhaust or aftermarket accessory, non standard paint job to your bike and not told your insurance? cos technically you would be uninsured,,,,, what does it matter?

John,

What DOES matter, is the fact that if he DOES happen to be "riding other than in accordance with" and ends up with invalid insurance, then what about the person he takes out?

Trust me, I'm all for live & let live - but this lad is a complete idiot with the way he rides. He's been off it several times (by his own admission) and it's only a matter of time before he has a spill involving somebody else. What if he clatters into a pushchair that's in the process of crossing the road? (you want to come here and see for yourself - Pedestrians just look you right in the eye and walk out in front of you). I for one wouldn't appreciate it if he was involved in an incident with me. My bike is insured TPFT (not everyone can afford FC insurance), and if that goes down to the deck, and I end up getting injured, then who is going to pay out? You're right, it's me! And I don't think that's fair somehow!

We've all done stuff in the past like aftermarket pipes etc, back in the days when insurance companies were a little more lenient. I bet if I put stupid noisy cans on my Triumph and started hooning round town of an evening, i'd soon be pulled over, the insurance company would be checked with, and I'd be losing the bike on a Section 165 order.

Nuff said.

Pretty sure the lads dad is correct. there was definitely a cut off date which allowed bikes of 125cc with more than 12bhp. My sister had a 81 cb125T in about 84 and it was 1 of the reasons she went for the Honda. A mate of mine also had an yam IT 125 enduro from 79 I think and that was more than 12bhp too.

You`ll have to hope he puts it into a ditch and knackers it beyond repair.

Kinda gotta agree with the sentiment of the replies, our 1983 gs 125 was over the limit now but how can anyoneknow what it is now ?
Love ragging about on it,because you need to keep going to keep up with traffic..
Youthful enthusiasm comes before experience..

I'm aware that at the age of 52 with 36 years experience my riding may look hooligan.

Wasn't there a power to weight calculation involved too

power to weight is more modern i think, seems to be more related to trikes or sidecars now.