Government legislation means that if you are 19 years of age and want to ride bigger motorcycles, you need to spend at least two years on an A2 licence before you can take your test to move onto a more powerful bike. If not, you have to wait until you are 24-years-old before you can apply for your full cat A licence.
The A2 licence is a restricted licence that allows its holders to ride medium-sized motorcycles.
A2 licence holders can ride medium motorcycles up to 35kW, with a power-to-weight ratio not more than 0.2kW/kg and not derived from a vehicle more than twice its power.
To make life easier, we’ve put together a list of the seven best bikes you can ride on an A2 licence.
1. Honda CBR500R
First up, the Honda CBR500R. The twin-cylinder CBR500R provides an ideal first big sports bike experience for A2 licence holders. As one of the few fully-faired, sports-style options available to A2 riders, the CBR500R is spot-on when it comes to power with 47bhp.
2. Yamaha XT660X
The Yamaha XT660X supermoto is on the A2 limit both with its power (47bhp) and weight (quoted at being 186kg with a full tank of fuel). The XT660X doesn’t require restricting and can be used to take your test too. As an older model there are likely to be some used bikes on the market.
3. Honda NC700S
Honda scores again with its NC700S. Easy to ride and super-economical, with some reports stating figures of 80mpg, the Honda NC700S has a strong reputation and is A2 ready, with no need to be restricted. The NC700S offers commuter practicality, alongside a thrilling ride and the distinctive style of a naked.
4. Kawasaki ER-6F
Kawasaki’s ER-6F requires restriction to be A2-suitable, but is a superb beginner bike. Economical, reliable, quick and easy to ride and maintain, the ER-6F turns heads with its supersport styling.
5. KTM 390 Duke
The KTM 390 Duke is a supermoto-inspired roadster and is one of the more affordable bikes on this list, coming in at just under £5,500. Due to its roadster inspiration, the 390 Duke has wide bars and an upright riding position. It’s also worth keeping in mind KTM is releasing a new version in 2024, so if you’re in the market for an A2 and can wait until the new year this may be a better choice for you.
6. Benelli TRK 502
The Chinese built Benelli TRK 502 bike takes inspiration from its famous Italian badge heritage, and with 47bhp it’s certainly one of most powerful A2 bikes on the market. The TRK 502 has a cool adventure bike aesthetic, despite not being designed for off-roading.
7. Kawasaki Z400
The Kawasaki Z400 is the naked roadster version of the Kawasaki Ninja and was originally discontinued briefly when Euro 5 emissions regulations came into force in 2019, but has since been reintroduced. The lightweight trellis frame is similar to that of the Ninja, meaning it is perfect for those who are looking for a bike that can also go off-road.
Insurance for your A2 licence bike
No matter which A2 motorbike you choose to buy, you will of course need to get it insured. That’s where Bikesure can help. As a specialist A2 motorcycle insurance broker, we compare insurance premiums from dozens of providers to find you the right deal based on your needs.
Give us a call on 0800 369 8580 or book a callback at a time that suits you.
