Horsepower Restrictions coming to BC!

[Kootenanny]

Hah!  Got your attention, did I?

Well, it's happening: new laws in BC will restrict horsepower on bikes--for new riders only.  It's part of revamping of the graduated licensing program here; currently, new riders have to ride with a "learner's permit" for a minimum of 2 weeks prior to taking a skills exam, after which they get a "novice permit" which they have to ride with for at least another two weeks (these times will be changed under the new program, and some other restrictions changed).

So, how much horsepower will newbies be allowed to have, here in BC?  Will it be the same as Britain (33 hp, AFAIK)?  Will it be ridiculously low, like 10?  Or a more reasonable 50?

Nope, none of the above:  the new laws will restrict new riders to a maximum of 98 hp.

Ninety-eight!  

And people are already complaining that it's not enough.  "What about a retired guy who wants to learn to ride, so he can get a Gold Wing for touring?" they ask.  "But, new car drivers aren't restricted!"  And, of course, "Betcha the dealers will suffer!"

Personally, I welcome the restriction--indeed, I'd be happy to see it lower. 50 hp seems eminently reasonable to me.  Oh, well...at least it should reduce the number of brand new riders getting full-on race replicas.  

Hell, I got two decades of riding experience, and I've never owned a bike with 98 hp (my current Buell, rated 92 hp, is the most powerful I've ever owned).  In France, AFAIK bikes are restricted to 99 hp across the board.  And both I, and I'm sure most riders in France, manage to get by...

For more info on this, I refer you to this thread on the BC Rider's forum:  http://www.bcriders.net/forum/f26/new-proposal-regarding-hp-restrictions-changes-graduated-licensing-program-2199/

[Huron52]

It took me three bikes to get over the 98 mark and about 30 years of riding. Do I always use all that horsepower now? No...
 I believe it is a good idea to start new riders out small. But then I also believe you should start out used so you can dropped a few times and not be bother by the odd dent or so.


 You do know the rest of the provinces are going to follow along.

[Jeets]

This smells of eliteism!

No, I would not recommend a new rider start on a sport bike, but it is his choice and who am I, you, or the State to tell him what he should or should not do?  I wish we quit trying to pass laws to protect me from me.

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[Baz]

This is the same place that takes your bike away if you speed.

So now does the same rule apply for the kids of rich parents in Vancouver who are given those nice Lamborghini's to drive as 1st cars?  


I am with Jeets here. I really hate my elected officials trying to save me from myself.

[bubba zanetti]

I welcome our usurping, legislative overloards and look forward to a day soon where we see RCMP trucks on the road festooned with Dynamometers.


"Hello Officer, was I speeding?"

No, sir but I have cause to believe you are exceeding the horsepower limits imposed by our Premier.

Now sir, if you will just help me push the bike up the ramp and onto the Dyno, we will see for ourselves.

[Oxblood]

This smells of eliteism!

No, I would not recommend a new rider start on a sport bike, but it is his choice and who am I, you, or the State to tell him what he should or should not do?  I wish we quit trying to pass laws to protect me from me.

Sent from my BlackBerry Runtime for Android Apps using Tapatalk 2

It's Canada, and we have a fairly well developed Nanny State up here. Heck, a lot of Canadians actually love the sense of comfort they get from the warm blanket that the gummint swaddles them in.

[PatM]

France has a limit of 36 hp for learners. You can have a Busa restricted to 36 hp if you want. Don't crash or get caught without it. It is expensive, you automatically loose your motorcycle permit and your insurance coverage.

All other bikes are restricted to about 106 hp. Although, the EU is currently reviewing that rule (106 hp) and may impose it on all member states or force France to remove it. The latest I heard, the were inclined to remove it.

I had the opportunity to ride larger touring bikes, Goldwings and BMW GTL1600. It does change their behavior a lot. The only full tour rig not affected by this is HD. They would love to be restricted too.  

I agree with the PO on graduated permits. I would suggest 70 hp for the limit as you can get decent 600 - 650 - 750 cc bike in that range.
It could also be a removable restriction as is being used in France.

[mellow_gold]

I don't feel strongly one way or the other about having a restriction.  But just lol at making the limit 98hp    My bandit had ~98 hp and was capable of doing 0-60 in 3 seconds!

[mikebr]

This is the same place that takes your bike away if you speed.

So now does the same rule apply for the kids of rich parents in Vancouver who are given those nice Lamborghini's to drive as 1st cars?  


I am with Jeets here. I really hate my elected officials trying to save me from myself.

Hear ya Baz, The bikes I had were shit, if you couldn't ride you were spat off. But today they have everything handling, power and speed.  

[GetFuzzy]

What they should do is have a displacement restriction like a lot of other country's have. Just think of all the neat 400cc bikes (most common limit, some also have hp restriction as well) that would be imported to fill the need.

[Kootenanny]

What they should do is have a displacement restriction like a lot of other country's have. Just think of all the neat 400cc bikes (most common limit, some also have hp restriction as well) that would be imported to fill the need.

Displacement restriction was the original idea.  However, after a fair bit of review and "input from the industry," that idea was scrapped and replaced with the 98 hp limit (which, surprisingly enough, allows lots of Harleys under the wire... ).

[Huron52]

If you have enough money you can easily get a Harley over 98 horsepower.



hmmmm does that sound too nasty?  

[alphabet man]

What a joke !   I would bet both my Multi and the LeMans are around or below the 98HP mark and I know they are fast enough to get even experienced riders into a heap of trouble, fu*kin bureaucrats, the fact they they are regulating people to death isn't enough but they are so inept at understanding   the problem  they wont solve anything other than pissing away more of the tax payers resources

 BAH !   Up with anarchism

[Cablebandit]

Displacement restriction was the original idea.  However, after a fair bit of review and "input from the industry," that idea was scrapped and replaced with the 98 hp limit (which, surprisingly enough, allows lots of Harleys under the wire... ).

I thought even the biggest Harleys only made about 65HP.

[Kneescrubber]

linky no worky for me  

[Kootenanny]

Try it now: http://www.bcriders.net/forum/f26/new-proposal-regarding-hp-restrictions-changes-graduated-licensing-program-2199/

[PatM]

What they should do is have a displacement restriction like a lot of other country's have. Just think of all the neat 400cc bikes (most common limit, some also have hp restriction as well) that would be imported to fill the need.

Displacement restriction was the original idea.  However, after a fair bit of review and "input from the industry," that idea was scrapped and replaced with the 98 hp limit (which, surprisingly enough, allows lots of Harleys under the wire... ).

Guess who doesn't build any under 400cc bikes.

[Kootenanny]

Guess who doesn't build any under 400cc bikes.

And who has a strong presence in "the industry" in Canada...

[Baz]

I would bet money that if you look very closely, the BC Government has also found a way to increase revenue with this. Increased insurance fees, increased licensing fees, oh and maybe some very expensive new rider stickers for ones helmet.