The Best Restricted A2 Licence Bikes (2022)

The A2 licence allows anyone from age 19 to ride a bike up to 47 bhp. Some models fall straight into this category but others can be restricted, potentially offering better long term value.

Read more about the A2 licence, check out all of A2 restricted models in the choosing tool or the top 10 non-restricted A2 bikes.

What Is It?

Most adventure bikes look, shall we say, uninspiring but the V85 TT is a retro work of art. It isn't super powerful but has bags of character and all the modern equipment you would expect.

For 2021 it gets improved low end torque, lighter tubeless wheels and Sport / Custom ride modes.

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Key Specs

• RRP: £11,200
• Engine: V-Twin
• Capacity: 853 cc
• Power: 79 bhp / 59 kW
• Top Speed: 110 mph / 177 km/h
• Economy: 55 mpg / 5.1 L/100km
• Range: 280 miles / 451 km
• Seat Height: 830 mm / 32.7 inches
• Wet Weight: 229 kg / 505 pounds
• Power to Weight: 0.345 bhp/kg

What Is It?

It's new for 2020 and draws its styling from the popular S1000XR adventure bike however the F900XR can be purchased in a 95 bhp form, slightly lower than the 103 bhp standard version, which can then be restricted for the A2 licence.

The bike is full of features like a large TFT dash, adjustable screen, traction control and LED lighting. Then the huge options list can be used to make it a fully featured adventure bike with items such as electronic suspension, cornering lights, keyless start, a quickshifter and even a clever SOS system.

Between the features you can add and the ability to de-restrict it once you have a full licence it represents a solid do everything bike without the need to keep changing up.

BMW F900XR For Sale →

Key Specs

• RRP: £9,830
• Engine: Parallel Twin
• Capacity: 895 cc
• Power: 103 bhp / 77 kW
• Top Speed: 150 mph / 241 km/h
• Economy: 50 mpg / 5.6 L/100km
• Range: 170 miles / 274 km
• Seat Height: 825 mm / 32.5 inches
• Wet Weight: 219 kg / 483 pounds
• Power to Weight: 0.470 bhp/kg

What Is It?

Continuing with the adventure theme the 2018 BMW F850GS is well worth a look, however with only 94 bhp on tap it's probably best suited to one up riding.

Using the options catalogue you can spec it up to have all the features of the big adventure bikes, including a 6.5" TFT dash, LED lighting and dynamic electric suspension but without the massive weight.

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Key Specs

• Launch RRP: £10,185
• Engine: Parallel Twin
• Capacity: 853 cc
• Power: 94 bhp / 70 kW
• Top Speed: 140 mph / 225 km/h
• Economy: 50 mpg / 5.6 L/100km
• Range: 160 miles / 257 km
• Seat Height: 860 mm / 33.9 inches
• Wet Weight: 229 kg / 505 pounds
• Power to Weight: 0.410 bhp/kg

What Is It?

The much anticipated off-road version of the uber popular MT-07 features a stacked LED headlight, bash plate, Brembo brakes, handguards, long travel suspension, a flat seat, custom LCD dash and new tubular frame to hold the engine.

It turned out to be so popular that Yamaha introduced the £10,450 Rally Edition in 2020 with a special paint job and most of the parts catalogue.

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Key Specs

• RRP: £9,500
• Engine: Parallel Twin
• Capacity: 689 cc
• Power: 72 bhp / 54 kW
• Top Speed: 100 mph / 161 km/h
• Economy: 60 mpg / 4.7 L/100km
• Range: 210 miles / 338 km
• Seat Height: 880 mm / 34.6 inches
• Wet Weight: 205 kg / 452 pounds
• Power to Weight: 0.351 bhp/kg

What Is It?

The original 2016 Triumph Street Twin had a classic retro look and was super learner friendly with a low 750 mm seat, although not the lightest bike out there. It has quite a following and owners love them.

For 2019 it gained 10 bhp, a Brembo front caliper, better fork, ride modes, an improved seat with more padding and cool machined wheels. For 2020 it simply gets a more comfortable seat, new wheel design and a 1,000 unit limited edition Gold Line model with hand painted gold detailing.

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Key Specs

• RRP: £8,200
• Engine: Parallel Twin
• Capacity: 900 cc
• Power: 64 bhp / 48 kW
• Top Speed: 110 mph / 177 km/h
• Economy: 60 mpg / 4.7 L/100km
• Range: 160 miles / 257 km
• Seat Height: 765 mm / 30.1 inches
• Wet Weight: 216 kg / 476 pounds

GEAR & ACCESSORIES

Protection and Tail Tidies

Helmets

Jackets

Boots

Gloves

Jeans

What Is It?

New for 2019, it's definitely a looker and features some of the best sculpted pipes we've seen on a mid-range model, not to mention the exhaust which is nicely tucked up under the bike rather than a Euro 4 monster sticking out the side.

With 94 bhp on tap once de-restricted it's pretty much all the bike you need for the road and should definitely be on your shortlist. They also do a sports version with a more aggressive riding position in the CBR650R.

For 2021 it gains Euro 5 compliance, a new 41 mm Showa Separate Function Big Piston fork, an improved LCD dash, USB-C socket under seat and the front mudguard is now colour coded.

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Key Specs

• RRP: £7,300
• Engine: Inline Four
• Capacity: 649 cc
• Power: 94 bhp / 70 kW
• Top Speed: 145 mph / 233 km/h
• Economy: 50 mpg / 5.6 L/100km
• Range: 170 miles / 274 km
• Seat Height: 810 mm / 31.9 inches
• Wet Weight: 202 kg / 445 pounds
• Power to Weight: 0.465 bhp/kg

What Is It?

Yamaha's middleweight naked needs no introduction and over 125,000 have been sold so far. For 2021 they have made a few Euro 5 tweaks, upgraded the front brakes, updated the dash, made the LED indicators standard and added a single LED headlight.

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Key Specs

• RRP: £6,900
• Engine: Parallel Twin
• Capacity: 689 cc
• Power: 72 bhp / 55 kW
• Top Speed: 120 mph / 193 km/h
• Economy: 55 mpg / 5.1 L/100km
• Range: 170 miles / 274 km
• Seat Height: 805 mm / 31.7 inches
• Wet Weight: 184 kg / 406 pounds
• Power to Weight: 0.391 bhp/kg
  

What Is It?

The Trident 660 is essentially an entry level Street Triple with a trendy retro vibe, designed to take on the likes of the Honda CB650R and Yamaha XSR700.

While it lacks some niceties like cornering ABS it does have all the essentials like a mini TFT dash insert, LED lighting, ride modes, decent brakes and plenty of customisation potential.

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Key Specs

• RRP: £7,195
• Engine: Triple
• Capacity: 660 cc
• Power: 80 bhp / 60 kW
• Top Speed: 105 mph / 169 km/h
• Economy: 50 mpg / 5.6 L/100km
• Range: 150 miles / 241 km
• Seat Height: 805 mm / 31.7 inches
• Wet Weight: 189 kg / 417 pounds
• Power to Weight: 0.423 bhp/kg

What Is It?

The V7 has been slowly evolving since 2008 and is very much about the way it looks and sounds, with quite a following and plenty of customisation options.

It's also a little bit special because the engine is mounted at 90° to most other V-Twin bikes, ensuring you'll stand out wherever you go and the shaft drive means easy maintenance.

For 2021 the 4th generation uses the new 853 cc engine from the V85 TT, detuned to suit the style of the V7 but still with 14 bhp more power on tap and 22% more torque. It also gets a wider rear wheel, comfier seat, improved rear shocks and full LED lighting.

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Key Specs

• RRP: £8,000
• Engine: V-Twin
• Capacity: 853 cc
• Power: 65 bhp / 48 kW
• Top Speed: 100 mph / 161 km/h
• Economy: 55 mpg / 5.1 L/100km
• Range: 250 miles / 402 km
• Seat Height: 780 mm / 30.7 inches
• Dry Weight: 218 kg / 481 pounds

What Is It?

A2 cruisers are somewhat rare but their low seat height and laid back riding position can be very beginner friendly. The Kawasaki Vulcan looks great, is available in a number of different flavours, loads of colours and there are plenty around to choose from. Owners really rate them.

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Key Specs

• RRP: £6,700
• Engine: Parallel Twin
• Capacity: 649 cc
• Power: 60 bhp / 45 kW
• Top Speed: 120 mph / 193 km/h
• Economy: 50 mpg / 5.6 L/100km
• Range: 150 miles / 241 km
• Seat Height: 705 mm / 27.8 inches
• Wet Weight: 229 kg / 505 pounds
• Power to Weight: 0.262 bhp/kg

Want To See More Bikes Like This?

Head over to the Choose & Compare Tool to see them all.

How Did We Rank Our Top Ten?

We looked at all of the A2 restricted bikes you can buy new and picked the top contenders for each type taking into account style, power, technology and value for money.