A2 Motorbike Insurance

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  • Insurance for 47bhp and under
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A2 Motorbike Insurance

Discover cheap insurance for your A2 licence bike.

If you’re an A2 licence holder and currently restricted to riding an A2 bike – whether it’s a motorcycle that fits into the A2 category from the factory, or has been restricted in order to comply with A2 regulations, you’re going to need A2 motorbike insurance.

A2 motorcycle insurance

At Biker Insure, you can compare 25+ of the best FCA regulated bike insurance brokers in the UK, helping A2 bike licence holders to find cheap insurance deals for their A2 motorcycles.

Discover cheap A2 licence insurance by comparing quotes today:

What is an A2 motorbike licence?

An A2 motorbike licence is the type of motorcycle licence you will need in order to legally ride an A2 motorcycle. Riders need to be 19 years or older and are restricted on this license type to 47bhp machines and under. The A2 license sits between the A1 “light motorcycle” licence class, and the fully fledged category A motorcycle licence.

If you hold an A2 motorbike license, you will be able to take the full category A motorcycle test once you reach 21 years of age and have held your A2 license for 2 years.

This is the only way for riders who are under 24 years old to access the full, unrestricted category A motorcycle licence and is known as progressive, rather than direct access.

How to get an A2 motorcycle license

To obtain an A2 motorcycle license, you must first be over 19 years of age. If you are 16 or over, you can only ride a moped. If you are over 17, you can also obtain a “light motorcycle” – or A1 bike license.

If you’ve already passed your A1 test and held the A1 license for over 2 years, you can go straight for the two-part practical A2 test. If you pass 19 and have had an A1 license for less than two years, you’ll also need a valid theory test certificate.

Otherwise, you’ll need a provisional license with motorcycle entitlement, and have passed the CBT and theory test.

The A2 test is taken on a bike of at least 245cc and between 20kW and 35kW (27-47 bhp). It comprises of two modules:

Module 1 - off road test (usually takes 20 minutes) - Done off the road (at a testing centre). Contains slow and high-speed manoeuvring, cornering, slalom and a figure of 8, plus controlled and emergency stops. You will need to demonstrate wheeling the motorcycle and using a stand. It’s about proving that you have proper control over the bike.

Module 2 – Road test examination (usually takes 40 minutes) - You will be followed by an examiner who will be in radio contact with you issuing directions and instructions.

You’ll ride in various road conditions (excluding motorways) and will be asked to perform normal stops, hill starts and angled starts. You will then be assessed for 10 minutes of independent riding, which is designed to assess if you can ride safely and make your own decisions.

You’ll also have to undertake an eyesight test, and answer ‘show me, tell me’ motorcycle safety questions.

Module two of the A2 bike test must be passed within 6 months of module one.

You can donwload a useful flow chart from the DVSA on how to get your A2 motorcycle licence here: A2 motorcycle licence flow chart.

What is an A2 motorcycle, and what bikes can I ride with an A2 licence?

Once you have passed your A2 bike test, you can legally ride any bike up to a maximum power of 47bhp, or 35kW.

In addition, the motorcycle must also not have a power to weight ratio exceeding 0.26bhp/Kg (0.2kw/Kg) – or put another way, a full 47bhp machine must weigh more than 175kg

You can either ride one of the many numerous machines that fit into the A2 category direct from the factory, typically small/middleweight machines such as a Kawasaki Ninja 400, KTM 390 Duke, Yamaha MT-03 and Honda CBR500r, or choose to restrict a more powerful bike to comply with A2 regulations.

If you go down the restriction route, it’s important to know that the original machine must not have produced more than 94bhp (70Kw) from the factory. You couldn’t, for example, restrict a Ducati Panigale superbike to 47bhp (or more accurately if you could, it wouldn’t comply with A2 regulations and you’d be riding illegally and uninsured).

Some motorcycle manufacturers also produce 94bhp versions of more powerful bikes direct from the factory, which can then be restricted further to satisfy the A2 requirements. Examples include Suzuki’s GSX-S950 – a sleeved down GSX-S1000, BMW’s F900XR (A2) and Triumph’s Street Triple 660 S. The power of these factory detuned bikes then needs to be halved by an additional restrictor kit.

A2 classification and motorcycle insurance

It is your responsibility to ensure your bike fully complies with A2 regulations before insuring your motorcycle and taking to the road. Your insurance could be invalid if you’re involved in an incident and your bike is not fully A2 compliant.

How much is A2 motorcycle insurance?

Because the range of motorcycles that can potentially be ridden on an A2 license is really quite vast, the same factors apply as with insurance for any motorcycle - no matter which licensing category it falls into.

Bike insurance brokers calculate their quotes based on numerous factors, including your personal information and the bike you ride.

Because all riders have different circumstances and no A2 compliant bike models are the same, your insurance quote is very particular and unique to you. There are no hard and fast rules that can be applied to decide which is the cheapest A2 bike to insure.

To find the right A2 bike insurance for you and your bike, it can pay to use a comparison service like Biker Insure. Because 25+ A2 motorcycle insurance quotes are compared, you'll increase your chances of finding the cheapest A2 bike insurance for your individual circumstances.

See how much you could save - get an A2 motorbike insurance quote today:

A2 motorcycle insurance FAQ's

Is A2 classed as a full motorbike licence

An A2 bike licence, along with the A1 and A licences, are all all classed as "full" licences. The power output and engine size will depend on which UK motorbike test you have taken. When comparing A2 motorbike insurance, select the "Full UK motorcycle" option when asked what kind of licence you have.

Can I ride a 600cc on an A2 motorcycle license?

The A2 licence doesn't place a limit on engine capacity per se - it's restrictions are based on power, and power to weight ratios.

Most (but not all) bikes over 600cc will produce more power than the 47bhp A2 limit. Some 600cc and above bikes can be restricted, but they mustn't have produced more than 94bhp when new. Many bike manufacturers now produce lower power versions of existing larger capacity bikes, but they still need restricting in order to fit in with the A2 licence rules.

You can buy older bikes over 600cc that didn't naturally produce more than 94bhp when new, and fit a restrictor kit.

So yes - you can ride a bike over 600cc on an A2 licence, as long as it's compliant with the A2 regulations.

Can I do my A2 test without a CBT?

You will need to complete a CBT (and hold a valid theory test certificate) before you can do your A2 test, unless you have held a full A1 licence for more than two years.

Is an A2 licence worth it?

If you pass the A2 test when you're 19, you'll be able to access the category A motorcycle licence at the age of 21. Bikers looking to take the unrestricted test must usually be 24 or over, so it's a speedier way to full motorcycling freedom.

That said, plently of fun can be had on an A2 compliant machine. Not only will you learn the skills necessary for your future motorcycling adventures, but you'll be more likely to keep your licence intact via an apprenticeship on a lower powered bike. You'll also have a chance to build up your valuable insurance no claims bonus - which could save you money on insurance when/if you graduate to the category A motorcycle licence.

Can I ride a 1000cc on an A2 licence?

In principle, yes if the 1000cc bike didn't produce over 94bhp from the factory, has been restricted down to 47 bhp, and doesn't exceed the power to weight ratio of 0.26bhp/Kg (0.2kw/Kg).

In practice, most modern era 1000cc bikes produce way over 94bhp. There are however a few exceptions such as the sleeved down Suzuki GSX-S950 and BMW’s F900XR (A2). Both these bikes are approaching 1000cc but are designed not to exceed 94bhp from the factory.

What is the maximum BHP for A2?

An A2 licence compliant motorbike must make no more than 47bhp, or 35Kw.

What is the fastest A2 motorcycle?

When tested by MCN in their 2024 shootout, the Aprilia RS457 was fastest of the current crop of A2 sportsbikes, topping out at 114mph. The fastest 0-60 time was achieved by the Kawasaki Ninja 500, at 4.9 seconds.

Can you go on the motorway and carry passengers with an A2 licence?

A2 licence holders are free to ride on UK motorways and carry pillion passengers (remember to include pillion cover on your insurance!)

Not riding on an A2 bike licence? Don't worry, you can compare motorcycle insurance for all licence types at Biker Insure. Whether you're riding with a full class A motorcycle licence, or have an A2, A1, moped (AM) or provisional licence - Biker Insure can help.