A used A2 motorcycle with a questionable restriction
Lena is 19 and has an A2 licence. She is looking at a used 2018 motorcycle advertised as A2-compatible. The registration certificate states 35 kW, but the seller says the engine is a 689 cc unit that was 'restricted by software' and can be unlocked to 55 kW by a dealer. The odometer shows 28,000 km. The front tyre has DOT 2013 moulded into the sidewall, 1.8 mm tread in the centre and cracks in the sidewall; the rear tyre has 3 mm. Chain slack measured at 45 mm, and the brake fluid reservoir is dark. The asking price is DKK 42,000, and the seller offers a 'fresh service' after purchase. Lena plans to ride it home 60 km on the motorway.
1. Is the motorcycle legal for Lena to ride as presented, and what documents should she check before buying?
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An A2 motorcycle must not exceed 35 kW and must not exceed 0.2 kW/kg. The registration certificate showing 35 kW is a good start, but the restriction must be an approved and registered modification, not simply a software setting that the seller describes verbally. If the bike can be unlocked to 55 kW, then in unlocked form it is an A3 motorcycle and Lena may not ride it. Riding a motorcycle that does not match the licence class can invalidate insurance and lead to penalties. She should ask for the certificate of conformity, the restriction documentation from the dealer or importer, the registration certificate, and evidence that the registered power matches the physical machine. She should check the VIN on the frame against the documents, confirm that the seller is the registered owner, and get a written statement of the restriction. If the seller cannot produce this, she should walk away.
2. Which of the listed defects make the motorcycle unsuitable or unsafe to ride 60 km home, and why?
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The front tyre is the most serious item. A 1.8 mm tread depth is above the Danish motorcycle minimum of 1.0 mm, but the DOT 2013 date means the tyre is about 12 years old, and sidewall cracks indicate aged, degraded rubber. Age and cracking matter more than the remaining tread because the carcass and rubber compound lose strength and grip. The chain slack of 45 mm is likely well outside the manufacturer's specification, which is commonly around 20-30 mm; an over-slack chain can jump the sprocket, damage the swingarm or lock the rear wheel. Dark brake fluid suggests moisture contamination and a brake service is overdue. The rear tyre at 3 mm is legal but should be checked for age and damage. The combination is not suitable for a 60 km motorway ride. The bike should be transported by trailer or repaired and inspected before riding.
3. What should Lena do before and after purchase to protect herself legally and mechanically?
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Before purchase she should have the motorcycle inspected by a qualified mechanic, with the restriction documentation checked against the registration certificate. She should verify the VIN, service history, accident damage, fork seals, brake pads, wheel bearings and electrical system. She should ask for the registration certificate and confirm that the seller has clear title. She should get an insurance quote using the exact registration number and stated power, and confirm that the policy covers her as an A2 rider. She should not accept a verbal promise that the bike 'can be restricted later'. After purchase she should transfer the registration, take out liability insurance before riding, and budget for new tyres, chain and sprockets, brake fluid and a full service. The 'fresh service' offer after purchase is not a substitute for an independent inspection, and she should not ride the bike home on the motorway until the defects are corrected.