Used A2 Motorcycle: the 35 kW Limit and How to Choose

Anyone holding an Italian A2 licence who goes looking for a used motorcycle faces a problem other buyers do not: not every bike on sale is legal to ride. The limit is not engine size but power, and a wrong choice means buying a bike you cannot use or paying for a restriction you did not plan for. This guide explains the A2 rules, how to check on the registration document that a bike is eligible, and which kinds of used bikes are worth a look [1][2][3].

The A2 limits: 35 kW and 0.2 kW/kg

The A2 category covers motorcycles with a maximum power of 35 kW, about 47.6 hp, and a power-to-weight ratio of no more than 0.2 kW/kg. There is no displacement limit: only power counts [1][3]. You can get it from age 18, with a theory and a practical exam; the theory exam is waived if you already hold an A1 [2].

The power-to-weight rule has a practical consequence that is often missed: a 35 kW bike must weigh at least 175 kg (35 divided by 0.2). An ultra-light 35 kW naked bike below that weight is not eligible, even though its power fits the cap [2].

Restricted bikes: the 70 kW ceiling

Many used bikes suitable for A2 riders are restricted versions of more powerful models. The rule is clear: the bike's original power cannot exceed 70 kW. A bike born with 90 kW cannot be reduced to 35 kW for A2 use, even if the restriction is technically feasible [1][2][3].

To check, look at the homologation data on the Documento Unico rather than trusting the listing: ask to see the entries that state power and any restriction [1]. A bike sold as A2-suitable without that showing in the paperwork is a risk, because in a roadside check what counts is what is written on the document.

Native A2 or restricted?

Used A2-legal bikes fall into two families. The first is restricted bikes: in past years many models were sold with a kit that cut power. One trade guide lists the Yamaha MT-03 and MT-07, Honda CB500F, Aprilia Dorsoduro 750, BMW F 800 R and others as examples [2]. The upside is choice and price; the downside is that a restricted bike was not designed for that limit. InMoto notes that older A2 bikes were often versions of more powerful machines, with oversized chassis and extra weight that hurt handling, and power delivery that was not always well balanced [3].

The second family is native A2 bikes, designed from the start around the 35 kW limit, with optimised engines, low weight, gearing set to use all the power and suspension suited to less experienced riders [3]. InMoto names the Aprilia Tuono 457, KTM 390 Duke, Honda CB500 Hornet and Benelli TRK 502 X among them [3]. The newest ones are sold new or nearly new; on the used market you will mostly find earlier generations, such as the 300-400 cc bikes of a few years ago.

As a rule, for a first bike a native A2 or an inherently moderate machine is often more fun than a restricted one: it uses all of its 35 kW instead of being choked.

Scooters and maxi-scooters on an A2

The A2 also covers scooters: maxi-scooters of 250-400 cc homologated at around 35 kW are rideable and suit both city and ring-road use [1]. Here again the criterion is kW: always check the homologated power in the documents, not the commercial name. As an alternative to the A2, drivers who already hold a B licence can consider a 125 scooter under the so-called deroga 125, better suited to urban trips, whereas the A2 pays off for longer journeys and larger machines [1].

What to check on a used A2 bike

Beyond licence compatibility, the usual used-bike checks apply, with a few extra points:

• Paperwork: power and any restriction entries on the Documento Unico, matching frame number, PRA search free of liens or mortgages.
• Restriction status: ask whether the kit is original and was registered, and whether the bike was later returned to full power. A bike returned to full power is no longer A2-eligible.
• Beginner wear: look at footpegs, levers, side fairings and exhaust ends. Low-speed drops are common on bikes owned by new riders.
• Tyres and brakes: the DOT code on the tyres and the state of pads and discs are always bargaining chips.
• Test ride: the bike should feel balanced even at 35 kW, without torque holes after the restriction.

Budget and ownership transfer

Budgets for a used A2 bike run from small 300-400 cc machines of a few years ago to more recent nakeds: a trade guide put models such as the Suzuki Gladius 650 and Ducati Monster 695 under 7,000 euros back in 2019, but prices move and you should compare with current listings [2]. Always add the ownership transfer and insurance: third-party cover for a new rider is often the heaviest cost, so get quotes before deciding.

After the A2: moving up to the A licence

After two years on the A2 you can move up to the A with a practical exam on a bike of at least 40 kW; someone who took the A2 at 18 can therefore reach the A at 20, while direct access to the A is possible at 24 [4]. Procedures can change through ministerial decrees, so before planning the upgrade check the Ministry of Transport website [1]. If you plan to move up soon, choose a bike that will hold its value once the limit is gone, because a restriction can only be removed if the bike allows it.

Final checklist

1. Homologated power of 35 kW at most and a weight that respects 0.2 kW/kg.
2. If restricted, original power no higher than 70 kW, with entries on the Documento Unico.
3. A native A2 beats a restricted bike if the budget allows.
4. Standard checks: PRA, frame number, tyres, brakes, crash wear.
5. Get an insurance quote before buying.

On the A2 there is no shortage of choice, but every listing must be read with the kW figure and the registration document in hand: that way you can look for your first bike on VendiVoce knowing what to ask.

Further reading

1. Automobilista.it, Cosa puoi guidare con la patente A2 nel 2026 tra moto e scooter (29 June 2026).
2. ComparaSemplice, Moto guidabili con patente A2: i modelli migliori (19 August 2019).
3. InMoto, Moto patente A2 native: come sono cambiate le proposte per chi inizia (26 November 2025).
4. Il Giornale Digitale, Patente A2: cosa posso guidare, moto, costo (7 April 2026).