Legal or not?

[Bikeaholic]

Given that the law is different for each individual country, can anyone advise on the legality of my Pipes and number plate for the UK and where I would stand if I were to take my Bike abroad.

1) My Staintunes are not marked with anything else but "Made in Australia". Are they legal for use on the public road if they pass the noise test or do they need to carry some sort of mark like the kite marks.

2) I hated the size of my number plate and I've cut it down in size just leaving about 1.5cm between the letters and the edge of the plate. As I've only got 3 Letters/Numbers across the top (V60 RST), there was a lot of empty space.

Advise would be most welcome, just don't tell the plod.

[nitrofly]

I always thought plastic tanks were illegal for road use in the UK. So how come the Futura is sold there with the same plastic tank we get here in the states?

Or am I completely talking bollox and plastic tanks are legal in the UK too?

[BossBob2]

Your staintunes need a mark ...... available for £5 in MCN which is then riveted or stuck on the pipes ......... after all reference to "for race use only" has fallen off, so to speak ;)

Number plate laws changed on 01/01/03 ...
I don't know all the details, but it wasn't good.
Ask at the bike show, probably your best bet.

Tanks must be ok in plastic, as they will have had to get the bike approved, tho I've never thought about it really :rolleyes:

[PaulZX9R]

Technically speaking, the Staintunes are not legal for use on the road in the UK because of the absence of the kite mark/BSI/EU stamp, but then the same could be said for the OEM exhaust. Neither would get you pulled in the UK or the rest of Europe, but your plate will. If plod really wants to do you, he will find cause. If your plates are non-standard, which is obvious to any-body who knows plates, then plod will want to know why.

I would suggest you live with the standard plates, and you should be fine with the pipe.

Plod through out Europe tend to respect national differences. If something is allowed in your own country, but not theirs (unless there is a crackdown) they they will usually tolerate it. Again, though, try not to give them an obvious reason to want to talk to you, like non-standard plates for example!

[Bikeaholic]

ZX9er,

What is a standard UK plate in your opinion? Appart from the obvious black on yellow, the last I heard was that the size, typeface and spacing of the lettering are the only criteria applied. I've not touched any of these I simply reduced the overall size of the thing.

Will plod want to speak to me anyway?

[PaulZX9R]

You can get the details from
www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/...ements.htm (http://www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/regmarks/reg_marks_current_requirements.htm)
but the rule of thumb is that if you have done anything at all with or to the plate, then it is non-standard. Anybody who spends all day looking at reg-plates can spot a non-standard one a mile away.

[wanna futura]

Personally, I'm with PaulZX9R. Number plates are so "in the face" of the Old Bill that they aren't worth messing with. Once pulled, they'll have a look at those pipes, find that technically illegal rear tyre (you hadn't realised), the out of date tax disc (you hadn't got round to it), etc. Also, if your bike is "legal at a distance", you're less likely to get pulled for a minor offence like crossing a white line a couple of inches.

With number plate recognition technology becoming increasing important for traffic policing (speeding and traffic flow (TrafficMaster)), state revenue generation (road tax, customs, congestion charging) and general policing and anti-terrorism (thanks Osama), it'll only become more of an issue. Take ACPO's recent announcement on front number plates for bikes, for example.

OK, your question wasn't about the UK, but whilst you're far less lightly to get interest from foreign police on these sort issues, IMHO it just ain't worth the risk of the hassle whilst trying to chill on holiday in a foreign land, in a foreign language with foreign rules.


Now, to totally contradict myself on being "legal at a distance"....dark visors!

I've never paid much attention to them in the past, but while my newish Roof Diversion helmet has truely excellent anti-mist performance, sun glasses underneath will bizarrely mist up on every exhale. The only answer I can think of is a dark visor. What about actual policing attitudes on these in the UK and Europe??

[Bikeaholic]

Nice link ZX9er thanks.

Character Height 64mm (check)
Character Width 44mm (check)
Character Stroke 10mm (check)
Space between characters 10mm (check)
Space between groups 30mm (check)
Top, side & bottom margin 11mm (check)
Space between vertical lines 13mm (check)

Overall size not specified so I should be OK but might just carry a copy of the requirements just in case.

wanna, I see your point but sadly for me the massive plate really touched a sore point as in my opinion it totally spoilt the look. And I don't see why I should carry an advertisement for the dealer.

[PaulZX9R]

Ok Bikeaholic, sounds like your plate is standard, but ask yourself, does it <em>look</em> standard. If it does, I am sure you will be fine, but if it comes down to your opinion against a plod, he will simply look for something else to do you for.