Is using a bike cover legal if it's parked on the road?

[Milo]

Looks like my XJ900'll have to stay outside over the winter, and without any off road parking it'll have to be parked at the end of a close.
A bike cover will offer enough protection from the elements but surely if it covers the numberplate and tax disc (and rear reflector?)it'll be illigal?

Any info much appreciated.

cheers
Adam
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Shaft drives rule.

[Silver]

I doubt it - you're allowed to protect your bike from the elements. If a policeman really wants to look at the bike who's going to stop him removing the cover?

[NickD]

I did it for years, and never had any problems.
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I was only doing what it said on my licence officer....
Tear along the dotted line!

[Milo]

[NickD]

It marks threads that you have posted in.
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I was only doing what it said on my licence officer....
Tear along the dotted line!

[Milo]

[Silver]

[quote="Milo] That's tampering with evidence isn't it?[/quote]

Evidence of what? As long as the cover isn't tied/locked down I don't see anything wrong with them looking, from a legal point of view.

[Rob]

That's the same sort of idea as parking on a pavement and covering your numberplate with a bag. The traffic wardens aren't (currently) allowed to remove it, so I assume that would be the same with a bike cover?
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Love is 1050cc

[Davo]

[tgabber]

[Rob]

Yes, I think you are right. When parked on a public highway you have to have a valid road tax. Does it have to be displayed?
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Love is 1050cc

[Milo]

[tgabber]

Securely afixing a highly visible notice to the cover along the lines of

"The registration number of this motorcycle is: XXXXXX and the tax disc is valid until XXXXX. Permission is granted to anyone who legally requires to verify the tax disc or numberplate of this bike to remove this cover, provided always that the cover is replaced in a weatherproof state after any such verification."

ought to provide enough legal confusion to protect you.

If you do opt for something like this, just make sure you have a dated photograph of the covered bike with your notice afixed.
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"It's all about dislocating expectation"
Kawasaki KMX125 -> Aprilia RS125 -> Kawasaki ZZR600

[Milo]

Problem is in this area that's just asking for the kids to lift it up and nick the cover.
They'd probably nick it anyway so i'd probably be locking it down somehow.

Alternatively anyone got any garage or driveway space I could use for a few months over winter?
I'd need access to it every now and then for a motorway trek.

Oh, and I'm in Coulsdon.
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Shaft drives rule.

[Ste]

The traffic wardens are not allowed to move anything you put over your tax disc or number. But if they do, what are you going to do? "Officer, I parked my bike on the road illegal as it didn't have a number plate shown and this traffic warden removed the bag I put over the plate to stop me getting a ticket!!" Traffic warden removed tape I'd stuck over my plate and there is nothing you can do, well not unless you want to get done for not having a number plate.

[Bendy]

[Demonic69]

Tie the cover down, lock it if need be. Have a word with a warden and explain what you're doing and why. Then just write your reg on the back, if they really really need to they can trace your reg and contact you.
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Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.