Law on numberplate visibility?

[Albigularis]

I was looking at some options for moving the plate on my bike, and after over tightening some stuff, I need to replace the undertray.

I've been looking at moving the plate further in the bike, sort of like this-

https://www.sportbikes.net/forums/attachments/general-sportbikes/138838d1191031609-new-bike-07-600rr-long-but-pics-1krr05small.jpg

On my bike, I can do that with a full size plate and it still seems fairly visible from behind- mock up jammed in with a cloth -

https://i.imgur.com/G5bLH81.jpg

What's the legality of doing this? It's still easily visible from behind as normal, even at an angle, as the pillion pegs aren't on and the exhaust hangar goes back a fair bit.

I had a search and couldn't really find much other than this-

[wr6133]

How visible is it when sat in a 4X4 and tailgating the bike? (I'd imagine that would be PC pric's reasoning when stopping you).

[Albigularis]

From what I can gather, plenty. The tail is at such a steep angle and so high that you'd definitely be able to see into it from behind.

https://i.imgur.com/v64sKnb.jpg
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[binge]

Pretty sure it's stated that a number plate must be mounted as near to the back of the vehicle, and as vertically as possible.

You could argue that (once tail tidy replaced etc) that the new location IS as far back as possible.

But then they will go down the 'modified and now not fit for purpose' route.

In reality, you'll probably be fine. I've ran smaller plates in more stupid positions.
But now and then, you will come across a Traffic Cop that'll have you for it.
Very unlikely to get trouble from your usual PC plod.

Used to run mine on the YZF450 in the same place. Never had any issues.
But then again, I would never have stopped to talk to a copper on it anyway. Nearest field, and see ya!


https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/545024_10151326754225606_1525150236_n.jpg?oh=5168e7fb7f7a51e510574f805d762def&oe=5616675E

[CaNsA]

I would think about the amount of travel the swing arm has.
You don't want to be damaging your hugger or the undertray.


N30 didn't get too much hassle IIRC, got stopped a few times but nothing major.

https://i.imgur.com/K6rMwE8.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/29eLlPJ.jpg

[Teflon-Mike]

Wording is 'Rear' of the vehicle... Competition regs tend to use the wheel-axles as datums, so I'd suggest that anything in-front of the front axle was 'front' anything behind the back axle 'rear' and anything between, 'the middle'... so a rear-number plate mounted in-front of the back wheel, I think could pretty much be construed as a contravention of C&U regs as not being mounted at the rear, or even as close as practically possible to the 'rear', before any debate over whether its 'clearly visible'!

Bottom line, really is,do you want to give a half clued up cop an excuse to pull you over for a closer look, at that and anything and everything else? And then do you REALLY want to have the debate with him over the matter, when you already know that at best it's 'contentious'. And what's the gain in the mean-time? Dubious aesthetic merit?

Just mho, but I don't see much point in handing plod my licence on a 'plate'. Dangle a regulation sized and spaced one under the tail-lamp where they expect it and avoid the contention, and make them work to catch you committing a real crime if your prepared to do the time.
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[Rogerborg]

'Sup.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2001/561/regulation/5/made

[defblade]

[delsol]

[Ste]

You can only put your plate as hidden as possible under the (twisted?) subframe if you're cool enough. By having your plate like that you're letting everyone else know just how cool you are.

Post your cool stories, pictures and videos on facebook pitbike pages and sites such as 125ccsportsbikes.com because they'll be much more impressed than BCF.

Who knows, if you post enough photos, youtube videos and cool stories, you can pimp yourself to get discounted bike parts from companies.

Because you had to ask if it's legal to have your plate like that, you're clearly not cool enough and never will be.

[The Artist]

No one remember IIN30II's old plates?

https://i.imgur.com/88DHfiC.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/NpZXwXi.jpg

[CaNsA]

[The Artist]

[CaNsA]

[69.9mph]

[ADSrox0r]

Nah, pointless. Just gives plod an excuse to finger you if he's feeling mardy.
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Current bikes: '08 VFR 800 VTEC(yo) , '07 ZZR1400 Winter hack: '95 Aprilia 650 Pegaso Currently lusting after: RC30

[ReadySalted]

I don't really get why you'd want to do it. I put the whole small number plate thing on the same level as kids with fiat puntos who drop the suspension, or put alpine stickers on the doors. To the reader of max power it may look like you're Rossi on your day off, but to most other road users I think it would give the impression of being a knobber.

At risk of offending a large population of the bcf community, I have never really understood small plates. From what I gather they leave you open to points and fines for such little aesthetic gain (and even an aesthetic gain is debatable).

Having said that, it takes all sorts. I'm probably the guy you wheelie past thinking what a pussy, so each to his own.

[Motorhate]

The first thing a cop will pull you over for if he wants to is an irregular number plate. They're terrible for it round my way. Traffic cops are the worst and I've seen them get tape measures out to measure the height of letters and numbers on mine. They're also pedantic about the font too for some reason. Italics and fancy fonts are a no-no as they reckon it messes with speed cameras and average speed cameras. Also, a lot of mates have gotten away with using black rear number plates on relatively new bikes but I've never been that lucky so just don't use them. I think some of the photos above wouldn't last 5 mins around some pedantic traffic cop.

Saying that, I rode over 300miles with no number plate as it came off when I removed the cover from the bike once.
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[Joncrete Cungle]

To me having your plate mounted like that screams out 'PLEASE WARRANTED CUNTSTUBBLE MISERYCHOPS PULL ME OVER FORTHWITH' while the fine warranted constable goes over everything with a fine tooth comb, thrice. I have seen more than once rozzers measuring number plates, the size of the fonts and the spacing. Then going on to such kitten genocidal crimes as tinted visors and fruity exhausts.

Much ticket writing bad. But yer pays yer money yer takes yer chances, let us know how you get on.