View Full Version : Tail Tidy - good or bad idea?
I wanted some advice as I was thinking of getting a tail tidy for my new Ninja 250R, which arrives on Friday \\:D/. However, have been advised by someone that it may be a reason to be stopped by the police. Has anyone had any experience being stopped by the police for having a tail tidy:confused:. I don't want to be a magnet for the police pulling me over all the time for having one although I do think they look better. All advice welcome :D
tail tidy will be fine........... just depends how small you go with the NO. plate
tail tidy will be fine........... just depends how small you go with the NO. plate
Thank you I will definitely try not to get a plate that is too small
fizzwheel
04-08-08, 08:33 PM
Tail tidy wont get you stopped. As Hovis says a to small a numberplate may do.
We've got 7 x 5 plates on all our bikes and never had a bit of bother because of it, so thats the smallest I'd recommend you go.
i have a 6x4 which i think is a bit small. i have not had any probs yet, as it was on when i got the bike
i agree with fizz 7x5 is probaly the smallest i would go, if i was going smaller
kwak zzr
04-08-08, 09:07 PM
new bike deliver'd on friday eh, same here hehe! get a tail tidy you know u want too.
I think there are some factors to consider in answering this. Some bikes really do crave a tail-tidy - the solution provided by the manufacturer is often an afterthought - certainly not conceived by the original designer. Take the SV K3 - a monstrosity of a snow-shovel that was curtailed somewhat for the K4+ models.
Looking at the Kwak 250R, then I can see why you're considering streamlining the parachute they've stuck to the back.
Consider that any tail tidy has to be tough to put up with the buffeting and strain of the wind and road surface that is transmitted through the plate and indicators - Hamicad learnt this the hard way in 2004 and did a massive recall and replacement exercise.
Also, not that it is a factor for a few years, but how easily does the tail tidy become "legal" to pass an MoT? You need to have a central reflector there too.
As for little number plates, I've had a scuffed 8x6 plate for years, and have never got any interest - and it's been passed over by at least 2 or 3 Rozzers. That's the smallest I'd like to go... 7x5 may not be a big difference, but in my experience, when you get pulled for one thing, they'll start making a list. 8x6 is perfectly neat, and if it were a 6 digit plate, rather than 8, it would be legal.
Jayneflakes
04-08-08, 10:57 PM
I wanted some advice as I was thinking of getting a tail tidy for my new Ninja 250R, which arrives on Friday \\:D/. However, have been advised by someone that it may be a reason to be stopped by the police. Has anyone had any experience being stopped by the police for having a tail tidy:confused:. I don't want to be a magnet for the police pulling me over all the time for having one although I do think they look better. All advice welcome :D
My bike has a tail tidy, but for the MOT, it had to have a reflector fitted. The shop stuck this onto the bottom corner of the number plate which is full legal size.
So I thinks, Silvie looks wonderful and I was happy until the first rain storm. I got road spray down my back that I would not have got if the original had been fitted. It is a minor setback for considerably better looks.
So yes, get a tail tidy and stick a reflector on your plate if you have to.
chakraist
04-08-08, 11:07 PM
Yep, and if you have the issue with being covered in crap, get a hugger and it should stop this quite a bit.
lukemillar
05-08-08, 01:11 AM
I actually got picked on for my tail tidy on my R6 by the police, but they didn't stop my for it. I had run out of petrol on the side of the M25 and was waiting for the RAC to turn up. Police rock up and just start giving me attitude. I was heading south and had just past the Brands turn off - Just hadn't been past a petrol station for miles. So, biker in need of assistance and all I get is sh!t.
I had a legal sized number plate and stock exhaust on so no dice there. One police officer tries to pick me up on my shredded tyres, like I had been thrashing it until I pointed out that I had been on a trackday the previous day. The only thing they could find was that my tail tidy didn't have a rear reflector on it. I was then informed that I could be given 3 points and a fine there and then! So, after a lot of condescending chat including how it was lucky I had called the RAC, because if not, then would have called national breakdown at a cost of 120 pounds to me! RAC eventaully turn up and the Police disappear, thank god. No points or fine
It really wound me up - And they wonder why people have no respect for the Police!
Anyway - back to the original thread - Tail tidy is perfectly legal, just remember to attach a rear reflector and the police can't do anything about it :thumbsup:
Yep, and if you have the issue with being covered in crap, get a hugger and it should stop this quite a bit.
Not true. A hugger covers the front part of the wheel and will deflect the spray that is flung forward covering the shock and riders feet.
It will have no effect on the spray that comes off the rear of the wheel, which usually goes over the number plate, tail of the bike, and into the eyes of the rider behind you. Take a look at the GS - there's an extra deflector on the rear wheel to prevent this.
, have been advised by someone that it may be a reason to be stopped by the police. Has anyone had any experience being stopped by the police for having a tail tidy:confused:.
No what iactually said was that if you get a small plate on it then you may be stopped and fined!! people really need to listen to what i say :rolleyes:.
A tail tidy is a good idea, I had one on the SV but not on the Kwak, mainly because no one makes one with indicators and rear light unit i like more . I cluld actually just cut dowm my one i have now if i wanted.
there are factors to think about though.
Good point:
Improves looks
Possible bad points:
No reflector, MOT fail!
If small plate on chance of a tug by the filth.
If it aint strong it will rip off at high speed( but concidering you are putting it on a 250 that wont be an issue)
Can standard indicators be fitted? If not using aftermarket ones may not have correct flash rate.
Good point:
Improves looks
Possible bad points:
No reflector, MOT fail!
If small plate on chance of a tug by the filth.
...
I'd go a bit further:
Good Points:
Improves looks
... that's it!Bad Points:
No reflector? MoT fail.
No number plate light? MoT fail and risk of being pulled at night.
They're rarely as sturdy as the original. A plate clattering around your back wheel isn't very friendly.
In wet weather, your ar$e will be sprayed!
Friends riding behind get no protection from spray, etc.
Standard indicators are reliable - after market ones often require frequent replacement (~ 12 months).So with that in mind... is it a "good" idea? :-k
I think I'd still fit one, but on the SV the Hamicad is now an excellent product - taking the stock plate light, indicators, and leaving room to fit a reflector. I've tried various undertrays and looked at other tail tidies, and most of the time they're rubbish - total waste of money.
I'd go a bit further:
Good Points:
Improves looks
... that's it!Bad Points:
No reflector? MoT fail.
No number plate light? MoT fail and risk of being pulled at night.
They're rarely as sturdy as the original. A plate clattering around your back wheel isn't very friendly.
In wet weather, your ar$e will be sprayed!
Friends riding behind get no protection from spray, etc.
Standard indicators are reliable - after market ones often require frequent replacement (~ 12 months).So with that in mind... is it a "good" idea? :-k
I think I'd still fit one, but on the SV the Hamicad is now an excellent product - taking the stock plate light, indicators, and leaving room to fit a reflector. I've tried various undertrays and looked at other tail tidies, and most of the time they're rubbish - total waste of money.
Thanks Bill, however, I have bought one now :rolleyes: ;)
Pimp Cat
07-08-08, 09:06 AM
So which tail tidy would people recomend for the SV? is it a direct replacement (a few bolts)? seen some people talking about having to move and cut things to get them to fit properly.
Cheers.
C.
Not having a rear reflector, does not get you 3 points and £60 fine. Its a £30 rectification notice. As is a small number plate.
Biker_Billy
08-08-08, 08:43 AM
I got my tail tidy from EvoTech (for the SV) and in the pack a stick on reflector was included. Had it MoT'd a couple of months ago, and quizzed the guy at the garage, and he said it a stick on one is fine, as long as it is centrally placed on the number-plate (at the bottom, obviously!)
Passed the MoT fine...
I got my tail tidy from EvoTech (for the SV) and in the pack a stick on reflector was included. Had it MoT'd a couple of months ago, and quizzed the guy at the garage, and he said it a stick on one is fine, as long as it is centrally placed on the number-plate (at the bottom, obviously!)
Passed the MoT fine...
Is that the dodgy red evotech branded sticker thats comes in the box? I couldnt figure out whether it was reflective or just a red sticker.
Biker_Billy
08-08-08, 10:33 AM
Is that the dodgy red evotech branded sticker thats comes in the box? I couldnt figure out whether it was reflective or just a red sticker.
Thats the one...
My old SV passed with a stick on reflector on the plate, wasn't even the "standard" red one, it was off the pedal of a push bike :smt042
As others have stated on the size of plates just go with a legal 7 x 5, still looks better than the bill board you'll already have....oh and make sure the letters are the right size ;)
I pleaded stupid when i got tugged :rolleyes:
Had a Tail tidy on my old SV650S K6 Sport and had a lot of trouble with it. The Standard number plate was very close to the back tyre, so I had a small number plate made and got done by the police also my back got covered in crap alot.
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