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View Full Version : Pillion grab rail - legal requirement?

JimmP
19-07-13, 05:02 PM
Is it a legal requirement to have a pillion grab rail on the back?

Mine is looking a bit battered and bruised and for aesthtic reasons i was thinking of removing it. I know pillion foot pegs are a requirement but was unsure about grab rails
stuR
19-07-13, 05:59 PM
Neither are requirement, as long as you dont carry a pillion.
Mark_h
19-07-13, 07:32 PM
Not entirely sure you ever legally need a pillion rail.
DarrenSV650S
19-07-13, 07:47 PM
You don't need the grab rail unless it is fitted as standard as a replacement for the pegs. You can't remove the pegs without a seat cowl fitted.
stuR
19-07-13, 08:56 PM
You can remove the pegs whenever you want, i know someone with a bike thats had them taken off and brackets ground off and its fine for mot, you just arent allowed a pillion.
Kenzie
20-07-13, 06:53 AM
If you have twin seats, or a seat capable of carrying two (like a DR400 or similar) then you need rear pegs. Wife's old DT failed the mot for no pegs as it was still capable of carrying two as it has a twin seat. Not sure about the grab rail thing though.
stuR
20-07-13, 07:03 AM
His seat could fit a pillion (with a small ****)
K1600
20-07-13, 10:34 AM
My sons YZF125R has had the rear seat & pegs removed & passed MOT no problem also when pulled by police they went over the bike but no mention of the pegs missing, as for the grab rail no requirement needed
Milky Bar Kid
20-07-13, 10:42 AM
Resident plumber here. The rule of thumb to go by with construction and use law and things is "If it's there, it needs to work" therefore if you have a second seat, the pegs should be there.

However, I don't think a grab rail is a requirement. You can take a pillion without a grab rail.
DarrenSV650S
20-07-13, 11:10 AM
You can remove the pegs whenever you want, i know someone with a bike thats had them taken off and brackets ground off and its fine for mot, you just arent allowed a pillion.

Some testers are more lenient than others. If you look up the mot rules, you do need them if a pillion seat is there
LewSpeight
20-07-13, 12:23 PM
am i right in thinking if you remove the grab rail, you cant attach the passenger seat anyway because it slots under the grabrail bracket?
Steve_God
20-07-13, 12:59 PM
I've had my SV bike go through MOTs on several occasions with the grab rail off and double seat on.
Matt-EUC
20-07-13, 01:36 PM
If there is a seat there you need pegs. Grab rail is not necessary AFAIK.
stuR
20-07-13, 03:06 PM
Then it depends on how you define a pillion seat. If its two seperate seats like a sports bike then yes i can see them saying that, but if its a dual seat like my cb500 then i would say it wouldnt be a problem imo
BoltonSte
21-07-13, 07:13 AM
am i right in thinking if you remove the grab rail, you cant attach the passenger seat anyway because it slots under the grabrail bracket?

not on a curvy