View Full Version : Registration Plates
Okay, this is a tiring subject, especially when you consider the number of times it has been discussed on the forum over the years. However, please forgive me if I raise it just one more time!
Riding through the roadworks in Fulham last night, due to a particularly harsh lump in the road, and the poor quality of French design put into my Ermax undertray - my spinning tyre and registration plate got intimate.
The experience sheered the plastic bolts right out of the plate, which was then revolved around the tyre into the swingarm :?
Anyway, the plate was looking pretty sorry for itself anyway, so it's time to get a new one. However, I just can't be bothered to dig out my registration documents, and prove who I am just to get another one :evil:
So... MalPlates have revamped their site. Someone's obviously told them that the show-plates cannot even remotely resemble a legal plate, and they've removed the standard option for a 9"x7". If you want it, you have to specify it as bespoke.
So the next closest is 8"x6"... is that close enough? I've always thought 9x7 is too big, but have little sympathy for those with stupidly small plates.
So what does everyone think?
MarkyBoy
19-08-05, 09:57 AM
Billy,
Have just got mine from eBay, cant recommend them highly enough, choice of size, slogan, border etc all at a set price of £9.95 including P&P!!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MOTOR-BIKE-NUMBER-PLATES-7-45_W0QQitemZ7993173644QQcategoryZ9946QQssPageNameZ WDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
you can get a 9x7, 8x6 or I have just got a 7x5, standard legal font and spacing etc, so basically a legal looking plate just a little smaller
9x7 is just WAY too big
I think you're unlikely to be pulled for an 8x6 but don't have a border or the euro logo on it otherwise Malplates reduce the size of the lettering drastically (like mine, you can check it out later).
.
WelshWop
19-08-05, 10:01 AM
When i bought my bike it had been fitted with a 7x3 plate. I left it on but was soon fined for it by the plod. I went to my local numberplate shop, i asked how small i could go legaly, and was told 8x6 was ok. So thats what i went with, and to date, ive had no trouble from the plob at all.
MarkyBoy - sounds good, what's the quality like? How long did they take the deliver?
Jonboy - agreed, borders, graphics and stuff have no place on a plate. Would only be looking for a blank plate, perhaps with a small caption at the bottom to associate with the site. 8)
MarkyBoy
19-08-05, 10:26 AM
Billy,
quality is very good as far as I can see (tho im not a number plate specialist!) basically I paid on a tuesday, it was made and despatched on wednesday and I received it on thursday, not bad if you ask me!
Hooligan
19-08-05, 11:56 AM
I always get bothered with the plod round here. I have a 6 x 4 on and they keep trying to do me for a small plate. But in fact the MOT manual said that if the plate is visible more than 15ft away it is legal. The police dont seem to grasp this, so now ive got a photocopy ov the manual to show them.
The MOT is the law of the roads and the police are there to enforce the law. The MOT makes the rules up not the police, so when i get pulled and get a defect or something i update them on the law and show them the manual which says it is fit for the road if it is visible for 15ft away and they seem to let me off till the next one decideds he has a case, then i shoot them down in flames also. I wish they would go for drink drivers instead of petty No:- plate cases.
Jelster
19-08-05, 12:06 PM
. But in fact the MOT manual said that if the plate is visible more than 15ft away it is legal. The police dont seem to grasp this, so now ive got a photocopy ov the manual to show them.
The MOT is the law of the roads and the police are there to enforce the law.
The DVLA are responsible for number plate and their rule (not guidlines) are pretty specific:
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles/regmarks/reg_marks_current_requirements.htm
The page includes a section on "The Law"...
The law states that,
* You must not alter, rearrange or misrepresent the letters or numbers
* Characters must not be moved from one group to the other (e.g. A242 ABC must not be displayed as A242A BC).
Offences may result in any or all of the following:
* A fine of up to £1,000
* The registration mark may be WITHDRAWN
* The vehicle may FAIL the MOT test
Full details of the requirements are included in The Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks) Regulations 2001
Anyways, I ran a 6x4 on the GSXR without any problem. It's a case of being realistic... Get pulled and behave like a **** and they'll do you for the plate. I got stopped twice and the plate was never mentioned.
.
Hooligan
19-08-05, 12:11 PM
I think the police, MOT and DVLA need to get their heads together then. Cos the MOT is the gaffer who decides which rules are which, hence MOT time, the DVLA issue the registration No:- and your license and the plod are the jobs worthys trying to knick you on false information. I can get my bike MOTd and passed with a small plate on, because the manual says that i can.
Thats my opinion anyways.
Great link, will be ordering one from them
:notworthy:
But these refer to the character sizes not the plate size!
I think the police, MOT and DVLA need to get their heads together then. Cos the MOT is the gaffer who decides which rules are which, hence MOT time, the DVLA issue the registration No:- and your license and the plod are the jobs worthys trying to knick you on false information. I can get my bike MOTd and passed with a small plate on, because the manual says that i can.
Thats my opinion anyways.
It's true there is almost a complete lack of correlation between the authorities. The same thing applies to cans; the police now have one set of rules, the MOT testers another. So if it goes to court it's anybody's guess as to what the outcome will be.
.
Hooligan
19-08-05, 12:44 PM
Thats very true Jonboy. Lack of communication. Exhausts can pass there MOT if it isnt marked with "Not For Road Use" or "Racing Use Only". It doesnt matter about DB's for the MOT either just as long as it doesnt say the above. I have a straight through pipe on mine with no markings on it and it passes, but once again, Mr Plod comes along and tries to do you even tho your bikes road legal.
Jelster
19-08-05, 01:20 PM
But these refer to the character sizes not the plate size!
Yes, with the minimum spaces between them.... If you get a calculator you can work it out
.
Yes, with the minimum spaces between them.... If you get a calculator you can work it out
.
Yes of course you can, What I meant was the discussion started with should it be 9*7, 8*6 or 7*5 etc when acrtually the legal requirement is not about the size of the plate but the size of the characters and spacing. So as long as that requirement is met it doen't matter waht size the actual plate is!
I've had to cut my plate to the minimum because the plate rubs against the wheel, now some might argue that my plate is not a "regular size", but the characters and spacing are which is what matters.
Either way, I've ordered an 8x6 plate from the CheapestPlates people... they dealt with me by email, giving me examples of what I asked for until it was right - arranged payment via PayPal - all done and dusted - superb!
is 8x6 legal ? i know 8x6.5 is for 6 digits.......
is 8x6 legal ? i know 8x6.5 is for 6 digits.......
Oh shut up... we've just been through this ;)
Serious question.... I don't wanna pay an extra fiver just cos of 1/2 an inch if it doesn't matter
Wow... ordered Friday.. delivered Saturday :D
MarkyBoy
22-08-05, 08:29 AM
Billy are you happy with it?
bronzegod
24-08-05, 05:01 PM
Hi Guys
just for info, i just received my plate from these lot on ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Motorcycle-Number-Plates-Next-day-delivery-included_W0QQitemZ7995362271QQcategoryZ25632QQrdZ1 QQcmdZViewItem
Service was good and you can basically have what you want. It was £12 and thats inc free next day delivery. I am well chuffed with the plate that i got particularly with the background suzuki logo. I got an 8 x 6 but i think that it is possible and i will be ordering a 7 x 5 and have no problems at all. I guess its just a case of don't take the p155 and the law will go and catch some real criminals and leave the likes of us alone.
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