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 . 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. 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

tail tidy will be fine........... just depends how small you go with the NO. plate

Originally Posted by hovis

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]

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

new bike deliver'd on friday eh, same here hehe! get a tail tidy you know u want too.

[BillyC]

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]

Originally Posted by foxyinleather

I wanted some advice as I was thinking of getting a tail tidy for my new Ninja 250R, which arrives on Friday . 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. 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

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.

Yep, and if you have the issue with being covered in crap, get a hugger and it should stop this quite a bit.

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