Registration / Number Plates - Flexible or Rigid

[RD.]

Registration / Number Plates - Flexible or Rigid and which size is best for a trail / enduro bike?



From past experience, when I had my black Ducati 1098s, I rode my bike to Germany several times so had a 7" x 5" rigid plate made with the blue section on the left and "GB" in a circle of European Stars. Bottom line is, I got stopped by two bike cops who lectured me about it.

My Husqvarna TE 450 needs a new plate because the 4" Sq flexible plate on it at the moment, fitted by the previous owner is a piss take.

So taking in to consideration the nature of my TE 450...........

Flexible or Rigid?

Size?

I'm considering a flexible 8" x 6" with the blue section on the left and "GB" in a circle of European Stars or just go for a legal bus sized rigid plate and some duct tape and Super Glue for when I fall off and break the plate.

On my 2010 GSA I'm not bothered about the huge plate, it fits well and in keeping on a huge elephant sized bike but the Husky plate is far too small and encourages the authorities to stop me so has to be changed.

Regards,

Rich.

 

[Giles]

The problem with number plates is that they either conform or they don't. Period. Some laws (offences) are open to interpretation and some are absolute.

So if you stick a 'non legal' plate on, you're far better off getting one that doesn't take the piss. By and large you'll probably get left alone if the numbers and letters can still be read at the required twenty odd metres even though it's strictly illegal.

Stick a letterbox number plate on yer R1 and you will get stopped.

Getting stopped for a slightly dodgy plate is always a lottery - some cops will stick to the letter of the law and some (many) will look at the big picture and ask them selves is it taking the piss?

You can get legal sized flexi plates.

Hope that helps !!

 

[paintman]

My TE 630 still sports the standard legal plate as fitted when new, to be fair the mounting to the rear mudguard has a degree of flexibility, never the less I have dropped the bike many times and as yet no problem at all.

 

[Losttheplot]

There's a place in the back of TBM that advertise flexi "show" plates.

I've had one on the XC since new, and no problems. Mine is a legal size plate, but has been trimmed around the outside to reduce it in size.

IMHO rigid plates on a dirt bike are a waste of time. It only takes the plate to clip the back wheel, or get hit by a stone and it's history.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I use an alloy rigid ones, in the smaller size with smaller digits both on my XR and XChallenge

Homemade by me and I bought a stock of alloy yellow plates in various sizes and a selection of numbers before they all went obsolete from the old traditional bike shops

Never had a problem, on the road or at MOT time

 

[DollyRocket]

I have one that would be deemed illegal by the force. It is one that is shaped to the back mudguard of the KTM. Full size one lasted 2 hrs, the next one I put on lasted 2 riding days. Went to a smaller flexi one, lasted 2 months but left it on as I got fed up buying new plates.

Not too bad as I dont really ride it on the road, mainly events now only. But as Giles says, I would get a tap on the shoulder to rectify if I was pulled over because of it (if not a fine), I do attached a larger counterpart over the top if I know I am doing a lot of road work. But, Having a plate that is legible and attached to the vehicle is better than not having one.

 

[Timpo]

It takes a brave rider (or daft) to take an illegal plate in to North Wales at present, the cops are keen......

 

[r100/7]

i would run a full size metal plate if you can find them for sale.

 

[Timpo]

i would run a full size metal plate if you can find them for sale.

Last year there was a guy at some of the steam rallies that had a plate press, and was knocking out car sized square plates, but he did not do pressed bike plates with 44mmx64mm letters.

I have no idea who does the pressed plates for bikes nowadays.....

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Always used to get a local guy who did vynal wrap for cars and buildings to make mine up

 

[RD.]

Thank you all for your advice and opinions.

I overestimated the size of the postage stamp type registration plate on my bike, it is actually 3.5" Square - Stretching the law and police patience to extremes me thinks!!

My bike now has an 8" x 6" flexible plate (fleabay) with plain clear font, not sure if font and letter sizing are legal but it looks legal. I shall measure the numbers and letters to see if they measure up to Timpo's sizes above. The plate looks ok, if not a tad big.
Only one annoying thing is that it vibrates when the bike engine is running.