Small bike plates-worth it?
Discussion
I currently have a slightly smaller than legal bike number plate (about 11/2" shorter and narrower than legal)-it siuts the bike perfectly and does not look too small like the majority of plates in this area.(most have those 2"x9" type rectangular plates)but these guys seem to be getting away with using them-do they help make life difficult for speed cameras or are the pictures sharp enough for the plod to make the digits out clearly.
BliarOut said:
Well, it looks good. Most sports bikes are designed with a streamlined tail, and then this ruddy great big plate spoils it.
Add an undertray and it looks even worse. The size of the plate is designed around cars, not bikes.
Personal opinion, but I think big plates suck.
There's no doubt in my mind that my ZZR1200 would look infinitely better if it had no plate at all. But then I'd get pulled over and harangued by the Police every few minutes, and it would cost me lots of money. I've been pulled over for a chat twice already this year, without having done anything wrong, and with standard exhaust, plate and up to date tax disc. Why antagonise the situation for the sake of a slightly smaller number plate?
Fashion over function I suppose. Yes, you might get pulled occasionally, but that goes with being on a bike.
I don't ride at ballistic speeds, but I am certainly more relaxed with a small plate. I can spend my time looking at what I should be looking at, not for scammers.
Anything that lets me focus on riding is a good thing. It's personal choice at the end of the day. I like small plates, but they are not for everyone.
I know I am risking a fine and the aggro of a trip to the testing station, but on balance, that suits me.
I don't ride at ballistic speeds, but I am certainly more relaxed with a small plate. I can spend my time looking at what I should be looking at, not for scammers.
Anything that lets me focus on riding is a good thing. It's personal choice at the end of the day. I like small plates, but they are not for everyone.
I know I am risking a fine and the aggro of a trip to the testing station, but on balance, that suits me.
Got a ticket left on my bike - parked outside the g/f (now wifey)' flat - some years ago for an undersized plate. It was so marginally undersized I had not even noticed. It was on the bike when I got it (yes, honest) and so disgusted was I with this ticket that I went off to my local traffic division to get it checked. Officer used his little sizing gadget and agreed it was undersized, but the t/w issuing it must have been a t/w@.
Worst thing was this was just before Christmas and the little Yam was nicked from the same location just days later. I ended up paying a fine on a bike I no longer had.
I never bother with small plates for the simple reason they give the traffic boys a reason to pull you, "just for a chat". Legal(ish) as I am, I don't want to sit at the roadside when I would rather being doing something else.
Worst thing was this was just before Christmas and the little Yam was nicked from the same location just days later. I ended up paying a fine on a bike I no longer had.
I never bother with small plates for the simple reason they give the traffic boys a reason to pull you, "just for a chat". Legal(ish) as I am, I don't want to sit at the roadside when I would rather being doing something else.
Foreign plates are a good idea. So is a foreign language. I've known many a speeder get off because they couldn't speak English. Not usually worth a BiBs while to arrest under S25 PACE for a routine speeder. See, language classes at school can be useful! That said, just hope the BiB isn't fluent and blows you out!
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