Whats legal and whats not for a say 2012 on bike? thinking of selling the T160 chop and getting something more comfortable for me and the wife, but i know i will not be able to leave it alone and will have to personalize it, so need to know just how far a can go, i presume that if the bike came with whatever fitted it will have to remain similar but can you swap things out like, bars, exhausts, lights, mudguards indicators etc etc?
Different insurance companies allow different things, higher rated headlight bulbs? Means you can go faster at night, accident risk! Etc etc Check with the insurance company is best
Thanks but its not the insurance side i am asking about, its just what can be changed on newer bikes ie if it has indicators do they have to be kept, and if so can they be changed, same goes for other parts.
What you can change is a very Grey area indeed ! It depends on location where you live , here in Australia there's a blanket rule, don't modify anything that the manufacturer doesn't support or supply the parts for ! So even a headlamp upgrade from 60 to 70 watt globe is "technically" illegal ! Although there is no specific Law against this, the vehicle is supposed to be and stay standard !!! But what the individual can't see or detect is something else ? You will have to consider each individual modification and ask advice on them ! Seats , handle bars , foot pegs are ok as the bike must have them and for the most part they are rated "cosmetic" changes, no "performance" affected ! But engine and lighting are regulated to some extent in every country....!
As far as I know you can do what you like but must have a rear reflector and a electrically operated horn, exhausts are down to the discretion of the MOT inspector but must not be marked "not for road use" if they are grind off the "not". Found this online so haven't read it through but may help http://www.motuk.com/bike/manual.asp
If your not worried about the insurance side then you can swap anything out and it comes down to the discretion of the mot station, not for road use stamped exhausts are probably a no no but cover that up and it should be fine. Loud exhausts are discretionary. Tail tidies, led lights brakes, you can chop the arse end off and as long as it’s got lights and number plate it should be fine
Thanks guys, just wasn't sure if any of the new changes have affected what can be done, i know an oil leak from a car is an instant fail, good thing the Trident is Tax and MOT exempt now, although i do know they use their discretion. Are all modern bikes tested for emissions these days or is that only EFI?
Bikes are not tested for emissions at MOT. So you can take off all the bits that make them EU reg compliant.
There's no annual vehicle inspection in Western Australia but the Police can put you off the road ! Until you get your vehicle tested/inspected after they defected it ! The Police sometimes abuse this authority and harrass young drivers , but Hey itsi all a learning process !
I guess anything like performance upgrades need to be consulted as per countries Upgrades such as carbon accessories, levers, rearsets etc should be ok providing you are covered through insurance Just my two cents
Why don't modern bikes include the reflector in the light? Seems silly to have both doesn't it? Or is it just being safe?
