Is it law to have mirrors??

[Jonesy01]

Can anyone tell me whether it is law to have mirrors on a bike?

The reason I ask is that the upper fairing on my NC30 has broken off around the screen stay taking a chunk of fairing with it and the mirrors mount here so was thinking of doing a repair but leaving the mirrors off as I don't want to put it under more strain once fixed!
Any ideas??

Cheers
Tim

[zimm]

dont think its law ... i've certainly ridden bikes without mirrors in the past and not been pulled for it.

s'quite scary though, didn't realise how much i used them till they weren't there.

[1990nc30]

No i'ts not law, but as zimm says it is quite scary and you realise how much you actually use them when their not there.

[viper_biker]

It is not law to have them, however you must blank off the holes where mirrors go. Same applies for indicators. These are not a legal requirement so long as the switch-gear has been disabled and the indicator switch removed (but you have to use hand signals if you are turning)

[zimm]

Same applies for indicators. These are not a legal requirement so long as the switch-gear has been disabled and the indicator switch removed (but you have to use hand signals if you are turning)

every bike manufactured after 1988 must have indicators fitted and working if they were fitted by the manufacturer.

according to my MOT bloke, who seems pretty clued up on most things, whilst not being a "jobsworth"

[viper_biker]

every bike manufactured after 1988 must have indicators fitted and working if they were fitted by the manufacturer.

according to my MOT bloke, who seems pretty clued up on most things, whilst not being a "jobsworth"

Consider myself educated. I wasn't aware of that.

[zimm]

what you said applies for older stuff, and/or stuff that just never had any.

daytime MOT is the other way round not having them.

[fastdruid]

From http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual/mc_contents.htm and specifically from http://www.motuk.co.uk/mcmanual_150.htm

1.5 Direction Indicators

This inspection applies to: all machines except those which either have no front or rear position lamps or have such lamps permanently disconnected, painted over or masked that are:
. only used during daylight hours, and
. not used at times of seriously reduced visibility

If this situation occurs the machine presenter should be issued with a VT32 (advisory notice) recording the above.

Exceptions

If direction indicators are fitted they must meet the requirements of this inspection, but need not be fitted to a machine which:
. cannot exceed 30mph / 50kph, or
. was first used before 1 August 1986, or
. 'off road' machines which are designed to carry only the rider.
. 'off road' machines with side car designed to carry the rider and one passenger in the side car.

off road machines are constructed or adapted primarily for use off roads (whether by reason of its tyres, suspension, ground clearance or otherwise).

So basically if it has head and tail lights and is newer than 1986 then it has to have working indicators.

Druid

[Carlos]

Jusr fix it properly amigo, plenty of good systems out there (plastex etc). If you value your life then value your mirrors, small as they may be they can save it.

[Jonesy01]

Thanks for all the input peeps!
I think I'll keep the mirrors after all the advice, there are too many idiots out there!! :D