X9 Owners & Riders Club

Hi
Can you get a Tax Disc to put on your windscreen that is destroyed if somebody tries to nick it ?

Cheers

I have never heard of one.

Welcome to the forum, why don't you introduce yourself and let us know what you are riding (or hope to be riding).

I've given up on displaying my tax disk. I buy the thing but am not prepared to drill holes in my mudguard just to mount the ugly artefact.
Essentially, the PNC can determine if the vehicle is paid up on VEL, it makes it stupid having to have some visible token presence which has an ever decreasing benefit to anyone who might like to steal your rent off you.

Why not colour photocopy the original and put the copy on your bike and carry the original in your wallet.
The quality of print on photo paper from modern inkjets is barely distinguishable from the original.

Thats the one Larry thanks all.

I'm in the 3rd year of using one of these Police endorsed "tamper proof" tax disk holders. They are also sold at Halfrods. They are rectangular in shape, and I've found that the arrangement looks best (in my eyes) if trimmed into a circular shape (larger than the tax disk itself for obvious reasons).

Warning:

This summer I discovered that there is actually a thin film laminated to the back of the X9 screen (the adjustable screen 'plate', that is). And this film was pulled off by the (very) sticky backing of the tamper proof tax disk holder when I removed the expired tax disk. Hence I had to be careful to place this year's tax disk in precisely the same location on the screen so that the ripped/removed laminate film isn't visible.

So you may find this happens to you too after a couple of years of using this tax disk holder.

k.

I had my tax disc "borrowed" about three weeks before it ran out so when I got the new one
I laminated it in an A4 laminator and fastened it with clear tape behind the windscreen, low enough for the windscreen securing bolts to pierce the laminate. The disc now sits midway between the top two bolts on the windscreen
Now if they want it they will have tear it away but will not be able to tamper with it(as splitting the laminate will rip the surface of the disc)

rgds to all and thanks for your interesting inputs

JG

That's fine regarding law enforcement but try explaining it to traffic wardens.

BTW Intermod do you ever have anything positive to say?

I have the cheapo holder bent suitably to mount on the top windscreen bolt, left-hand side, close to and behind the screen.
It's dry there and not too easy to get at as far as unscrewing the front and removing the disc is concerned.
I don't want the statutory fine for not displaying a tax disc, thanks.

 :ph34r: :x9blu:

Because those who inspect it are trained to look at them and will fine you for displaying a fake disc which will run you into more trouble than not having a disc on the bike.

Who inspects them?
An original disc is barely legible after a few months in a holder on the nearside by the wheel where they legally ought to be displayed, but my copy lasts longer, can be replaced frequently and the details necessary for anyone with the authority to do a check remain clear to read.
It could be that in the major cities where contract parking wardens are used, they get a bit anal about such things, but in most counties a copy is accepted by the police, provided the original can be produced on demand along with your other documents.
After all how can you make a copy if you don't have an original? The offence of not displaying is a throwback to before a check could be made at the roadside when no disc usually meant no tax, or a forgery that looked authentic disguised an untaxed vehicle that couldn't be checked up on.

Derek, traffic wardens don't even look at bikes because there is no revenue to be made from them. 
Sometimes, but it depends on the cycle of my bipolar disorder. Incidentally, what else is it that I have said that has ground your gears? I've got what I think is a very positive solution to the tax disk problem, buy it and bolt it under your seat.

Hi

I have bought a Tamperproof one and attached it to the screen.

 :x9:

Beware of Kimik's warning about the screen coating though.

I used a colour scan and printout on my bikes over the years, never had a problem. The last one even had printed on it, something along the lines of: "Duplicate - Original can be produced if demanded by proper authorities."

Bifesafe police at the Ace suggest doing just that. Technically illegal, but it would take a pedantic official to bring any charge.

As an ex-cop I can only explain the law a little. It is an ofence to fail to display tax disc. However my ex-force and many others (all that I know of) do not prosecute for this offence. A simple pnc check on the streets will inform the cop if its taxed. Obviously some recently taxed vehicles may not show up then they take all details of vehicle location and owner and send them to dvlc for their information. Nowadays there is no "Grace" for renewal so these cases are rare. At the moment my tax disc is displayed only because its less than 1 yr old and tax is in plastic holder stuck to screen. When I renew it I'll stuff it under the seat as I normally do. for the last 5 yrs or so ther's not been a problem. If I'm stoped I can display it. Jut tell the cop thatyou've had them lost/stolen in the past and its a pain in the ar5e geting a renewal, as well as keeping the crime stats down.  PLEASE PLEASE do not think of photocopying it and putting the duplicte on display. the offences develop from motoring matters into serious crime and you could be arrested.

Thanks, Eric that seems a sensible thing to do.

Just a word of warning to those who have not taken their test - the examiner will want to see your tax disc ON YOUR BIKE.

The photocopy is OK (not a new offence) if it is marked as being a COPY.

Strictly speaking yes, but in under given background of tax fraud, displaying a replicated tax disk will lead to more scrutiny than displaying no disk at all.
Hopefully, we will soon look forward to not having to display these things at all in the future given ANPR and other logical methods.
Failure to display is technically an offence, but this would not be persued if a valid VEL was in existance.

If we want to be pedantic, the regulations say it should be visible from the kerb.  So stick the disc underneath the belly-pan on the RHS.  Get your eyeball down to kerb-level and it's visible.

And who cares if more scrutiny is used - if there's something up with my bike(s) I'd be very grateful to be told - what have you to hide?

I don't think we need go to those extremes, can we keep suggestions to a less 'precise' level, and use precision when needed, not just as a way of winding folk up?  Thanks.

For you that want a site to get the Secur-i-Disc holder, here is a site to look at: -
http://www.secur-i-disc.co.uk/how_to_order.htm

(http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/1146/02august0509.jpg) (http://img256.imageshack.us/i/02august0509.jpg/)
By durbanite (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/durbanite)

(http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/5427/03august0509.jpg) (http://img34.imageshack.us/i/03august0509.jpg/)
By durbanite (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/durbanite)

Why worry about sticking it on the screen? Mine was bolted onto the existing mudguard bolt by JT when I bought it. I also have had it on the rear wheel nut on  my previous X9.
Chris. :x9:

Funny, am I alone if finding this prominence given to the tax disc is offensive...?  <g> 

I keep mine in a soggy mass bolted next to the engine housing!

However, I just LOVED those mirrors....!   :)

I've just bought 2 Tamper Proof holders from my Post Office.  I had just bought my replacement yearly Tax disc.  The Tamper Proof holders cost me £2.90 for 2.
My bike has a tax disc under a clear sealed plastic cover on the windscreen.  It was fitted there when I bought the bike. There is only a bolt that holds the 'hugger' on, where I could fit an ordinary bike tax disc holder on the bike.  The thing would get well and truly covered in no time.
I was advised to buy this type of holder by the owner of my local bike accessories shop.
Any thief will walk away seeing that there'd be no money for them if the disc would be destroyed if they tried to remove it.
The Holder looks like durbanite's.

Sounds like an affordable solution but lets's not forget, the windshield is only attached to the bike with three countersunk socket cap screws.

Yes, a good point.  However, if someone is that desperate to steal the disc, I'd have to wonder if they were more interested in the windscreen, in which case the disc is superfluous.

I would hazard a guess and say that most disc thefts are done on the spur of the moment. 'They' see one, they weigh up how easy it would be to steal and whether there would be any money in the process for them after getting the disc.  The tamper proof disc carries the warning.

In answer to the using and placing said tamper-proof holder, I have placed this in the same area as I have seen on several Hog's in Swindon. I like the idea that it is clearly seen, that it also affords me the comfort that the thief has to remove 3 hex type screws and take the screen off costing them time in doing so. Compared to the usual One screw contain the tax disc holder, if they attempt to extract said documentation to change/falsify particulars thereon to their gain, I have the pleasure in knowing that I have at least done something about making it a deterant in the fact that the document will be severely damaged and of NO USE to them. Hey guys, every one to their own...I sleep well at night ! 

I don't display my tax disc on my GP800.  It is worth GBP66 (36.30 for six months).

It is available for immediate inspection.

Valid arguments to LEO's and courts have been posted here before.

Food for thought: -
A). I am a motorcyclist and I am worried about my tax disc being stolen. I display a photocopy and keep the original in my wallet in case I am stopped. Is this OK?
No. Firstly, you are not allowed to take copies of a tax disc and to display it and secondly, the law states that you must have a valid tax disc displayed towards the front of your vehicle. Although theft of a tax disc is a common problem, the obligation is upon the vehicle user to secure the tax disc, rather than display a copy.

B). The law does state that an offence is committed for not displaying the disc....


Quote:
33.—(1) A person is guilty of an offence if—

(a) he uses, or keeps, on a public road a vehicle in respect of
which vehicle excise duty is chargeable, and

(b) there is not fixed to and exhibited on the vehicle in the
manner prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State a
licence for, or in respect of, the vehicle which is for the time being
in force. 

Like I have said, every one to their own

Displaying a copy with the intention to mislead is a very serious offence under current legislation.

However displaying a copy with "COPY" written over it is normally quite OK with the Plod here.  As is no tax disc at all - but traffic wardens can get shirty about it, and don't try it in Westmonster.

I feel they will steal it no matter what, its the mentality of the dross of society were breeding unfortunately, often just for the sake of it.

Exactly Jim, if you mark it as a copy it isn't a disc so you are guilty of not displaying (a four figure fine), and if it is a copy and not marked as such it is obviously a forgery intended to deceive and caries a custodial sentence. Obviously these are maximum penalties, but having a disc stolen is far less of a penalty!

As local authorities now have powers to remove and crush vehicles not displaying legal tax (including vehicles off road) showing an obvious copy is a very dangerous ploy.

Hm.. vehicles off-road, so how about the bag of bits in my garage that might one day become a bike again?  I don't think so somehow - MAG and BMF have this one nailed - and the whole SORN thing is shown to be a sham.

The legal definition of Motor Vehicle means the vehicle has to be a vehicle, and mechanically propelled.

To be a vehicle it needs to be capable of conveying people or objects.

To be mechanically propelled it probably has to not be in bits in boxes.

My understanding is the law changed last September specifically to stop people parking unregistered,  untaxed and unsorned vehicles on private land that didn't belong to them without the law or private individual having any redress.

The legal definition, for the purpose of vehicle excise, as to whether a road or piece of land is private or not revolves around whether or not the cost of its upkeep is met out of the public purse. If course a SORN declaration is still needed in order to keep a vehicle on private land or a private road. The DVLA could therefore seek a presecution for failing to declare, but I can't see that they, the police or local authority would have the power to steal it and vandalise it as they can now do if it were on the public road.       

Certainly it was a proposal which I had assumed had become law (it was meant to come in last September) -it might not have done for some reason.

I was told about this by DVLA when I tried to report an untaxed vehicle that regulalry blocked access to our garage.

Having spent my working life in the law, all I can add is that, whatever view someone has about an aspect of the law, there will be 100 lawyers, ready, willing and ABLE to chew you into pieces.  In the small Welsh market town of Welshpool, there is a building which has been used as a court for many years.  There is a painting on a wall in the building.  The picture shows 2 farmers pulling at a cow from either end, each clearly claiming it for themselves.  Beneath the cow are 2 lawyers, milking it!!! :whistle: