Motorcycles and Sidecars | FACT SHEET Safety and Regulation Division PO Box 1 Walkerville SA 5081 Phone 1300 882 248 www.dtei.sa.gov.au MOTORCYCLES AND SIDECARS This Fact Sheet provides information on the requirements for motorcycles, and motorcycles with a sidecar fi tted. Motorcycles manufactured after July 1975 Braking Number plate position are built to comply Australian Design Rules A motorcycle is required to have both You are required to display a number (ADRs). These design rules cover various wheels braked, with each wheel having its plate on the rear of your motorcycle only. aspects of the motorcycle such as brakes, own independent control, or alternatively, The number plate must be positioned so noise, lighting etc. a single control operating both brakes. it is clearly visible at all angles. It is not Motorcycles that comply with the ADRs, If a single brake control is fi tted effective acceptable to mount it alongside the rear and were manufactured after October braking control must remain on at least one wheel. The number plate must be mounted 1977, are also fi tted with a compliance wheel if part of the system fails. It must also so that the bottom edge of the plate is plate. This plate is mounted to the include a warning light to indicate that a at least 300mm above ground level and motorcycle’s frame, usually in the head failure in the system has occurred. positioned so that every fi gure and letter of stem area. the registration number is upright. A motorcycle manufactured after June 1988 and fi tted with a sidecar, must be Noise fi tted with an effective park brake, applied If a motorcycle is certifi ed to comply The amount of noise a motorcycle can with the ADRs it must continue by mechanical means, that can hold the vehicle stationary on a 30% (16.7° from produce from the exhaust outlet depends to comply with those rules. If horizontal) gradient. The park brake must on the year it was manufactured. If it was modifi cations are being considered be independent from the service brakes. manufactured after February 1985, the you must ensure that the vehicle’s acceptable noise level is 94 dB(A), but if ADR compliance is not compromised Sidecars are not required to be fi tted with a manufactured prior to this date, then it is by the intended modifi cation. separate brake. 100 dB(A). Brake performance The noise level is tested with the engine Motorcycle manufacturers also market operating at a steady speed and, motorcycles designed specifi cally for A motorcycle or motorcycle with sidecar depending on the type of engine the off-road use and not intended for use on and/or trailer attached must be capable motorcycle has, the engine speed will be public roads. A motorcycle in this category, of stopping from a speed of 35 kilometres between 2500rpm and 3750rpm. manufactured after October 1977, is not per hour within 12.5 metres with one eligible for registration in South Australia, application of the service brake or brakes. Motorcycle dimensions if it is not fi tted with a compliance plate. Hydraulic brake hose and tubing The handlebars on a motorcycle must be mounted symmetrically and must extend However, under certain circumstances, All brake lines and hoses fi tted to a between 250mm and 450mm on each motorcycles not fi tted with a compliance motorcycle must be manufactured from the side of the centre line of the motorcycle, plate may be eligible for an exemption and correct material, be long enough to allow excluding a sidecar (if fi tted). full registration. full movement of the suspension and be positioned to avoid possible damage or For a motorcycle that has the head stem heat. as the steering pivot point, the horizontal Exemption from the fi tting of a distance measured from the mid-point compliance plate may be given for: All brake hoses (including braided brake between the head stem bearings to the hoses) must have permanent markings on • imported motorcycles that meet centre of the front wheel must not be more the hoses to enable identifi cation of the than 550mm. requirements of the Motor Vehicle hose and the manufacturing standard. Standards Act administered by the Commonwealth Department of Horn The maximum width of the Transport and Regional Services A motorcycle must be fi tted with a horn motorcycle must not exceed 1 metre. • one-off new construction or other audible warning device, but not a motorcycles siren, bell, exhaust whistle, compression If a sidecar is fi tted, the width of whistle or repeater horn. the motorcycle and sidecar cannot • motorcycles operated by primary exceed 1.85 metres. producers for agricultural purposes Anti-theft alarms are exempt from these requirements, providing the alarm cannot • ADR certifi ed motorcycles fi tted be operated with the ignition on. with a replacement frame, or if the compliance plate has been damaged or lost. MR 808 06/06 Motorcycles and Sidecars | FACT SHEET Motorcycles manufactured prior to A side or centre stand shall either: Chain guards July 1988 • automatically retract when the If your motorcycle has a chain fi nal drive The lowest part of the hand grip on the motorcycle is taken off the stand or to the rear wheel, the driver and any handle bars must not be higher than moved forward or, passenger must be protected from the 380mm above the attachment point of the front sprocket and at least the upper part handlebars to the motorcycle. • be connected so that the motorcycle of the chain. The protection can be either will not start or operate under its own the motorcycle frame and equipment or a Motorcycles manufactured after June power unless the stand is retracted, separate guard. 1988 or an audible and visible warning system that activates when the The guard must offer protection from the The height of the lowest part of the ignition is switched on. upper part of the chain to at least 300mm handgrip above the lowest part of the to the rear of the rearmost foot rest, or upper surface of the driver’s seat shall not to above the center of the rear drive exceed 380mm. For a motorcycle manufactured prior to sprocket. July 1988, there is no requirement for it Rear vision mirrors to be fi tted with a stand, although it is Lighting A motorcycle manufactured before July recommended. If your motorcycle was built before 1931 1975 must be fi tted with at least one rear and only used in daylight hours, or built If a sidecar is fi tted to your motorcycle vision mirror that allows the driver to clearly before 1946 and used mainly for exhibition there is no requirement for a stand see the road behind, and any following or purposes, it is not required to be fi tted with regardless of when the motorcycle was overtaking vehicle. lights or refl ectors. manufactured. A motorcycle manufactured after June For all other motorcycles the following Tyres 1975 must be fi tted with two rear vision applies: mirrors. Both mirrors must have be either Although there are a wide variety of tyres fl at or convex glass with the convex available you must ensure that the ones Headlamps mirrors having a radius of at least 1.2 fi tted to your motorcycle are the correct metres. These mirrors must be fi tted A motorcycle is required to be fi tted with at size and have the correct load and speed least one headlamp. symmetrically on the motorcycle and allow rating for your motorcycle. All tyres must the driver to clearly see the road behind, have a clearly visible tread pattern on all and any following or overtaking vehicle. parts of the tyre that normally come in If two or more headlamps are fi tted contact with the road and a minimum they must be mounted: Sidecar tread depth of at least 1.5mm. A sidecar must be attached to the left • in pairs at least 500mm from the hand side of the motorcycle. ground If your motorcycle is fi tted with tyres Towing marked ‘not for highway use’, or • centrally with one above the other or have a marking meaning the same, If you tow a trailer, ensure that the weight • side by side symmetrically about the of the trailer and load does not exceed it cannot be used on public roads centre-line of the motorcycle. the maximum towed weight specifi ed by or road related areas. Tyres cannot the manufacturer of the motorcycle. If the be fi tted with cleats or any other motorcycle manufacturer does not specify gripping devices that could cause The positioning of the light on your a towing capacity, the loaded mass of a damage to the road. motorcycle does not take into account a trailer must not exceed the unladen mass sidecar, if fi tted. of the motorcycle. It is recommended that you only fi t tyres If the motorcycle was manufactured after Footrests of the same size and specifi cations as 1934 and can travel above 60km/h, it must those originally fi tted by the motorcycle be fi tted with a headlamp or headlamps, Every motorcycle must be fi tted with manufacturer. with both high and low beam and a suitable footrests for the rider and if a mechanism to change them from one to seating position for a pillion passenger is Mudguards the other. Your motorcycle only requires provided, footrests must also be provided to be fi tted with a low beam light if it was A motorcycle must be fi tted with a front for the pillion passenger.