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Published: 10 October 2023Updated: 10 October 2023
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Bikes are usually well-designed and stylish but the one area that often lets them down is around the rear number plate and mudguard, where clumsy fenders and overlarge hangers often clutter up the otherwise sleek lines of a bike’s rear end. A component that helps with this are tail tidies.
A tail tidy is a relatively easy way to replaces those bulky items with a minimalist alternative, but one that still retains all the vital components. But what’s currently available? How much do they cost? And what do you get for your money?
Here’s our current pick of some of the best tail tidies.
Related: Best motorcycle suspension upgrades and tools
Price: £34.95
Price: £34.95
This British-made tail tidy is by J-Tech and is purpose-made for Yamaha's popular MT-07 roadster (although a large range of other fitments is also available) has a durable and stylish matt black powder coating finish and comes with a triple micro-LED number-plate lights. It promises easy fitting with no need to cut any wiring and accommodates the original indicators.
Pros
- Model-specific for perfect fit
- Easy to fit
- Good value
Cons
- Retains standard indicators
Price: 29.99
Price: 29.99
Not specifically a tail tidy; this is more a lightweight, more minimal replacement for the existing number plate hanger, so as such does much of the same job. It's a universal fit, although that can make it a little trickier to get correctly lined up, has a lightweight aluminium construction, a hinged number plate bracket and adjustable indicator mounts.
Pros
- Universal fitment
- Good price
- Neat design
Cons
- Can be tricky to fit
Price: £88.26
Price: £88.26
Another quality, British-made tail tidy, this time by leading, highly-respected brand R&G. This one's specific to the 2012 Honda Fireblade but, again, R&G does specific designs for most leading models. It's high-quality, sturdy, pleasingly minimalist yet retains the original indicators for convenience.
Pros
- High quality
- Classy design
- Easy to fit
Cons
- More expensive than many
Price: 12.99
Price: 12.99
Another simple and cheap way of improving the look of the back end of your bike without going to the expense and complexity of a tail tidy including repositioned indicators etc. This replacement is in light alloy and is compatible with the undertrays of most bikes. The holder also has mounting points suitable for indicators and is adjustable to fit all sizes of numberplate.
Pros
- Good price
- Universal fit
- Simple design
Cons
- Less 'bespoke' than a bike-specific tail tidy
Evotech is the Rolls-Royce of tail tidies with bespoke, ultra-lightweight and minimalist, CNC-machined aluminium designs this one for Yamaha's XSR700 retro roadster but again, a wide variety of designs and fitments are available.
Pros
- High quality
- Low weight
- 12-month warranty
Cons
- Pricier than most
Most tail tidies are model specific but this multi-adjustable, CNC aluminium version fits most motorcycles, although, by being so, some minor modifications may be required to your machine during fitting.
Pros
- Universal fit
- Good value
- Eight different colours
Cons
- Less easy to get a good fit
Price: 62.99
Price: 62.99
Another example of a quality, R&G Racing tail tidy, this time for a Suzuki GSX-R600 or 750 and this time, from Sportsbikeshop. As before, it's a quality item from a respected brand, is quick and easy to install and has a built-in number plate light.
Pros
- Quality construction
- Reputable brand
- Easy to fit
Cons
- Not as cheap as some
Another of the more affordable but bespoke tail tidies is this example for Yamaha's MT-07 again, a wide range of fitments is available by more budget brand Xitomer. It's made from 3mm aluminium with a black powder-coated finish, again uses the original indicators and comes complete with an LED number plate light.
Pros
- Easy to fit
- Good value
- simple, clean design
Cons
- Less well-known brand
- Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us.
By Jim Blackstock
Product Tester for MCN and sister publication RiDE Magazine - Jim began riding motorcycles in the late 1980s while working in an automotive repair garage after earning a Mechanical Engineering degree. Initially, he used bikes for practical purposes but later shifted to cars, starting a publishing career in the early 1990s focused on car modifications and product testing. After a stint in PR and Marketing for major motorsport teams and events, Jim returned to publishing and joined RiDE Magazine in 2017 as a Production Editor. His expertise in product testing soon led him to oversee the magazine’s product content. Rediscovering his love for motorcycles, Jim earned his license through the Direct Access process and now enjoys riding his KTM 790 Adventure across various terrains.
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