To L plate or not to L plate...

[jared]

yay or nay? Personally I don't use it but I'm wondering if I'm in the majority or not here...

[Dirty Heathen]

Had my bike about 3 days no L plate.

I don't have one becuase I am not going to do 70km on the main road the way I look at it if i do 100km with L plate I am more likely a cop going notice and do me for speeding.

I live rural so I go on a busy main road every ride there is no way I am siting on 70 km on that road.

[sil3nt]

Had an L plate on my bike for less 3 hours and that was when i did my restricted the other day. If all your riding is around town then throw it on. If, like me, your rides are mostly spent in 100k zones then i would take it off. Cops are only going to pull you over if you give them a reason too. Riding at 100kph with an L plate is a reason. Just be sensible and they will leave you alone. In saying that don't come here and bitch if you get ticketed for riding without an L plate!

[sunhuntin]

i rode all the way to bluff with an l plate, at times at speeds of 110k if the wind was strong enough. at one point, where the wind was threatening to push me into the ditch, i was overtaken by a cop. he looked at me as he passed, and just kept on going. i never got pulled up once for riding over 70k on the plate, but i was also not riding like a cock, all over the lanes, splitting at high speed etc. my goal was to keep my license and stay alive. i had that l plate on for about 2.5 years without any hassle by police. :scooter: :yes:

[slofox]

ARrrrggggghhh when I was a lad getting a licence we dint have none of dem new fangled "L PLATE" thingummies....ya just gotcha licance and fell off next corner...

[JimO]

my son got knocked off his bike by a old git going through a compusary stop, totally the old guys fault, i arrived as he was being taken to hospital in the ambo, a cop went over the bike checking on rego, wof, and L plate after checking his licence, he was itching to give him a ticket for something at the hospital he asked him how fast he was going about 6 times trying to get him to admit to speeding even though witneses said he wasnt speeding....moral of the story you may get away with it or you may not, dont bitch if you get fined for no L plate whats the fine $300??

[nothingflash]

70km on the Wellington motorway with a yellow target on the back of the bike - no way. AA guy did comment that my L plate looked brand new at my restricted test. I told him I look after my things.

[sunhuntin]

70km on the Wellington motorway with a yellow target on the back of the bike - no way. AA guy did comment that my L plate looked brand new at my restricted test. I told him I look after my things.

the aa guy tried to fail me on my l plate due to it being so tatty. i was tempted to tell him that is was hanging from the back of a bike for 25,000+ k, he would be a bit tatty too. :crazy:

[bogan]

just tape it to the bottom of the rear mud guard, the wind flips it round and under so you cant see it (does on vt250's anyway), put if you get puled up, just un-flick it and say, huh, wonder how it did that

[jade]

I was on learners for 4 and a bit years, never wore it except when I went to sit my restricted, got pulled over because I had it, Cop suspected it wasnt a 250, fortunately my shit was legit, Did I mention I hate the police ?

[marine0089]

Nah don't sport one.

I'm new to the workings of a motorcycle but not to driving on the roads.

[Hanne]

Well I did wear one, with no problems.
Didn't keep to the 70kph rule but no cops ever batted an eyelid.
Plus it was only for 6 months. Hardly an eternity!

[Ender EnZed]

If you skip on the L plate then you're breaking at least one law every time you ride. It's probably not going to be a problem but if you do get seen at 61km/h or rolling through a stop sign at 0.0004km/h then it becomes a much bigger fine. I put one on the first day and didn't bother taking it off until I did my restricted, I wouldn't have gained anything taking it off sooner. 108km/h past dozens of cops and I never had a problem. Only a real arsehole is going to ticket you for riding safely at the same speed as traffic.

[Blossom]

Ok. I'll flog this dead horse.
Yes I used one every time I went out on the bike.
Why?
Cause our kids watch how much integrity we have. We break one law.. keep another.. it sends a message I dont want to send.

[Cheshire Cat]

yay or nay? Personally I don't use it but I'm wondering if I'm in the majority or not here...

If you don't want to use an L plate then get your licence at least 6months before you get a bike. then you only have to ride enough to get your restricted...

[Juzz976]

Yeh I tried the L plate thing for a few weeks but so many people told me to take it off, even passed a cop on SH29 and he didn't care.
As said previously if you do get pulled over for something else they'll most likely add the L plate fine too + $400.
Reason I took it off was I would ride around at or slightly above speed limit and traffic flows and you get wanker bikers that'll cut infront of you and push you off your line because they think they have more of a right to be where you are or something.
Dickheads anyway but a few times I've missed out on a pass and been stuck behind cars because of it.
Also some cars try push you off to the left of the road because they think you should be in the gutter with the scooters and cycles. NZ drivers have a very poor attitude towards learner drivers/riders and are most inconsiderate.
Had one bitch try undertake me while i was in the left lane of a roundabout because I slowed down to 40k's not cool.

[bkker]

Had an L plate on my bike for less 3 hours and that was when i did my restricted the other day. If all your riding is around town then throw it on. If, like me, your rides are mostly spent in 100k zones then i would take it off. Cops are only going to pull you over if you give them a reason too. Riding at 100kph with an L plate is a reason. Just be sensible and they will leave you alone. In saying that don't come here and bitch if you get ticketed for riding without an L plate!
same here, although I did most of my riding overseas

[Shagz]

Also some cars try push you off to the left of the road because they think you should be in the gutter with the scooters and cycles. NZ drivers have a very poor attitude towards learner drivers/riders and are most inconsiderate.

You've got to own that road bro, don't let anyone think that you are not entitled to your stretch of tarmac. If you show signs of weakness they'll pounce at the opportunity like wolves to a deer.

[Ender EnZed]

You've got to own that road bro, don't let anyone think that you are not entitled to your stretch of tarmac. If you show signs of weakness they'll pounce at the opportunity like wolves to a deer.

+1 to that.

Don't give them a chance and they won't have a chance. There are nutters in the world but most people aren't one.

[GOONR]

You've got to own that road bro, don't let anyone think that you are not entitled to your stretch of tarmac. If you show signs of weakness they'll pounce at the opportunity like wolves to a deer.

I agree with that. A little while ago it was pissing down with rain, diesel / petrol slicks all over the place. I pull up at a set of lights at a two lane intersection, slightly more to the right than usual cause of the shite on the floor. A car pulls up right next to me in my lane, nearly ran over my toes.. I moved forward and sat in front of him waiting for the lights to change.

[Fatt Max]

Use my L plate for 6 months till I got my restricted. It did provoke a great bit of pisstaking out of the missus, went something like this:

Me: I have to wear the L plate for 6 months
Her: What does it mean?
Me: It means Learner, I'm on a learners licence....der...
Her: Oh, ok...I thought it stood for Lardarse...that would mean you would have to wear it for the rest of your fucking life...!!
Me: Steady on girl, dont deserve that
Her: Yes you do, after 13 years of marriage all you have given me is shade. Now hop on and do that thing again....oohh....ohh...yeah, go there you doughball.....

I'll leave the rest to your imagination

[davereid]

Use the L plate. You may not just be fined, if you bin you may be in breach of your licence conditions and un-insured.

The law says it has to attached to the number plate, where it can be seen. But it doesnt say it has to be facing the rear of the bike.

Paint the back of it BLACK.

Attach it to the front of your number plate, so it is facing forward, on the left hand side.

It is clearly visible to anyone on the footpath, on your side of the road. But other motorists wont even see the little black square hanging out under your number plate.

[ready4whatever]

I never rode a roadbike before i got my restricted. Thats how easy it is. so no L plate for me

[McJim]

I wore one on the back of a 250 while riding past bikie cops at 100kph on the Southern Motorway Auckland. So long as you ride sensibly and don't act like a hoon you have nothing to worry about.

the cops won't stop you solely for doing 100 but if you are riding like a tosser and are disrespectful when stopped then be prepared for the fine and demerits for not wearing an L plate or for riding outside of your licence conditions.

[Dirty Heathen]

Use the L plate. You may not just be fined, if you bin you may be in breach of your licence conditions and un-insured.

The law says it has to attached to the number plate, where it can be seen. But it doesnt say it has to be facing the rear of the bike.

Paint the back of it BLACK.

Attach it to the front of your number plate, so it is facing forward, on the left hand side.

It is clearly visible to anyone on the footpath, on your side of the road. But other motorists wont even see the little black square hanging out under your number plate.

I don't think you would get denied insurance for not having the L plate on more likely to get denied if you are doing over 70km and have a crash.

it just comes down to the situation and what you where doing at the time.

[Donor]

Good god.

Page 2 and nobody has screamed "USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION" or "WAAAAAAH"...

I'm well surprised.

But for what it's worth, if you think a piece of plastic is making you a target, then make sure you check your wardrobe door is shut at night so the bogey man doesn't get out.

As for the cops not pinging you so long as you are sensible etc etc... well, like anything, that's going to depend on the cop.

If you risk a licence condition breach, don't bitch about it if or when it happens.

[Dirty Heathen]

Like anything you cant whinge if I drive around with no warrant or reg I cant moan if I get a ticket same as not having my L plate on ( I do have WOF and REG :) )

[kwaka_crasher]

I had my 6L for 12 years and never owned an L-plate but it didn't cost $400 if you got caught then. It would have looked bloody silly on the bikes I had which were all 600cc+ anyway (also not $400) and for the short time when I had a 250cc I didn't have any bike licence (I think that was $55 for 'Wrong class of licence').

[Tink]

oK here where we go. L PLATE OR NOT
1. CAN YOU AFFORD THE FINE... NO NOT ME...

2. ARE YOU HAPPY TO DO THE L THING

3. WHO GIVE A ARSE

and my answer is... no I can't afford the fine


yes I am happy who gives a shit.. its 6 mths... not that long in a life time.. if it gets shredded I still have the tags.

I do... not sure actually lol


FRIENDS JUST GOT DONE FOR NO L PLATE OR WARRENT... BUT LET OFF REGO.. GO FIGURE.. 2 NICE OVER 650CC BIKES. $2000 IN FINES

[p.dath]

I think a lot of people make a big deal out of this one when it is such a minor issue.

I kept the L plate on my bike the entire time I was on a learners licence.

I never felt like a target. I didn't feel treated any differently by other road users. I didn't feel like I was in any more danger.

It's only a piece of yellow plastic with black markings. I wouldn't get too excited or upset about it.

[davereid]

I don't think you would get denied insurance for not having the L plate on more likely to get denied if you are doing over 70km and have a crash.

They could not deny you insurance just for not having an L plate on.

They could however deny you insurance for being unlicensed, as technically you become unlicensed when you breach your licence conditions.

I am sure no reasonable insurer would do this, but then again, if you bin your Aprilia 250, and the cops write you up for breach of licence conditions they could save emselves a pile of money real fast.

[avgas]

Whats the point.....

I have seen 3 motorcyclist in the past week that were worse at riding than all the learners I have seen:

- MY K75 : BMW on motorway
- Ducati Monster at Mission Bay (knob wears a german helmet)
- Suzuki Savage, jandal wearing knob at Sylvia park

All whom were on +250cc bikes

[nothingflash]

then make sure you check your wardrobe door is shut at night so the bogey man doesn't get out

I knew he was real!:(

[chef]

i had my L plate for around 30mins as soon as i got my restricted ripped the ugly peace of sh*t off

[Hispid]

The only time I had my L-plate on was when I went for my restricted.

Didn't have any trouble with cops on the motorway or otherwise. But then didn't ride like a hoon.

[SMOKEU]

Fuck L plates.

[Forest]

The only time I ever used an L-plate was the day I sat my restricted license test.

But it wasn't a $400 fine back then. In fact riding on a car license with no motorbike endorsement was only a $200 fine at the time.

[CrAzYMoFo]

put the L plate on for my restricted test

did the test....

passed...

took it off in the VTNZ carpark....

road home like a madman...

got on the piss with my mates and burnt my L plate

and thats the end of my L plates story lol