New 250cc/learner law changes?

[fleebag4@]

Anyone know where i can find exact details? My partners keen on a sports 250 though i'm worried some of the old ones might be caught out with the law change and thus i'm trying to find more info. Can't seem to find any specifics.

[neels]

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/rules/driver-licensing-amendment-2011-qa.html

[FJRider]

Anyone know where i can find exact details? My partners keen on a sports 250 though i'm worried some of the old ones might be caught out with the law change and thus i'm trying to find more info. Can't seem to find any specifics.

If you refer to the change to horsepower related models permitted ... it hasn't happened yet.

Buy the model (250) you (or SHE) like('s) ... another year or so at the very least ...

[DR650gary]

"LAMS will come into force on 1 October 2012. This will allow time to develop the assessments and make the necessary changes to the IT systems, and ensure that all the changes to the motorcycle licensing and testing regime come into force as a single package."

This bit is important if you are over 25.

"The amendment Rule removes the age-based difference in minimum time requirements for restricted motorcyclists. Currently restricted riders under the age of 25 years must hold their restricted licence for at least 18 months, while restricted riders aged 25 years or over must hold their restricted licence for at least six months before applying for a full licence. The change will mean that all restricted licence holders, regardless of age, will be subject to the same minimum time requirement. This will be set at 18 months, and reduced to 12 months on satisfactory completion of CBTA."

[davereid]

If you buy a 250 which is learner legal now, but is not on the LAMS approved list, you will still be able to ride it.

(They won't make you sell it.)

This has happened before, when they changed the weight limit for a class 1 licence.

It meant that lots of camper vans were too heavy to be driven on a class 1 licence, you needed a class 2 .

So they allowed anyone who owned a van that was too heavy to get an exemption to drive their van on a class 1

But the new purchaser of the van could not get an exemption, he had to have the correct licence.

[sleemanj]

The other thing to consider though is how it might affect resale value.

A 250 that is not learner legal could lose a bit of resale value I'd imagine.

The general consensus is that the NZ LAM will probably look quite similar to the Vic LAM, which is here

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/Licences/OtherLicences/MotorcycleLicences/Approvedmotorcyclesfornoviceriders.htm

And as a result, I would avoid these 250s which are not learner legal in Victoria

APRILIA RS250 250
HONDA NSR250 250
KAWASAKI KR1 250
KR1S 250
SUZUKI RGV250 250
YAMAHA TZR250 250

[FJRider]

The other thing to consider though is how it might affect resale value.

A 250 that is not learner legal could lose a bit of resale value I'd imagine.

The general consensus is that the NZ LAM will probably look quite similar to the Vic LAM, which is here

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/Licences/OtherLicences/MotorcycleLicences/Approvedmotorcyclesfornoviceriders.htm

And as a result, I would avoid these 250s which are not learner legal in Victoria

APRILIA RS250 250
HONDA NSR250 250
KAWASAKI KR1 250
KR1S 250
SUZUKI RGV250 250
YAMAHA TZR250 250

Its a year away .. and anybody owning those bikes on an L plate ... wont be subject to the new law.

Just those getting the L afterwards ...

[sleemanj]

Its a year away .. and anybody owning those bikes on an L plate ... wont be subject to the new law.

Just those getting the L afterwards ...

Exactly, that's why I wouldn't buy any of those.

Buy now, ride for a year then when you come to sell it post 1 Oct 2012, you suddenly find your possible market for it just got a lot smaller since no other L/R riders will be able to buy and use it legally.

[FJRider]

I'm picking the whole 250 market will bottom out price wise ... Too many larger capacity bikes that comply ...

[GrayWolf]

Back in the 1980's the UK did similar with reducing the 250 to 125 law, the owners of 250's were given a year's 'grace period' in which to get their full licence, after that grace period; they could no longer leagaly ride their 250 on L plate's. I'd hazzard a guess it'll be a similar situation here.

[sleemanj]

That will happen by proxy anyway, Joyce announced yesterday or day before that L & R periods are going to be restricted to 3 (I think) years from next year, if you don't get your full in that time, licence cancelled.