Imaginative Location of L Plate [Archive]

McJim

21st August 2006, 13:27

Went out to get lunch at 12:00 coz I'm a fat git and need feeding. Saw a Hyosung GT250 Comet going up College Hill and nearly pissed myself laughing. Don't get me wrong I wasn't laughing at the riders choice of bike (before Swanny sends the lynch mob round) but where the rider had placed the L plate.

L plate fixed on FRONT of luggage box behind the rider. Successfully obscured by said riders arse. Fantastic. Second only to my own idea of fixing the L plate to a spoke on the rear wheel.

Str8 Jacket

21st August 2006, 13:29

I have also seen a GN parked up in town (Wgtn) with the L plate attached to the side of the pillion seat.

Lou Girardin

21st August 2006, 13:42

I hope the cops have the same sense of humour. Otherwise it's a ticket.

ManDownUnder

21st August 2006, 13:57

L plate fixed on FRONT of luggage box behind the rider. Successfully obscured by said riders arse. Fantastic. Second only to my own idea of fixing the L plate to a spoke on the rear wheel.

:niceone: Or there's the option of attaching it to the shock and sticking it (slightly) into the spokes so it "clatters" as you ride...

gotta be good for a laugh

scumdog

21st August 2006, 13:58

People need 'L' plates????:gob:

McJim

21st August 2006, 14:11

People need 'L' plates????:gob:

Nah, we not so much 'need' as 'require' L plates. We are peacefully practicing minor civil disobedience in our newbie biker corner.

The majority of Learners don't actually wear L plates until the day of their restricted licence test. Some of us put them on the back out of obedience to the law. We are exploring the possibilities of wearing them 'invisibly' on the back of the bike.

Lou Girardin

21st August 2006, 14:12

People need 'L' plates????:gob:

Yeah, and helmets.
BTW the speed limit is 100 km/h, not 55 mph.
You must have REALLY enjoyed the 60's.

scumdog

21st August 2006, 14:16

Yeah, and helmets.
BTW the speed limit is 100 km/h, not 55 mph.
You must have REALLY enjoyed the 60's.

Hey yeah man, speed kills and all that, in the '60s' the limit was 55mph (88KPH to noobs) and since that was waay slower than 100kph of today we didn't need no stinkin' helmets!

Lou Girardin

21st August 2006, 14:18

And we had self-limiting bikes.
When I got my T'Bird up to 80 mph, the tank bolts all fell out.

Swoop

21st August 2006, 14:18

Should of put the "L" plate on the Left side of the luggage box... and an "R" plate on the Right hand side......

So the rider dosen't get confused about which way to sit on your bike... (Don't want to look like a prat and be riding along facing backwards, eh?):done:

gijoe1313

21st August 2006, 16:42

And we had self-limiting bikes.
When I got my T'Bird up to 80 mph, the tank bolts all fell out.

:rofl: I think I attached my L plate by velcro dots and I lost it on my first ride out! Bugger putting another one on - if I do, I'll do the old "post it on one bolt and lift it to the top behind the plate" trick! :yes: :ride:

McJim

21st August 2006, 17:24

If you look at my profile pic you'll see I've bolted it on in the correct way - firmly and visibly - I will get done before too long because I do exceed 70kph. I'd rather pay $400 than be dead and there are too many roads that require you to go with the flow.

Ultimately it's only 6 months - I'll do my Restricted licence test in early November this year and then I can throw away the plate.

I still think it's a great idea for the police. If they put officers on 250cc bikes with video cameras and L plates they would fill their monthly 'quotas' in 15 minutes flat with all the dangerous driving it causes.

John Banks

21st August 2006, 17:47

The safest way to attach an L plate is under your seat. Unimaginative, but secure alright.

Steam

21st August 2006, 22:17

Doesn't the road code say "must be clearly visible from the rear at all times" or something like that? I'da thought that was a no-brainer.

toymachine

22nd August 2006, 07:44

:rofl: I think I attached my L plate by velcro dots and I lost it on my first ride out! Bugger putting another one on - if I do, I'll do the old "post it on one bolt and lift it to the top behind the plate" trick! :yes: :ride:

Thats basically where mine is, TBH i can't find anywhere more visible thats not blocking an indicator.

Dodger

22nd August 2006, 08:10

McJim

22nd August 2006, 10:35

Sigh,
All going well I'll have my bike this weekend. and then have the joys of trying to fit the L plate. :soon: (going for a new Hyosung GT250)

Whats the fine for not displaying it, compeared to the fine for riding at 100kph with one? :msn-wink:

I think it's the same for both - I actually started a thread asking just that.

The offence is "Breaching the conditions of your licence" the fine is $400 and 25 demerit points...oh and you lose the chance to fast track your way to a full licence with the 'approved course'

(the approved course being entirely cage orientated. Since I've been driving a cage for ages - I'm a 36 year old dude - that won't pose a problem for me but won't make me a better rider either.)

Dodger

22nd August 2006, 10:41

Well once I get the bike it will have the L plate.
But there's no way in hell I'm doing 70kph on a 100kph motorway. "I choose life" :shit:

McJim

22nd August 2006, 12:20

Well once I get the bike it will have the L plate.
But there's no way in hell I'm doing 70kph on a 100kph motorway. "I choose life" :shit:

Yep there's a time and a place. As I've said in another thread they're trying to keep learners off motorways but simply don't have the balls to say "No Learners on Motorways" so they just make it deadly to use 'em legally and hope all the 15-18 year olds (that's who the 70kph and curfew rules are aimed at protecting!) are clever enough to take the hint.

I always ride to the conditions and go with the flow for safety's sake. My life is worth more than $400.

Hawkeye

22nd August 2006, 12:50

I've scanned the Road Code a number of times and have yet to find anywhere that states ' you must do more than 70k on a Motorway '. Therefore, where does it state that I can't go on the Motorway?

Dodger

22nd August 2006, 13:26

Well there's nothing stopping you from doing 70kph on a motorway.
Apart from the 200 other cars that are doing 100-120kph and getting pissed off at you that is.
Being on a bike, I think I want to avoid all the road rage I can, thank you. :dodge:

McJim

22nd August 2006, 13:38

I've scanned the Road Code a number of times and have yet to find anywhere that states ' you must do more than 70k on a Motorway '. Therefore, where does it state that I can't go on the Motorway?
It doesn't. The point is the people who created this legislation did so to prevent Learners from using the motorways. It doesn't work. Specifically banning Learners from certain roads would have worked better but the person with that idea (allegedly) got outvoted by the other Quangos.
Therefore we are saddled with an inappropriate and downright dangerous piece of legislation that is potentially deadly when observed to the letter.

mazz1972

22nd August 2006, 15:57

My L plate is prominently affixed on the rear, with velcro, and it hasn't fallen off yet (not going fast enough??). It's all very well being "imaginative" in where you place it, but if the cops can't see it, you'll get a ticket anyway...

I'd rather keep the $400 and put it towards my next bike. Also I don't want the demerit points to stop me fast tracking my full licence when the time comes.

However that doesn't mean I will be riding at 70kmph if it's not safe, so I always risk getting a ticket for that.

The joys of the big L...

FilthyLuka

23rd August 2006, 19:02

hmm, best place for a l plate... on the back of your helmet. Upside down. so it looks like a spastic 7...

Denis

WarlockNZ

23rd August 2006, 20:13

It doesn't. The point is the people who created this legislation did so to prevent Learners from using the motorways. It doesn't work. Specifically banning Learners from certain roads would have worked better but the person with that idea (allegedly) got outvoted by the other Quangos.
Therefore we are saddled with an inappropriate and downright dangerous piece of legislation that is potentially deadly when observed to the letter.

What about learner cage drivers?? ... they pose a biger risk to road users than bikers .. i'll tell you what grinds my gears ... that if you are behind the wheel of a car you can do the posted speed limit.. but get on a bike and oh no! .. we are going to make you a hazzard to other road users ... doing 70 on the motorway is just asking for death .. bikers unite I say ... there must be a way to get the law changed ... oh yeah .. there is ... it's called a petition .. if enough people want to make a change to the law then the people who make the laws can't turn a blind eye.

McJim

23rd August 2006, 22:28

What about learner cage drivers?? ... they pose a biger risk to road users than bikers .. i'll tell you what grinds my gears ... that if you are behind the wheel of a car you can do the posted speed limit.. but get on a bike and oh no! .. we are going to make you a hazzard to other road users ... doing 70 on the motorway is just asking for death .. bikers unite I say ... there must be a way to get the law changed ... oh yeah .. there is ... it's called a petition .. if enough people want to make a change to the law then the people who make the laws can't turn a blind eye.

As I've said - all we need to do is have 300 motorcycles meet up and keep clogging the motorway at 70kph - we won't be breaking the law but will certainly get noticed!

Quartida

25th August 2006, 18:04

It's all very well being "imaginative" in where you place it, but if the cops can't see it, you'll get a ticket anyway...

Ah yes, but how will they know you're a learner without the "L"?

And therein lies the genius.

[QUOTE=Big McJim;726062]Saw a Hyosung GT250 Comet going up College Hill ...QUOTE]

I had a similar giggle at that same bike (I think) as it drove past me yesterday. "Not a bad idea," I thought, 'til I realised that, if I had managed to see it, then likely a police officer would too - and then you're more in the crap because they KNOW you're a learner and that your plate is on incorrectly...

Koni

7th November 2006, 15:13

my first time on the motorway i found way easier then on a normal road with roundabouts and dodgy stuff like that. Your going in a straight line, easy peasy. Doing 70kmph is a stupid idea and will likely cause a lot more problems then driving the normal kmph a car gets to do.

hamie1

7th November 2006, 18:48

Mine is under the seat, the velcro dots are there. If I (when I) get pulled up I'm sure the lack of a yellow L will be low on the "I'm sorry..." list, don't care if you can't see it or anyone else. The problem I have, is people not being as careful of you because you have a yellow L on the back of your bike.:dodge:

lukelin250

7th November 2006, 21:23

i dont use an l-plate and i did get fined for it (though not under best circumstances cause the cop was pist he had to chase me at 180km/h) i still dont use one cause i just dont see the point aswell as clear space to put the thing. but ayhow my friend tucks his under his number plate, all you can see is the fucking edges poking out,yet when he got pulled over and the copper asked if he had one, when shown the policeman didnt seem to care it wasnt clearly visible but was just content with it being there. so case in hand i say WHAT THE FUCK DOES IT MATTER HAVING A L PLATE????? :sick:

WarlockNZ

7th November 2006, 22:05

As I've said - all we need to do is have 300 motorcycles meet up and keep clogging the motorway at 70kph - we won't be breaking the law but will certainly get noticed!

I am so there !!! .. i'll even attach an L plate ... lol .. make it an event man .. go on!! ... you know you want to.

toymachine

8th November 2006, 10:22

When i was working at a site just across from the Botanic Gardens in sth auck, there was a bike going up and down the road a few times with an L Plate slightly smaller then a post-it note hanging just above the numberplate...

sunhuntin

8th November 2006, 12:12

i wear mine. it got one corner chopped off as it was blocking the indicator, the tyre had a munch out of the opposing corner, and now theres a crack appearing on another corner! ive been stopped at rego checks twice, and nothing was said about it. it may as well not be there, but i cant afford the fines.

lukelin250

8th November 2006, 16:30

cops discretion kind of thing. anyone been fined? speak up

McJim

8th November 2006, 16:42

I wore my L plate at all times when I was a learner - I would commute to Auckland City from Botany every day - I'd pass the police at the Mt Wellington on ramp doing maybe 80-105kph dependant on trafic flow - had a friendly wave from a bike cop once but never got stopped.

If you don't ride eratically the police will leave you alone. If you start splitting at silly speeds or swerving around like an arsehole you'll get stopped L plate or not.

hamie1

8th November 2006, 20:03

I've been stopped a couple of times, but nothing has even been said - lucky or maybe just plain to busy cops. I wasn't stopped for being a dick, just a RANDOM stop - my arse:innocent: . Waikato cops seem to want to make sure you have a WOF and REG and know they are there rather than to check you are wearing a 'treat me like an idiot' sign on the back. Does it matter what they pull you up for or what you do as a job when they ask? It obviously shouldn't - but does it?

McJim

8th November 2006, 20:15

Does it matter what they pull you up for or what you do as a job when they ask? It obviously shouldn't - but does it?

It got a bit uncomfortable that time the constable asked what I did for a living and I said "contract killer'" and showed him my walther ppk.

Ixion

8th November 2006, 20:55

Fine fish, and you claiming to be a Glaswegian n'all. A proper Glaswegian contract killer wouldn't need no gun, he'd just head butt his victim to death. So the cop would of known right off that you were lying.

Viddy

8th November 2006, 22:10

I've got a copy of the 2006 motorcycle road code, and on page 7 the first bullet point says:

you must have an 'L' plate (as shown at right) attached to the rear of your motorcycle

Thats it. Nothing about being visible.

Shit:
http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/licensing/motorcycle/motorcycle-learner.html#l-plates
Seems they must be visible.

Sorry fellas. (and fullaresses)

Roj

9th November 2006, 08:40

there must be a way to get the law changed ... oh yeah .. there is ... it's called a petition .. if enough people want to make a change to the law then the people who make the laws can't turn a blind eye.

I would aggree that it should be changed but you must be in a different country to the one I am in, there has been petitions and referendums to get the number of politicians reduced, but we still seem to have the same number telling us they know best:sick:

vifferman

9th November 2006, 08:56

The whole thing is rather stupid, and a case of the SafetyNazis coming up with a law that has no practical point.
So, what is it for?!?

SO that cops can spot you easier and pick on you? (How does that benefit anyone?)
So that other drivers can cut you some slack and be more patient? (Yeah, right!)
So you are protected from bad luck/kharma/food/grammar while learning?

I'm just glad that I learned to ride back in the good old bad old days, when you just paid your 50c for a 6-week learners licence (and supposedly had a tiny special rego sticker on your plate, or not), and supposedly rode a 250.
Or not.
Then when you were ready, you took your test, and the cop said, That your bike? Meet me around the other side and we'll go for a blat!"

Roj

9th November 2006, 09:13

I'm just glad that I learned to ride back in the good old bad old days, when you just paid your 50c for a 6-week learners licence (and supposedly had a tiny special rego sticker on your plate, or not), and supposedly rode a 250.
Or not.
Then when you were ready, you took your test, and the cop said, That your bike? Meet me around the other side and we'll go for a blat!"

I remember that, had to get the special L rego sticker, the cop asked me to do some figure 8s, then gave me my licence... I then went and pealed the L sticker off again:laugh: