L-Plate Poll

[shadynz]

As a side post to flyno's thread on on learner licence conditions (70km/h, 10pm curfew etc)....

As a "soon-to-be" rider myself, I personally am really interested in just the L-Plate issue, as the other conditions seem fine for me at the moment. Motorway driving is a few weeks away yet.

I read a lot about cagers aggression toward's L-Platers and wonder whether these are just extraordinary incidents. Safety is first for me and I definately don't want some boy-racer up my arse when I'm trying to remember how to shift down, indicate, turn blah blah. In saying that, I can appreciate where a law is made that is intended for someones own safety ya know?

We all know it's everyone's own decision as to whether they choose to ride with one or without, but I am really curious as to actual numbers.

Do you/Did you ride with an L-Plate on your learners if it was a condition at the time?

[Switch]

I have personally never used L plates. I wouldnt mind at all riding with them if there wasnt the stupid 70km/h limit...oh and it would ruin the style of my bike ;)

[Shadows]

An L plate would have looked a bit out of place on the 400 (and the 900 for that matter).
I did manage to put one on a 250 on the day of my "R" test though.

[scracha]

So many fuckwits, so little time.

[Pumba]

Never used a L-plate, except when I sat the old restricted test. With the 70 kph speed limit imposed on learners and me at that stage having to travel about 10km of state highway it would have been to dangours

[Nasty]

I used my L plate the whole time on my learners and sacrificed it when I passed the restricted ... That does not mean I did 70 km p hour either.

I rode 30 kms down state one to work and back and there was no way I wanted to die so going 100 was the way to avoid that. My bike was little but it worked well ...

As far as car drivers i found them to be more tolerant when I had the L plate on ... they gave me more space .. I guess that they realised that when learning if I lost they may have suffered ... oh well :)

[Kam]

I've been riding with my L-Plate for the last 3 months and I'd say the way that I'm treated by other drivers varies from being tailgated by some people to being given almost too much space by others. But that's pretty much par for the course in the city.

I've been up to Whangarei and down to Thames a few times so far, riding with the L-Plate on at 100kph and haven't had many issues with other drivers or the Police.

As everyone around here says, just keep with the flow of traffic and you'll be fine.

[Freakshow]

Didn't bother with the L plates and paid the price!!!

[Kinje]

Had the L plate, but never kept to the 70 km/hr rule

[sunhuntin]

wear an l plate, and refuse to follow the 70k rule. [however, after the fence post incident, ive been too shit scared to go over 80! ive tried to force the speed up, but never made it]

ive been tail gated, but everyone gets that. ive actually had more danger coming from cars in front of me, which cannot be attributed to the l plate simply cos they dont know its there. i have also had vehicles leave a huge gap. this sucks, specially at the lights. i end up having to wave them forwards so they trigger the pads.

also, cagers tend to bully other cagers that have l plates. i make a point if staying well back from anything with l on it. i know what its like to be picked on by road users, so i give as much room as needed.

[Roj]

L plates came in a long time after my license so I never used them but my son has, he removed it cause I think his ego didn't like it....

[placidfemme]

I used my L plate for the period of my learner license... Didn't bother so much with the 70kph, just follow the flow of traffic and no-one will give you shit about it...

Or alternativley you could bolt your L plate on and snap it off... if you get pulled over say "it was there when I left... stupid thing must have broke, I'll buy another one I promise" lol

[Patrick]

I used my L plate for the period of my learner license... Didn't bother so much with the 70kph, just follow the flow of traffic and no-one will give you shit about it...

Or alternativley you could bolt your L plate on and snap it off... if you get pulled over say "it was there when I left... stupid thing must have broke, I'll buy another one I promise" lol

Even though we (:scooter: :Police: ) know they are made of soft flexible plastic and don't snap...:laugh:

Go with the flow and don't attract attention to yourself...

[Smorg]

I couldnt wear L plates coz I never had a 250 to stick them on. But even if I had a 250 I wouldnt have worn them

[Trudes]

An L plate would have looked a bit out of place on the 400 (and the 900 for that matter).
I did manage to put one on a 250 on the day of my "R" test though.

I think the real question here is.... What the hell has that camel got in it's mouth?:sick:

[James Deuce]

Hey look! Another L plate poll!

This is cool. Combine this with the Vigilante threads and we should be back to talking about beer, quick smart!

[Patrick]

Hey look! Another L plate poll!

This is cool. Combine this with the Vigilante threads and we should be back to talking about beer, quick smart!


Yay... Lplates... Shoot all scumbags...

Beer... I will have a Tui thanks...

[Patrick]

I think the real question here is.... What the hell has that camel got in it's mouth?:sick:

Its an inflating sack thingy which apparently turns chick camels on big time...WTF???

[Shadows]

I think the real question here is.... What the hell has that camel got in it's mouth?:sick:

Camel tongue!

[Trudes]

Is that like camel toe?

[Lucy]

Even though we (:scooter: :Police: ) know they are made of soft flexible plastic and don't snap...:laugh:

Go with the flow and don't attract attention to yourself...


Mine snapped off. Wasn't all that flexible. Noticed it was gone when I came out of a gas station and saw the back of the bike.

[Lucy]

Hey look! Another L plate poll!

This is cool. Combine this with the Vigilante threads and we should be back to talking about beer, quick smart!



If repetition on the internet is something which winds you up, what the heck are you doing here??? And bothering to reply to it as well?

Go for a bike ride.

[more_fasterer]

Had an L-plate, but it was only the size of a credit card... never got in trouble for it either!

[Toaster]

I always wore an L-Plate.... just like rubbers - it can avoid nasty surprises and expensive bills..... :)

[Hitcher]

The poll is missing a "sometimes" option. Like when sitting the Restricted road test, and prior to discovering that L plates seem to incense some motorists into wanting to kill you.

And I really like the Monteiths Pilsner.

[Trudes]

Yeah, good point, I voted yes as I rode a GN and figured I'd rather people knew why I was riding that bike, but in hindsight I should have taken it off due to the amount of arseholes who think it stands for "Likes it up the butt" or something and tailgate like hell, bastards. (Could have been having to do 70kmph on the motorway also, another stupid rule!!)
Speights for me.

[Alice]

My bike has worn the L plate once, ...then I took off because I do not stick to the 70km limit and did not want to draw attention to myself. So far so good, done 8300km in 9 weeks and no trouble with cops, thought there was going to be a bit of bother Sat avo when 2 other bikes and myself where speeding, cop did a uey, we turned off the motorway and disappeared and thankfully no problems, not sure what he was up to.

Stella or Heinekin for me thanks.
Also partial to Monteiths of varying brews.

[Lissa]

So far so good, done 8300km in 9 weeks Rub it in why dont you!!! :angry: :shutup:

I have a broken L plate, just like Lucy, mine broke off. Cant be bothered getting a new one on. But I dont stick to 70kph.... too dangerous.

[James Deuce]

If repetition on the internet is something which winds you up, what the heck are you doing here??? And bothering to reply to it as well?

Go for a bike ride.

If people being a smartarse on the Internet is something that winds you up, what the heck are you doing here? And bothering to reply to it as well?

Go for a bike ride.

After a Monteith's Radler of course.

You sound like a Radler girl.

And contributing on topic I used to do the sometimes thing as well.

[Mole_C]

I had one for a month or 2 till it broke off. Was even double bolted on, so it is pretty easy for them to snap. Maybe not if you stick to 70 but bugger that. :scooter:

[Lissa]

If repetition on the internet is something which winds you up, what the heck are you doing here??? And bothering to reply to it as well?

Go for a bike ride.
Hehehe

We have already established that Jim is a dick... (well he did say so himself!!) aye Jim ;)

[James Deuce]

I'm a Huge dick. Oops. That came out all wrong.

[apteryx_haasti]

The poll is missing a "sometimes" option. Like when sitting the Restricted road test, and prior to discovering that L plates seem to insense some motorists into wanting to kill you.

And I really like the Monteiths Pilsner.

1. Mister Hitcher, are you unwell???? (incense: v. make very angry(!))

2. Always wore the L-plate, never obeyed the 70 kph rule. Never any problems.

3. Mmmm...Monteiths Hop Rocker. Mmmm...beer.

[Lissa]

I'm a Huge dick. Oops. That came out all wrong.I'll take your word for it that Jim, was thinking you are just a tiny dick at the moment, but maybe when you really get going.... :shit:

Umm forgot to mention my beer: Do they still make Ice Beer (geezz I only drink cheap wine!)

[James Deuce]

All grow, no show.

Ice beer?

Blimey.

Gaaah - Wairarapa chicks!

[Trudes]

Do they still make Ice Beer
I believe they still do make lolly water.

[Lucy]

If people being a smartarse on the Internet is something that winds you up, what the heck are you doing here? And bothering to reply to it as well?

Go for a bike ride.

After a Monteith's Radler of course.

You sound like a Radler girl.

And contributing on topic I used to do the sometimes thing as well.

Ha ha touche! Well done, except I hate Monteiths Radler.

[James Deuce]

Oops sorry!

Mac's Black?

[Lissa]

Ha ha touche! Well done, except I hate Monteiths Radler.
And dont forget hes a dick ;)

Yummm lolly water!!!!!!!!!!

[Lucy]

Oops sorry!

Mac's Black?


Yum, yes, also: Guiness draft, Becks, Coopers, Monteiths black, most monteiths actually, except for the flavoured ones that don't taste like beer. Most Macs except now that Lion has bastardized them but not dropped the price.

Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. Kind of like motorbikes, only I'm allowed to drink beer after 10pm, and can drink it at more than 70 kph.

[James Deuce]

Aha! You are alright then :)

[bungbung]

Monteith Original.

Price/performance winner is the pricing error at my local shop, 12 Haagen Gold $9.95. At 6% alc/vol it would effectively be $6.67 per doz if it were 4%.

Lacks flavour but.

[dnos]

I only put one on to do my R test.
There was the intention to put one on my bike but i never got round to it, its only six months after all and i am a lazy buger.

[loneranger]

had learner licence for 11 yrs now, always ridden bikes bigger than 250 ( mostly 1000's) never had a fine for no l plate. thou i hear its $400..

[bell]

Aunty Helen was never getting $400 of mine that she didn't need, so I put it on and never had any problems.

[gijoe1313]

I think the real question here is.... What the hell has that camel got in it's mouth?:sick:

Arrr, that be it's tongue ... handy appendage it is, tough as old boots so it can eat the leaves protected by spines around hardy trees. It can flop it out and make it look like the ... thing you were thinking it might be!

[Chisanga]

Have always worn my L-Plates, never had any issues with anyone on the road for 4000km of riding.

Ignore the 70km/h restriction and never had any problems.

I think there is a lot of learners who use a whole load of excuses not to display an l-plate (road-rage, speed limit, etc.) when the truth is closer to the fact that their ego can't handle declaring to other road users that they may be a learner.

[Nicksta]

only to sit my restricted.....

but the question is can you afford the $400 if you get cought?

[Chisanga]

Have always worn my L-Plates, never had any issues with anyone on the road for 4000km of riding.


Of course this doesn't include my two bins that were too some extent caused by cagers, but both cagers were guilty of ignorant cager driving and the incidents were not related to my displaying or not of my l-plates.

Just thought i'd clarify :)

[Devil]

Always wore my L-plate. I was a good boy.

...little did they know...

[shadynz]

I agree Jim......!

Now that I know how to pull the moves on that sexy biatch of a camel that wanders down my road everyday..

:drool:

just have to get this tongue puffed up a bit more... i'll wait till i get my little number on wednesday and do the lips on the exhaust.. that'll do it.

I forgot all about my poll..... but it's too close for my liking.. i'm going pussy on it and wearing the plate!

[Donor]

I've had my L plate on for the last 3 and a half months, and haven't noticed any notable issues with cage pilots treating me any worse than if I were on 4 wheels.

I think the whole tailgating thing is simply because on a bike, you have less behind you and tend to notice what is following a lot more. A cage gives you a bit more depth in your rear vision, and seems to make vehicles seem a happy happy joy joy distance.

Doing 100k's - no problem. As others have stated in this thread, and in numerous that have been started before it of a similar vein, don't ride stupid, and the blokes with the disco lights won't be pulling you over. Well, unless it's a checkpoint... or summit...

[Hanne]

Even though we (:scooter: :Police: ) know they are made of soft flexible plastic and don't snap...:laugh:



had just finished reading this post and was on my way into uni when I heard this 'craaack'... turned around and my L plate and the gate had had a little altercation... gate won, L plate snapped right down the middle :yes:

[Lucy]

.

I think the whole tailgating thing is simply because on a bike, you have less behind you and tend to notice what is following a lot more. A cage gives you a bit more depth in your rear vision, and seems to make vehicles seem a happy happy joy joy distance.

...


Agreed. I've looked in my mirror at lights and thought the vehicle behind was really close, but when I turn my head, they are a respectable distance.

[Quartermile]

All they do is make yourself a target!! :dodge:

[Chisanga]

All they do is make yourself a target!! :dodge:

Rubbish. It's comments like this that keep Newbies from displaying their plates when there is no real reason not to.

My take is that you are going to meet dickheads on the road no matter whether you ride a bike, bicycle or cage. If you are displaying L-Plates when you run into one of these dickheads it is all to easy to leap to the conclusion that they are 'targeting' you for displaying L-Plates rather than the fact that they are just cretins.

I'm sure there will be somebody who has a story or two that prove this theory wrong, but I believe being a 'target' whilst displaying L-Plates is the exception rather than the rule and most of the time you are just encountering a dickhead who would be annoying you whether you had L-Plates on or not.

/rant mode off :)

[Quartermile]

Yea from being in a car with the 'L's up I can definantly say people will sit almost hooked onto your tow bar even when going 60,

I know it happens as I will blast past a learner who has just stalled at the lights then slowly excellerating out cos I get pissed with them.

And don't say everyone had been there cos i have and there are enough other assholes on the roads to get me worked up enough for these 'L's to pop up

yea ok /rant mode off :weep:

[Shadows]

Is that like camel toe?

Only when in dire, dire need of some plastic surgery!

[Dafe]

The only reason I never used an L-Plate was because I couldn't afford one.

Back in the student days, It was $10 for an L-Plate which equated to 5 Meals at Geogie Pie.

I chose the pies every time.

[Patrick]

had learner licence for 11 yrs now, always ridden bikes bigger than 250 ( mostly 1000's) never had a fine for no l plate. thou i hear its $400..

Lazy prick... pull finger...!!!

[Quartermile]

The fine i don't care about but insurance......

[Static]

well i opted for not using the plate and got the $400 fine ...
however on an interesting note i worked up the balls to outright ask my insurence company if i dident have an L plate on my learners if they would still cover me and they said that unless the could directly relate the crash to me not having an L plate i would still b covered

[Quartermile]

Oh nice.....

[Calo]

well i opted for not using the plate and got the $400 fine ...

That's pretty rough. I was stopped twice as a learner and only got warnings for no L-plate.

[Quartermile]

Yea I only wore mine for about a week before my restricted, as I had just got a fine but not yetr recived it and the Police were looking for me:D

[Static]

yea the cop i got was polite and friendly but not leaniant... supose he was a tad as he pointed out that he could have given me a ticket for going over 70kph on my learners too but dident

[Pancakes]

Did ofr the first few weeks but then took it off. Didn't get any static from the cars tho' when I had it on. Got pulled over for lane splitting near the end of my learners with no plate (or wof or rego) and got a $150 fine for 'splitting. Not to bad considering. The cop did say "if you don't have the L plate how do we know your learning?" I said dunno and thought sheesh, I'm splitting into town everyday do I want them to know I'm on my learners?

From the rule makers side of things tho' the cops seem to like the plates on but same goes with most things, demonstrate that your in full control and things shouldn't get too ugly (they all seem to agree that 70 in traffic flowin faster than that is dangerous but might throw an extra fine for that too if they stop you for something else and really want to teach you a lesson). The restrictions on your learners must be there partly as an incentive for more riders to sit their practical test for their resticted and I suppose that in theory testing drivers and riders (properly but thats another story) cant be a bad thing as their skill should be progressing.

[NighthawkNZ]

I have personally never used L plates. I wouldnt mind at all riding with them if there wasnt the stupid 70km/h limit...oh and it would ruin the style of my bike ;)

Alot of cage drivers don't even know about the 70kph limit on a L-Plate rider. That can upset the driver on the open road as they just think you are just going slow... not thinking that you are not allowed to go faster... this can cause road rage