Did you use L-plates?

[greminn]

How many of you used l-plates as leaner riders?

[Swoop]

I will have to vote "no" since it wasn't a requirement back then.

Having a man with a red flag walking in front of the vehicle, is a different issue entirely.

Edit: Woohoo! That skews the result to 100%!!!!!

[The Flux Capacita]

for about the first few weeks and the day i got my restricted i wore my L plate...after having a learners license for 2.5 years i only ever got pulled up once and told off about it...the day before i was getting my restricted anyways

yes i'm lazy

[vifferman]

How many of you used l-plates as leaner riders?
Why are you being weightist / sizest / shapeist / massist / girthist (or whatever the term is)?
Although I'm not HUGE, I am more fatterer than I used to was, especially around the equator.
When I was leaner, there was no such thing as an "L-plate". Although there was a special rego sticker you were supposed to use, I didn't bother (nor did I bother with sticking to sub-250 bikes).

[retro asian]

Mine was attached by velcro....and sadly fell off and got lost after a week...

[Chisanga]

I used my L-plate for the entire 3 months I was on my 6L. I rode sensibly and had no "issues" that are commonly attributed by some on this site to bikes that display their L-plate :)

[DingoZ]

I used my L-plate for the entire 3 months I was on my 6L. I rode sensibly and had no "issues" that are commonly attributed by some on this site to bikes that display their L-plate :)

Same. PLate went on at the shop. Took great delight in taking it off when I got my restricted....:)

[mister.koz]

After a week or 2 of having L-plates on and realized that people drove less dangerously when i didn't have the L-plate on the back.. go figure??

So yea then i put it on for the test, the testing officer noted how clean the L-plate was with a cheeky and slightly mothering tone.

[turtleman]

... When I was leaner, there was no such thing as an "L-plate". Although there was a special rego sticker you were supposed to use, I didn't bother (nor did I bother with sticking to sub-250 bikes).

Like Vifferman, there was an L sticker that went on you numberplate (instead of an R or D or summat like that). Most people I know didn't bother with it, myself included. Also rode larger-than-250 bikes as well, though not often...

[Beemer]

Yes, but you didn't have to have a huge yellow one flapping around at the back of your bike, so I was given a small white piece of plastic with a red L on it (about 6cm x 8cm) and it got screwed onto the licence plate. Half the time it 'accidentally' got flipped up under the plate... :innocent:

[slofox]

I will have to vote "no" since it wasn't a requirement back then.

Having a man with a red flag walking in front of the vehicle, is a different issue entirely.

Edit: Woohoo! That skews the result to 100%!!!!!

Same wot he said............those red flags were a bastard eh?

[samgab]

I currently have the yellow tag of shame attached to the rear of my bike, but oh how I'm looking forward to removing it, hopefully when I *PASS* my restricted test on the 17th... :D

[Swoop]

those red flags were a bastard eh?
Yup. Bloody hard to keep up with at times...:rolleyes:

[Chisanga]

I'm not sure about these L-plate issues that people claim to be having. Of course there will be the occasional time that a motorist will actively target someone on an l-plate but I think most of the time it is just normal careless, stupid, ignorant drivers doing their normal thing. When you have an L-plate on it is easy to say, "He/she did that cause I have my L-plate on" when the case may be "He/she did that cause they can't drive".

This works in other areas of life too, people blame the most obvious thing.... yell at a Maori and you are racist... abuse someone who is gay and you are homophobic. Sometimes people are just morons and they are morons to you whether or not you have a L-plate, are from an deifferent ethnic group, vote Labour or live an alternative sexual lifestyle.

My 2 cents.

[greminn]

Why are you being weightist / sizest / shapeist / massist / girthist (or whatever the term is)?
Although I'm not HUGE, I am more fatterer than I used to was, especially around the equator.

My sincere appologees! Mind you, i cant talk about weightist / sizest / shapeist / massist / girthist anyway!

[freddy72]

I put one on 10min before my restricted test on the during the test it got hooked up under the number plate and rubbed on the tyre the testing guy didn't say a thing.

[dogsnbikes]

they hadn't been invented when I started riding so no

[Dargor]

I would have to vote yes and no. I took it off when i went to the 100 kmph lands.

[Hitcher]

We only used L plates briefly. They're dangerous. They attract wankers in cars like flies to a bucket of prawns. I am unsure of the purpose an L plate is supposed to fulfill, either when fitted to bikes or cars.

[vifferman]

I am unsure of the purpose an L plate is supposed to fulfill, either when fitted to bikes or cars.
One would presume that the philosophy is that other motorists will drive with more patience and consideration when confronted by the L plate. In practise, it has the opposite effect, so is akin to the old "A" that adulterers used to be forced to wear, and marks L-platers as objects of derision, annoyance and persecution (the latter often at the hands of the police!)

[Neon]

Hmm need a 'sometimes' option. I probably ended up using mine about 50% of the time, depending on how lucky I was feeling on the day. <_< :Police:

[BiK3RChiK]

I took the L Plate off after several reckless incidents by car drivers which endangered my life. I only put it back on to do my restricted.

[naphazoline]

when i did my learners the first time,there were no such things as L plates.alas....i let that expire,cause i didn't ride for 20 odd years.
the second time around,i didn't bother,as i felt it was a bullseye for crazy passing maneuvres,from stressed out cage drivers.

[EJK]

My L plate was so cool. People behind me used to signal honk due to it's awesomeness. :cool:

When I took it off, people seemed to not notice of me. I felt unpopular :(

[Tank]

I don't believe cagers try to run down noobs just because the have an "L" plate (think about it - did you when you drove a car?) - I think its more a matter of perception for new bikers. Either that or people just think that they are simply too cool and use this as an excuse not to have them on a bike.

I kept mine on - including on my 800cc bike I had exemption for. Better than a $400 fine.

[EJK]

I don't believe cagers try to run down noobs just because the have an "L" plate (think about it - did you when you drove a car?) - I think its more a matter of perception for new bikers. Either that or people just think that they are simply too cool and use this as an excuse not to have them on a bike.

I kept mine on - including on my 800cc bike I had exemption for. Better than a $400 fine.

In my experience, some NZ motor vehicle drivers are actually more agressive towards the Asians than the L-Plate d/ri/v/ders. Heh... :sleep:

[Quailboy]

I don't believe cagers try to run down noobs just because the have an "L" plate (think about it - did you when you drove a car?)

I'd have to say yes with other cars, I am an extremely impatient car driver and get pissed of when people drive too slow.
When an L plater comes along I automatically think- Slow driver! I have to overtake now! And probably drive a little less carefully and faster to overtake etc...

When I had my L plate on, I had one guy at the traffic lights throw a plastic bottle at me and yell "Ha! Learner" and do the L thing on his forehead. Needless to say it came off after that ride.

[edit] Of course I don't endanger anybody if they have an L plate. It is just an automatic response that the L plater is driving slow so must overtake.

[Okey Dokey]

No, because I didn't want to draw attention as I was riding a large cc bike during the whole period. Bad girl, me.

[naphazoline]

I don't believe cagers try to run down noobs just because the have an "L" plate (think about it - did you when you drove a car?) - I think its more a matter of perception for new bikers. Either that or people just think that they are simply too cool and use this as an excuse not to have them on a bike.

I kept mine on - including on my 800cc bike I had exemption for. Better than a $400 fine.

i didn't quite mean it like that, tank.more like what quailboy said.
some drivers can tend to get a bit impatient,and if they see an L plate,they immediately think they're going to get held up if they don't get past.

that's not all drivers either,but it's of no comfort to the person wearing the L plate,to know that some are going to be wreckless (if that's the right word)

[naphazoline]

....I kept mine on - including on my 800cc bike I had exemption for. Better than a $400 fine.

just out of curiousity,is that a requirement if you have an exemption?

just interested,that's all.

[celticbhoy]

I used my L-plate for the entire 3 months I was on my 6L. I rode sensibly and had no "issues" that are commonly attributed by some on this site to bikes that display their L-plate :)

+1 here

But after that as for keeping within my restricted conditions well nooooooo........

[Tank]

In my experience, some NZ motor vehicle drivers are actually more agressive towards the Asians than the L-Plate d/ri/v/ders. Heh... :sleep:

pfft thats because EJ (as I remember) , you ride with no hands waving at everybody as you go past, whilst eating a chocie bar and drinking a can of coke.

ganna miss you when you head down south :bye:


just out of curiousity,is that a requirement if you have an exemption?

just interested,that's all.


Only for the remainder of the "L" plate (learner period) - if I had of done a restricted (I was allowed to go directly to a full licence) the "L" plate would have come off.

[BiK3RChiK]

When I had my L plate on, I had one guy at the traffic lights throw a plastic bottle at me and yell "Ha! Learner" and do the L thing on his forehead. Needless to say it came off after that ride.

[edit] Of course I don't endanger anybody if they have an L plate. It is just an automatic response that the L plater is driving slow so must overtake.

yeah, I had a similar incident happen to me... except I was on a 4 lane highway in Tauranga and had a bunch of losers in a Skyline throw a beer bottle in front of my bike, which promptly shattered as it hit the road and sprayed everywhere. Needless to say, I took the L plate off when I got home! and did 100km/hr thereafter on the open road!

All I can say is, thank goodness I now have my restricted and will soon be going for my full!:beer:

[PrincessBandit]

Definitely used mine, and yes I think my very first post on KB was to do with knobs who use the yellow square as a moron magnet. Still, I felt that I was more likely to get a sympathetic reaction from most drivers if I stalled or whatever, and generally that was the case. It was a really nice feeling to officially remove it the day I passed my R.

[CRF119]

Na I don't use mine what a waste of time. I didn't even use my L Plate for my car

[EJK]

pfft thats because EJ (as I remember) , you ride with no hands waving at everybody as you go past, whilst eating a chocie bar and drinking a can of coke.


Will miss you too hon :bye:

Oh sorry back to topic. Umm yeah... I got honked from behind once when I was at a learning stage. Slow riding, slow departure etc... but with the L plate and hastey skills, no honk I heard so far.

[nigel]

I used mine and never had a problem, and I commuted every day. It was well dirty when I got my restricted though.. I didn't see any point _cleaning_ it :)

[stanleychung]

In my experience, some NZ motor vehicle drivers are actually more agressive towards the Asians than the L-Plate d/ri/v/ders. Heh... :sleep:

Oh no! Im a L-Plater and Asian, I'm done for :bye:

[Owl]

I didn't have one and there wasn't much point, as my first road bike was a 750!

[H00dz]

I used an L plate for exactly one day (well actually about 2 hours)

what was more hardcase was it was on a 1200cc motorcycle at the time sitting for a 6F License No BULL True story !!!

[1 Free Man]

yep used mine for the hour that it took me to do my restricted.
It's for sale if anyone wants to buy it.
It's still in good nick and reasonably priced

[EJK]

Oh no! Im a L-Plater and Asian, I'm done for :bye:

Don't worry I survived! And I'm preety sure you'll too :niceone:

[racefactory]

it's a 400 dollar fine if you get caught without L plate.

So if you really don't like it- simply jimmy it to fold up behind the number plate, then when you encounter the local constabulary you can fold it down. Another 5000km of fuel saved.

[Shadows]

I rode on a learner's licence for 17 years.

I used an L plate once in all that time, for my restricted test. Bought it special, like.

Besides, an L plate would have looked a bit out of place on the 400, and really out of place on the 900.

[fireball]

it's a 400 dollar fine if you get caught without L plate.


:done: i was pulled over about 3 weeks ago being tail end charlie when all us girls went out for a learners ride (ironic that i have been riding the longest, about 6 years), LilSel on her full and me the only learner with no L plate on. mr plod was quite understanding when i pulled a munted L plate out of my jacket pocket... that i had randomly threw in my pocket the weekend before as our mates didnt need it.....

rode off with a "put a plastic plate on, and ride safe"

still dont have an L plate on and wont until i need it for the 'test' im too busy to go and do.

[quickbuck]

Yes, but you didn't have to have a huge yellow one flapping around at the back of your bike, so I was given a small white piece of plastic with a red L on it (about 6cm x 8cm) and it got screwed onto the licence plate. Half the time it 'accidentally' got flipped up under the plate... :innocent:

Yep I had a little white one in my day too. I mounted mine on Key rings.
When I got pulled up, I just used the excuse that Dad was riding the bike last and I accidentally left it tucked up behind the plate. The excuse worked. At last it is actually attached to the bike the nice policeman said the only time I was pulled up.

Of course if I actually did let it hang down as soon as I was moving it was flapping in the breeze anyway.

[davebullet]

L-Plates according to the road code are meant to make drivers more tolerant of error.

Infact, in my 22 years of driving / riding - I find the opposite. When a frustrated driver sees an l-plate - it makes them MORE impatient, as they think "what is this idiot going to do / they will drive to slow / stall the vehicle etc..."

From personal experience, my riding may be improving, but I've found less issues with other road users without the L-plate since removing it a couple of months ago.

[Speedracer]

I got pulled over a couple of times while on my learners. One cop asked me 20 questions about the road code after I braked for a speed camera lol but no mention of the missing plate.
Another time I got pulled over for no reason aka a 'wof and rego check' and I got told 'you know the limit is 70ks for learners and theres a lot of cops out there' and yet again no comment about the fact that I didn't have an L plate.

Maybe no one uses them so the cops don't notice they aren't there?

[adam1194]

Whats the deal with exemptions?
How can you get one?:woohoo:

[quickbuck]

Whats the deal with exemptions?
How can you get one?:woohoo:

You have a brand new Ninja... Why do you want an exemption.

Usually they are given to people who are very large, and a 250 is simply too small for them.
Or if you have been riding for years and only just got your licence to satisfy the law, and selling the GS1000 that you have been riding around for years illegally will put at a disadvantage....

Okay, second scenario might not work, but it is cases like that.

[Littlewheels]

if I was being tailgated I used to point to it, usually worked.

[Vacarious]

wel iv only ever used one for my restricted test, and that time i had to make one specially for it haha and while on my restricted im riding a vfr750 cos my zxr is in pieces atm!

yes very naughty but i havent been caught yet so ill keep doin it

[blossomsowner]

no L plate for me ...had a cb100 with a modded xr200 in it that really flew. Then onto a gsx750. Neither of these was a practical choice for a L plate.

[varminter]

I see the majority of you are bad boys/girls. I put the L plate on six months ago when I started riding and took it off today when I passed my restricted WoooHooo. Never had any problems, but all the drivers here in Rotovagas are shite anyway. Used it because a) can't afford a fine, b) didn't want to invalidate my insurance, & c) I forget what c) was, oh yes, I couldn't see it behind me so no worries. I feel a bit naked now.

[CB ARGH]

I have less than a week left with the L plate! I'm a very happy man! :clap:

Booking it tomorrow too! :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

By the way, yes, I do use my L Plate, and always have. Why risk $400 when all you have to use is a gay yellow piece of plastic for 6 months travelling at 70km/h on the open road with trucks up your arse and grannies giving you the middle finger, not to mention motorists thinking "shit I'm stuck behind a learner, lets overtake them on the next blind corner like a dipship donkey with a carrot up its ass" :Oi:

[phiretrojan]

I'm not sure about these L-plate issues that people claim to be having. Of course there will be the occasional time that a motorist will actively target someone on an l-plate but I think most of the time it is just normal careless, stupid, ignorant drivers doing their normal thing. When you have an L-plate on it is easy to say, "He/she did that cause I have my L-plate on" when the case may be "He/she did that cause they can't drive".

Yip, funny story it happen to me, i always use a L-Plate as i found drivers respect you more..................... not till the weekend! was riding to porirua from tawa, when this car pull out from a corner he DID see me but didnt bother to stop and just took in front of me, that "fuked me off" as WHAT IF i got HIT!

normally i wouldnt worry a bout this but i was in a bad mood aswell on the day

so i speed up abit ..... stop in front off him and got him to pull over......... it was a mid age white male, he like "wat the fk are you doing" i quoted "i can ask you the same question idiot, you saw me but didnt bother to stop i could of hit you ," he didnt care he says, he like lets see what the police going to say i was like " police wtf they doing to do" anywayz police gave me a warn and they told me off (as i had a L plate) plus to top it all i got taken to the police cell for 1hr to cool off, (didnt get charged) as when i got the blame, i strike the guy in the head with my helm ............. idiot blame me!

[samgab]

Yip, funny story it happen to me, i always use a L-Plate as i found drivers respect you more..................... not till the weekend! was riding to porirua from tawa, when this car pull out from a corner he DID see me but didnt bother to stop and just took in front of me, that "fuked me off" as WHAT IF i got HIT!

normally i wouldnt worry a bout this but i was in a bad mood aswell on the day

so i speed up abit ..... stop in front off him and got him to pull over......... it was a mid age white male, he like "wat the fk are you doing" i quoted "i can ask you the same question idiot, you saw me but didnt bother to stop i could of hit you ," he didnt care he says, he like lets see what the police going to say i was like " police wtf they doing to do" anywayz police gave me a warn and they told me off (as i had a L plate) plus to top it all i got taken to the police cell for 1hr to cool off, (didnt get charged) as when i got the blame, i strike the guy in the head with my helm ............. idiot blame me!

What you did, if I understand correctly, is what is termed "road rage". If you hit the driver with your helmet, that is also assault, and you were lucky not to be charged. :no:
To survive, your attitude when riding a motorcycle needs to be EXPECTING all other road users to cut you off, pull out in front of you, and just generally try to kill you. With that attitude, you won't be suprised and enraged when they do it; and they won't kill you -- because you were expecting them to do it.

[samgab]

1 hour till my restricted test!! This may be overly hopeful, but I'm taking clippers with me in the tool kit to cut the learner plate off for the trip home! ;)

[sunhuntin]

yep, i wore mine the entire time. [some 2 and bit years!] needless to say, after being worn for some 25000k, on 3 different bikes and covering much of the country with me, there wasnt much left! each bike took a different chunk out of the corner when it got sucked onto the tyre. when i went for the restricted, the tester said he "could" fail me just for having a shitty l plate. i followed the 70k rule for one trip only, and i nearly didnt come back. after that, i did whatever speed was required at the time... that included being overtaken by a cop while travelling at 110k.

i took a toolkit with me, and removed the plate as soon as i had the paper license in my wallet.

[bluebird]

never used an L plate, 250's are not my thing, I ride considerately and safely, education not legislation is what makes things work.:scooter:

[xMythOne]

Never used mine,

I wear a bag so it makes it look like I'm actually going somewhere sometimes.
I've noticed that cops look at you a lot more on bikes if u don't have storage (my theory is. if you don't have a bag or box, they are going to think your racing.)

I also don't wear it cos i feel that there is always people trying to pick on learners =T

[Tank]

I also don't wear it cos i feel that there is always people trying to pick on learners =T

This comment always makes me laugh.

Would YOU pick on someone just because they have "L" Plates? No?

Every person I have ever asked said "of course not" But for some reason believe that 90% of 'other' road users will go out of their way to do it.

Normal people wont - I think its just the perception of noob riders.

[gixxer-king]

but I have seen boy racers on a number of occasions get ticked off as an RG150 a GSX250 and a ZXR250 all on different occasions were either quicker off the lights then their jizzed up accord with cut springs or bluebird with masking tape over the headlamps and so gone and tail gated the bike or just down right tried to cut them off!
Now childish behaviour is fine so long as it isnt vehicle interaccial. cars can play with other cars and bikes can harass other bikes because the risks are the same for cat and mouse. but cars picking on bikes or indeed the other way round is silly. the age old "pick on someone your own size" springs to mind.

so just letting you know what ive seen and that it does happen. also a L plate rider isnt going to hold up many cars i wouldnt think. maybe a stall every now and then at the lights? so why do they need silly plates any way??? in a car yes theres many systems to worry about plus an extra person in the car helping/confusing you and its much harder to drive around another car.

Dont know all just my opinion so wondering what everyone else thinks here?

oh and had my L plate for 2 days and again on restriced day. so thats a no

[Paris]

Me too, although it is gradually getting worn down from the bottom up!, I do reckon that most people seem to be giving me more space with the plate on - although maybe that's 'cos they see me wobbling and want to get out o' the way!? :whistle:

[scumdog]

Never used mine,

I wear a bag so it makes it look like I'm actually going somewhere sometimes.
I've noticed that cops look at you a lot more on bikes if u don't have storage (my theory is. if you don't have a bag or box, they are going to think your racing.)

I also don't wear it cos i feel that there is always people trying to pick on learners =T

I think your site-name sums up the points you have just posted.....

[xMythOne]

This comment always makes me laugh.

Would YOU pick on someone just because they have "L" Plates? No?

Every person I have ever asked said "of course not" But for some reason believe that 90% of 'other' road users will go out of their way to do it.

Normal people wont - I think its just the perception of noob riders.

-i don't consider myself that much of a noob anymore, i "race" quite a few other bikes and Ive beaten a few 400cc+ bikes with my 250 ninja.
Ive been biking for only a short amount of time, and already had 2 cars try side swipe me into a sidewalk because i raped them at the lights (wasn't even trying to race on one occasion, and no i didn't ask for the race. they came up revving next to me)



I think your site-name sums up the points you have just posted.....

Huh?

Edit: forgot 2nd reply

[McJim]

-i don't consider myself that much of a noob anymore, i "race" quite a few other bikes and Ive beaten a few 400cc+ bikes with my 250 ninja.

Which track were you on and what sort of 400cc bikes were they?

What class of race was it where a 250twin was pitted against a 400 of any configuration?

[Ixion]

-i don't consider myself that much of a noob anymore, i "race" quite a few other bikes and Ive beaten a few 400cc+ bikes with my 250 ninja.
Ive been biking for only a short amount of time, and already had 2 cars try side swipe me into a sidewalk because i raped them at the lights (wasn't even trying to race on one occasion, and no i didn't ask for the race. they came up revving next to me)




Huh?

Edit: forgot 2nd reply

Mate , you're obviously ready to move on. Time to get a litre bike and really show those cagers. Best to do it soon like, I mean y'wouldn't want to run out of time and still be on a loser two fiddy, would y'

Don't worry about the piss ass rules, nobody ever bothers about them, not even the cops. Just go for it.

Guy with your skillz , you NEED a litre bike. An also, I bet your 250 doesn't do decent wheelies, does it? If y' can get it up at all , it won't stay up long , now that's the truth , ain't it. No matter how fast you can rape those cages, you're still not going to get no respect if you can't do it on one wheel.

[xMythOne]

Mate , you're obviously ready to move on. Time to get a litre bike and really show those cagers. Best to do it soon like, I mean y'wouldn't want to run out of time and still be on a loser two fiddy, would y'

Don't worry about the piss ass rules, nobody ever bothers about them, not even the cops. Just go for it.

Guy with your skillz , you NEED a litre bike. An also, I bet your 250 doesn't do decent wheelies, does it? If y' can get it up at all , it won't stay up long , now that's the truth , ain't it. No matter how fast you can rape those cages, you're still not going to get no respect if you can't do it on one wheel.


Thanks mate,
I'm saving up for a bike but im pretty broke lol, been riding my mates gsxr1000 lately. (ITS TOTALLY AWESOME!!)
Trying to decide whether i should get a gsxr, cbrr, or R1 (when i can actually afford one xD)

[Soul.Trader]

Thanks mate,
I'm saving up for a bike but im pretty broke lol, been riding my mates gsxr1000 lately. (ITS TOTALLY AWESOME!!)
Trying to decide whether i should get a gsxr, cbrr, or R1 (when i can actually afford one xD)

That *woooosh* you hear is the sound of Ixion's post going over your head.

[Road Guardian]

Has any one here ever been pulled over by a police officer, while on a 6L, without a L plate attached. If so what was the result, did you get ticketed? ($400).

[Tank]

Has any one here ever been pulled over by a police officer, while on a 6L, without a L plate attached. If so what was the result, did you get ticketed? ($400).

several bikers are $400 lighter for this.

[Road Guardian]

several bikers are $400 lighter for this.

What I would like to know is how common is this? Is it still worth driving around without L plates because of the risk of either getting a ticket vs getting a bad case of Learner Attack!

[TLDV8]

How many of you used l-plates as leaner riders?

No L plates in 1977.

Back then learner riders were not allowed to go above third gear for the first six months,fourth if you had a six speed gearbox.

[xMythOne]

Has any one here ever been pulled over by a police officer, while on a 6L, without a L plate attached. If so what was the result, did you get ticketed? ($400).

driving constantly for 4 months, and haven't been pulled over so far.

[quickbuck]

No L plates in 1977.

Back then learner riders were not allowed to go above third gear for the first six months,fourth if you had a six speed gearbox.

Shit, so you would be limited to what.... 260k on a modern bike if that still the case?

[savante]

That *woooosh* you hear is the sound of Ixion's post going over your head.

I'm glad you said it or else i would have... *lol* It made me snort a little when i laughed. :D :clap:

[fliplid]

Some people don't actually read the replies. Sounded more like a sonic boom though... Made me laugh as well!

[xMythOne]

You think i dont know sarcasm?
if you thought my reply to Ixion was serious, then good for you

Now the thing that annoys me is the fact that no one can say anything on this website. Meaning, i said im "not much of a noob" and most of you took it a bit further and thought i was calling myself a "pro". (what is this? 4chan or something?)

All i was trying to say was, ive worked hard to get the skills ive got by getting a mentor and practice etc. therefore ive surpassed some other learners

i know im a learner, and i know most of the people on here can pwn me on a straight line or race track. I'm no pro, just a noob that has worked hard to be a better noob.

Peace,
xM1

[Tank]

Now the thing that annoys me is the fact that no one can say anything on this website. Meaning, i said im "not much of a noob" and most of you took it a bit further and thought i was calling myself a "pro". (what is this? 4chan or something?)

All i was trying to say was, ive worked hard to get the skills ive got by getting a mentor and practice etc. therefore ive surpassed some other learners





-i don't consider myself that much of a noob anymore, i "race" quite a few other bikes and Ive beaten a few 400cc+ bikes with my 250 ninja.

Yeah - our bad - this comment dosn't make it sound like you rate yourself and race on the roads. Sorry dude - got Squid written all over it. Thats why you got shit.

[EatOrBeEaten]

Really curious about this one- the idea of doing 70 on the motorway seems really f'ing dangerous to me, but I'm a law-abiding wuss at heart (on some things). Everyone I've spoken to in NZ who rides has said to drop the L, and my daily commute to work (the ZZR will be my only form of transport!)involved the motorway, so I'm in a bit of a quandry here...

[mister.koz]

Really curious about this one- the idea of doing 70 on the motorway seems really f'ing dangerous to me, but I'm a law-abiding wuss at heart (on some things). Everyone I've spoken to in NZ who rides has said to drop the L, and my daily commute to work (the ZZR will be my only form of transport!)involved the motorway, so I'm in a bit of a quandry here...

Thats a real tricky one, 70km can seem unsafe when everyone's whizzing past you. I took the L-plate off because i was in 100km zones quite a bit and i felt that i needed to keep up with the rest of the traffic. Weirdly enough I found other vehicles more courteous after i took off the L plate and speed up to the traffic around me.

My advice is to avoid the 100km zones as much as you can, if you have to go on the motorway, pick a speed and spacing that is safe, better to get a ticket than get into trouble with other vehicles on the road.

And get your restricted as soon as possible!

[Leyton]

but I'm a law-abiding wuss at heart (on some things). Everyone I've spoken to in NZ who rides has said to drop the L, and my daily commute to work

My exemption request should be in there offices today... I am asking on just about no merrit. I do not have to ride the bike two and from work I just wrote a 4 page essay on why the 70km limit has proven to be a problem.

I to have found the tin lids pick on you if you have an L plate one, whilst others give you a little space.

Its real weird coming from a tin lid background to having a L stuck on your ass again :)

... Will post how my exemption request got on, Fingers crossed.

[ColonelKFC]

Once I realised how slow 70Kmh was when cars were zipping past me at 100 I decided to ditch th L plate. I grew up out of Chch so it was a looong ride at 70 Kmh. then I moved bought a different bike and only ever used the L plate for my R test during which I found again how much a pain in the arse it is to hold up lots of traffic.
Got pulled up doing 97 in a 70 zone and when asked about L plates said I was selling the bike. The cop was all good about it. one speeding ticket is one too many. so Ive stayed under the radar since then.
provided you dont break the law you probably wont get pulled over.
I say its safer to leave them off,Or wait till the law change

[Reido]

you've also got to realize that,

yes 70kmph in a 100kmph is dangerous.. with cars wizzing past at "100"
but how many of them are really doing 100....

the majority seem to do 115ish..

so its not just 30kmph faster.. its 45...

[Roki_nz]

you've also got to realize that,

yes 70kmph in a 100kmph is dangerous.. with cars wizzing past at "100"
but how many of them are really doing 100....

the majority seem to do 115ish..

so its not just 30kmph faster.. its 45...


Hmm they might just be doing 100 or 110. On the new Ninja 250 the Speedo is out by roughly 10% so if you’re going at 100 you’re actually doing about 90.

[Reido]

Hmm they might just be doing 100 or 110. On the new Ninja 250 the Speedo is out by roughly 10% so if you’re going at 100 you’re actually doing about 90.

even so, i've been doing "120" and still have people passing me at a fiar pace quicker..

then again you could argue that they could be doing 80 instead of 70..

[Dare]

even so, i've been doing "120" and still have people passing me at a fiar pace quicker..

then again you could argue that they could be doing 80 instead of 70..

Funny, if I do '120' I usually have to lane change every few seconds.
It's like when i'm driving everyone is going faster than the speed limit, but when I'm riding normally according to my speedo everyones a nana. That's my story and i'm sticking to it.

In other news, I worked long and hard for my full drivers license, I put up with people tailgating me whenever I had that L in the window (which was most of the time, I was good back then), I was home before 10 and all the other BS. Restricted, well maybe a little more relaxed but never got in trouble for it. Now I have had a full license for over 2 years and suddenly it's back to a blue license and a curfew? No way =) So i'm sorry and all, but...


No L plate for me, I never saw the point, only mothers of kids learning to drive tend to be nice to L platers from experience.
No 70kmh... That's just plain stupid, if your not going at the same speed/faster than surrounding traffic it's an invitation to frustrated cagers, as I found out yesterday when some asian in a honda jazz sat about 20cm from my back wheel, I ended up changing lane to GTFO.
No curfew, what are these for anyway? Something about reading traffic at night?


Essentially, the change-over was as simple as learning to ride a bike, read the road surface and deal with how people see bikes differently on the road. Admittedly it's quite a big difference, but not one that those three laws really affect in any real way.

Incidentally, is learner-restricted-full 6 months, 12 months or 18 months if you have a 1F license? I want my green license back :innocent:

Yes, I'm probably a bad influence, it wouldn't be the first time :shutup:

[Leyton]

No L plate for me, I never saw the point, only mothers of kids learning to drive tend to be nice to L platers from experience.
No 70kmh... That's just plain stupid, if your not going at the same speed/faster than surrounding traffic it's an invitation to frustrated cagers, as I found out yesterday when some asian in a honda jazz sat about 20cm from my back wheel, I ended up changing lane to GTFO.
No curfew, what are these for anyway? Something about reading traffic at night?



I think the curfew is purely so learners are not riding when they should be sleeping when ya body clock is telling you to goto bed.

:)

[Reido]

I think the curfew is purely so learners are not riding when they should be sleeping when ya body clock is telling you to goto bed.

:)

there's a good post about the curfew somewhere,

statics say more learners / restricted drivers/riders crash late at night..
due to most being school aged and being at school most of the day...

something along those lines.. so they put the 10pm curfew..

[Ixion]

... Now I have had a full license for over 2 years ..
Essentially, the change-over was as simple as learning to ride a bike, read the road surface and deal with how people see bikes differently on the road. Admittedly it's quite a big difference, but not one that those three laws really affect in any real way.



Yes. That's all. Nothing to it really. But, seeing as you are smart enough to see through the crap about licence rules, how come you're still farting about on a kiddies 250cc? They're for wimps and babies, man. I mean, you've got TWO YEARS experience in a car , that's MORE than enough for a litre bike, especially seeing as you've successfully sussed out the insignifcant difference between bikes and cars.


Time to upgrade I reckon. After all the 250cc limit is just another bit of bullshit no different to the crap about curfews and such like.

[EatOrBeEaten]

Yes. That's all. Nothing to it really. But, seeing as you are smart enough to see through the crap about licence rules, how come you're still farting about on a kiddies 250cc? They're for wimps and babies, man. I mean, you've got TWO YEARS experience in a car , that's MORE than enough for a litre bike, especially seeing as you've successfully sussed out the insignifcant difference between bikes and cars.


Time to upgrade I reckon. After all the 250cc limit is just another bit of bullshit no different to the crap about curfews and such like.
It's this kind of positive, helpful attitude that ensures us learners don't feel patronised by you experienced types and listen when you have something to say.

[Ixion]

It's this kind of positive, helpful attitude that ensures us learners don't feel patronised by you experienced types and listen when you have something to say.

But is there anything we could say that you do not already know?

[oldrider]

How many of you used l-plates as leaner riders?

Cant actually ever remember having them.

Got my bike and car licences 1954.

I am sure the rule makers of the day were talking about them, it's what they do, talk! :mad:

Does anybody know what year they (L plates) came into law? :confused: John.

[EatOrBeEaten]

But is there anything we could say that you do not already know?
Having spent the afternoon with my mentor, yes. As a sensible adult with a firm grasp of the concept of learning, yes.

You seem to think that all learner riders are arrogant 16 year old nuggets with no understanding of the concept of "experience". I'm not sure if you're trolling or just oblivious to the irony of you displaying the same breathtaking arrogance that you accuse all learner riders of.

[samgab]

Having spent the afternoon with my mentor, yes. As a sensible adult with a firm grasp of the concept of learning, yes.

You seem to think that all learner riders are arrogant 16 year old nuggets with no understanding of the concept of "experience". I'm not sure if you're trolling or just oblivious to the irony of you displaying the same breathtaking arrogance that you accuse all learner riders of.

Relax, he's just winding you up... ;)

[EatOrBeEaten]

Relax, he's just winding you up... ;)
He's trolling, I know.

I am ashamed, but in my defence it's late and he's wound me up before...

[Ixion]

Cant actually ever remember having them.

Got my bike and car licences 1954.

I am sure the rule makers of the day were talking about them, it's what they do, talk! :mad:

Does anybody know what year they (L plates) came into law? :confused: John.

!980s. Sometime round 1986 I think. But before that you had a P licence label the little thing about an inch square that you stick on the number plate. A leaner was supposed to display one with a P on it. cost 5/-. Supposed to.

[Ixion]

Having spent the afternoon with my mentor, yes. As a sensible adult with a firm grasp of the concept of learning, yes.

You seem to think that all learner riders are arrogant 16 year old nuggets with no understanding of the concept of "experience". I'm not sure if you're trolling or just oblivious to the irony of you displaying the same breathtaking arrogance that you accuse all learner riders of.

No. Not all. In half a century or so I have seen thousand of novices come. And go. Very few stay the course. Some die. Some are injured enough that they can never ride again (or, indeed, do much else). Many crash sufficiently to persuade them that motorbikes are ghey and they never wanted to ride one anyway. They move on. Usually fairly quickly. In the meantime , they do neither themselves, not motorcycling, a service.

A few, a very few, are the stayers. the riders that will still be out there in 50 years. My replacements, if you like.

It is in the interests of everyone that those in the first group be discouraged from motorcycling as quickly as possible. The earlier , the better the likelihood they willl not die. They probably will die , though , because they are hard to discourage, because they know everything.

The latter group I encourage.

I find that for most, (but not all) , novices I can quite quickly tell into which group he or she falls.

Some , perhaps like you are more difficult to assign. I will reserve judgement. But you'll probably die., Most learners do ,that don't give it away, after a while.

It's nothing personal. Just like a farmer sorting through the sheep, some to keep some to go to the works. Many are called, but few are chosen

[EatOrBeEaten]

Thank you master Yoda. I have learned much from this.

[Ixion]

I very much doubt it. But, still, I will reserve judgement.

[oldrider]

!980s. Sometime round 1986 I think. But before that you had a P licence label the little thing about an inch square that you stick on the number plate. A leaner was supposed to display one with a P on it. cost 5/-. Supposed to.

My Alzheimer's must be running rampant, I can't even remember the "P" thingy!

There is a lingering memory of some little sticker or something that seemed important around that time.

It might just have been the little registration sticker we had to put on the back number plate.

Glad they got rid of that silly front number plate, what a pain they were!

The most important safety gear for me is "boots" and "gloves".

The modern helmet is a comfort accessary before a safety device but they are so much improved I wouldn't ride far without one.

Bikes are so good today, gear is so good, I feel lucky to have lived long enough to have experienced them. :ride: John.

[cold comfort]

Yeah, i must be losing it also John. I got my licence in the late 60's and can also only recall an "L" plate in the window.The Assuies have P plates but i'm buggered if i can recall them here

[RatedR]

That *woooosh* you hear is the sound of Ixion's post going over your head.

Hhahaahaha

[xMythOne]

Wow from reading all of Ixions posts, i have come to the conclusion that he is the best motorcyclist around.
only the best come here to flame learners!

But honestly, do you really have a life apart from treating learners like crap?
i feel as though a learner cant even come on to this forum anymore without a smart arsed comment from Ixion to try bring them down.

Im sure his excuse would be something like "well learners are being to cocky etc etc" but its kinda gotten to the point where learners cant even say what they have learned without Ixion trying to crap on them.

I dont care if he's only winding people up. Go do that crap on a car forum

[Dare]

Yes. That's all. Nothing to it really. But, seeing as you are smart enough to see through the crap about licence rules, how come you're still farting about on a kiddies 250cc? They're for wimps and babies, man. I mean, you've got TWO YEARS experience in a car , that's MORE than enough for a litre bike, especially seeing as you've successfully sussed out the insignifcant difference between bikes and cars.


Time to upgrade I reckon. After all the 250cc limit is just another bit of bullshit no different to the crap about curfews and such like.

Oh certainly! You know after being on four wheels on NZ's lovely safe roads for over 5 years now all bikes are a piece of piss. I was thinking a 500cc two stroke with a turbo would be more suitable for pissing all over boy racers... Because after all lane splitting at 100kmh has to be safer, less time per car to get in an accident hey? Oh and because I think the rules are SO stupid i'll invent new hours in the day to break those stupid kiddy laws in! Watch me go. :scooter:

Or maybe i'll just trust my own judgement

[Ixion]

Wow from reading all of Ixions posts, i have come to the conclusion that he is the best motorcyclist around.
only the best come here to flame learners!

But honestly, do you really have a life apart from treating learners like crap?
i feel as though a learner cant even come on to this forum anymore without a smart arsed comment from Ixion to try bring them down.

Im sure his excuse would be something like "well learners are being to cocky etc etc" but its kinda gotten to the point where learners cant even say what they have learned without Ixion trying to crap on them.

I dont care if he's only winding people up. Go do that crap on a car forum

Oh no. Never learners. Only those who have already learned all there is to know. Those who are still learning I encourage. After all, like me, they've probably spent years getting to that stage. It's just envy of course, of those with the leet skillz to rape cars and beat bigger bikes with ease. I guess it's all those years of driving cars makes them so good.

[Dare]

Oh no. Never learners. Only those who have already learned all there is to know. Those who are still learning I encourage. After all, like me, they've probably spent years getting to that stage. It's just envy of course, of those with the leet skillz to rape cars and beat bigger bikes with ease. I guess it's all those years of driving cars makes them so good.

In my family we have a saying, it goes something like 'when you think you know everything, you're already dead'. I would like to say it's something I live by and I strive to consciously become a better rider by practising what I've seen and read every time i'm on the road. But your clearly an amazing judge of character and there is no point trying. I'll just be a smudge on the pavement within the next month anyway.

[xMythOne]

My mentor always told me "there is always something new to learn with bikes", i have never heard one person say that they are too good, or that they know everything.
I have only heard people stating what they know, and that they have surpassed what they used to know. i seriously hate when people in this forum start acting all cocky like Ixion.

Just be straight up, tell people to stop acting like they know everything and to get their head out of the clouds. There is no need to act all faggitory towards people.

I do recall people saying "welcome to the KB family" when i first got here. From what Ive seen so far its pretty dysfunctional...

[Road Guardian]

In my family we have a saying, it goes something like 'when you think you know everything, you're already dead'. I would like to say it's something I live by and I strive to consciously become a better rider by practising what I've seen and read every time i'm on the road.

Spot on dude, I could alter that and say "when you stop learning/when you think you know everything, you should quit". And that is a very common quote when it comes to my job. And can be applied to riding too.

And life is a big school, you never stop learning, even when it comes to realizing that you think you know every thing, you will learn that you don't, and here is more to learn.

[Tank]

i seriously hate when people in this forum start acting all cocky like Ixion.

Not that you would ever say anything cocky?


-i don't consider myself that much of a noob anymore, i "race" quite a few other bikes and Ive beaten a few 400cc+ bikes with my 250 ninja.
Ive been biking for only a short amount of time, and already had 2 cars try side swipe me into a sidewalk because i raped them at the lights

Its comments like that which make you sound like a temporary rider - and cocky as, well, a cocky thing.

Perhaps this is why you are being viewed as such. Thats the problem with first impressions - you give them over the Internet as well.

The best thing is to prove Ixion wrong by having a long, enjoyable and safe biking like.


-
I do recall people saying "welcome to the KB family" when i first got here. From what Ive seen so far its pretty dysfunctional...

Yep - totally. But in general peoples hearts are in the right place, and trying to help. Sometimes the delivery may be crap, but the intent is positive.

[PeteJW]

So yea then i put it on for the test, the testing officer noted how clean the L-plate was with a cheeky and slightly mothering tone.

Well worth keeping mind, *goes out and places L plate in muddy puddle to soak for 2 months*. Roll on March.

[Leyton]

My exemption request should be in there offices today... I am asking on just about no merrit. I do not have to ride the bike two and from work I just wrote a 4 page essay on why the 70km limit has proven to be a problem.

I to have found the tin lids pick on you if you have an L plate one, whilst others give you a little space.

Its real weird coming from a tin lid background to having a L stuck on your ass again :)

... Will post how my exemption request got on, Fingers crossed.

As promised I would keep yall up to date with its progress.

I got a short template letter back today after waiting ages, that says in these words

Please Provide the following :

* Evidence of your riding experience.
If you will complete an approced driving course to reduce the class 6 restricted class waiting time.
The usal address's you wish to travel between via motorcyle, and the likely travel time for each journey.
* What alternative travel methods are available.
* The Make model and licence plate number of the motorcycle you would like to ride while holding a class 6 learner lisence.

I will do my best to provide all the details and help them the best I can. I will contact the guy tomorrow. Fingers crossed

[xMythOne]

Not that you would ever say anything cocky?



Its comments like that which make you sound like a temporary rider - and cocky as, well, a cocky thing.

Perhaps this is why you are being viewed as such. Thats the problem with first impressions - you give them over the Internet as well.

The best thing is to prove Ixion wrong by having a long, enjoyable and safe biking like.



Yep - totally. But in general peoples hearts are in the right place, and trying to help. Sometimes the delivery may be crap, but the intent is positive.

I said a couple "cocky" things because i could back them up. when i say "race" (in quotation marks) i know they aren't proper race track races.
by this "race" an example is: a couple of my friends asked me to "race" a couple of bendy roads around the area. which only shifting gears is the only thing that can give you an advantage.
Not once have i compared myself to anyone here, and i never will.

I get angry because i may sound cocky, but atleast i dont do it towards people to try bring them down

Ive been on a couple bike rides and i love them, its just crap i have to work so much =[

[lastkiwi]

Hows tis for a record Also maybe a confession. I lost my licence to drive anything when I was 19 . A couple of years later I resat my motorcycle licence & at this stage Leaner licence had just come in. I never did ever sit the Full licence & i have messed about on 250,s ever since. Today I bought a GB500 . I am 66 yrs. Now I need the Full plate but I,m a bit nervous about sitting the test. What should I do?
Lastkiwi

[Leyton]

Hows tis for a record Also maybe a confession. I lost my licence to drive anything when I was 19 . A couple of years later I resat my motorcycle licence & at this stage Leaner licence had just come in. I never did ever sit the Full licence & i have messed about on 250,s ever since. Today I bought a GB500 . I am 66 yrs. Now I need the Full plate but I,m a bit nervous about sitting the test. What should I do?
Lastkiwi

Grab a 250cc and just go for it :) Or if you can offord it you could try a on road riding school. Not because of your experience, just for your confidence. They should be able to explain what the full test is all about and take you through the same course. :)