L Plates are dangerous

[putput]

Just got my 6R the other day and popped a L-plate on for the first time on the way to the test.
had three seperate cages tailgate me..like bulls to a red rag

[robertvi]

I guess the logic goes something like "this person is a learner and therefore will be slowing me down at some point unless I can get past" which is not even especially true on my GN250 (given enough throttle), let alone a ZX6R, but doesn't stop 'em from trying a dangerous passing manoeuvre

There's also something about the 'narrowness' of a bike which seems to grate a certain type of driver "I can see all that empty road ahead beyond this small object, so why can't I get to it?" c'est la vie

[Ronin]

So were you riding the 400? How fast were you going?

[davereid]

I find that drivers do behave differently when confronted with different size bikes, so I am sure that the "L" plate contributes to some crappy driver behaviour. My K100 seems to elicit a completely different driver attitude to my scooter !

But your licence is conditional on a number of conditions, one of which is that you display an "L" plate.

From a purely legal point of view, if you don't meet the conditions of a licence, you don't have a licence, so, always use your L plate.

I've suggested mounting it on the inside of the number plate facing forward. It meets the requirements of the lore, but cannot be seen from behind.

Especially if you paint the back of it black, it would never be noticed from behind.

Ride safe..

[Neshi]

But your licence is conditional on a number of conditions, one of which is that you display an "L" plate.
I've suggested mounting it on the inside of the number plate facing forward..., but cannot be seen from behind.

Especially if you paint the back of it black, it would never be noticed from behind.

how is it displaying the L plate, when you can't see it. In that case it might as well not be there.

I've attached the L plate on my bike when I first got my license. 2 weeks in it fell of on the motorway.. never bothered to put a new one up. Cagers treat me like a normal biker, police doesn't care because I am confident enough on the road (otherwise they would have pulled me over).

[davereid]

how is it displaying the L plate, when you can't see it. In that case it might as well not be there.

I've attached the L plate on my bike when I first got my license. 2 weeks in it fell of on the motorway.. never bothered to put a new one up. Cagers treat me like a normal biker, police doesn't care because I am confident enough on the road (otherwise they would have pulled me over).

Its up to you Neshi.

It's very visible in the location I have suggested, its just not visible to tail-gaters.

But don't whinge on here if you crash and get declined insurance because you crashed into a lawyer who knew you were technically unlicensed.

[Cayman911]

I'd rather some people think im a dork learning how to change gears than to get a $100 fine like i did. or as the gentleman above said, be declined by insurance. as those are the learning times.

and you can look at it in another way too. its an excuse to muck up. because everyone will know you're a learner. while if you are on a 400 mucking up something with no indication of learners, you'll probably just get laughs and people pointing.

that was a while ago, when the cop gave me the fine, it made me realise all that. and now i can get my full soon

[davereid]

I'd rather some people think im a dork learning how to change gears than to get a $100 fine like i did. or as the gentleman above said, be declined by insurance. as those are the learning times

On the bright side, I have never heard of anyone being declined, its just that if they were to choose to become very very anal, they could.

Spend your time learning to ride, learning. Not dodging cops, obsessing about other drivers, or worrying about "what people think".

Motorcycling may be the best thing you will ever do.

But, its dangerous, and it needs conscious effort to get it right, and the measure of that is not you lap times, its being uninjured and still doing it when you are on the old-age-pension.

The BEST thing you can do is use every minute on your bike getting better at riding.
You are generously advantaged should things go wrong with a good helmet, gloves and boots.

Your BEST investment is developing the patience to ride slowly when you must, to anticipate the idiot, and to have the skills to ensure his idiocy does not hurt you.

Ride safe...

[Gone Burger]

When I was on my learners, I actually found displaying my "L" plate was very handy. The first few months of learning to change gears, stalling a few times at roundabouts etc... having the L plate there let people know that I was having a few issues, and not just being a twat that was holding people up (ok, so I was being that too, but no intentionally). They gave me some decent space, and allowed me the time to get myself sorted and up and going again before reacting to me. I did find that when I took it off, and stalled, people got very grumpy very quickly, trying to over take me within seconds.

Kept them on just until I got the hang of the gears, and through the issues of a new bike getting stuck in neutral mid intersection! Took them off as the confidence grew and I didn't think I needed as much space or patience from people.

Worked a treat for me as an early learner, wonder if others ever found them helpful?

[ajturbo]

in my day we didn't have to have an "L"... we didn't have that DANGEROUSLY STUPID 70k rule....

in my day, we had horses

[bogan]

I find that drivers do behave differently when confronted with different size bikes, so I am sure that the "L" plate contributes to some crappy driver behaviour. My K100 seems to elicit a completely different driver attitude to my scooter !

But your licence is conditional on a number of conditions, one of which is that you display an "L" plate.

From a purely legal point of view, if you don't meet the conditions of a licence, you don't have a licence, so, always use your L plate.

I've suggested mounting it on the inside of the number plate facing forward. It meets the requirements of the lore, but cannot be seen from behind.

Especially if you paint the back of it black, it would never be noticed from behind.

Ride safe..

better option is to tape it onto the bottom of the fender so it can easily flip around up to the inside when riding, get pulled over, oops sorry officer, wind musta caught it, will tape that on better when i get home

[j_redley]

Personally I see the point in them, if your a learner. Much like you steer clear of a car driver who has L plates, people may be a little more cautious around you on the bike if you have L's. However, putting L's on the 400 is asking to be pulled over if thats what your riding.

On the other hand, I've had my leaners for over 2 years now, and simply don't agree with the amount your forced to pay to our government to get the next stage licence, so haven't done so yet, and I don't use L's.

[wysper]

Just got my 6R the other day and popped a L-plate on for the first time on the way to the test.
had three seperate cages tailgate me..like bulls to a red rag

Just as a matter of interest, next time you go out on the same bike, if you DONT have the L plate on, see how often you get tailgated. You may be surprised.

[Cayman911]

putting L's on the 400 is asking to be pulled over if thats what your riding.
.

haha there was a CBR400 on trademe a while back with 250 stickers on it for that exact reason.

[PrincessBandit]

There will always be divided opinion about whether L plates are "good" or "bad". Personally I always used mine while on my L, and yes I did have a few incidents of bullying by knobhead drivers, but generally speaking my experience was more positive than negative.

Interestingly most tailgating was when I was on the GN; very few incidents with the bandit.

There are just dorks out there who will be road bullies regardless - you just have to use your discretion as to when to hold your ground and when to make an exit.....