70kmh max for learners?

[superman]

I have heard from lots of biking friends that when they were learners they refused to put the L plate on because it caused much more strife than gain. I remember thinking the same thing when I was on my car learners but anyway, seeing as I live in the country and have to drive 10km to the nearest dairy along an open 100km/h road. I feel a bit uneasy about this 70km/h max business.

I ocassionally in my car drive 80km through the country if I feel like being stingy with my fuel, and the amount of dangerous overtaking from the lack of long straights I've witnessed is making me worry about going 70km/h on a motorbike. I remember hearing that they were going to remove the 70km/h cap but I haven't heard anything about this for a while, I don't see it being any less dangerous on the motorway going 70 as people pass you at 100+.

What would your advice be?

Stay in my little 5km culdesac until I get my restricted license?

Don't put on the L plate and drive at traffic speed? (cop would probably think I'm a restricted/full driver, not likely to get found out, other vehicles treat me like a normal motorcyclist, albeit a more experienced one than I actually am which probably isn't a good thing)

Put on the L plate and drive at traffic speed? (more likely to be pulled over by cop, but still showing to people I'm a learner and trying to avoid dangerous cars/trucks overtaking me)

Drive with L plate on, and don't go over 70km/h (deal with the traffic build up and pull over where possible, they might not do dangerous overtaking when they see the L)

Note: I intend to be riding to university in 3 months, which consists of a 50km journey each way, through about 20 minutes of country driving and 20 minutes of motorway.

Cheers

[sil3nt]

No L plate and ride at the speed your comfortable at (within the law!).

Some get away with it some don't. I got away with it. Just remember to put the L plate on before you sit the test!

[superman]

No L plate and ride at the speed your comfortable at (within the law!).

Some get away with it some don't. I got away with it. Just remember to put the L plate on before you sit the test!

Yeah I know if I got pulled over by a cop here and I explained the whole situation they'd be very understanding. It's just the further you get into Auckland the cops seem to become more strict and less forgiving. Granted most Auckland drivers are absolute dicks.

Like when I was on my learners back in the day I was taking a friend home from train station because we went to New Market to watch a movie with some friends. The cops know there is no public transport within 20mins of where we live and they understand we don't want to stay cooped up at home unless our parents can drive us somewhere. Breaking 2 license laws I thought for sure I was a goner it being 11pm. They just said "we're looking for drunks, see you later" exactly how it should be!

[EJK]

If you ever get pulled over simply BECAUSE you were riding over 70kph on your learners, I'll give you $20.

[st00ji]

i was pulled over twice during my learner period, which was probably 1000% more frequently than when im driving a car, but nevermind that. got a ticket once, the second time - i was months and months over my minimum time for learners, should have done it eh.

i reckon you'll be fine 99.9% of the time, provided you dont do anything else to bring attention to yourself and are a confident rider. as a few wise old heads on here say, try and break just one law at a time.

i did the 70k thing for a couple of weeks and got the shit scared out of me three or four times by cars cutting in front of me etc. resolved to ride at traffic speed regardless of the monetary cost after that.

[KiWiP]

IMHO Use L plates. It's very difficult to argue your way out of the fact you don't have one.

On faster than 70Km/h stretches stay in left hand lane and travel at same speed as vehicle in front remembering the 2 second rule. If someone cuts in front pull back to maintain 2 second rule while muttering 'Dick' If you do go up to 100Km/h and you are pulled over (unlikely) explain you were maintaining speed with the traffic and shit scared of having a stoned trucker mount you from behind.

[MSTRS:Me]

Put the L on and ride at the traffic speed for where you are.* Most cops won't ticket for speed breech alone.

* Of course, if you and the cop are the only vehicles there at the time, it might pay to observe the 70 thing...

[maggot]

I've never used an L plate, minus my restricted test.
I've been pulled over a few times, and had separate incidents with the police and never got a ticket or anything. That being said, I wouldn't advise it. Makes you feel paranoid as hell.
For me, just personally, I knew I'd have to use the motorway everyday, and I would have to go 100km/h to feel safe on the motorway, and the L plate would call unneeded attention to me, so I felt it unimportant. That being said, if I didn't need to use the motorway, I'd have a plate on, no doubt.
It's just a risk that you have to calculate and decide whether you want to take or not, and live with the consequences if there are any.

Personally, I can't wait for the day they get rid of the 70km/h limit.

[sunhuntin]

i used my l plate the whole way through. i will never forget one windy as hell day down canterbury. i was riding at about 110k. was a side wind that would have put me in a ditch had i gone slower. saw a cop in my mirrors, considering slowing and decided against it. instead, i maintained my speed and road position. the cop overtook, looked at me on his way past, pulled back in and went on his merry way. totally unexpected, and quite good cos if he had taken my licence, i was a long way from home, lol.

[GOONR]

I kept the L plate on but didn't observe the 70k limit. Never had an issue.

[p.dath]

Check out my L-Plate BLOG entry.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/en...ir-just-a-sign

[superman]

Check out my L-Plate BLOG entry.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/en...ir-just-a-sign

So am I right in deducing that you'd recommend I'd stay in my 5km (100km/h) culdesac that has minimal traffic until I feel super confident with the machine handling, and then leave my mothers womb into the big bad main road.

I assume you mean to go 100km/h however even though your blog says to wait the 6 months. Since 80% of the roads I drive on are 100km/h roads not being a townie. And I just don't really see that as being realistic. How will I drive on the motorway at 70km/h and not shit my pants.

Do you really feel that for a learner driving in a straight line at 100km/h that it's not worth the risk compared to going 70km/h with cars passing at 100-120km/h.

[EJK]

So am I right in deducing that you'd recommend I'd stay in my 5km (100km/h) culdesac that has minimal traffic until I feel super confident with the machine handling, and then leave my mothers womb into the big bad main road.

I assume you mean to go 100km/h however even though your blog says to wait the 6 months. Since 80% of the roads I drive on are 100km/h roads not being a townie. And I just don't really see that as being realistic. How will I drive on the motorway at 70km/h and not shit my pants.

Do you really feel that for a learner driving in a straight line at 100km/h that it's not worth the risk compared to going 70km/h with cars passing at 100-120km/h.

Do you want my $20 bux or not?

[PrincessBandit]

I agree with KiWiP, use the L plate. The yellow square stuck to my bum for the 6 months on my learners but I travelled over the 70kph frequently on the motorway in Auckland and never got a ticket. Never even been pulled over.
As others say, usually it is more than just one thing that you attract attention for.

[superman]

If you ever get pulled over simply BECAUSE you were riding over 70kph on your learners, I'll give you $20.

Ok Mr. EJK, I will ride with the L plate and go over 70km/h where appropriate. Your $20 will be much appreciated if I do get the fine. Though I agree with you that it would be very unlikely to be pulled over for that reason alone.