This bloody L-plate!!! First ride...

[blocker]

Wild Boar, Geez, sounds like the L plate is a real pain in the arse. I haven't put one on yet, just being doing a few short rides over the last week, (and still need to get in to do the scratch test to officially get my licence, did the basic handling previous saturday but thats it).

Hill starts are a certainly an experience. I've tried the front and back brake ones. I'm leaning towards the front brake as being easier. Haven't stalled but had a few wobble into actions take offs.
How are you finding the mirrors on your GSX. That is the biggest thing that bothers me coming from 14 years in a car. Instead of 3 big fat car mirrors set up to see everything, I've got these two dinky little things that struggle to see past the great bloody padded shoulders and arms on my jacket (which about doubles my width). I've being playing around with them but they don't seem to be set wide enough and leave a blind spot directly behind me.

Will have to see how this L plate thing goes myself. If I get annoyed with it maybe I could experiment and put it on my Twin Turbo Legacy and see who wants to try and tailgate or inside pass me in that.

[Waylander]

How are you finding the mirrors on your GSX. That is the biggest thing that bothers me coming from 14 years in a car. Instead of 3 big fat car mirrors set up to see everything, I've got these two dinky little things that struggle to see past the great bloody padded shoulders and arms on my jacket (which about doubles my width). I've being playing around with them but they don't seem to be set wide enough and leave a blind spot directly behind me.

Turn your head you'll see more. Seriously the mirrors are only really there to give you some idea of what's behind you, same in a car. If you really want to see what's going on around you turn your head and look.
Welcome to the site BTW.

[WildBoarMouse]

Wild Boar, Geez, sounds like the L plate is a real pain in the arse. I haven't put one on yet, just being doing a few short rides over the last week, (and still need to get in to do the scratch test to officially get my licence, did the basic handling previous saturday but thats it).

Hill starts are a certainly an experience. I've tried the front and back brake ones. I'm leaning towards the front brake as being easier. Haven't stalled but had a few wobble into actions take offs.

I think half the problem is that I'm trying to take off as quickly as I would in the car without riding the clutch... Definitely going to try this front brake thing. Still another four days before I can go for another ride <<looks longingly out the window... oh it's dark>>

How are you finding the mirrors on your GSX. That is the biggest thing that bothers me coming from 14 years in a car. Instead of 3 big fat car mirrors set up to see everything, I've got these two dinky little things that struggle to see past the great bloody padded shoulders and arms on my jacket (which about doubles my width). I've being playing around with them but they don't seem to be set wide enough and leave a blind spot directly behind me.

Yep, definitely tiny!!! I kind of twist my arms in to me and lean to the side to catch a look directly behind me... still prefer to turn the head to get a good look though. It's not easy with the jacket on eh?! Anyone here been bored enough to set up a backing camera on their bike with an LCD on the "dash"? haha

Will have to see how this L plate thing goes myself. If I get annoyed with it maybe I could experiment and put it on my Twin Turbo Legacy and see who wants to try and tailgate or inside pass me in that.

Definitely tempting... We need one of the experienced bikers to find him/herself a 250cc, stick the L-plate on and ride around for a while... then give us some feedback. See if they notice a difference in driver attitude.

[Eurygnomes]

We need one of the experienced bikers to find him/herself a 250cc, stick the L-plate on and ride around for a while... then give us some feedback. See if they notice a difference in driver attitude.

I am SOOO keen for this to happen. I haven't ridden mine yet (looked longingly at it's wet seat this morning) and I'm not sure whether I want to just carry an "L" with me or attach it. I really don't need the hassle of aggro drivers - I'd rather just blend in (this is not a comment I'll use often!).

Someone's gotta want to do it...*nudge*

[vifferman]

The "L-plate Phenomenon" is the same in a car. I had some very nasty experiences when teaching my two eldest to drive, and once I left the L-plate on while going for a short trip (~5km) to the mall. Even though I was driving at illegal speeds, I had several f-wits overtake me dangerously. I dunno if it's just a D'Auckland thing, but it's real alright.
If I was on an L-plate on a bike, I'd do the "It just came off" thing - snap it off, stick it in your bag or under your seat. Given that it's supposedly for safety, yet makes riding MORE dangerous, I reckon a campaign to have it banned would not be a dumb idea.

[ZorsT]

I reckon a campaign to have it banned would not be a dumb idea.

Most people think they are great, so the campaign would be a flop at best

[blocker]

I think I'll have to try it out for a week on the bike and a week on the car and see how it goes.

Prepared to run the risk of the $400 fine if its in the interest of my livelihood but may have to reconsider if it lengthens the term you have to stay on the learners permit. I was hoping to do the CBTA thingy in a couple of months (being an 25+ oldie) and get through the learners stage fairly quickly.

[raster]

Hi all bikies out there. First post???%$#

I have only ridden for about 50 Ks with L plate while hiring bike to get my restricted so haven't had much experience although found it OK, only one misshap but I know he was going to do it and reacted before he started.
I think some of it is everyone else are f**kwits and expect them to be.

Passed my restricted after second go 2 months ago. Don't use mirrors, turn your head instead.

I have just got my bike up from down country, rebuilt carbs, brakes etc.
Now ready for warrant, can't wait.

Looking at doing CBTA for full then I'll be "allowed" to ride my 400 (stupid Law)

[Squiggles]

hello and welcome to kb

the 250cc limit is non-negotiable aint it, nt like how u can get exemptions for riding times and passengers?
hope ya dont get caught by a smart cop

if you're going out on a ride this weekend, lemme know!!! i might come out and join ya

[raster]

I need to get a warrant for it this weekend, nkow of anywhere that is not the takanini testing station and not too far from Papakura.

thanks for your reply, I'm still getting used to the comaraderie of Bikers

And still getting used to the forum.

I had a scare with cop not long ago!

Had the bike in Morrinsville and would go down the odd weekend, fuel was getting gloopy and I had a deadend country road that I would use, the thing stopped on me, while sitting on the side of the road, no WOF or REG or License a Cop pulled up asking if I was OK, I was crapping myself, I just said OK, fuel clog, clear in a minute, and they drove off.
And my wife has just read this for the first time over my shoulder

[Maki]

I enjoy my L plate. I just love to "learn" cagers whit that thing on my bike. It makes it all the more worthwhile somehow...

[Victoria]

L plates suck...yes they do, but I have to say that the tailgating has been only 'part one' of the problem, 'part two' comes when aforementioned asshole, usually driving a ute (nuff said) get up beside you and hover there, boxing me in while having a good look and smiling and nodding as if somehow I need some dickheads approval for being a chick on a bike...oh for the day when I am competent and ballsy enough to kick a door...sigh.

[CB ARGH]

L plates suck...yes they do, but I have to say that the tailgating has been only 'part one' of the problem, 'part two' comes when aforementioned asshole, usually driving a ute (nuff said) get up beside you and hover there, boxing me in while having a good look and smiling and nodding as if somehow I need some dickheads approval for being a chick on a bike...oh for the day when I am competent and ballsy enough to kick a door...sigh.

Make sure that you wear cowboy boots with big blades on the tip of them to do some real damage. Or just shove a fart bomb through the window

It's going to suck when I have to use the L plate. But it beats a $400 fine...

I'm even going to do the speed limit.

[BiK3RChiK]

Make sure that you wear cowboy boots with big blades on the tip of them to do some real damage. Or just shove a fart bomb through the window

It's going to suck when I have to use the L plate. But it beats a $400 fine...

I'm even going to do the speed limit.

All the best with those plans StClingin! I too thought I'd stick to all the rules... Bwahahahahaha Tail-gated, Bottled, Cut-in on, Cars trying to lane share with me... WTF? Can't they see I have an L-plate?

I don't plan on having my learners for much longer!

Mavis

[dpex]

L-Plates are nothing more than an invitation to the vindictive to practice their particular brand of arrogance and stupidity. I've emailed Andy Knackstead of LTSA on the issue, and suggested the L-plate rule be revoked, for all the reasons posited in the other posts.