L-platers

**Indiana_Jones** · 22nd January 2004, 08:54

I got my Learner license on monday and I just wondering what advice could you offer for getting use to traffic etc?

As in car you would have someone there with you in case you F-up they can help you, that boosts ur confidence, but on a cycle Learners no such thing (which is okay as after a while it would get gay i should imagine

)

-Indy

**Motu** · 22nd January 2004, 09:15

Just get out there as much as you can,going out at quiet times of the day and sticking to suburban streets where you aren't in the main traffic flow,then gradually wean yourself into the big time.And um....keep your eyes open OK?

**Hitcher** · 22nd January 2004, 09:35

Originally Posted by Indiana_Jones

I got my Learner license on monday and I just wondering what advice could you offer for getting use to traffic etc?

As in car you would have someone there with you in case you F-up they can help you, that boosts ur confidence, but on a cycle Learners no such thing (which is okay as after a while it would get gay i should imagine

)

-Indy

As soon as you get a bit of confidence, I recommend strongly that you take your L plate off (actually snap it off so you can plead ignorance if stopped by a cop). An L plate serves as a target for motorists to harrass. They do the same things with L plated cars as well but it is exponentially worse on a bike.

Don't religiously observe the 70kmh limit on the open road -- ride with the traffic flow. This is the dumbest of all of the L plate restrictions. I have yet to hear of a cop ticketing a learner rider for riding at 100kmh when that was the speed the rest of the traffic was doing.

Ride defensively, keep yourself safe at all times, and have a ball. Riding a motorcycle on the open road ranks 25th on the official list of the best 50 things you should do before you die!!

**k14** · 22nd January 2004, 10:00

Yeah, the only time i put a learner plate on was when i went for my restricted test.

I did hear of a guy that got done for going 100 in a 80 zone on his learners and got a ticket for 30 (or something like that) so some arsehole cops will do you, but it was his own fault for exceeding the limit anyway. Just dont give the cops a reason to pull you over and you will be sweet.

If you arent too confident at first, see if you can get someone to ride with you to start off with. When i got my first bike, it was the first time i had ever ridden a motorbike ever. So it took a while before i mastered the clutch/brakes but now i am sweet. Just make sure you break early for everything and dont be scared to pull over and let cagers past if they are tail gating you etc.

Good Luck.

**James Deuce** · 22nd January 2004, 11:28

Originally Posted by Hitcher

(actually snap it off so you can plead ignorance if stopped by a cop).

Lol - I had a cop do this for me when I had my RG250 and I was still on my restricted. Back in the day when they were human beings with discretion and a sense of humour.

He reckoned it would cost me a fortune in plugs to ride around at 70km/h everywhere and that it was dangerous to ride that much slower than the traffic flow. Wish he was the Traffic Superintendent now

**Slingshot** · 22nd January 2004, 14:47

If I was you, I'd find a vacant parking lot somewhere and setup some cones. Practice cornering, using the clutch, changing up and down, using your indicators. While riding in a straight line practice using your front brake and try to get used to the point where the front wheel will lock up (so that you can hopefully avoid locking up when you don't want to), again in a straight line do the same with your back break and then practice using both breaks together.

When you're in traffic you've got to do the thinking not only for your riding but also for every one else on the road. Get into the habit of scanning driveways for cars reversing, look for cars that may be about to turn without indicating, don't follow too close etc.
Expect cars not to see you, cause the chances are that they won't!!!

I've been pulled over and not questioned about the lack of the Loser plate, although they did have some questions about the pillion I was carrying

**KATWYN** · 22nd January 2004, 16:55

Originally Posted by Hitcher

As soon as you get a bit of confidence, I recommend strongly that you take your L plate off (actually snap it off so you can plead ignorance if stopped by a cop). An L plate serves as a target for motorists to harrass. They do the same things with L plated cars as well but it is exponentially worse on a bike.

Don't religiously observe the 70kmh limit on the open road -- ride with the traffic flow. This is the dumbest of all of the L plate restrictions. I have yet to hear of a cop ticketing a learner rider for riding at 100kmh when that was the speed the rest of the traffic was doing.

Ride defensively, keep yourself safe at all times, and have a ball. Riding a motorcycle on the open road ranks 25th on the official list of the best 50 things you should do before you die!!

Yea that is true about being harrassed with an L plate on unfortunately. I used to get tail gated really badly when I was riding my CBR250 on my
learners licence...so I ended up taking it off....the harrassment stopped and I was willing to pay the fine if I was caught cos I thought it was more dangerous and a bit of a 'green light' for road terrorists with it on. Now on the YZFR6 I dont get tail gated as much (on the open road anyway)...being able to ride over 70kmph and at the rate of other traffic helps!

I do find myself pulling over to the side of the road and letting agro drivers, get past me...I have nothing to prove but I would like to live another few years to enjoy my love of motorcycling!!

**Big Dog** · 22nd January 2004, 17:14

I still reckon the best advice is to get yourself down to your local library. Your skills will automatically become much sharper and more natural if you understand the physics / mechanics of why your bike leans turns, pitchs lets go high sides etc.

If the terms "centrifugal force", and "gyroscopic tendancies" sound like Sci Fi novels get yourself either professional help (lessons) or someone who can interpret for you.

If you know someone you trust who you think is a good rider (not nessecarily a fast rider) to take you as a passenger through some light medium and heavy stuff and at each stage stop somewhere for a discussion about why he rode the way he did, what changed etc.

When following in traffic, until you get used to it give yourself a 4 second gap then a 3 second gap until when fully comfortable the normal 2 second gap. Until you have had a couple of close ones your reactions will be slow and clumsy even if you do braking drills.

One final peice of advice......
NEVER CHANGE LANES WITHOUT A HEAD CHECK!
Even in an emergency. It will probably be safer to hit that slow moving car than to get hit by a faster moving person from behind.

**KATWYN** · 22nd January 2004, 17:31

Originally Posted by Indiana_Jones

I got my Learner license on monday and I just wondering what advice could you offer for getting use to traffic etc?

As in car you would have someone there with you in case you F-up they can help you, that boosts ur confidence, but on a cycle Learners no such thing (which is okay as after a while it would get gay i should imagine

)

-Indy

Big Dog had good advice about the physics and mechanical side of your
bike. MY biggest adice is "LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO" that is a really
important thing to remember. If you are in a situation and you see an obstruction (ie) another car, bike, power pole etc do not fix your eyes on
it.......otherwise you will go straight into it.......LOOK WHERE YOU WANT THE
BIKE TO GO!" and it works!!

**Big Dog** · 22nd January 2004, 17:45

Originally Posted by KATWYN

Big Dog had good advice about the physics and mechanical side of your
bike. MY biggest adice is "LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO" that is a really
important thing to remember. If you are in a situation and you see an obstruction (ie) another car, bike, power pole etc do not fix your eyes on
it.......otherwise you will go straight into it.......LOOK WHERE YOU WANT THE
BIKE TO GO!" and it works!!

For proof of how well this works try this simple exercise.
Change lanes a few times thinking "miss the rumble spots!" while looking at them. Then repeat the process thinking "hit the gap" and staring at the gap.

Its incredible the difference in the confidence let alone stability. (this comes in real handy when it rains!)

**Indiana_Jones** · 22nd January 2004, 18:53

Thanks alot all for all the advice

yeah, my old man keeps telling me about the head checks gotta remember them

Also I can't take da L-plate off, my old man would kill me as I can't afford da fine and he would have to pick it up

And I was thinking would it help to ride at 5:00am around my area when there's no traffic? just an idea tell me what you think Hopeful i won't run into drunks

-Indy

**bungbung** · 23rd January 2004, 07:44

Originally Posted by Indiana_Jones

And I was thinking would it help to ride at 5:00am around my area when there's no traffic? -Indy

Are you allowed to ride at 5am on a learners? I thought a restriction is in place on the time of day you are allowed to ride.

**KATWYN** · 23rd January 2004, 07:49

Originally Posted by Indiana_Jones

Thanks alot all for all the advice

yeah, my old man keeps telling me about the head checks gotta remember them

Also I can't take da L-plate off, my old man would kill me as I can't afford da fine and he would have to pick it up

And I was thinking would it help to ride at 5:00am around my area when there's no traffic? just an idea tell me what you think Hopeful i won't run into drunks

-Indy

You could be right, drunks are probably exactly what you will encounter at 5.00am in the morning!
There could be people that have got plastered and stayed at a mates place the night before or people that have been drunk the night before and are going to work...Alchohol is still in their system (actually on a real bender, they are usually still legally drunk until lunch time the following day)
......but in saying that, drunks are always on the road whatever time of the day or night

**duckman** · 23rd January 2004, 09:18

Heya BungBung,

Your right there is a restriction of riding during the hours of Daylight.
So now we need to hear from anyone that has seen 5am lately ?!