L-platers

[DeanOh]

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

Or you could run into other L-plate riders out practising at 5am, and have one big L-plate accident.

[jrandom]

Now on the YZFR6 ... I do find myself pulling over to the side of the road and letting agro drivers, get past me

No disrespect meant, Katwyn, but on a fscking *R6* you are pulling over for aggro cage drivers? Jeez.

Still, props to you for not outriding your abilities and staying cool. Must be one of those sensible female rider things, eh?

[Zed]

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

Gidday Indy,

As a rider with 18 years experience I strongly recommend that you ride using the following unwritten rules:

Improve your confidence- this comes with riding experience. Every new bike you ride on will take about 2-3 months to get to know.

Stay in front of the traffic where at all possible- this reduces the chance of an accident (there are too many would-be drivers out there who must have got their licence from a wheatbix carton or somewhere?)

Fanatically use your mirrors at all times & look over your shoulder when changing lanes, etc.

As soon as you get your full licence and confidence, endeavor to get on to a bigger bike- 600cc+...this is where you will discover the real riding experience!

Hope it's a help,


Zed

[wkid_one]

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...

Ummm - I am more than likely to be still awake at 5 if I am drinking - than have gone to bed??

I can't recall anytime I was awake - let alone in a car - at 5am after drinking. I can't however recall many a time examining the contents of my stomach at that time of the morning.

As for pulling over on an R6 - that is blasphemy, butmost likely sensible. I prefer leaving them well behind me

[Indiana_Jones]

Thanks again everyone

Well, I might go for a 5:00am ride sometime just to get to know the feel of the streets sometime, but bad timing though as I'm off with my family to da coralmandel tomorrow and won't be back till monday, then it's svhool on Tuesday

-Indy

[erik]

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 ?!

Actually, the restriction is that you're not allowed to ride between 10pm and 5am
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/licensing/mo...tml#conditions

It does sound logical that there might be drunks driving at 5am. But I've been for a few rides early in the morning and I think it's pretty neat with the quiet roads. I rode to Mt Eden a couple of weeks ago and got there just a bit after the sunrise (the sun was still low) and it looked awsome

[wkid_one]

. I rode to Mt Eden a couple of weeks ago and got there just a bit after the sunrise

yeah - trying to beat that lockdown curfew is a bitch

I didn't know the 10-5 thing also applies to your restricted!

SO the only difference is then - on your restricted you can ride at 100kph?

[KATWYN]

Ummm - I am more than likely to be still awake at 5 if I am drinking - than have gone to bed??

I can't recall anytime I was awake - let alone in a car - at 5am after drinking. I can't however recall many a time examining the contents of my stomach at that time of the morning.

As for pulling over on an R6 - that is blasphemy, butmost likely sensible. I prefer leaving them well behind me

Hehe true true! I know what you are saying and I did origionally actually say I "chop it down and leave em behind!".....but then I saw the origional post of a new rider wanting riding advice and thought it wasnt a smart thing to say at the time (although true!) so I edited that part out...don't want to encourage that type thing with a new rider.

[KATWYN]

No disrespect meant, Katwyn, but on a fscking *R6* you are pulling over for aggro cage drivers? Jeez.

Still, props to you for not outriding your abilities and staying cool. Must be one of those sensible female rider things, eh?

er yes that IS what I do.....honest

[Indiana_Jones]

Or you could run into other L-plate riders out practising at 5am, and have one big L-plate accident.

Or an L-plate Party, or race!
Just make sure we both don't go over 70kph

-Indy

[erik]

SO the only difference is then - on your restricted you can ride at 100kph?

That and you don't need an L plate.

[spudchucka]

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

Keep your eyes open and treat every other road user as if they are a complete idiot waiting to kill you through neglect. Never assume that another motorist can see you because most don't.

[Draco]

Welcome Indi,
Along with all the good advice you've been given here, i learnt very quickly NOT to keep left. Arrogant car drivers try and push you off the road. If you sit out in the middle of the lane or a little closer to the centre line (not too close) then cars are forced to move to the other side of the road to overtake you, and you don't end up lookin at the ditch. When you're first practicing in traffic, my advice would be to ride routes you already know well, so you don't have to think about where you are going and can concentrate on dealing with the traffic. Eventually you just have to get out there and ride in it. Just treat all car drivers like idiots and assume they are going to wipe you out from any direction. Keep your lights on at all times. Try and get gear (helmets, clothing etc) that is as bright as you can. White is very visible from a distance, and any fleuro colours help too.

Be safe and have fun!