Researching next bike, where'd the big ones go???

[Gremlin]

I is soooooooooooooooo happy...

I GOT IT!!!!! Just arrived today, after a fun ride with aff-man, hayabusa and co. Even better, I am completely exempted from the 250cc, being I can ride any bike I choose, and for the licence tests as well. (It even states that I can ride a motorcycle exceeding a capacity of 2500cm3 for the full licence).

To be honest tho, I was sort of expecting it, I'm sick and tired (not to mention a little scared) of constantly bottoming it out...

The best part of the open exemption is that I am not restricted to anything, so I can afford to wait, and find something that fits me properly and not be worried about it being under a new cc limit.

As I said to hayabusa today, I realised today I don't really need more speed in corners, just better brakes, suspension (ie handling) and more power uphills. Also what would be good would be more roll-on power at 100 for safe overtaking.

<- very happy

[Leong]

Congrats Gremlin....

must have seen you on the road today too at Kaiaua..

[ducatilover]

sorry i am a bit lost..... what did you get gremlin?

[Gremlin]

the exemption I was applying for, to be able to ride a bigger bike on my restricted license.

Open ended too, so I am not limited by cc

[Devil]

Lucky sod.
Well, may common sense be your guide! I've mentioned it before, its not the power of the motor, its the nut attached to the bars.

[ducatilover]

the exemption I was applying for, to be able to ride a bigger bike on my restricted license.

Open ended too, so I am not limited by cc

lucky bastard

[iwilde]

the exemption I was applying for, to be able to ride a bigger bike on my restricted license.

Open ended too, so I am not limited by cc

just out of interest, how does someone go about getting an exemption?

[Gremlin]

here, sent this to a pm querying the same thing...

Go to an aa centre or something like that (I got my form from my BHS instructor). You need form DL4.

Fill it in, go back to aa centre or equivalent, you pay $22.20 as an application fee, and they consider it case by case. The application is sent to Christchurch for consideration.

Get your restricted first, it is only under exceptional circumstances that they will give an exemption on a learners license. (probably because you have then passed a practical test, and proved you can ride)

You need to state traffic offenses and the like, and then give details as to what condition you applying for an exemption (ie, mine was the 250cc) on what license (mine was 6R), and what reasons you think you should have an exemption. They will need to see that you will be as safe with the exemption (for me, once I pointed out the details I plainly stated I was less safe without).

My reasons were weight impacting on crap brakes, dangerous suspension (still bottoming out after being stiffened), top heavy = vulnerable in winds, all leading to being dangerous in corners.

Any more info needed??

Also, if you receive an exemption, you then have to permanently carry the letter with you.

edit: Also, I popped into Coleman's and Sarge helped me out getting some pics of me on several bikes to show the problem (pics in first post)

[Back Fire]

Also, if you receive an exemption, you then have to permanently carry the letter with you.

A good Idea is to do what I did with my exemption letter. Go down to your personal/local lawyer and have a few certified copies made up... They scuff easy in wallets and become illiterate and also, paper melts in the rain, which being on a bike could find its way to meet your letter...

Gongrats again Grem!!

[Waylander]

Congrats mate. Enjoy your new found freedom.

[Gremlin]

mmm dropped into Mt Eden this morning to get a wof, and while waiting I hunted out the ninjas... (please don't mention that site again)

Sat on their 96 zx6r, nice, just big enough for me (tightish fit, but not too tight), might even be a good chance of being my next bike. Also sat on their zx7r, 96 and 97 bikes... Very nice, heaps of space, but it strikes me as a big bike physically (well... yeah, I could expect that when looking for big bikes... )

Out of my price range, and a bit too heavy, being a tad over the 200kg mark, but very nice...

Then quizzed Mike heaps over the ninja range, and he answered all my questions... soo helpful. I had such a good time, that I almost forgot about paying for the wof, only when I had some of my gear on did I remember.

[Gremlin]

Oh, another thing that came out of my chat with Mike, it turns out he received a letter from the ltnz, saying that the exemptions would probably be done away with.

I double checked he wasn't confusing that with CBTA, but it seems that exemptions may be on the way out.

Jeez, I was surprised and felt bloody lucky I had just got mine...

[Gremlin]

OK, sat on a 96 zx6r, 96 zx7r, and a 97 zx7r today. Obviously the 2 7s are basically the same (tiny differences in weight, hp blah blah).

I can fit on both, but the 6 would be just big enough for me, but its only about 180kg dry, so could be a reasonably nimble step up from the zzr.

The 7 is definitely bigger and quite comfortable (short of test riding them). Sitting on it, just looking at the front and rolling it, it straightaway seems larger, bulkier, and my impression was not as nimble (in my huuuuuge experience of course ). But it weighs just over 200kg dry, so probably not as nimble.

Comfort?? Or manoeuvrability?? Riding is wet, dry, country, commute (including splitting)