Subversive L-plating from experienced bikers

[klingon]

I would like some help, please, from experienced bikers - preferably riders of big bikes. In fact, preferably big, hairy Harley riders.

I'm a learner. I'm such a newbie that I'm doing the 'right' thing and wearing an L plate in a prominent position on the back of my bike. Today was my first ever experience of riding on the road. I got tailgated the entire length of Mt Albert road by a large truck.

This kind of behaviour makes me furious.

This morning Dave C (a very experienced biker) borrowed my little Volty to run an errand. As the L plate is securely bolted onto the number plate, he didn't bother removing it. Obviously people thought he was a learner because they carved him up, cut him off and tailgated him the entire time he was on the bike. He was amazed when he came back to report what had happened. This never happens when he's riding his big grumbly SV100S and wearing full leathers and a black helmet with a mirrored visor.

So here's my request: Experienced riders, whenever you get the opportunity, borrow a newbie's little 250cc putt-putt bike, get out there and TAKE BACK THE STREETS on our behalf. Monster the drivers who try to monster you. Putt-putt up to their windows and holler at them.

Better still, get an L plate and stick it on your big hairy Harley. Let's see if they'll take a learner on then.

Thanks for listening.

PS I had a great ride (apart from the truck) and got nods from two fellow bikers. My first two nods ever!

** klingon puts two notches in belt

[ManDownUnder]

So here's my request: Experienced riders, whenever you get the opportunity, borrow a newbie's little 250cc putt-putt bike, get out there and TAKE BACK THE STREETS on our behalf. Monster the drivers who try to monster you. Putt-putt up to their windows and holler at them.

I WOULD LOVE TO.

I'll even pay for fuel. Where are ya - I'm central city during the day... does that work?

[davereid]

I ride a 50cc scooter to work as my daily transport, and the difference in treatment I get from motorists compared to when I'm on my Harley is incredible. I get tailgated, Cars back out of angle parks in front of me, and the most common one, they pass me then cut me off as they turn left in front of me. And I'm not holding anyone up, my scooters pretty quick, even with a big bastard like me on it.

But on your 250, most car drivers wouldnt know you from a Harley - they will see you as a biker, so its certainly your L plate causing the problem.

On my scooter, I have mounted my rego on the right hand side swing arm.

If you were to mount your L plate in the same place, it would not be seen by those following you, or in front of you.

I'm not a traffic cop, but I'm sure it would be legal.

Glad to see you riding !


Dave

[Sanx]

Don't worry, it happens to non-learners too. In my experience, it's buses who are the worst culprits. However, I live three minutes from their depot off Mt Albert Road, and I find going in there in all the bikey gear and berating their supervisor and driver in front of all the other drivers does a pretty good job of getting them to apologise.

But, for amusement value, the worst ever incident of tailgating I've suffered was from a driving test tester - whilst I was taking my full licence test. 80kph, and he was less than a car length behind me. Fan-fuckin-tastic.

I ride down Mt Albert road to and from work every day. Watch out for a loud red VTR. And then point out the wanker who's just dissed you.

[imdying]

Cutting up cars and generally trying to monster cars in that fashion will only lead to what we don't want, more dead KiwiBikers.

If they're honestly endangering you, let them past, get their number plate, and report them. I suspect there's even an online form you can now use to report them.

I sympathise, but being in the right was never much use to a dead person.

/edit: One other thing... most of the complaints about road service and general driving standards seem to come from Auckland. Sure, there are more KBers in Auckland, but man... if you guys really really like biking, take the plunge, motorcycling in Chch is still a pleasure.

[McJim]

I used to ride pushies 100% of the time in Glasgow and then in London - having a motorbike with an L plate on was bliss compared to that - however I hear what you are saying - it's something you have to deal with and you have to consciously own your space on the road. I always used to own my space on a push bike which caused drivers to hurl abuse which caused me to confiscate their wing mirrors which caused them to chase me which caused us to end up face to face in an alley where they would realise they were about to embark in an arse kicking contest with an athlete.

It would be a lot easier if road users would just respect one another in the first place.

The whole retribution thing is overrated and will just cause the cager to hate motorcyclists in future - no one really wins.

It's only for 6 months and I suspect 80% of motorcyclists don't wear their L plate anyway.

[klingon]

Cutting up cars and generally trying to monster cars in that fashion will only lead to what we don't want, more dead KiwiBikers.

The whole retribution thing is overrated and will just cause the cager to hate motorcyclists in future - no one really wins.

oooh no I didn't mean cut them up and retribution... I'm as peace-loving as the next biker!

It's just that some people seem to think they can intimidate me because I'm on a little bike with an L plate. And to a certain extent I suppose they can. So all I'm asking is for some un-intimidatable more experienced riders to call the bluff of the cowards behind the wheels of the larger vehicles. No need to rip off their mirrors & suchlike. Just give them a hairy-Harley snarl close up to their driver's window, and make them think twice before they're mean to the next little biker who comes along.

Like I said, today was my first ever ride on the road so I'm not really in a position to filter up to them at the lights and yell "OI! BOZO!!" Just give me a week or so to get the hang of it.

[klingon]

I WOULD LOVE TO.

I'll even pay for fuel. Where are ya - I'm central city during the day... does that work?

Thanks MDU, but it will be a little while before Volty and I go to the central city. Unless I bring her in on the train of course When I have more than one day of street riding experience I'll be sure to come and see you and we can swap bikes for a day

[ManDownUnder]

Thanks MDU, but it will be a little while before Volty and I go to the central city. Unless I bring her in on the train of course When I have more than one day of street riding experience I'll be sure to come and see you and we can swap bikes for a day

Where are you based - N S E W?

[WickedOne]

I would like some help, please, from experienced bikers - preferably riders of big bikes. In fact, preferably big, hairy Harley riders.

I'm a learner. I'm such a newbie that I'm doing the 'right' thing and wearing an L plate in a prominent position on the back of my bike. Today was my first ever experience of riding on the road. I got tailgated the entire length of Mt Albert road by a large truck.

This kind of behaviour makes me furious.

This morning Dave C (a very experienced biker) borrowed my little Volty to run an errand. As the L plate is securely bolted onto the number plate, he didn't bother removing it. Obviously people thought he was a learner because they carved him up, cut him off and tailgated him the entire time he was on the bike. He was amazed when he came back to report what had happened. This never happens when he's riding his big grumbly SV100S and wearing full leathers and a black helmet with a mirrored visor.

So here's my request: Experienced riders, whenever you get the opportunity, borrow a newbie's little 250cc putt-putt bike, get out there and TAKE BACK THE STREETS on our behalf. Monster the drivers who try to monster you. Putt-putt up to their windows and holler at them.

Better still, get an L plate and stick it on your big hairy Harley. Let's see if they'll take a learner on then.

Thanks for listening.

PS I had a great ride (apart from the truck) and got nods from two fellow bikers. My first two nods ever!

** klingon puts two notches in belt

Take off the L-Plate (just a suggestion)

[Ghost Lemur]

That is exactly why I've not put an L plate on. I'll plead my case and take the concequences if necessary.

But where as the L plate is supposed to advise other motorists to be kind to an indervidual, more and more seem to take it as an invation to bully and badger the indervidual.

Take it off, you'll be safer being anonymous.

[imdying]

Like I said, today was my first ever ride on the road

Road positioning and stance has a bit to do with it, you'll pick it up as you go. Of course, you probably won't have your L plate by the time your done that...

[bert_is_evil]

I reckon risk the fine and ditch the L plate personally. And perhaps act more menacing, dirty up your leathers and tuck your hair in your jacket, paint an obscene word on the back you your helmet too.

[Ixion]

I kept meaning to put an L plate on Ratty when I owned it to test this. But never got round to it, and now I don't own a 250 any more (alas).

I could try puting one on ffwabbit, but it's probably not a valid test.

[bell]

I'm a learner. I'm such a newbie that I'm doing the 'right' thing and wearing an L plate in a prominent position on the back of my bike. Today was my first ever experience of riding on the road. I got tailgated the entire length of Mt Albert road by a large truck.

This kind of behaviour makes me furious.

This seems to be quite a characteristic-fucked-in-the-head-couldn't-learn-to-try-and-drive-safely-if-I-tried type Kiwi attitude that about 70% of drivers in this country display.

70% +/- 20% depending on where you are in the country, but, in my experience it's about half of the cars on the road that follow too closely. Hitcher offered some sage advice on another thread recently: Only a fool breaks the two-second rule.

Tailgating is a bit tricky for the police to do anything about, except maybe when thos actions cause/contribute to an accident.

Pull over, let em go, if they really pissed you off and you've got a good memory report them. Try here: http://www.police.govt.nz/service/road/roadwatch.html