Subversive L-plating from experienced bikers

[Badjelly]

I've got half a mind to put an L plate on the Scorpio as an experiment.

I gave up cycling & motorcycling around Wellington 20-something years ago because I'd decided it was just too dangerous (the cycling especially). Plus the motorcycle didn't fit into my life, with small children to cart around. And having children made me more cautious. I took up motorcycling again a month ago because ... I love it (always did, still do), my kids don't rely on me for material support any more, I'm not going to live forever anyway, if I don't do it now I never will. When I rope the demo machine from TSS Motorcycles over Haywards Hill a van driver talgated me for several kilometres even though I was at the speed limit and there was absolutely no room for him to pass or for me to pull off (not that I would have). Ah, old times.

My advice:

Don't retaliate, don't make obscene gestures, don't bother trying to tell them how much it irritates you, don't kick the car door when they squeeze past. They won't understand and road rage never (seldom) achieves anything worthwhile.

Occupy your lane, drive confidently, weave around a *little* bit perhaps to make it clear that you expect to have some room around you. Otherwise don't react. Why does it matter if someone is tailgating you? It only matters if you have to stop in a hurry. Try to make damn sure you *don't* have to stop in a hurry. Drive a little more conservatively.

Whatever you do, keep paying attention to what's in front of you! That's normally way more important than what's behind you.

The Scorpio mirrors are pretty crap. That helps, too.

Also realise that a lot of people are just bad drivers. It's not necessarily personal (though occasionally it is.) Commuting in Karori, back in the 80's, I used to get seriously irritated when I was on my bicycle or motorbike about the stupid things people did. Turning left without a signal from the middle of the road was a favourite. I used to yell at the silly buggers & get upset. Then I started commuting by car (as well as foot and bus) and realised that they still did all that stuff, it just didn't upset me because I didn't feel so endangered me so much.

People are going to do silly things around you when you're on a motorbike. Focus on ensuring that *you* don't get hurt.

[Ocean1]

There it is then.
The idea goes no further than an elusive dream of baiting cagers.

Yes, but TECHNICALLY a full licence holder could carry an L licence holder as a pillion , on the grounds that the full was instructing the L . Not totally stupid taking a learner for a blat on the pillion is not a bad way to teach them lines and stuff.

Is there any such thing as an "R" plate in NZ?

[Swoop]

Is there any such thing as an "R" plate in NZ?

Not to my knowledge. There is a restricted licence, but no plate to go with it.
It would confuse too many kiwi drivers....

[Ocean1]

Not to my knowledge. There is a restricted licence, but no plate to go with it.
It would confuse too many kiwi drivers....

So it would therefore not be an offence to display such huh?

Wonder how many drivers thoroughly deserving of a wee educational chat might know there's no such thing as an "R" plate....

[Maki]

I used to live in a country in Europe where people learning to drive cages are meant to put magnetic signs on the trunk of the cage saying "Learner". On one or two occasions I borrowed one of those from my kid brother and put them on my sportscar and then proceeded to drive around with my usual agressive style. I can tell you I saw some stares of disbelief.

I have an L on my bike and I don't have any problems. I don't ride much in heavy traffic though.

[PrincessBandit]

My very first thread on this site was very similar to this one, so I hear ya all the way. The trick is to know when not to be intimidated and when to allow discretion to be the better part of valour. Let them know you own your patch of road!

[Watchers]

Ditch the L. Mine's in the cupboard waiting for restricted test day. Was talking to a cop a while back and we got on to my bike and he asked... so where's your L?...

after an awkward moment he said not to worry as he was only on his learners and didn't use an L either.