Tips for a complete newbie, and some questions.

**who_me_33** · 9th January 2007, 16:14

Just got my bike and licence. A few questions, that Id like answered. With the l-plate, is the supplied velcro enough to attach it with, or should i just chuck a bolt through it. And im planning on riding in the suburbs for a bit first, (I live central city, and dont want to be chucked in the deep end straight away, and have a mates place where I can leave the bike at in the burbs). Anything that I should pay particular attention to for the first wee while. And how long should I be expecting untill I have the skills to handle inner city riding. And with round-a-bouts, are they are scary as they appear. Ive also had a look round in this part of the forum, and seen the bits about riding in the middle of the road, and avoid oil etc.
Thanks in advance for the advice.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 9th January 2007, 16:18

I personally would bolt the L-Plate on... as for the skills practise practise practise, join some of newbie rides and get a mentor

**crashe** · 9th January 2007, 16:23

Welcome to KB.......

Read BuckBuckNo1 training thread.... it is a insight into what you need to know. Also read all the survival threads in the survival section - it has many tips and pointers in there as well.

Practise practise and practise.

Get a mentor from the Chch area to help you out.

Oh yeah bolt on the "L plate" so that you dont loose it.

**Ixion** · 9th January 2007, 16:25

Velcro will not keep the L plate on.

After 40 years practice I'm far from sure I have the skills to handle inner city riding in Auckland. I rely on very load yelling and threatening gestures. But of course Christchurch may be another matter .

And yes, roundabouts are as scary as they sound . Vicious horrible things.

Welcome, by the way. Yes, you.

**Pumba** · 9th January 2007, 16:25

Welcome to riding.

I think all you need to do is ride around a bit and get up some confidence, be aware of everything that is going on around you. As for when you will be ready for the centeral city etc. you will known when just dont rush it.

O and Velcro wont hold that L-Plate a bolt or a cable ties should do the job

Just enjoy yourself

**sunhuntin** · 9th January 2007, 16:27

bolt the lplate on with the same bolt that holds your rego/warrent [either] and make sure it doesnt block indicators, brakelight or reflectors. [bolt it on and get someone to follow you to make sure all of the above are clearly visable]
try and keep it clear from the tyre as well [my plate is nearly non existent after the tyres had a munch]

the velcro is not worth the time it took to make, and is designed for car windows. imagine how strong the wind is against you at 100k..then imagine being a square of velcro and trying to stay on.

**Mom** · 9th January 2007, 16:29

Originally Posted by Ixion

Velcro will not keep the L plate on.

After 40 years practice I'm far from sure I have the skills to handle inner city riding in Auckland. I rely on very load yelling and threatening gestures. But of course Christchurch may be another matter .

And yes, roundabouts are as scary as they sound . Vicious horrible things.

Welcome, by the way. Yes, you.

You stole my words.....tho my experience is only 30 odd years, and I am sure CHCH will present its share of ummmm "idiots" tho they do have a large population on 2 wheels of the man power variey.

You will be fine, just keep you eyes open and your wits about you, welcome to KB!

**who_me_33** · 9th January 2007, 16:36

Originally Posted by crashe

Welcome to KB.......

Read BuckBuckNo1 training thread.... it is a insight into what you need to know. Also read all the survival threads in the survival section - it has many tips and pointers in there as well.

Practise practise and practise.

Get a mentor from the Chch area to help you out.

Oh yeah bolt on the "L plate" so that you dont loose it.

Thanks for that, ill be bolting it on (or if I dont have one kicking round in my room, and cant use the licence plate one ill be cable tying it on. And re chch traffic, its good most of the time, but the road code seems to be "here are some guidlines that may help" for quite a few drivers round here.

**crashe** · 9th January 2007, 16:41

Originally Posted by who_me_33

Thanks for that, ill be bolting it on (or if I dont have one kicking round in my room, and cant use the licence plate one ill be cable tying it on. And re chch traffic, its good most of the time, but the road code seems to be "here are some guidlines that may help" for quite a few drivers round here.

Here is BuckBuckNo1 training thread.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...raining+thread

**sunhuntin** · 9th January 2007, 17:49

Originally Posted by who_me_33

Thanks for that, ill be bolting it on (or if I dont have one kicking round in my room, and cant use the licence plate one ill be cable tying it on. And re chch traffic, its good most of the time, but the road code seems to be "here are some guidlines that may help" for quite a few drivers round here.

how is your rego/warrent held on? my rego is above the plate, and wof bolted to the back. that bolt has the l plate.

**Grub** · 9th January 2007, 18:07

Originally Posted by who_me_33

Anything that I should pay particular attention to for the first wee while.

Your lines through corners will become one of the most important things in safe riding and it's a hard one to get right. We all (still?) have 'oh shit' moments when we find ourselves drifting wide on a corner exit and praying there's nothing coming. And that's not on fast corners either. The slow ones are the worst.

So the trick is to find a quiet country road (pref a No Exit one) where there's only locals going home and just ride up and down it for hours practicing your lines, getting smooth and seeing how your speed in and out of the corner gets smoother and less scary. Oh, you're it Chch ... the road has to have corners

**Drum** · 9th January 2007, 18:13

Welcome to the site WM33, and welcome to biking too.

Get as many miles under your belt as you can - some learners do 10,000 to 20,000 k's in their first year. Keep your head up!

**Lteejay** · 9th January 2007, 19:28

Hey, welcome to the sight. Take it easy to begin with, the movements will slowely become much smoother. Get a mentor - awesome idea. Ride around and round your neighbourhood to begin with to get used to the bike. The first time you head into the city ask your mentor to tag along.
Happy riding.

**who_me_33** · 9th January 2007, 19:46

Just zip tied my l-plate on for now (but when I get round to buying a bolt it will be getting put on better). And just went for my first ride, I see what you mean about the corners (been out playing in the suburbs, and theres a couple of roads with a few windy bits). And as for the city riding, ended up going back home (but back through the side roads). And stumbled across a round-a-bout, (it was very quiet though, so not a huge problem). And as for mentors, how hard is it to come across someone who is willing to do it (I know of 2 people who would be more than happy to do it, but both of them are in Reefton, which is not much help to me).

Originally Posted by Lteejay

. . . Ride around and round your neighbourhood to begin with to get used to the bike. The first time you head into the city ask your mentor to tag along.
Happy riding.

I live in between Fitzgerald ave, and barbadeous st, on hereford st, so ill be learning out of my neighbourhood. Probably out in redwood, as I know people out there, and know the area quite well.

**nigelp** · 9th January 2007, 21:31

Hey, if you are looking for someone to go for a ride with in the next couple of weeks I am available. I live pretty close to where you are (on Forfar St, off the end of Madras) and have a slow as hell 200cc trailbike so keeping up wont be a problem. Send me a pm if you are keen.

As for the "L Plate", bolts are best, even so I managed to lose one that was bolted on during a trail ride!