L plate. It is not an option.

[EJK]

New bike? Oh btw, have you been on the coro loop before? just curious

[discotex]

lol thanks but it's ok
Don't bother spending $30 bux for a loser who didn't had his L plate

Haha you do the Coro loop on $30 gas? I know your bike is economical but wow!

Yeah get that L plate on mate and just ignore the 70km/h rule. Either that or practice your excuses for next time

[Toaster]

dont worry dude, there will be MANY more fines to come, just factor in as a living cost - say $20 a week etc.

Now that is such a clever idea. Did you actually graduate from kindergarten, or are you still there working on those fingerpaintings?

Think about it, if that is actually possible.... lets say we take your $20 per week "living cost" idea, saved over 10 years of riding plus compounding quarterly interest of say 5%. Now go do the math if you do indeed know how to work a calculator - no here is a novel idea, use your brain!

Go think about how much more useful all that money would be in YOUR bank account instead of in the already weighty Government coffers. Then one day you might get to own more than just a boot full of gear and an old bike.

[The Pastor]

Now that is such a clever idea. Did you actually graduate from kindergarten, or are you still there working on those fingerpaintings?

Think about it, if that is actually possible.... lets say we take your $20 per week "living cost" idea, saved over 10 years of riding plus compounding quarterly interest of say 5%. Now go do the math if you do indeed know how to work a calculator - no here is a novel idea, use your brain!

Go think about how much more useful all that money would be in YOUR bank account instead of in the already weighty Government coffers. Then one day you might get to own more than just a boot full of gear and an old bike.

your such a wanker.

[EJK]

He was just trying to cheer me up lol
Don't worry lads! 6R test status: ACTIVE

[Toaster]

your such a wanker.

Sure am!! Now go stick to the pointless dribble posts where you belong boy.

[The Pastor]

Sure am!! Now go stick to the pointless dribble posts where you belong boy.

call me what you want, but my bike is not "old".

[Mikkel]

yeh... i had a car load of older guys do that when i was headed back from new plymouth... nice, long uphill passing lane... it went for ages. one of the best on that route. i hit the hill at about 110/120, and finished at the top going between 90 and 100. i was doing 70 by the time i forced them to pass.... after which they then pulled into the pub just a few k up the road. wankers.

That's a bit harsh. Perhaps they weren't overtaking since they knew they had to pull in at the Pub just up the road.

A lot of people seem paranoid that the cagers are wanting to kill us, deliberately tailgating us, etc.
Yeah, there are a few people out there who are right bullies and they'll sit even closer when they see the L-plate, and yes, these people are wankers and we can only hope that karma/blackice will deal with them in time.
The rest are well meaning sorts I'm sure who will give you extra room (or at least not hassle you additionally) when they see your L-plate. They are however not necessarily good drivers and therefore can not collect and process the huge amount of information that is present in many traffic situations. As such they don't see you and will pull out or change lanes right in front of you. If you get hit by a car, unless they do a runner you can be sure they weren't meaning to.

On the roads you'll see cagers tailgating eachother all the time, they are sitting right on eachothers fenders waiting for an opportune moment to do a pass. If they sit closer to bikes it's just because they don't take the smaller outline into account. Also, when you're on your bike you'll feel more exposed and thus you'll think that they sit closer to you than they actually does. (Mind you, I'm talking about newbies here - and that includes myself)

But yeah, wear your L-plate. Speed when you want to, don't do stupid things and ignore the 70 km/h rule on the open roads. That's been working for me so far. I usually sit at either 70 km/h or the speed limit - whichever is higher. Oh yeah, another good thing is proper riding gear - really helps me to relax and not feel quite as exposed.

[jrandom]

your such a wanker.

Aren't we all?

He's still right, though.

[sunhuntin]

That's a bit harsh. Perhaps they weren't overtaking since they knew they had to pull in at the Pub just up the road.

even if they did want to pull in at the pub, there aint no excuse to tail gate. the roads were clear, and when im going uphill at about 100k, thats pretty bloody good for my bike. for me to have to lose all my speed just to get them off my ass is unfair. they were gating even when i going along at a good speed [110 or so] when they finally went past, i took a look and they were all laughing, so it was just a joke to them. my l plate has done over 20,000k with me now... a newer newbie might not have kept their head. i know when i first started out, being gated like that scared me half to death. specially when there is no reason to do it.

[Tank]

EJ, EJ, EJ

What a pain, but as one of the other posters mentioned - you are a really nice guy and we would all rather see you fined rather than crushed by an Audi.

As a fellow "L" plater I feel your pain having to ride with one on - but unless you want fines and points thats what you have to do.

I had noticed that on a Wednesday I am the only person who rides with the "L" plate - I'm guessing that the others are all taking the same risk.

Perhaps this Wednesday you can share your story over drinks (yes and chips), and hopefully some of the others will choose to learn from your experience.

As for how you were riding. Seriously you know better than that - keep it safe mate!

C

[Lteejay]

Sorry to hear EJ. I wont rub it in by telling you that the rain cleared just as I got out of Auckland and the sun came out not too long after leaving Warkworth ........oops did I say that out loud

Look on the bright side - they could have got you for that tail light being out too if it hadn't been changed in Albany

[McDuck]

I am in