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Thread: What is it with drivers who harrass L-plate riders?

  1. #1
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    What is it with drivers who harrass L-plate riders?

    An overtaking incident this afternoon while riding my "old" bike (GN250, complete with L plate for my hubby and son) made me wonder if the rude driver who forced me to abandon my overtaking manouvre (as he obviously felt his car took precedence) would have done that if I'd been on my Bandit. Brought back icky memories of my L days when some ignorant drivers decided that the yellow square with the black letter turned you into some sort of prat magnet. My appreciation to all those considerate drivers out there who realise that everyone has to start somewhere and treat others with respect. Hey, if riders and drivers all treat each other with courtesy maybe there will be fewer tragedies on our roads.

  2. #2
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    very well said . good one

  3. #3
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    Some quirky and rather sad part of human nature I suspect. Pick on the newbies... I never really took much notice of it until I saw a mate of mine (Blairos, when on his L plate) getting severely harassed by some dick in a VW. It was just plain hideous to watch.
    If you love it, let it go. If it comes back to you, you've just high-sided!
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  4. #4
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    Thats why I never used one. and don't promote its usage.

    I don't know what it is, but it seems to be an invite to tailgate the vehicle that is displaying the L.


    Don't do anything stupid, and who would know who is an L and who is not.
    It is what it is

  5. #5
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    loose the L for sure!
    Quote Originally Posted by tigertim20 View Post
    etiquette? treat it like every other vehicle on the road, assume they are a blind, ignorant brainless cunt who is out to kill you, and ride accordingly

  6. #6
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    .

    I get a similar attitude on my vespa. I have a full licence so no L plate, but get people tailgating, moving their cars over as if they want to pass, etc etc. The attitude seems to be 'you don't belong on the road, you're dirt, get out of my way'. An L plate on a motorcycle has a similar effect on certain drivers (a minority in my experience - plenty of courteous drivers out there).

  7. #7
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    If you want the problem solved, ride more aggressively seems to work. Even when I'm on my fiancee's 150cc scooter no one seems to tailgate or try to pass me, nor do they retaliate when I'm passing them. Just make sure that you're prepared for people that haven't seen you though. Because this tactic works half because people haven't had the time to register that "oh a small scooter/bike let's hassle them" before I've passed them and I'm already out of their sight...

    p.s. not that I'm promoting aggressive riding or anything.....
    I have deep pockets. It's just that it's a deep empty pocket...........

  8. #8
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    Me, I ditched the L plate with in a week, I would rather take my chances with the police pulling me over than have that plate on. It's not only on the bike though, people used to do all sorts of stupid shit when I had the L plate in my car for my brother. Had to make sure I took the L plate off the window before I drove anywhere, it's like a target saying 'wind me up, I'm a learner!'
    I'm only on a bike learners for another month or so anyway.
    "I came into this game for the action, the excitement... go anywhere, travel light,... get in, get out,... wherever there's trouble, a man alone... Now they got the whole country sectioned off; you can't make a move without a form."

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  9. #9
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    I always inrease my following distance when in the cage with an L plate cage infront.

    Most L plate bikes split past anyway

    I didn't put an L plate on untill I got to the carpark before my test.
    "And, look, the luscious and fecund fronds of the Silver Fern has given brilliant birth to a stupendous fruit! A red Hondaberry, desposited by a lesser known species of Plonker Gittus Maximus Idiotus."

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    Mrs H and I quickly "lost" our L-plates when we were learners, totally due to the complete and utter lack of respect shown by cage drivers with extremely small penises.
    "Standing on your mother's corpse you told me that you'd wait forever." [Bryan Adams: Summer of 69]

  11. #11
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    ive been off my l plate for about 3 weeks, after gaining them in early 2005. in the last 3 weeks, ive been tail gated more times than in almost 3 years. my riding style hasnt changed any, my bike hasnt changed. the only thing that is different is the lack of l and a different colored license.

    these gators have been from all over the country and both in 50 and 100k zones. cant explain it, but sometimes i wish to god i still had that crappy bit of plastic.
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  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by PrincessBandit View Post
    An overtaking incident this afternoon while riding my "old" bike (GN250, complete with L plate for my hubby and son) made me wonder if the rude driver who forced me to abandon my overtaking manouvre (as he obviously felt his car took precedence) would have done that if I'd been on my Bandit. Brought back icky memories of my L days when some ignorant drivers decided that the yellow square with the black letter turned you into some sort of prat magnet. My appreciation to all those considerate drivers out there who realise that everyone has to start somewhere and treat others with respect. Hey, if riders and drivers all treat each other with courtesy maybe there will be fewer tragedies on our roads.
    Sounds like a good reason to get out of South Auckland to me.

  13. #13
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    I have never had a problem with the L plate - must be that Auckland drivers are simply more caring.

  14. #14
    Went out for a bit minus an L plate, was left alone.... The day I put L plate back on I ended up with a nice red holden so far up my arse it wasn't funny...

    I understand why people prefer not to display L plates...

    I'm trying not to ditch mine though... *can't afford the fines*

  15. #15
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    I just leave the L off the bike, if i get pulled over it'll be "Gee sorry officer it must have fallen off" I need to get my A into G and sit my restricted, been elegible for quite some time now, just lazy and poor i guess
    If the world didn't suck so much, we would all fall off

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