On your learners? WEAR YOUR PLATE

**nivram** · 14th July 2008, 09:38

I don't understand why so many learners find it so difficult to buy a $2 L plate and display it. I'm amazed how many either can't bothered with the L plate or Will not fit one as it doesn't look 'cool' on their new bike.

The plate is for your own safety it you fail to display it prepare the pay the consequences.

**yungatart** · 14th July 2008, 09:41

Originally Posted by nivram

I don't understand why so many learners find it so difficult to buy a $2 L plate and display it. I'm amazed how many either can't bothered with the L plate or Will not fit one as it doesn't look 'cool' on their new bike.

The plate is for your own safety it you fail to display it prepare the pay the consequences.

Far too easy, far too sensible!
This is KB after all. If people obeyed the law, then what would they have to bitch about on here..

Oh, gawd, I'm starting to sound like Katman...please excuse me, it is lack of sleep and an overabundance of stress in my life.
Normal service will resume shortly!

**NOMIS** · 14th July 2008, 09:50

My answer for not ever using one is, " it looks gay" yellow not cool enough " I got to go to court for "doing a runner " in sert tui add. I wasnt wearing a l plate or anything nothing happend.

I just keep a broken one under the seat and sat it broke while doing warp speed's Havnt had the chance to get a new one officer.

**vifferman** · 14th July 2008, 09:54

Originally Posted by Mikkel

Aww come on, let's not let this discussion degenerate into paranoid theories and scaremongering. If I count the number of times I've had some "old-timer" give me "good" advice on the matter of L-plates versus the number of times I've had anyone actually give me any hassle on the road while displaying one we're talking a factor of at least 10:1!

Lucky you.

I can't comment on being hassled with an L-plate on my bike, as I got my bike licence many, many moons ago, when a L-plate wasn't a requirement.
However, when I was taking my two eldest sons for driving lessons, I experienced not a few instances of extremely rude behaviour from other motorists, and three instances of road rage, seemingly due solely to an L-plate being displayed on the car windscreen. One day too, I was driving immediately after taking one of them for a lesson, and neglected to take the L-plate out of the back windscreen (it was a coupe, and hard to reach the thing). I was astounded that even though I was driving in a normal Auckland fashion (over the limit, accelerating fast away from lights, etc.), many motorists seemed desperate to pass me and get away from me before I crashed, exploded, or whatever. There was a very noticeable difference in behaviour when there was an L displayed and when there wasn't, even though my driving was the same. In contrast, drivers in Roundabouta (the city formerly known as Tauranga) weren't quite so paranoid, although this may have changed in the last 9 years.

I am not advocating flouting the law - the penalties are too high for many noobies who are struggling to get together the price of bike plus gear plus licencing, etc. It was merely a comment on two laws that should make it safer for new riders, but more than likely make it more dangerous, due to the appalling attitudes of your average (huh... that should be "well below average") D'Auckland driver.

**NordieBoy** · 14th July 2008, 10:12

Originally Posted by sinister^

Not a jew though

But what if he is Jewish?

**Mikkel** · 14th July 2008, 10:37

Originally Posted by vifferman

I can't comment on being hassled with an L-plate on my bike, as I got my bike licence many, many moons ago, when a L-plate wasn't a requirement.
However, when I was taking my two eldest sons for driving lessons, I experienced not a few instances of extremely rude behaviour from other motorists, and three instances of road rage, seemingly due solely to an L-plate being displayed on the car windscreen. One day too, I was driving immediately after taking one of them for a lesson, and neglected to take the L-plate out of the back windscreen (it was a coupe, and hard to reach the thing). I was astounded that even though I was driving in a normal Auckland fashion (over the limit, accelerating fast away from lights, etc.), many motorists seemed desperate to pass me and get away from me before I crashed, exploded, or whatever. There was a very noticeable difference in behaviour when there was an L displayed and when there wasn't, even though my driving was the same. In contrast, drivers in Roundabouta (the city formerly known as Tauranga) weren't quite so paranoid, although this may have changed in the last 9 years.

I am not advocating flouting the law - the penalties are too high for many noobies who are struggling to get together the price of bike plus gear plus licencing, etc. It was merely a comment on two laws that should make it safer for new riders, but more than likely make it more dangerous, due to the appalling attitudes of your average (huh... that should be "well below average") D'Auckland driver.

That's interesting. I had got the impression that Christchurch drivers were an aggressive and incompetent bunch compared to the Aucklanders... (I hope so at least

) however IIRC I had only one or two incidents with people hassling me while I was displaying my L-plate. However, after I got my black leathers and grew a bit more confident on my bike I didn't experience it again despite the L-plate.
And I saw no positive change at all in the attitude of my fellow motorists after I got rid of the L-plate - if anything I've had more people behaving like idiots around me since then, but no more than what could be put down to statistics.

**sinister^** · 14th July 2008, 11:43

Originally Posted by Slyer

Hey was that you on the motorway on the north shore around 8:10? **zmb

Who?

I got a parking ticket today yippee $40 for parking on footpath in the city.

**nodrog:Me** · 14th July 2008, 11:45

Originally Posted by sinister^

Who?

I got a parking ticket today yippee $40 for parking on footpath in the city.

are you going to complain about that too?

**westie** · 14th July 2008, 12:15

Originally Posted by Ixion

Were it other than ACD868 I would agree with you. But that officer's actions have destroyed his credibility, and I have little doubt that if he had not been able to write a ticket for "no L plate" he would have invented (and I use that word advisedly) some other offence.

Officer ACD868 has a personal hangout about motorcyclists, and he abuses the power of his badge to further his personal enmities.

Darn another point to the gingaa cnut.

Bummer sinister. But I guess he was using the law. He's still a cnut tho

**Qkchk:Me** · 14th July 2008, 12:20

Originally Posted by westie

Darn another point to the gingaa cnut.

Bummer sinister. But I guess he was using the law. He's still a cnut tho

Took you long enough to turn up!

**westie** · 14th July 2008, 12:23

Originally Posted by nivram

I don't understand why so many learners find it so difficult to buy a $2 L plate and display it. I'm amazed how many either can't bothered with the L plate or Will not fit one as it doesn't look 'cool' on their new bike.

The plate is for your own safety it you fail to display it prepare the pay the consequences.

Funnily enough I found that when I used an L plate cars would tailgate me and sometimes try and go right through me. So I took it off and never had the problem. Oh I actually snapped it off so I had an excuse that it was there orrificer.
Many others I have talked to found similar occurances

Restrictions of a vehicles speed limit(ie 70kph) on the open road can lead to many incidents where the other vehicles want to go faster.
Any one know a cage driver that respects bikers going slowly

**Tank** · 14th July 2008, 12:28

Originally Posted by Ixion

Well well. Our dear friend , Officer Gingacunt. Sorry mate, didn't matter HOW legal you were , that guy would have found something to ticket you for. And if he couldn't find anything, he'd invent it.

He simply hates motorcyclists, and is running an obsessional campaign against them .

Is it any wonder that he hates bikers when - some bloke gets caught fair and square - gets the fine that he's entitled to and then cops abuse from said biker - when its 100% the bikers fault.

Originally Posted by sinister^

HARHAR, don't you worry. I told him what he is after he gave me the ticket - (

)

How can we demand respect from others - when we think its clever to be a total cunt to them regardless of us being in the wrong?

**celticbhoy** · 14th July 2008, 12:37

Personally I always kept my plate on and had no worries with anyone giving me hassles and found cops didn't bother with me doing 100km either. While on the topic of looking nerdy with L plate when I go on long rides I wear a high vis vest which some may say looks kinda gay (yes yes I know I ride a honda!) but I reckon it has saved me from a couple of speeding tickets just by appearing "responsible" by wearing geeky vest. Could be imagining it ???

**LittleAngel** · 14th July 2008, 12:58

Each time I read a similar themed thread like this I'm always amazed.

When I was learning I had my Loser plate on, and I noticed everyone backed away and allowed me more room to stall (as I did often!) and piss around.

I wonder if Auckland drivers are just impatient regardless if on a bike or in a cage? Learner or experienced?

This amazes me as we all had to start somewhere didn't we??

IMHO Christchurch cagers seem to notice the yellow plate and give the room required.

When I upgraded from the GN to the 400 while on my learners I knew the risk I was taking by breaking the law and would have paid the fines without question if I got caught! (I was lucky and didn't).

I still believe the L plate is there for the learners protection. I'm not so sure about the 70k/h rule though. For me I was way to much of chicken for that to be a problem when I was learning!