New bike and a GDLS exemption...

**h20boy** · 29th August 2008, 22:46

Originally Posted by Number One

AND In my usual shit stirring fashion, I would say in reference to your comment about why they don't supply you with the list of bikes able to get exemption for...suck it up...it's up to us to do our own homework on the system when applying to be excused from it.

Fair enough...but...I spoke to them prior to applying, I spoke to a riding instructor who has provided endorsements for many, many of these and spoke to my dealer. I searched online, both on the NZTA and LTSA websites and general forums etc and this list has never been mentioned nor made available. If this list is to be enforced it should be readily available...thats all.

Anyways, cross your collective fingers for me please

**Number One** · 30th August 2008, 08:55

Originally Posted by h20boy

Anyways, cross your collective fingers for me please

I am crossing my fingers for you...my toes too! Good luck

**2Slow50** · 30th August 2008, 13:25

you will be fine brother! seriously don't stress.. I'm approved to ride my r6 on an exemption.. rofl

**marty** · 30th August 2008, 18:15

one of the guys at work has just got an exemption to ride his brand new DRZ400SM - he didn't even HAVE a licence, and was given a single shot at passing his learner/restriced/full in one exam. if he failed, he had to go through the whole 18 month process. he supported his application with a 10 year motocross licence, with results from numerous meets.

**supraman_nz** · 31st August 2008, 12:21

Iv just applied for an exemption as well (similar height) and was wondering what was your reply in regards to riding experience?

**CookMySock** · 31st August 2008, 13:34

Originally Posted by supraman_nz

Iv just applied for an exemption as well (similar height) and was wondering what was your reply in regards to riding experience?

I spun a whole lot of bullshit about extensive off-road experience. Well, it wasn't all lies.

I think the thing is, people who KNOW they can ride a 600+cc bike are going to apply. Those who think they cannot, won't, and I think the exemption people know the difference. Half-assed scaredy-cat applications won't make it. Confident, well-explained applications will make it. They know we can spin any bullshit story we like, and they know that a certain percentage of people can and will.

Ie, my wife can ride her 250 perfectly well. She can also ride my 650 perfectly well, but she doesn't want to - its too big and heavy and it handles funny compared to her learner bike. If she did apply, not that she would, I think it would show, and I think it would be declined.

For myself, when I applied I knew I could ride a 650. The size of it didn't bother me at all, and regardless of what story I spun then on the application, I think they can tell.

Steve

**supraman_nz** · 31st August 2008, 17:39

thanks steve that helps

**h20boy** · 31st August 2008, 20:49

As with Steve, I spoke about my offroad experience.
The fact is, I've ridden alot of bikes on the road when I was younger and didn't have a license at all....hardly the sort of thing I would tell them. I'm older and wiser now and really want to do it by the book, hence the application. I know for certain that I can handle the bike...somehow, I doubt my confidence will make a huge difference in their decision. Time will tell. Will keep you posted.

**h20boy** · 1st September 2008, 13:34

Well...I got the dreaded phone call today.

THey wil not grant me exemption to ride the ER6-F as it has more power than those on the list.
I requested a formal letter explaining exactly why as I believe I have an opportunity to appeal their decision.

If anyone can help me out with power figures for any of the bikes on the list it would be hugely appreciated. Surely, if I can identify one bike on their with the same or more power output they will have a hard time defending their decision in court.

Absolutely %&$#'n GUTTED!

**Badjelly** · 1st September 2008, 13:49

Originally Posted by h20boy

Surely, if I can identify one bike on their with the same or more power output they will have a hard time defending their decision in court.

Maybe, maybe not. If the law gives the relevant authority discretion in granting exemptions, then showing that they've been inconsistent won't necessarily gain you anything.

As I said near the start of this thread, it looks like they are now granting exemptions on the learner-approved list described here

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=70332
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0803/S00490.htm

These have a maximum power/weight ratio of 150 KW/tonne, where the weight is taken as the dry (?) weight of the bike plus 90 kg.

They may well have allowed exemptions in the past for bikes that don't meet this criterion, but it appears they have decided to adopt the list from now on. This is a reasonable thing to do IMHO, thought you'd think they could have told people (like you) who would be affected by it.

[Edit] PS: This sounds rather unsympathetic doesn't it? That's not my intention. I hope you do get to ride the bike you've bought and I think you do have grounds for complaint. I just don't think you are likely to get this overturned in court.

**imdying** · 1st September 2008, 13:50

In court?! That's like paying for the privledge of getting cancer

**CookMySock** · 1st September 2008, 14:23

Originally Posted by Badjelly

They may well have allowed exemptions in the past for bikes that don't meet this criterion, but it appears they have decided to adopt the list from now on.

I think this is incorrect. My understanding is they will exempt other bikes (not on this list) on a case-by-case basis.

Steve