Newbie to bikes (dave222)

[dave222]

Hey guys have decided to give motorbikes ago.

Picked myself up a '87 VFR400R as my first bike and am still learning the ropes. Been slowly riding up and down the South head road past helensville getting my confidence up.

[Brownbikerbabe]

Congrats on the new lifestyle and new (old) purchase. There's no turning back now. Enjoy!

[Duke girl]

400 as your 1st bike, isnt that 150 cc more than what your allowed for a 1st bike? Learners are only allowed up to a 250cc and travel at the dismal 70ks on an open road.

[dave222]

400 as your 1st bike, isnt that 150 cc more than what your allowed for a 1st bike? Learners are only allowed up to a 250cc and travel at the dismal 70ks on an open road.

I know, Still using the L plates though. Seems pretty tame though so shouldnt have any problems.

[vifferman]

400 as your 1st bike, isnt that 150 cc more than what your allowed for a 1st bike? Learners are only allowed up to a 250cc and travel at the dismal 70ks on an open road.

You need to add some 's and 's and 's to your post.

[Duke girl]

[klingon]

I know, Still using the L plates though. Seems pretty tame though so shouldnt have any problems.

Hi Dave, and welcome to the site! You should be aware that technically the bike that you're riding is in breach of the rules for learners. In actual fact it sounds like the perfect learner bike, and if the rules better reflected the reality, you should be encouraged to ride a bike like this!

But yeah, if you do something naughty and the polices catch you, you will be told to stop riding your bike and be given something like a $400 instant fine for breaching your licence conditions. Just so you know.

Meanwhile, hooray for a new biker recruit!

[Charlie41]

Welcome to the site!!! VFR's are awesome bikes

[dave222]

Thanks everyone for the welcome. Will throw a picture of my bike up when I can get my hands on the flatties camera.

And about riding a 400cc being a learner I know I will get a ticket if caught, actually got the bike before the L's and didnt even know about the under 250cc thing.

Anyway I ride pretty slow a cautious at the moment so I dont think the cops will bother me, its the nutters that tailgate me that should be ticketed.

Cheers

[klingon]

Dave, are you familiar with all the learner licencing rules now? I only ask because I get the impression that you don't yet have your 6L (learner's licence).

You would be well advised to go ahead and get your 6L ASAP because that way you start the clock ticking and will speed up the time it takes to get your full (and therefore to be fully legal).

Most places that do the basic handling test (the practical part of the process) will lend you a suitable bike to do it on. If you're riding up & down the road you'll breeze throught the test.

Check out the info on this site:
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/licensing/motorcycle/index.html

[OutForADuck]

Hey Dave,
Welcome to biking. Take it careful on the new toy. You've got some good advice here, get that 6L moving ASAP and watch the christmas checkpoints for your license breech.. could get expensive.

[STOLLI R1]

I never bothered with a 250 when I was going through that whole learner stage. Testament to that was the day I was pulled over coming back from a rally on my GSX400X Repulse and a cop with eyes like a hawk had noticed my rego was 2 days overdue. He told my girlfriend(now wife) and I to get that sorted please and have a safe ride home. So here are the things that could have cost me alot of money: travelling at 100km/h, having a pillion, riding a 400cc bike and no rego all be it only two day overdue.
Moral of the story: Don't act like a muppet when you are riding on the open road and wear appropriate gear like a real motorcyclist and chances are you will be considered as a normal fully licenced MC rider.

PS: This only applies to pers who can actually ride properly, where the learner status is purely paperwork. If you need to learn follow the rules, they will help you to avoid becoming fuel for rising ACC levies

[fire eyes]

awesome mate, welcome

[Fatt Max]

Welcome dude,

Heed the advice about the 6L, mainly because no-one wants to be $400 down and told to stay off the road. Sounds like you have the attitude sorted but keep an eye open, you only need an anti-biking cop to move into your area and it can all turn hooters up very quickly.

Ride on and be safe dude....

[Howsie]

Welcome to KB! Good advice above..... maybe consider a older cbrr if u go the honda way, still a reasonably peppy machine and you will be legal.

Ride safe