L plates are dangerous!

[Kendog]

I wonder if I would see anything different if I put an L plate on my bike (is that legal when you have a full licence?)

I filter a fair bit and see some bad driving, but I expect it and ride to the conditions. I wonder if the cages driving would be more agressive if I had the L plate on.

[Lilly2w]

I've had my L plate on for the whole six months (HOPEfuly coming off next week!) I've riden all over wellington and never really experienced any major twatiness that I would atribute to my L plate, just the usual idioicy that you generally expect from other drivers regardless of being on 2 wheels or 4. The one thing I have noticed is that there are a lot of people who don't appreciate being over taken and often put their foot down to prevent me getting past, I don't know if they take this action for any particular reason. I've never stopped to ask.

[Pascal]

Perhaps as a learner you shouldn't be filtering just yet.

Fair point. Given the lengthy discussions around filtering I've done the following:

1. Tried to follow other motorcyclists to see how they do it. There was a guy on a BMW last night who did a particularly grand job, thanked the motorists. So, I try "monkey see, monkey do" and learn from people who've been there.

2. Never filter through moving traffic. At the moment I'm still learning, so I only use it when the traffic is stopped and then only at between 10 and 20km/h.

[Fatt Max]

Sorry to hear about the crappy start to the day, f*****g cager's.

I have my L plates on preferreing to avoid a possible fine and all the crap that goes with it. Personally I have not had too much hassle by displaying the 'Black n Yellow', just a bit of piss taking I suppose.

I see cagers hassle other cagers with L plate so there are a few with the crap attitude. At the end of the day, it;s your choice to have them, but hopefully either way you dont get more of this crap.

Ride on bruvver....

[The Pastor]

It doesnt stop when the l plate comes off!

[MSTRS:Me]

Every time I read one of these threads I think to myself "Here we go again"
Prattish behaviour from other motorists is NOTHING to do with the L plate. It's called the learner stage for good reason, as part of what you must learn is to recognise this type of driver in time to avoid them in future.
I've had a full license for 35 years and I see this shit around me too. The difference is I expect it, am not taken by surprise and can (hopefully) not get caught up in something nasty.
Keep wearing the yellow plate. It is a signal that most will recognise and give you more time/space to get on with riding. The prats won't care either way.

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

I got tapped from behind from a 4x4 driver when the lights turned green and I happened to be late by about 2 seconds moving off. This is with my L-plate on.

I would got off the bike walked to his side window... punched and head butted the prick with the edge of the visor... and then say see its just a little tap... and next time you do it I will get angry... then climb back on the bike and ride off in to the sunset..

if you are to scared to do that than get off the bike (blocking there path walk round to the back write down rego and model etc... walk past the window and say will see you in court... then ring the police... and let them fully sort it out...

[Reckless]

Every time I read one of these threads I think to myself "Here we go again"
Prattish behaviour from other motorists is NOTHING to do with the L plate. It's called the learner stage for good reason, as part of what you must learn is to recognise this type of driver in time to avoid them in future.
I've had a full license for 35 years and I see this shit around me too. The difference is I expect it, am not taken by surprise and can (hopefully) not get caught up in something nasty.
Keep wearing the yellow plate. It is a signal that most will recognise and give you more time/space to get on with riding. The prats won't care either way.

Good post mate! Agreed!
I also think a bit of the difference between L platers and us, is that once you've been riding a while you leave a lot of the so called trouble behind. Ie your on a bigger bike, doin things a lot quicker. Therefore the prick in the first post would only see your rear wheel and you'd never even realise he was a tool! You'd be at the next set of lights between the next set of cars while Mr Dickhead was fuming at the back of the line! Karma and it feels good!
But that said, mstrs is quite right, we all come up against Mr Dickhead every now and then L plate or not!
You either let it go or boot his rear tail light in and ride off grinning at the cost and inconvenience you've created for him!! Your choice!

[elevenhundred]

If you and your bike look initimidating then you get less of those issues.
I've walked over to a few cars and stared at the driver with my tinted visor down, most of the time they won't even look at you and are just hoping you will go away.

[thehollowmen]

One day soon I'm going to put an L plate on my bike (the 1200 cc one) and mount video cameras forward and rear.

I'd also be making frequent trips to the police station to supply them with evidence.

[Finn]

It doesnt stop when the l plate comes off!

Try the maintenance forum.

[Swoop]

I wonder if I would see anything different if I put an L plate on my bike (is that legal when you have a full licence?)

No.

Mr Ixion has pointed out the law that prevents doing this... unfortunately.

[imdying]

2 Comments. Firstly as someone has said - if you knock on a window be prepared for what ever comes out of it. If you ain't don't escalate the issue. It could have been a lot worse.

To be fair, I think the bash came from guilt, I've knocked on peoples windows before to tell them they've left their boot/petrol flap/whatever open etc.

[The Pastor]

No.

Mr Ixion has pointed out the law that prevents doing this... unfortunately.

linky ?

[MSTRS:Me]

No.

Mr Ixion has pointed out the law that prevents doing this... unfortunately.

Not so sure about that. However, anyone in/on an L plated conveyance may be constrained by the learner rules. So definitely illegal to place one on a 1200. etc