Do I really need an L-plate?

[daniely]

On ya learners the law requires that you have an L-plate. It is SUPPOSED to gain the respect and consideration of other drivers and riders on the road. Sure, riders no problem, but (from what I've heard) drivers?

And ditch the L plate.... to many cocks like to pick on learners.

Once you get over mounting it without blocking the indicators, brake light, number plate (guess that ones not so important, could maybe use to my advantage? ) it seems that the only place left is sticking out somewhere where it could get snapped off in a slipstream (planning on having a bit of a slipstream, can't get too much off a GN250 though)

Maybe there are benefits...

having my L plate on has gotten me out of 2 fines so far...

But all in all I reckon you wouldn't get into too much trouble without one

I got pulled over 42 times in 2 years on a learners with no L plate...
Never ticketed for it.

Plus the L-plate makes you look like a bit of a pleb, but safety before cool factor I guess (hmmmm.... )

So, any ideas? Thanks!

[Mom]

First things first mate, I would take the advice from SM you have quoted with a grain of salt.

Some people do use one, some dont. Yes there is some thinking that says you get targetted wearing the L plate of doom, but it is just a likely to be because you are feeling a bit vulnerable anyway. Insurance is an issue too.

[FJRider]

Conditions of Licence... Christchurch is not the same as Auckland. There's not as many "cocks" down here.
Its still a rat race here...... but the rats run slower..

Ignore the "cocks" online that tell you differently...

At the end of the day its YOUR licence... you choose.

[Slyer]

It's your $400!
Make sure you don't get caught speeding or your fine will be many times what it would be otherwise.

[Jonno.]

Risk of $400 (possibly multiple) vs. yellow sign for 6 months.

[mark247]

Your motorcycle will still run perfectly fine with no problems without an L Plate =P

So no you dont need it.

On a serious note, i never used one, got pulled over heaps, never got ticketed. They never even mentioned it.

[yungatart]

Use it!
It is not the target that plenty claim it to be. The cost of not having it far outweighs the cost of having one.
Can you afford the $400...in multilples?

[mark247]

Use it!
It is not the target that plenty claim it to be. The cost of not having it far outweighs the cost of having one.
Can you afford the $400...in multilples?

I know an idiot who had over $4000 worth of L plate fines. They actually gave him home detention to wipe them. Obvously not just for those fines. But thats how i found out he had that much in "failing to use an L plate" fines, I saw his home detention contract lol.

So i guess for some people it is worth it =D

[Vern]

First things first mate, I would take the advice from SM you have quoted with a grain of salt.

Some people do use one, some dont. Yes there is some thinking that says you get targetted wearing the L plate of doom, but it is just a likely to be because you are feeling a bit vulnerable anyway. Insurance is an issue too.

I have a friend here than does not have one on and when we go out riding at this stage we are not on the main hiways but have past the police with no problems. My daughter in Palmerston North has hers on the bike and when we go out together motorists take no notice of it anyway and we both wear hi vis jackets and stand out. But the law said put on so on it goes. Vern

[Ms Piggy]

I rode for a long time without an L plate on but then someone mentioned that it may void my insurance, I never checked it out so I'm not sure if it's true, but at the end of the day I decided it's better to be safe than sorry and I tied it back on after riding for almost 4 years without it.

It's a good motivation to get your butt into gear and sit your Restricted ASAP too!

[Blackshear]

S'not gonna make you any slower brah.
The two times I have not been ticketed:
"70-ish is a bit fast, innit? You're lucky you're wearing your L-plate, or I was gonna do ya. (Bout $700 right there.) You're lucky I'm a biker, too!"
"I know this is a back road, and it's really fucking wide, but keep your speed below licence loosing territory, 'K son? That yellow LEARNING plate is there for a reason. SO REMEMBER IT'S THERE!"

Yessuh nosuh off'suh

I don't see why people see it as such a lame thing.

[MSTRS:Me]

Dicks in cages will still be dicks with or without the L plate.
If you never have an accident, or never pulled by the plod...then it's not an issue. Otherwise... $

[BiK3RChiK]

Your decision in the end, but this is my experience...

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...3&postcount=22

[cs363]

Use it!
It is not the target that plenty claim it to be. The cost of not having it far outweighs the cost of having one.
Can you afford the $400...in multilples?

That's good advice right there!

[Sly_guy]

Originally Posted by skidMark
I got pulled over 42 times in 2 years on a learners with no L plate...
Never ticketed for it.

Me thinks there is a serious amount of bullshit there !!!!

My 2c...

I've been pulled over once... and it was the ONE and ONLY time I had taken my plate off for a ride....

The result... $400 for no L Plate, (ok, and the $400 for the speeding)...

Ok, the office in question was a right royal cock with the personality of an Albatross, however, by my maths, that's a 100% hit rate... I'm sticking with the plate for the rest of my 6 months!