It is forbidden to overtake on the right !?

[Wolf]

MY line is Fiat justicia , ruat coelum)

"He who drives a Fiat is just"?

[Ixion]

"He who drives a Fiat is just"?

lit: Let justice be done, (though) the heavens should fall
fr: Mess with bikers and the sky's gonna come down on you

Like I said, bikers were ballsier back then.

[Wolf]

lit: Let justice be done, (though) the heavens should fall
fr: Mess with bikers and the sky's gonna come down on you

Like I said, bikers were ballsier back then.

I always reckonned the one bit of German Technology missing from my old Zundapp was the MG34 (Maschinengewehr Mod. 34) - that'd have discouraged repeat offending...

[Ixion]

I always reckonned the one bit of German Technology missing from my old Zundapp was the MG34 (Maschinengewehr Mod. 34) - that'd have discouraged repeat offending...

Hm . BMW used to have a sidecar mount machine gun for the Wehrmacht boxer models. Hm. Wonder if it would fit a K Series ? Hm . Not that I'm thinking anything you understand

[Wolf]

Hm . BMW used to have a sidecar mount machine gun for the Wehrmacht boxer models. Hm. Wonder if it would fit a K Series ? Hm . Not that I'm thinking anything you understand

The old R75 with side car - definitely want one. Only 90km/h top speed but if you "forget" to dismount the machinegun, who's gonna complain about what speed you're doing...

It was the self same R75 that made me fall in love with Beemer boxer twins (NO, I'm not quite that old, I was given a 1:24 scal model (which my mum eventually broke - along with the HMS Victory and a balsa-and-doped-tissue rubber-band powered plane and ... face it, parents have no respect for the hours it takes to put these things together)

Anyways, ever since that kitset I really wanted a BMW boxer twin. Ever since I rode an R100 I've really really wanted a BMW boxer twin. Sidecar with MG optional.

[Lou Girardin]

I can see the public outcry now if the police tried a charge in that sort of case " Man charged with preventing drunk driver from killing people !!" .

Something similar happened in ChCh recently. A concerned citizen apprehended a car thief who had just stolen a womans car. His vigourous citizens arrest resulted in the Police charging him with assault. He didn't do any serious damage to the dirt bag either (shame that).
And I had a call from a Policeperson because I suggested in the strongest possible terms to a cage driver that he should not try and force me into the kerb merely because he can't filter in his car. When I suggested that she charge me she declined.
It sure makes you think twice though.

[Ixion]

...
And I had a call from a Policeperson because I suggested in the strongest possible terms to a cage driver that he should not try and force me into the kerb merely because he can't filter in his car. When I suggested that she charge me she declined.
It sure makes you think twice though.

I have on several occasions (not all road related) told the Police to charge me, because " I want this case to go to court, so that it will get lots of publicity". So far they never have.

Did you , in turn, ask the police to charge the cager with the several offenses he committed ?

[spudchucka]

Something similar happened in ChCh recently. A concerned citizen apprehended a car thief who had just stolen a womans car. His vigourous citizens arrest resulted in the Police charging him with assault.

Can you post a link please. I'd like to have a read of that story.

[Lou Girardin]

I have on several occasions (not all road related) told the Police to charge me, because " I want this case to go to court, so that it will get lots of publicity". So far they never have.

Did you , in turn, ask the police to charge the cager with the several offenses he committed ?

She didn't want to do that either.

[Lou Girardin]

Can you post a link please. I'd like to have a read of that story.

It was a couple of months before Xmas, made TV news etc. Can't find a link yet.

[Marmoot]

But seriously, what is it with us allowing people who have never driven on the correct side of the road to come here, jump in a car at the airport and just take off.

I guess it is the same reasoning that allows NZer to drive in Germany :spudwhat:

[Wolf]

I guess it is the same reasoning that allows NZer to drive in Germany :spudwhat:

Frankly, I don't think I should have the right to drive/ride in Germany.

I do not think that having held a full motorcycle licence for around 22 years and paying a fee to some gummint revenue collector in any way shape or form qualifies me to ride a motorcycle on the right hand side of a German Autobahn or attempt to negotiate crowded German streets with a different set of road rules.

I feel that if I were to go to another country, I should be tested as to my knowledge of their road rules at the very least - sure I know how to ride a bike, but I know squat about who gives way to whom in Germany. Possibly should have to get a "learner's licence" when arriving in another country.

I'd happily study for and sit a test to ride in a foreign country. And go out for a practical test with a duly authorised testing agent of that country to determine whether or not I have sufficient knowledge of their road rules to drive safely.

I think everyone who comes here should go through the same.

Nothing personal to any "new New Zealanders" or tourists on this site - I am sure that you're all excellent riders and I'm sure that if such a requirement were in place, you'd fly through it and qualify. I'm also sure that there are a lot of people out there who would fail miserably - and they're the phakas I don't want on the roads - like I wouldn't want to be on the roads in Germany or USA or anywhere else unless I were sure I was not a risk.

[Marmoot]

Frankly, I don't think I should have the right to drive/ride in Germany.

I do not think that having held a full motorcycle licence for around 22 years and paying a fee to some gummint revenue collector in any way shape or form qualifies me to ride a motorcycle on the right hand side of a German Autobahn or attempt to negotiate crowded German streets with a different set of road rules.

I feel that if I were to go to another country, I should be tested as to my knowledge of their road rules at the very least - sure I know how to ride a bike, but I know squat about who gives way to whom in Germany. Possibly should have to get a "learner's licence" when arriving in another country.

I'd happily study for and sit a test to ride in a foreign country. And go out for a practical test with a duly authorised testing agent of that country to determine whether or not I have sufficient knowledge of their road rules to drive safely.

I think everyone who comes here should go through the same.

Nothing personal to any "new New Zealanders" or tourists on this site - I am sure that you're all excellent riders and I'm sure that if such a requirement were in place, you'd fly through it and qualify. I'm also sure that there are a lot of people out there who would fail miserably - and they're the phakas I don't want on the roads - like I wouldn't want to be on the roads in Germany or USA or anywhere else unless I were sure I was not a risk.

Frankly, I agree with you.
But any changes on that agreement affects multi countries, so I do not think a few crying kiwis will change that unfortunately.
Before you say anything: yeah, I hate the situation as much as you do.

But, on a lighter note, I do not think 1000 abusers out of 1000000 good people signify the bad rules. Any rules are open to abuse and it is the policing/enforcement that really matters, don't you agree?
(not that I am suggesting to have more police or anything )

[Ixion]

I also.

I once hired a car in San Franciso. After the first day, I wouldn't drive it again - took public transport, or got the people we were seeing drive it.

The traffic wasn't too bad , but I just didn't think I was safe. No bad experiences, but just knew that I couldn't trust myself to react correctly if something did happen and I had to go instinctive. Left hand instincts of many years would have kicked in , which would probably have been a Bad Thing.

Not knowing the local rules, even more not knowing the local conventions, and trying to cope with all that while also rememberbing about the drive on right bit, was just not safe. If I'd absolutely had to, I could have but I just didn't feel safe.

It's not the keeping right, that's actually easy, it's the differences in positioning on the road, roundabouts etc.

I dare say if I'd had a week or two I could have adapted. But tourists don't generally have a few weeks to cautiously "work into it". Different if you are actually immigrating, maybe.

[speedpro]

Driving in Manila wouldn't be a problem for a Kiwi. There are no rules, you don't stop for red lights and if there is room on the other side of the central island and you think you might get past before the next lights then it's OK to give it a go. If you don't make it you'll end up with a line of cars 'behind' you. You also don't stop for cops unless they are actually drawing the old sidearm. Roundabouts are mainly one way but if you think you might get to where you want to go faster by going the wrong way, especially if it's only the first exit on the right, then try it.