L-Plate Poll

**shadynz** · 25th February 2007, 23:22

As a side post to flyno's thread on on learner licence conditions (70km/h, 10pm curfew etc)....

As a "soon-to-be" rider myself, I personally am really interested in just the L-Plate issue, as the other conditions seem fine for me at the moment. Motorway driving is a few weeks away yet.

I read a lot about cagers aggression toward's L-Platers and wonder whether these are just extraordinary incidents. Safety is first for me and I definately don't want some boy-racer up my arse when I'm trying to remember how to shift down, indicate, turn blah blah. In saying that, I can appreciate where a law is made that is intended for someones own safety ya know?

We all know it's everyone's own decision as to whether they choose to ride with one or without, but I am really curious as to actual numbers.

Do you/Did you ride with an L-Plate on your learners if it was a condition at the time?

**Switch** · 25th February 2007, 23:42

I have personally never used L plates. I wouldnt mind at all riding with them if there wasnt the stupid 70km/h limit...oh and it would ruin the style of my bike

**Shadows** · 26th February 2007, 00:10

An L plate would have looked a bit out of place on the 400 (and the 900 for that matter).
I did manage to put one on a 250 on the day of my "R" test though.

**scracha** · 26th February 2007, 01:16

So many fuckwits, so little time.

**Pumba** · 26th February 2007, 07:22

Never used a L-plate, except when I sat the old restricted test. With the 70 kph speed limit imposed on learners and me at that stage having to travel about 10km of state highway it would have been to dangours

**Nasty** · 26th February 2007, 07:39

I used my L plate the whole time on my learners and sacrificed it when I passed the restricted ... That does not mean I did 70 km p hour either.

I rode 30 kms down state one to work and back and there was no way I wanted to die so going 100 was the way to avoid that. My bike was little but it worked well ...

As far as car drivers i found them to be more tolerant when I had the L plate on ... they gave me more space .. I guess that they realised that when learning if I lost they may have suffered ... oh well

**Kam** · 26th February 2007, 07:43

I've been riding with my L-Plate for the last 3 months and I'd say the way that I'm treated by other drivers varies from being tailgated by some people to being given almost too much space by others. But that's pretty much par for the course in the city.

I've been up to Whangarei and down to Thames a few times so far, riding with the L-Plate on at 100kph and haven't had many issues with other drivers or the Police.

As everyone around here says, just keep with the flow of traffic and you'll be fine.

**Freakshow** · 26th February 2007, 07:46

Didn't bother with the L plates and paid the price!!!

**Kinje** · 26th February 2007, 08:48

Had the L plate, but never kept to the 70 km/hr rule

**sunhuntin** · 26th February 2007, 09:04

wear an l plate, and refuse to follow the 70k rule. [however, after the fence post incident, ive been too shit scared to go over 80! ive tried to force the speed up, but never made it]

ive been tail gated, but everyone gets that. ive actually had more danger coming from cars in front of me, which cannot be attributed to the l plate simply cos they dont know its there. i have also had vehicles leave a huge gap. this sucks, specially at the lights. i end up having to wave them forwards so they trigger the pads.

also, cagers tend to bully other cagers that have l plates. i make a point if staying well back from anything with l on it. i know what its like to be picked on by road users, so i give as much room as needed.

**Roj** · 26th February 2007, 09:09

L plates came in a long time after my license so I never used them but my son has, he removed it cause I think his ego didn't like it....

**placidfemme** · 26th February 2007, 09:17

I used my L plate for the period of my learner license... Didn't bother so much with the 70kph, just follow the flow of traffic and no-one will give you shit about it...

Or alternativley you could bolt your L plate on and snap it off... if you get pulled over say "it was there when I left... stupid thing must have broke, I'll buy another one I promise" lol

**Patrick** · 26th February 2007, 09:27

Originally Posted by placidfemme

I used my L plate for the period of my learner license... Didn't bother so much with the 70kph, just follow the flow of traffic and no-one will give you shit about it...

Or alternativley you could bolt your L plate on and snap it off... if you get pulled over say "it was there when I left... stupid thing must have broke, I'll buy another one I promise" lol

Even though we (

) know they are made of soft flexible plastic and don't snap...

Go with the flow and don't attract attention to yourself...

**Smorg** · 26th February 2007, 09:29

I couldnt wear L plates coz I never had a 250 to stick them on. But even if I had a 250 I wouldnt have worn them

**Trudes** · 26th February 2007, 09:30

Originally Posted by Shadmeister

An L plate would have looked a bit out of place on the 400 (and the 900 for that matter).
I did manage to put one on a 250 on the day of my "R" test though.

I think the real question here is.... What the hell has that camel got in it's mouth?