The L plates of fury

DaveT2 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 25 Mar 2016 Karma :

Does anyone else find that filtering with L plates on can have a similar effect to dowsing a motorists in petrol and setting the alight? Honestly the rage in some people about the indignity of being passed by an L

ScaredyCat · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 May 2012 Karma :

Pass your tests, it'll go away.
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NJD · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Mar 2015 Karma :

Cagers just mad their stuck in traffic on a nice warm day and you're out and about enjoying yourself. Same way I got honked earlier for letting a hole bunch of cars out instead of blocking the junction up, like there was anywhere to go anyway. People lose their shite in the heat.

In regards to filtering just keep your wits about you and make sure you've got an escape route planned should the need for one arise. Often my theory to filtering is does the reward outweigh the risk. For today for example I was sitting in lane two with two cars ahead of me at a red light and a HGV in lane 1 that has stopped and left a gap before the lights (a large gap) because he couldn't get through, I took it to get myself out of danger and beat both of the lights and was well on my way to a clear road ahead out of danger, a perfect example of when it's worth it, ok that's not entirely filtering but it's something. Only actual filtering I do is in rush hour on the dual carriageway into city other than that I find generally in the 30-40mph roads I ride it's not worth it.

As for L plates you're going to get treated like a turd, no one wants to stick behind a learner for longer than they need to. My friend passes L plated cars as fast as possible now because last time he sat behind one at a junction he got bumped from behind due to their fannying around. Pass you tests, increase road knowledge and skill and be on your way.

M.C · Super Spammer Joined: 29 Sep 2015 Karma :

Yorkshire Geek · Scooby Slapper Joined: 02 Jun 2015 Karma :

I did it on a Chinese 125 cruiser, not one shit was given by anyone. Most people don't even see you, let alone have any emotional response to you.

notbike · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Apr 2014 Karma :

Funny you should bring this up as it crossed my mind recently.

tl;dr driver cut me up on dominos bike, told me off for being on L plates, asked him to fight me about it, didn't escalate.

[coolstory]
When I was working for Domino's I was approaching a junction with two lanes. I was in the left lane and it was clear ahead for me, but traffic began queuing in the right lane. So this impatient bastard decides he wants to change lanes quickly before he hits the traffic in front of him and cuts me up by switching over to the left lane abruptly and with no indicator.

Horn, brakes, etc, he stops his car and I'm next to his window. The bastard had the cheek to roll down his window and start telling ME off about "You shouldn't undertake in the left lane! You MOPED drivers are a danger to the rest of us!"

I was like hang on mate just cause this bike has an L plate doesn't mean I'm a learner, I was in the left lane the whole time I'm not undertaking.

Gave me more bollocks about I should be more careful coz I'm the vulnerable road user, I'm the one worse off in an accident etc etc etc usual bollocks.

Mate I've got years of riding experience wanna come see my bike round the back? Don't chat shit about I should be careful when you're cutting me up without even indicating.

Kept going on about "Doesn't matter you shouldn't be undertaking ra ra ra!" so I flipped and told him to learn to use his fucking indicators and check for traffic before changing lanes like a dickhead and if he wants to have a proper chat to step out the car or follow me to the shop. (lol this junction was right outside the shop anyway)

Prat rolled his window up.

Really wanted to lamp the bastard for trying to label all of us as dangerous cause of his own mistakes just because we're on a bike that has L plates on it. I bet he thought I was the stereotypical foreigner delivery guy who would just repeat "Sorry boss, sorry boss, no trouble boss" and give him way.

Drivers use L plates as a get-out-of-jail-free card for their own dumb mistakes and have the cheek to tell us off when it's their fault.

I don't road rage often but that day was the wrong day to talk shit.
[/coolstory]

bigdom86 · Traffic Copper Joined: 17 Jul 2015 Karma :

i ride without a front L for this reason, been stopped a few times by police in london for other matters but they have never mentioned the missing L yet, .... need to get my DAS booked

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

notbike · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Apr 2014 Karma :

M.C · Super Spammer Joined: 29 Sep 2015 Karma :

notbike · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Apr 2014 Karma :

Commuter_Tim · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 May 2013 Karma :

Barnoe · Trackday Trickster Joined: 17 Aug 2014 Karma :

Its not just L plates, car drivers get pissed off with bikers filtering full stop.

When filtering there are 3 types of car drivers....
1. He likes bikers, sees you in the mirror and moves left giving you plenty of room..... give him a thumbs up with your left hand as you pass Wink

2. Hates bikers so does the opposite of above and moves right! you either have to pass on the wrong side of the road or zip past on the inside. (road with central reservations)
3. Dont even see you.. never checks mirrors/Bikes are invisible

Also if you do stop while filtering, never come to a stop in someones blind spot!

If it doesn't feel right, wait and stay where you are Smile

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You know you are old when you're told to slow down by your doctor and not the police.