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Sharon's Biking Blog
Musing On Life Without L Plates
Blog date February 2016
So how does it feel riding my 125cc now I have a full bike licence? Bloody fabulous that is how it feels.
When I pass anyone now with L plates riding with an instructor or an examiner I feel a little flutter in my tummy. I feel immense relief knowing I no longer have to go through the ordeal of the test again. I still can not really believe I have actually passed my full bike test even after 4 months. I mean me of all people in possession of something as grand as a full bike licence. Like WOW !! Gosh 4 months where did that time go?
Since being on my bike without L plates I have observed the following -
No more and no less fellow bikers nod to me. I know a lot of L plate riders believe that other bikers do not nod at them. I never felt this way. Some nod some don't. I never took it personally. Since the L plates have gone I have seen no increase in nods so in my opinion my L plates had no effect on the amount of nods what so ever.
I get tailgated by car drivers far less since my L plates came off. I have always maintained that L plates act like some kind of red flag to many drivers. Of course this is the opposite of the desired outcome - that being that one should observe the L Plates and give the learner rider more room and consideration. We wish ehh - but no the L Plates seem to say to some I must overtake, the learner must be going too slow, even if they are maintaining the correct speed limit. So rather than the L plates giving me help they actually unfortunately had a detrimental effect on my actual safety. I have been given a lot more room and respect on the roads since I no longer display L Plates on my bike.
I had a lot of fun riding the Yamaha MT07 on my test and because I found it easy to ride it did sow the seed that I should get a bigger bike. I do not want a big big bike I want around a 300cc. I am lucky that right now there are quite a few 300 bikes coming onto the market. I am unlucky that as usual most are too high for me. But not stupidly high. I can get my toes down on most so yes they could all be lowered. But this all incurs more cost and the possibility that handling could be affected.
Honda however do the CBR 300 with a low seat option that should if the stats are correct bring the bike as low as my current Keeway RKS. I did some research on the possible 300s I had in mind ... The Honda CBR 300, the Kawasaki Ninja 300 and the Yamaha R3. Now the Ninja is faster on the straight but lacks torque. The Honda has more torque but loses power at its upper end. The R3 is the compromise between the two., more torque than the Ninja and more power top end than the Honda.
The Honda is reported to be good at cornering, something I am keen to improve my skills on. I personally prefer torque to power and it has the low seat option which I would prefer than actually having to lower the whole bike. The Honda is also currently the cheapest of the 300s to purchase. So I decided the Honda may be the bike for me.
I found a second hand Honda for sale with low mileage at a dealership in Derbyshire. But on the morning I was planning to view it it got sold. I was a bit disappointed but not devastated because I was still not 100% sure the Honda was indeed the correct bike for me. However the good deal on that bike was not repeated and it looked like more saving would be needed before I could afford a 300cc. But then again there is finance right? So I was still unsure if I should get a bigger bike or not.
If I did get another bike what about my beloved Zen? If I could even afford to insure 2 bikes how would I house them both? My shed is only big enough for one bike. Oh what to do?
Sometimes decisions are hard to make and sometimes the answer just comes of its own accord. I was also trying to decide what I should do for a holiday this year. Should I go to Scotland again? Should I have lots of little breaks so use my leave up from work bit by bit or should I go abroad? Oh what to do?
I reminded myself the the MAIN reason I had originally wanted to pass my test was because I wanted to take my bike abroad. I had also paid extra on my insurance to include breakdown cover abroad. Hmmm ... plus if I did go abroad riding on the wrong side of the road for the first time would be scary as hell ... so would I not want to do it with a bike I felt confident on and knew well. Dah Dah ... decision made as simple as that. I would go abroad, I would do so on my trusty Keeway 125cc and therefore holiday dilemma sorted and new bike or not dilemma sorted. There was no point wasting the money I had already paid to cover my Keeway abroad. If I went abroad I would not have the money to buy a new bike. Ahhh simples.
So it seems that me and Zen are destined to spend more time together. I may not have the adventure of a bigger bike yet but I certainly have an adventure to look forward to. Me and Zen on the wrong side of a road ... what could be more terrifying than that heee heee .
Look no Ls and it also looks like me and Zen will be staying together. Aww I love a happy ending.
Reader's Comments
Monk said :-
Ahh Sharon it's good to read your thoughts on the no L plate and bigger bike scenario type thought process thingy.As you will be only too aware I got my 'big bike. licence a few short weeks ago, I can't actually remember when it was, but... I am getting old!In terms of nods...I seem to be geting less now on the 650 than I did on the 125...either that or I'm going much too fast to notice!!! :-)Only joking...it seems to be a fact that motorists of the car van lorry variety are'n't so uppity with me now as they were with L plates...I still get cut up and pulled out on and tailgated but no one can pass me now although some try!!I can even overtake on single carriageways (60 mph) and get to the front without any one laughing at me now... and it doesn't need to be downhill either!I'm enjoying the thrill, if that's what it is, or the novelty, which I don't think it is, or the sheer exhilaration of having that little bit more engine beneath me.It does feel good and like you I still can't quite believe it...in the same way I couldn't believe it when I got off the bike at the Test centre and he said I'd passed...walked into the test centre and said to my instructor 'I've only ****ing done it Ron!!!!Having said all that I continue to learn about what it means to have a full licence and the continous sense of realizing new things about riding a motor cycle...it's better than sliced bread...by a long way!! Congrats again Sharon and enjoy that wrong side of the road experience...I'm looking at Portugal at some point, as I think I mentioned in another post...wherever you decide...Scotland or Southern Spain...anyone of us who have passed recently know exactly how you feel!!!
02/03/2016 19:42:54 UTC
Monk said :-
Or... if you prefer the official version...
02/03/2016 19:45:19 UTC
Mark said :-
Passed My Test Last Sept 15 - Have Got A Kawasaki z300 - Low Seat And Excellent Bike.Good Mpg And Plenty Of Go.
Have Found The Same People Give You More Space And Room Without L Plates.
03/03/2016 00:35:56 UTC
Bob said :-
I can still remember when I passed my test, tearing the L plates off my GP100 and riding off grinning like a loon.
Interesting point re tailgating, I have a KE100 which I bimble about on sometimes and it's a fact that even when I'm doing the same speed as the car in front, the car behind clearly wants me to not be there. It has caused problems in the past and some cars have suffered not insignificant damage (ahem), I found the solution was to remove my mirrors - if I can't see how close they are it's easier to ignore them.
It's a sad fact that bullying is the No.1 problem on the roads. The 4x4 driver bullies the hatchback, the hatchback bullies the motorcyclist and as a keen cyclist I know what it's like to be the lowest of the low.
A big bike then is, I contend, actually safer than an small one (the statistics bear this out, since most motorcycle incidents are the fault of other drivers) because you can clear the hell out of the way of the bully in the Audi (other german cars are available).
For myself I've settled on a 500 twin as the smallest bike that's "up to the job", a 650 single is good too.
The R3 looks a good machine and after your 125 will be like a different universe, but you are absolutely right in looking long and hard at the statistic most people ignore - the weight. Weight can make what would otherwise be a nice bike and absolute pig. Don't get anything too heavy and your confidence will increase much more quickly. I've had 1200CC 1/4 monsters in the past but now I'm back down in the <150KG bracket and it's much better in every scenario.
03/03/2016 13:39:41 UTC
Bob said :-
...that should have read 1200cc 1/4 TONNE monsters.....
03/03/2016 13:40:59 UTC
Sharon said :-
Great to see your new bikes Monk and Mark and that you are enjoying your new rides.
The Kawasaki Z300 is a nice looking bike and is low compared to some bikes but still too high for me unless I have it lowered.
I am really interested in how you get on the with the Z300 Mark seeing the 300s are the size of bike I am interested in getting. So if you get the time any updates will be great.
You are right Paul weight also has to be a big consideration for me as well as height. At only around 50kg myself I need a light as well as low bike.
Interesting that we all have had the same experience with the L Plates. I do not know how to change our road culture of bullying but maybe better training from the start could help? More emphasis on consideration for ALL other road users rather than the emphasis "on making progress" instructors like to keep pushing on us. We are taught how to physically ride or drive but little about our mental attitudes. If we are learning to drive we are taught nothing about motorcyclist such as how we have to slow down in the wet etc. Even if it was a video we all had to watch on other road users may help awareness a little bit.
More adverts on the television on road safety and awareness would be a good start. Far more important than what shampoo can make you feel worth it.
03/03/2016 23:20:45 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Eeeeeeeeeee by 'eck twere a long time ago since I passed me test. There wurr no red "L" plates back then cos everythin wurr black n white tha knows. Th' mon from't test centre went oot wi clip board an stood ont corner an watched us ride off raand 't' block. E'd jump aat at sum point and I had fut stop sharp like. An that wurr that, if us stayed on't bike thas passed.
Actually I was one of the first year of folks to do the test with a radio link and the examiner following on a bike. I'd had minimal training a year before and all I had to do was check my mirrors and look back from time to time.
I don't recall being elated, more relieved that I'd passed and didn't have to stop riding for 12 months, different rules back then you see.
04/03/2016 21:49:48 UTC
Pegmonkey said :-
That elation.. is the freedom. It's the relief from the restrictions imposed by the regulating bodies. I'm still amazed that anybody can own a 2 ton tin can and drive it.. yet there are such strict restrictions on bikes in the EU.. and UK. If you want an SV650.. I've got one for sale. Low seat height. :)
17/03/2016 14:42:45 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Hi Pegmonkey. Here in the UK anyone who wishes to drive a car has to go through a similar process to gain a full licence. There is a theory test and a practical driving test where the learner has to drive with an examiner.
As for the SV650 - I suspect shipping from America might be a bit costly.
17/03/2016 17:17:16 UTC
Drew said :-
I always enjoy reading your blog Sharon. Some interesting thoughts.
Biking abroad is magical and thoroughly recommend it! France is huge and less populated. The municipal camp sites are beautiful.
I was happy to see the back of my 125 as it was far too small for me and much more difficult to ride than a bigger bike.
I've been biking for ten years now. I always feel inspired to go for a ride following a read if your blog.
Drew x
09/04/2016 12:03:58 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Stop being nice to her Drew, it's going to her head. Then she'll get all giddy.
10/04/2016 07:07:38 UTC
Sharon said :-
Thank you Drew for you lovely comment. I am afraid that life is rather hectic at the moment, so I do not get the time to write as much as I would like. However comments like yours always inspire me to try my best to find at least some time to put my ponderings to the keyboard.
11/04/2016 18:45:26 UTC
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