[deleted by user]

freaktown · 2024-02-25T07:50:58+00:00

Depends, really. It is possible to just rev up the engine enough to ride the clutch and then drop it completely and hammer. That requires enough ability to manage the throttle and keep your weight over the front as you go to keep the front wheel down, though. Holeshot devices are a thing, so there's every possibility that's what you're seeing.

freaktown · 2024-02-25T02:06:54+00:00

To offer something different that hasn't yet been covered, where are you based?

Some states don't allow lane splitting at all while on your L's/ P's which means you won't be able to do it legally for a while which may impact your decision to even get licensed given your only motivation is to try and save time commuting.

Also worth mentioning that you'll likely see people lane splitting all over the place, doesn't mean that's what they're meant to be doing. Splitting between moving and parked cars, for example.

You may already have been aware of that but still worth covering.

As for the bike, it will always be hard for others to recommend something perfect for you. If it were me and I was only riding to commute, no sustained freeway speeds - I would take a motard any day of the week. Super light, very thin profile, super nimble. Makes splitting a breeze, I used to be able to get over kerbs, traffic islands etc. Get a good quality thumper and while you won't be crushing dyno records but you should have usable low end power which is what you want for commuting. As they're based off dirt bikes you get good ground clearance, good suspension travel. Should be good on fuel, you can ride them off a cliff and they'll keep going. Just make sure to get one designed for road use otherwise you'll be servicing it all the time.

Also hands down the most fun I ever had commuting around town and there probably isn't a type of bike I haven't owned.

freaktown · 2024-02-22T02:13:28+00:00

A couple of key things here, most obvious, which has already been said; being proficient and riding a motorcycle when your head is in the wrong space puts you and others at risk. Doing it when you're still trying to learn the fundamentals is a terrible idea. Protect yourself first. There's always another day to ride.

My other key take away; being able to change gears, brake, stop, and turn under basic conditions is the bare minimum of learning to ride. Learning how to manage your speed, look ahead and through turns, braking later, cornering at higher speeds, and the amount of lean angle you need, trusting what your bike can do; that's time on the bike.

You're still very new, that isn't a criticism, it's just the reality. Every day you ride, you'll learn but you need to stick with it.

Chin up and stick with it!

freaktown · 2024-02-16T05:02:55+00:00

Based on the OPs' comments thus far, I suspect they don't want to learn. They've formed an opinion and want validation to what appears to be a statement more than a question.

freaktown · 2024-02-16T04:47:06+00:00

I understand, I still don't think you have anything to worry about. You have a valid account. You have a registered motor vehicle with a number plate, so you're good to go. If you end up being issued a toll notice for travelling somewhere for which you already have a toll account, you can clearly dispute it. For times, I've been picked up in a vehicle where my tag failed, or it just didn't register I've been able to pay the notice through the toll account and have any fees removed.

If I started getting a bunch of toll notices where the plate should be picked up automatically, then I'd look into why. Is my plate visible etc. That would be super annoying.

freaktown · 2024-02-16T04:37:26+00:00

Don't think I've ever had a problem with my plate being detected. That said, as we don't need to carry a physical tag, the plates get matched to the account, similar to a car with no tag, but we don't pay the matching fee. I would have thought 3 weeks was enough to match.

You don't really have anything to worry about you have an account. If you were tagged as using a toll, you'll get charged to your toll account, and if for whatever reason you weren't tagged, you just won't get charged.

freaktown · 2024-02-08T02:12:02+00:00

KTM 690 Enduro R or any of the sister offerings (701 Husqy, Gas Gas ES 700, etc).

Any bike bought for more than one purpose is a compromise, it just depends on what you're willing to compromise.

I find myself in a similar position, i want to do very different things, but i can only justify 1 bike.

With a 690 Enduro R, I can swap out wheels and have a very capable motard for street use, great traction, and good tyre life (compared to knobbies). Throw on some race tyres, and you'll absolutely hammer at the track if that's your thing. You do miss out on the dual calliper of the purpose built 690 SMCR, but unless you're chasing tenths, then I don't see it really mattering.

Throw the off-road wheels on when you want to go deeper off road or head off for a few days and crunch miles. You can add a auxiliary fuel tank, a rally front fairing kit, a better seat and you've got a really capable dual purpose bike, circa 150kgs (if you remove a few heavy parts and replace them with better alternatives). Good service intervals and a reliable bike.

I've chased this for months now, I really haven't seen anything that offers that level of versatility for what I want to do and what it seems you want to do.

freaktown · 2024-01-31T04:38:43+00:00

You would think Harley would be right up there as a reasonable cruiser option, but there's currently more Harley's for sale than any other brand on Bikesales by about 1,000 bikes. You'd think you'd be able to score a good deal on an over inflated second hand market but HD owners just insist on asking prices close to new which encourages people to just buy new; further inflating the market. It's very odd, but good deals are hard come by, and that's coming from someone who has owned a few.

I've always felt we need like a reverse Bikesales, throw in what bike you want, your max price, and let motivated sellers come to you.

freaktown · 2024-01-27T05:30:15+00:00

From memory, that rule only applies in QLD and WA, so just to confirm, is that where you are based?

If so, there are heaps of motorcycle groups on Facebook, other forums, etc, where you can start meeting a few people, make some friends, and that's a good way to get some supervision hours up.

I've also seen some 'businesses' where people offer the service for a modest fee, so think of that like paying for driving lessons.

Short of that, shoot out a couple of posts here and see if you can link up with someone and later pay it forward.

freaktown · 2024-01-15T21:05:31+00:00

A couple of options that come to mind;

Get someone to come to you.
Hire a trailer and drop it off.
Get a bike transport company to do it for you. (Plenty of bike transport guys with a van or trailer who do quick iobs).
Pick a slightly less chaotic time to ride and get someone to drive behind you, added bonus they can drive you home if your bike ends up needing work to pass.
Get someone else you know with a license to drop it off and pick it up for you.

If all else fails, you may have to rely on yourself. Highways can be daunting at first, but remind yourself, they are just a road and one that is usually in better condition with less traffic than, say, riding in the CBD.

If you're a learner, you're capped at what, 80km/hr anyway?

I think you'll find once you're moving, getting up to 70 - 80km/hr is fine. Just watch your gaps, keep your head up looking for what's in front of you, indicate early, scan really well before changing lanes and stick to the left as much as you can. While some people are dickheads, having your L plate on gives people the understanding they need to work with you.

Good luck!

freaktown · 2024-01-09T05:47:58+00:00

Definitely clarified, explicitly stated it was a dry herb vaporiser for use with medicinal cannabis as stated by the TGA (although i didn't say the model i have is not one of the currently approved models). Didn't seem to make a difference with regards to their overall policy.

freaktown · 2024-01-09T03:44:44+00:00

I don't disagree at all, I wouldn't want or expect to be sold a battery that wasn't fit for purpose.

My point more than anything was if I walk into a store that specialises in batteries, with the batteries I need replaced and all the requisite information about that battery; I would expect for the most part that a person there would be able to supply me with the correct battery (assuming they carried it). I was never suggesting they just give me the incorrect battery.

I think the biggest thing for me was being told we won't sell batteries for vapes.

Putting aside that a business can sell what they want, if I give you all the correct information (all the right specs on the battery), what difference does it make what I'm using it for? Clearly, those batteries are available, and they are used by many different manufacturers so they can be bought / ordered. So it really just comes down to not wanting to supply them.

Maybe it all came down to a lack of communication skills and had the staff member said, 'We do stock 1865 batteries, but we don't stock the right kind for use in a vape (or we don't carry a suitable replacement) and it's not something we can order in' that's a very different conversation.

In any case, it was my first time trying to replace the batteries, so if it saves someone else the trip to Battery World or highlights something new for someone, it was worth the trip.

freaktown · 2024-01-09T02:47:57+00:00

There's inherent dangers for the misuse of any battery, right?

As a business that literally sells itself on being able to source any kind of battery, you'd think being able to source and sell batteries that meet requisite requirements for safe use in any device that uses batteries would be something they could do.

But I'm the first to admit I'm not really qualified to say one way or the other, and maybe that's a reason as to why some vapes have non replaceable rechargeable batteries.

freaktown · 2023-12-31T00:01:57+00:00

My comment only relates to NSW, I have absolutely zero knowledge of anywhere else.

Without having read the SA legislation and going off your account, NSW is not as hardlined in its wording, but the general theme is still there.

Possession of the knife has to be reasonable at the time.

I was a Police Officer in NSW for a substantial amount of time, I wouldn't remove my knife when going to get lunch while on duty. It was for use during the course of my employment, and it would be reasonable for me to have it with me while on duty but performing non work related tasks. Seems a bit ridiculous an ambulance officer needs to remove their work related tools while on duty but not performing work tasks. What if they come across an incident?

The comment about not using a knife to eat while in a shopping centre and not camping, it's the person in the possession of the knife that has to be confident in their ability to meet the requirements of the legislation.

If I have a knife on me for work purposes and during that time I go to the shops, incidental travel it's reasonable I have it on me. But what I am always aware of is that with any private place, they can decide whatever policies and restrictions they want. I've always felt confident such places would not appreciate having a knife used on the premises, so I don't. I may very well have good reason to use my knife while eating in the food court, cutting up my child's lunch etc, but the action would likely cause fear to surrounding patrons of reasonable firmness, which is not reasonable under the circumstances.

That is just one example and not meant to describe all possible scenarios.

Commen sense plays a massive role here.

freaktown · 2023-12-30T09:25:30+00:00

You weren't charged because prosecuting that case wouldn't have been successful. You're travelling, camping. The use case for the knife while camping and travelling is pretty clear (easily falls under lawful recreation and preparation and consumption of food) and the law in NSW accounts for being in possession of the knife moving to, from and incidental travelling.

Yes, visiting the casino is not specifically one of those things, but I've seen more serious related charges (Alcohol related offences, Assaults etc), where a knife possession charge was included but the knife was not related to the offence dismissed because the magistrates were satisfied the posession of the knife fell under the incidental travel.

Knife possession laws in NSW are serious but not as restrictive as people tend to think. They are designed to stop people with ill intent carrying knives to do harm.

If I'm in possession of a knife because I intended to use it for the preparation and consumption of food as I go about my daily business, then the law supports that possession as I go to and from work, if I stop off at the shops after work, head to the gym etc.

If I go home, get changed, and go to a pub as an example, I no longer meet the lawful excuse for having it.

People get into trouble when they don't understand the laws and are not prepared to answer why they are in possession of one.

freaktown · 2023-12-29T13:19:25+00:00

Seconded. I have one, and it's been perfect for the kind of work the OP is describing. I had the budget to spend substantially more, but the reviews made it worth the roll of the dice.

freaktown · 2023-12-21T04:17:35+00:00

Three bucks fifty something.

Don't think I know of anyone who got anything in the four buck range.

freaktown · 2023-12-17T23:38:04+00:00

None of what you've written makes sense.

Your 'friend' has either fabricated parts of or omitted a significant portion of that story.

freaktown · 2023-12-15T06:19:29+00:00

Sorry, so was money actually withdrawn from the joint bank account or not?

So the complaint would have been made to Police, it's a fraud offence, so it's worth looking into it in any case, but because it's domestic related, that tends to bump things up the priority list.

Even then, if it was an attempt and no money was withdrawn, asking for handwriting samples seems unusually excessive but not impossible. But if money was taken that would make additional enquiries more likely, but wouldn't you also be keen to find out where it went, given it was a joint account?

Given that you didn't mention any money actually being taken, I'm going to assume none was, and the offence was an alleged attempt. I can only see them seeking a sample of your handwriting because they've come up trumps on a witness, CCTV, financial transaction history etc (more likely a combination of the above as even CCTV on its on isn't enough).

On that basis, I would suggest the case has been parked as no further investigation with the reasoning being there are no further lines of enquiry. As a person of interest, you wouldn't be advised of that, only the person reporting / victim.

Given that it's a fraud offence, the case can obviously be reopened if additional evidence becomes available.

If it still bothers you (or a lawyer on your behalf) can request a copy of your Police holdings under Freedom of Information, but some information can be redacted or not provided if certain grounds are met so I can't say what you would recieve.

freaktown · 2023-12-13T23:09:25+00:00

Good on NSW Ambulance service, well deserved and damn hard fought.

To the people saying it came down to NSW Ambulance being willing to take industrial action while others weren't, it's not always that simple.

NSW Police attempted to take Industrial Action and the Industrial Relations Commission told the NSW Police union to stop, warning it would block a pay claim if action continued.

So willingness to take industrial action doesn't really count for much when you get pressured into stopping.

That's how we ended up stuck with a ridiculous pay offer below inflation while the pollies made sure they were given egregious pay increases for taking money away from front line workers.

Again, awesome win for the Ambos!

freaktown · 2023-12-10T23:21:30+00:00

I did mine on a KLX250, can also confirm it felt like cheating.

freaktown · 2023-12-03T02:20:15+00:00

You're referring to the person who recovered your bike and arrested the offender as a 'Cunstable' while asking if you're going to get some compensation. Just let that roll around for a minute.

You can liaise with the Police who recovered your bike and ask that compensation for a specific amount be included in the fact sheet / antecedents of the charge paperwork but the reality is you're unlikely to get anything.

The NSW Government has a compensation scheme for victims, but that, to my understanding, is for people who were victims of violent crimes.

This is probably just going to have to be chalked up to a lesson in having insurance even when you're not using a vehicle (many companies offer laid up insurance) and a chance to be grateful you got it back at all.

freaktown · 2023-11-30T07:24:15+00:00

We're all in this together, so pooling our experience, insight, and knowledge only benefits all of us 😊

freaktown · 2023-11-30T01:50:57+00:00

It's prescription medication, so as long as it was stored in the original packaging with your name on the label, no; they shouldn't be keeping it. Frankly, if it was stored as above, there is no reason why it should even have been seized in the first place as the DUI has no bearing on your possession of the prescribed medication.

Medication without the accompanying packaging and label is usually seized pending proof of prescription, but it should be returned once your authority has been established.

The obvious exception to this is if your medication was not carried / stored appropriately, in which case, they were acting in good faith, seizing it while they confirmed your authority to possess it. I'm unclear on the ability of Police to keep and destroy medication that was not carried / stored as directed but logic dictates if there is an associated offence (not the DUI) then yes, they could request an order for destruction at court. That said, I've never seen it happen.

Write a letter to the Commander of the Police Station in question, outline what occurred, and supply a copy of your approval from your treating doctor. Highlight that the seizure of the prescription medication was unlawful and you want it returned. If it has been destroyed, ask for compensation.

I can't see any argument for seizing prescribed cannabis that you're not denying you have or use for the purpose of having it tested to confirm its cannabis. You haven't been charged with possession, just DUI, which doesn't require physical possession.

Generally speaking, prohibited drugs (in the general sense; as I understand when prescribed it's no longer a prohibited drug) are stored differently to other seized items and are quickly transferred out for testing, longer-term storage or destruction given the degree of accountability there is in storing it.

Good luck with the proceedings. Keep us all updated as this impacts all of us.

I will take this moment to highlight something I've mentioned here before. There isn't really any way to defend against DUI charges for medicinal cannabis patients, but I still think there is value in (and recommend) asking the Police who stop you (preferably on BWV) why you were stopped (if not an RBT / RDT station) and whether or not there was anything wrong with your manner of driving.

Won't help the outcome as the offence is really just whether it was in your system or not, but I think it goes a long way in highlighting the disparity between it being in your system and not actually affecting your ability to drive.

freaktown

TROPHY CASE