Leither

I wouldn't necessarily call myself a biker....just someone who managed to pass their test and rode for a while after passing. I've not been on a bike for 15 years but I appreciate the extra precautions bikers have to take and I also tend to be rather "observant" when on the roads probably due to the times that I did spend on a bike.

Stormer999

Yes it would be a complete godsend if prospective drivers had to spend time on two wheels... Mine was no choice....all I could afford for work travel.. In Italy the moped riding age is 14 and the car driving age is 18..

Leither

I actually passed my car test way before I done my bike test which is probably why I never really got into biking.

Most of the people I know who started out on bikes tend to make very good drivers............but how do we explain the Greeks, Spaniards and Italians who seem to be on 2 wheels from the age of 10 despite what their rules state.

simonsi

Not many of those here, overwhelming majority are 4-way...

BEVS

I arranged to have my husband jump out of a plane without telling him first.

BEVS

I take your point. Forgot about those. All we have are 4 way jobs and I've seen folks shoot over those.

Browner_

I really dont know the answer to that question. I think Subarus are horrible cars - not good to look at, not good to drive. But apparently, if you modify the exhaust they are seriously loud and this gives the average kiwi teenager (and sad middle aged Greg Murphy wannabe ) a tiny bit of a woody I think.

I mean, the whole culture is pathetic.

As for where the money comes from another good question.

I look forward to my next trip abroad and if I encounter ANYTHING like what goes down in NZ, then I will sure tell you about it.

There are cars down the end of my road that would wake the dead if they did 50kph and the bloody speed limit is 100kph anywhere in NZ.

The country is full of immature little tossers

RobClubley

With the right exhaust they sound nice, IMHO. But generally that is the factory exhaust. The boxer engine has an interesting sound and I do like it.
But like any NZ teenager's car all they want is droning, deep booming noises which just sound horrible.
And I'm told they drink fuel and are a pig to maintain.
But Colin Macrae (RIP) won lots of rallies in his, which made it cool.

No comment

It's all on HP apparently!

Japan has a massive modified car culture, as does the US. And the Arabs. To name but three

Yes.

Am Loolah

They do drink fuel, but then so does my V8 which I am trying to offload ...

For the kids the money comes from the Bank of Mum and Dad

But I actually think they're quite cool for kids to be seen in. I don't know why you take such exception to them, and them alone, when there are Skylines, Celica's and Familia's also that the kids crave ...

cookie2b

Hi

We aren't in Taruanga we are north shore auckland, however no problem near us. Although for some reason drivers in general are on the most part pretty bad! IMO. pulling out, crossing lanes, driving v close behind, and generaly not paying much attention to the road.

jennifer45

I think being 'desperate to be first' is a genetic trait- of Kiwis, not altogether bad, unless you share the same pavement eg; Lambton Quay' in Wellington at lunch time, or are travelling on the same stretch of narrow highway anywhere in NZ!
I've come toaccept it now and think how lucky I am, that I have all the time in the world and don't need to ride up the arse of the bloke in front.

There again they maybe dirt poor and are ridng the slipstream of the bloke infront to save money on gas!!

cookie2b

ha h i love it i think your entirely right! The thing that makes me nervous is they are on the most part bangers that are prob not insured! eeek!

x

Stormer999

Thats one of the reasons we want to come.........

sr71

Subarus are popular partly due to the 'halo effect' of their top models - like the Impreza STI, which is obviously a street version of the rally car (although they really share very little in terms of parts etc). $40k+ brand new for cars that take on, and in some cases beat, Porsches and the like. They are very popular amongst the modding scene in Japan and movies like The Fast And Furious only contribute to their popularity.

They are actually very good cars, excellent roadholding, 4WD and pretty tough/reliable which makes them very suitable to NZ roads. Used to market them quite a bit as good vehicles to escape to the snow and mountains in - so there is another aspect of why they are popular. They will never win any beauty contests though.

The irony is that many of these loud exhausts fitted to the basic models will actually decrease their performance.

BEVS

You wanna shoot straight over roundabouts without looking.

D'y'know what? Couldn't care less about cars unless they are disturbing my peace. Quite like super bikes still , although I'd cream meself these days.