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Do you cover your bike whilst parked up? Do you cover your bike whilst parked up?
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  #1  
Old 18 Feb 2013
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Do you cover your bike whilst parked up?
The great Robert Wicks suggests through his Adventure Riding books that a lightweight bike cover is a good idea for overnight safety - away from prying eyes etc.

Obviously with a lock as well !!

What have people done previously when leaving it outside hotels in Tangiers or Fes?

Thanks, will be very interested in your tips for ensuring your bike is still there at breakfast time !

Rich
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Old 19 Feb 2013
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I did in Pakistan and India and it made a big difference to the amount of unwanted attention my bike got when parked up, I didn't feel it was needed in Africa but have not been to the Northwest.
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Old 19 Feb 2013
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Re: Do you cover your bike whilst parked up?
I wouldn't take a purpose made bike cover if it was me however, they just weigh too much and take up too much space and they have no other uses. We're taking a couple of ponchos and in situations like cities we'll use them as bike covers.

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Old 19 Feb 2013
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You don't have to worry about the theft of largish capacity bikes, I've never heard of that at all in Morocco, but if things aren't secured they could go missing. But the concept of a bike cover is a bit flawed, if someone is determined and it's quiet, then all you'll end up with is a bike cover in tatters. In Morocco you should generally always park the bike within a compound/building, or under the watchful eye of a night guardian (10dh).

Having said that, I've been parked up in Sidi Ifni for the last few days with the bike just outside the hotel in the street (under my bedroom window). It has an alarm which helps.

In Fez also I park the bike without a guardian outside Pension Campini but then the police station is just 80m away and there's armed troops permanently stationed guarding the royal palace across the road.
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Old 19 Feb 2013
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I always take a very thin, lightweight bike cover. It weighs nothing and just tucks under one of my bungees. It doesn't have to be kept clean or dry.

I rarely use it, but there are times where you can sleep easier at night knowing that the local kids aren't eyeing up things they can snap off.

Barcelona was a good example of this. My mates 'uncovered' bike lost his throttle rocker, bungees and other cheap but annoying to lose things.

Mine was parked next to his under a dirty old cover and was untouched.


I used my bike cover to sit on damp grass, lay my tools out on etc. You could even use it as a make-shift tarp with a little forward planning.
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Old 19 Feb 2013
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Lightweight, ratty-looking bike cover, yes. For all the reasons above, plus you can take naps under it in the rain. Nothing "single-purpose" about this--it's infinitely easier and more flexible than carrying ponchos, then trying to figure out how to securely attach them at the end of a long, tiring day.
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Old 19 Feb 2013
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Thank you
Thanks for your opinions there's a cheap one on eBay that wil fit my GS so I'll dirty it up a bit in preparation!
Thanks
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Old 19 Feb 2013
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And yeah. Make it look RATTY !!

I had a dirty silver one. I sprayed it with types of old paint etc.

Dirty old cover = cheap dirty worthless bike !! Right ???
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Old 19 Feb 2013
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More important than making it look bad (this will take care of itself) is to buy a bigger cover than you think you need based on catalog descriptions. You want to be able to cover the bike with baggage attached so that you can leave it behind while wandering around during the day. I carry a couple of rubber bungies to secure it well, and I leave riding pants, jacket, helmet and boots under the cover along with everything else while I stroll. Most of these are additionally secured by a cable lock, but the boots have no obvious way to do this, so I rely on their stench (and the fact that they're covered).

A cover that is too small will frustrate the hell out of you. One that's too large just needs a quick cinch with bungies or straps.

Hope this helps.

Mark
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Old 19 Feb 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
And yeah. Make it look RATTY !!

I had a dirty silver one. I sprayed it with types of old paint etc.

Dirty old cover = cheap dirty worthless bike !! Right ???
I definitely agree with this! I have a slightly too large, knackered looking black cover. I purposely bought a cheap one so that it looks like the bike underneath isn't up to much. No logos!
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Old 19 Feb 2013
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Originally Posted by Endurodude View Post
No logos!
Especially not one which say Shaki industries, Lahore, Pakistan, when travelling through India, it upsets the locals!
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Old 6 Mar 2013
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Security of Bike
Here's our take on it.
Two Wheels move the Soul: Motorcycle Security while on the Road

Knock on wood, using this method we've never had a thing touched when it's on.
When it's off we've had car drivers try to move our bike to make room for their vehicle.
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