Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road
Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road Recent News, political or military events, which may affect trip plans or routes. Personal and vehicle security, tips and questions.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Aug 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SOUTH AFRICA
Posts: 14
Motorcycle Safety at Borders

i am planning a solo overland trip from London to SA. One thing that has been concerning me is what do you do with your bike when you arrive at border posts. the bike will need to be left un-attended while you get paperwork sorted, surely this is an invitation to get your kit knicked. please share your experiences.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Aug 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: St Louis, MO
Posts: 124
That's a good question. I would like to know too.

I'm thinking of getting a PAC safe duffel to secure my riding gear whenever I get off the bike and need to walk around. There isn't enough space to add the jacket, boots and the riding pants to the saddle bags.

I guess you could also use it to secure the gear in a hostel or hotel room.

Pacsafe Anti-Theft Bags & Travel Security Products

daryl
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 24 Aug 2009
MikeS's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,187
I met a Russian guy on a huge GS1200ADV at the San Salvador border who was literally riding round the world in only 12 months and it looked like it. He was obviously sustained by considerable amounts of caffine.

Anyway, he had a large machete fixed to top of his pannier. If anyone bothered him or his bike, he would wield this machete and wave it about like a madman shouting obscenities at anybody within a 10m radius until they left him alone.

I had an alarm though.
__________________
Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 24 Aug 2009
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,898
Heh heh heh. That's a great image!

On the other hand, no one's ever bothered me terribly at border crossings (or, for the most part, elsewhere), and this might be be because I lack the machete and the attitude. But then again, maybe my time is coming.

FWIW, I use hard panniers, a packsafe mesh sack (awkward, but I seldom need to load or unload it), and eternal vigilance. If in serious doubt, I'll pay someone a bit to guard my bike. Mostly I trust dumb luck (and never, ever leave anything unsecured on the bike).

As was said by someone else, these are not pros who carry bolt cutters, freon bottles and grinders; they're opportunists, and generally operate in the shadows. Therefore I also try to park in spots in clear view of people in uniform, whether this is strictly allowed or not. Sometimes this requires riding up on sidewalks or leaning the bike against guard kiosks.

Hope that helps.

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 24 Aug 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 164
motorcycle safety anywhere

Hi, same as Markhaf, and I have a steel wire spiral with a loop at each end to secure helmet to pannier with a dinky little combination padlock. This works. I store it on the handlebar, weighs nothing. Have seen people commenting it, but no one has tried to steal helmet.....yet ! Golden rule - always park where your bike can be seen if you can't find more secure parking. Say 'hello', maybe ask directions, to locals, usually works. I also carry a grey fabric cover for the bike, again it works wonders, the machine literally disappears. Needless to say the rolled up cover was stolen on beach road in northern Goa. If there are "guardien de voiture" you have to negociate, a place in the shade costs more.
Asked a newspaper man with a cart to watch my kit in Copenhagen when I went to change money at the Hovedbanegård, railway station, this was early '70's, when I came back he was gone, and so was my gear. Wonder who went first ?
I think you have to develop a routine, nothing loose, and say a prayer.
Peter, in Oslo
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 25 Aug 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: South Africa
Posts: 30
I say pack wisely... keep tempting things out of sight and the really important things with you. I've always used soft bags strapped down securely and never had a problem. I think thieves are generally opportunists, if your helmet is just sitting on your seat it might be taken. I like the parking up close concept and smiling alot too.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 4 Sep 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: On the road ...
Posts: 262
I keep all valuables or non-replacable stuff in my hard panniers or on my person. The tank bag just has food/water/extra petrol, the duffle bag some clothes. That's all replacable, and if it looks scruffy enough noone ever bothers looking. In addition I have a 2m x 6mm cable to secure my helmet, jacket (run through sleeves) and other small things against quick theft if needed. All the cabled up things go on the seat, and are then covered by the well filthy looking jacket. I don't think anyone has ever bothered touching the thing ;-)
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 5 Sep 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: London
Posts: 25
I have crossed many borders from the US down through South America solo and never had any problems.
Try to avoid the large Interamericana type crossings anyway.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 5 Sep 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Norwich,Ontario,Canada
Posts: 1,051
Making many trips over the years through Central America and back I have never had the misfortune of getting stuff stolen.¨Same was for a trip into Morocco .And I don´t take extreme measures- jacket just bungeed thru the sleeves and onto the bike seat helmet fastened to the handlebar with a cobination lock.Extra clothes and bits in a soft pack and some more stuff in the hard paniers, and tankbag.Valuable documents always on my person.
This has been at various crossings, Panamericana and small roads.
Funny thing about the Panamerican crossings the busy-ness depends a lot on what the local vacation calander says.This year going south the CA borders were often masses of people, start of Supertstition week I think. Loads of bus passengers forming ques at the Hon-NIc-CR-Panama borders. Then on the return leg it was absolutely dead at the Nic-Honduras border, I was the second one in a line of two.
So, keep packing simple and pick the time of crossing to be early in the day before the big buses arrive and avoid if possible crossing during ¨¨special ¨¨ weekends.Early so that if it does turn out hectic you will not be struggling thru after dark sets in
__________________
http://advrider.com/index.php?thread....207964/page-5 then scroll down to post #93
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 8 Sep 2009
yoni's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Tel-aviv Israel
Posts: 175
no problem at all

Now in Quito Equador got here today. I never had any trouble leaving the bike un atendent. close the boxes take the tank bag and helmet and they will not tuch a thing. that is my experiance in central america. (in Honduras border i paid a kid 1$ to wach the bike)
dont worry just go!

Y.
__________________
Dare!
My ride from Dead horse to Ushuaia 2009 is at
www.harpatka.com
It's in hebrew but lots of pics and some translation

Yoni
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Gadgets and Borders WillCalderwood sub-Saharan Africa 5 30 Jan 2009 13:06
Gabon borders adamiko sub-Saharan Africa 0 6 Oct 2005 19:48
borders jljones North Africa 6 25 Sep 2004 16:27
El Salvador Borders mattpope SOUTH AMERICA 5 28 May 2004 02:24
crossing borders isatou sub-Saharan Africa 4 13 Sep 2003 00:56

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 20:02.