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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #1  
Old 9 Mar 2011
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Country flags bumper stickers on panniers
For those of you sticking on country flags bumper stickers on you panniers,: Are you doing it to show people where the bike or where the rider has travelled in the past?
The reason I am asking is that I am on the middle of a trip, came back from Mexico, got a flag, now in the U.S.A. got another flag bumper sticker to put on my panniers.
I am actually doing this trip on a Dakar, but In the 90s I made a trip to Madagascar on a Tenere, which I don't own anymore, samething with previous trips done on Kawasaki and Honda to most of the Western European countries.
There again, those bikes have been long gone.
Do you guys think it is to much of showing off to have stickers on your panniers from ride that were done on a different bike,.
but you were the rider into these countries

Thanks
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  #2  
Old 9 Mar 2011
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I think there are no rules, save those you invent to suit your own purposes.

My KLR is so thoroughly plastered with stickers that it's actually somewhat embarrassing to ride. My DL just has a select few, including from places it has no hope of ever going. My rules, not yours.

enjoy,

Mark
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  #3  
Old 9 Mar 2011
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My stickers have two puposes:

1. Each bike wears a large Union Jack visible from each direction. These are a security feature for the UK as even the thickest plod (who won't have a clue about say Touratech boxes) can spot them if reported stolen quickly enough and make things like the screen harder for scum to flog on e-bay. Outside the UK they also maybe give the idea I might be lost and therefore more likely to get confused, a back up to the GB sticker.

2. I'm given stickers at rallies and occasionally buy them as lighweight souveniers. These get stuck on as a reminder of the good times. Definately no "scoreboard" aspect.

Andy
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Old 9 Mar 2011
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There are no rules so you are free to do whatever you like.
I have been asked numerous times if the bike has been all the places the stickers indicate and personally I would have been ashamed of saying no (or lying).
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  #5  
Old 10 Mar 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vagabondtwo View Post
For those of you sticking on country flags bumper stickers on you panniers,: Are you doing it to show people where the bike or where the rider has travelled in the past?
Hey Vagabond,

In general people do whatever they want but most of the time the stickers relate to the person in some fairly direct way, shape or form and help tell his/her story. Anyone even slightly older is going to have had more than one bike and if they like reminders of former places they have ridden or even travelled, so be it.

And I would guess that for any UN-NATO veteran, any stickers of places that you served, whether you rode a bike there or not, would be a big part of their story and as such would only be treated with respect from your fellow riders and others.
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Old 10 Mar 2011
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It's whatever you feel like doing. The stickers on my panniers currently all relate to where the actual bike has been. But that's only because it's been to the countries all my previous bikes have been to as well. I would probably put country flags on my bike for any countries where I was with other bikes, if that were the case. In fact, it is the case with my bicycle which is full of little flag stickers from all countries where I've bicycled with previous bikes.

Just do whatever turns your crank.


...Michelle
www.scrabblebiker.com
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Old 10 Mar 2011
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it is purely personal choice. I put flag of the countries where I rode.
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Old 10 Mar 2011
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I use to buy the flag stickers as a "souvenir" of my trips and the ones I have in the inner part of my tour pack are related to the places I visited with THIS motorcycle (I stick them inside as I don't want to have stickers on the paint, my bike is a Harley with painted side panniers and I prefer to keep them the way they are).
The stickers are visible only when I open the tour pack, not from outside.

When riding, I also wear a denim vest on my motorcycle jacket with the flag patches of the Countries of Europe, Asia and North America I rode in all of my life on all the motorcycles I've owned, and again as a souvenir.
Everytime I look at my jacket, the flag patches remind me of places, friends met on the road, episodes, wild parties, hard borders I've passed...
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Old 10 Mar 2011
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I put stickers of places the bike and I have been that I liked or was memorable etc. I also have a world map and mark my route on it. Partly to show off ! but also so people can look at it and avoid asking the same questions all the time. Doesn't work.

Think I need a stucker that says "Yes, I have seen that long way thingy programme with that Star Wars actor bloke."

Note to Grant - you should get some printed up.
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Old 10 Mar 2011
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Quote:
Think I need a stucker that says "Yes, I have seen that long way thingy programme with that Star Wars actor bloke."

Note to Grant - you should get some printed up.
Quality idea!

I'm just starting off travelling on a bike, only coming to biking in the last 3 years, but I'd say whatever you like's all good! I'm looking forward to adding many stickers to the panniers I've almost bought!
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Old 11 Mar 2011
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As many have said earlier, whatever floats your boat. We've found though that the stickers are a great conversation starter as locals are also interested in seeing where you've been.
Daryll
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Old 11 Mar 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lonesome George View Post
Think I need a stucker that says "Yes, I have seen that long way thingy programme with that Star Wars actor bloke."

There could be a whole range:

MZ= German, CZ = Czech

No, You did not ride one of these in the war it was made in 2004.

Yes these boxes do hold a lot. No they are not some sort of catering corps surplus.

No, I am not cold.

Yes, that is a microphone.

Yes, I have ridden further than Starbucks.

A whole industry

Andy
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Old 11 Mar 2011
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On my bike I may add these stickers:


No, it is not equipped with reverse gear.

Yes, it's heavy.

Yes, I know that your uncle had a motorcycle before WWII and used it to bring home the products bought at the street market.

Yes, I've watched "Easy Rider".

Yes, I know that hardcore bikers are tattooed and I don't have any.


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  #14  
Old 11 Mar 2011
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I don't really put stickers on my bike, I do on the panniers though. Started out just trying to make them look 'less new' it doesn't pay to have sparkley bits on a bike sometimes.

Then it sort of morphed into nice reminders of where I'd been, in much the same way as I haven't had any of the scratches, dings or marks removed. Each one reminds me of the places I've been, what I saw and what I felt.

Sometimes people ask about things, it's a good ice breaker, but in reality I just do it for me, every time I look at the panniers I remember the travels, then I start dreaming about the next one....

Don't care if it's on one bike or another, one set of luggage or another - it's just my memories, there to remind me.
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  #15  
Old 8 Jan 2016
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Flags
I like a bike that tells a story. It's a great conversation starter.
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