Yes yes yes
My dear two wheeled friends
I bought 1 as sceptic
When you ride
And see delivery boys with 2 pipa cutters
Pay a little attention
Lucky 4 moi I never had a issue
Though I never dought and pulled it up
And yes I spoke to many Brazilian that verified my fear
What's that famous fraze
Skin is cheap
It will grow back one day
Which do u prefer

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"Blat" Racin
Brake Late and Turn

I don't doubt you that this is a concern. However, I really don't see how the cutters could help very much. Not the designs I've seen here, anyway. Are these devices a false sense of security? Has anyone seen a case where they worked (cut a string before the rider was injured)?

They don't have to actually cut the string to protect you although incorporating a cutter is pretty easy. Just need hook the string and either keep it in front of you until you see it and stop, or the string breaks and passes harmlessly each side of you. Only real requirement is that the hook has to be high enough that it either hooks the string or the string is above your head and harmless anyway.

personally, I would prefer two hooks just in case, just as aircraft carriers have several arrester cables in case the hook misses the first one.

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Tony
Click here for Travel Photos & Travel Map

LOL cadjuka - love your post!
Well we have been in Brazil (second time, now in the South) for about 2 months and I was also pondering how all these folks are protecting their bikes with radar trackers or GPS antennae... or was it only the radio for the delivery boys? ...Until a friend in Floripa enlightened us a week ago... just before our departure from this country.

Well it looks like we have been lucky too. But I will make sure I have one next time.

I have seen this pipa string myself. Pretty nasty. You can rip it with your hands (painfully). But at some speed with no protection it's enough to slash your neck enough to make you pull over and bleed to death whilst the perpetrators nick your bike. I am also told that folks wind together a couple of strands to make it stronger (I.E. there DOESN't HAVE TO be a kite involved).

In my OPINION these hooks should be enough to rip the cords before they inflict the damage. (Anyway why should I argue about that with a million Brazilenos that use them every day.) It's between 10 and 30 Reais only which could "save your neck" and - advice from a veteran - if it looks right, it may serve as your GPS tracking system with which you willcconvince that traffic cop in Argentina/Bolivia that you really didn't cross the speed limit - lol

Of course a few layers of duct tape across your throat would probably be a viable alternative. I personally have been holding my hand in front of my face the last 2000Km - I'm VERY stingy with my duct tape!

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http://www.2fortheroad.co.uk/