Anti-bling/What won't you have on your bike?
 

There's probably a topic of its own there - do you stop using something, even if it's actually useful, as soon as it becomes popular with the Starbucks warriors.

Maybe we could start a list of stuff you wouldn't be seen dead with -

spots :rofl:
1200GS
BMW suits
Anything made by Touratech
Hard boxes

Go Pro must be heading that way

Any more?

:offtopic: I know, and call my a hippy-cryte if you wish (I have no shame :innocent:), but I completely lost all credibility in the BMW-hater camp when I bought a XChallenge last year.


Funny you should mention it, I actually own and use 2 pairs of alli boxes (one pair made by Zega/TT, cough/splutter :D).

Bought a used TT tank bag on fleabay once (it was cheap: The bloke couldn't spell Touratech) but it fell apart when being used as pictured in the TT brochure.

Some of their stuff for the XChallenge is actually quite good. They also supply fitting instructions/diagrams/pictures for things like radiator protection making it easier for my engineer-friend to copy. :rolleyes2:

I also have a GoPro2, but strap it on the side of my helmet, not on top a la

http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/...1007490143.jpg

But no spots, nor 12gs, nor tw@ suit

Will have a think about what else I won't have. Give me time. :rofl:

2 square metres of reflective hi vis stickers all over the back of panniers.
Bolt on side stand "foot" the size of a small plate.
Cruise control plastic twidley thing on the grip.
Ipad holder on handle bars......... WTF? ( I actually saw one with one on it )

sorry :offtopic: yes a good thread title indeed. Anti-Bling-List

The above follows a suggestion at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ust-sexy-79609 and to keep that thread on topic and most definitely very tongue in cheek and in the seasonal spirit of bah-humbug :freezing: this is your opportunity to suggest what you won't have on your bike/person because Charlies/Starbucks types have them...:D

The above couple of posts are moved from that other thread to here....

I've thought of another one:

Luminous green high viz bike jackets made by Hein Gericke

White wall tyre's.
John933

A male pillion
BMW clothing
Do they make white wall knobbies? :rofl: them too :innocent:

To Chris.


I was surprised how many people out side the UK don't wear them ( day glow top ). I have one, it a bomber jacket type. Keep's me dry in the wet, and the wind out.


Funny story. I was in Hungry. Got off the bike and was walking away. When some old lady walked up think I was something to do with the City. Started to ask me question. She got quite annoyed to find out I could not speak Hungarian. Then when on to lambast me for walking round like some kind of Official. In fact she was making such a good job of it. That a local stepped in to help me out. Even then some how it was still all my fault.
John933

The first change I made to my Triumph Thunderbird was to remove the datatool alarm and bin it. Bike much nicer to use now.

The Touratech kit is gone. I can no longer see how their pricing and my use matches up. Possibly connected to the Charlies, but not directly. I use my Zega boxes in the garage for tool storage/seating/getting awkward stuff off the ground.

I'm also avoiding the "what-if" bling like engine bars, as when I look back I'd have actually come off better buying new bits for the bikes I've dropped rather than the engine bars. The hours I've wasted getting the things off on service day and the petrol used carrying bits of scaffolding about should be in there too. Is the "what if" mentality part of the fashion thing?

I am experimenting with my phone. Dumping the GPS (which i sold for more that the phone app and phone holder cost to buy!), kindle, MP3 player and often even the camera is working well. I am buying stuff to keep this on the bike, but mostly Chinese tat. Does a tank top mounted Pelican case for my Samsung make me a Fashion Charlie? :rofl:

The Optimus stove and Turco-Urbano bar muffs seem to be fashionable and I'me definately keeping those.

Andy

I think if TT made white wall knobblies I WOULD pay a premium price for these. They'd match the white MX boots I have... :censored: (Hang on... I spray painted the boots black because I thought they looked daft :oops2: ) Now I'm totally confused! I think I need to see my shrink again :blushing:

I will not spray mud onto my bike.

Honda and the is it, or isn't it the new AT, please note :nono:

TT stuff bought in the UK no thanks, bought from a very nice seller in Germany, and €uro prices, bring it on!

"Live to Ride, Ride to Live" tat, it's an occupational hazard if you have a Harley.

IMHO everyone should use what fits to his style of riding and needs and get away from this "BLING" thing, I think if you thik you do not do something because now it is called "bling" you can even go to the next Italian IceBar and sit with the others on any given Sunday to talk about what is "Blinc" and what in not really "Blinc" instead of riding somewhere...

Ps.: If you have somwthing which is way tooo "Blinky" to handle yourself, any of this TT, or BMW, or whatever brand stuff - just send it over to me and I will do something usefull with it.

From me on this "Anti-Bling-List" would go:

- a list where other people tell me what is too "blinky" to use
- when a sentence starts with "Anything from XXXX is shit" (sorry but this is really bull$$$$)
- :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored:

Yes, err, ... starting this topic was just my way of making these things so unpopular the prices would fall and I could afford them. :rofl:

Probably a bit late now but I should have chucked in a few more :rofl:s and :rolleyes2:s as well as :smiliex::whistling: earlier on.

I think you may have just defined bling? Back at the start of the century I was a proper Charlie. BMW F650 with TT boxes, GPS to make sure I found the ASDA, six methods of fixing a puncture, spare heliograph cable-tied to the nuclear grade bash plate (plus special laser cut torch mount to use it at night, just in case) etc. I didn't have a clue, just more money than time (or sense) and a copy of Chris Scott's book I was (mis) using as a shopping list.

Best way to find out if you need something is to try it without IMHO.

People of course think my open face lid and flying goggles are a fashion thing related to my "hipster" Moto Guzzi. Actually I just find they fit the shape of my face and glasses and don't mist up. Can't say I care less what people think of course, but one chaps Bling is anothers useful stuff for sure.

Andy

Bling, not blink nor blinc


Definition
bling
blɪŋ/
informal

noun

1.
expensive, ostentatious clothing and jewellery.
"look at the bling he's already wearing on his left arm"


adjective
adjective: bling; adjective: bling-bling
1.
denoting expensive, ostentatious clothing or jewellery, or the style or materialistic attitudes associated with them.
"the bling lifestyle of diamond rings, flashy cars, and champagne"



and from post #4...

It's all narcissism.

I want to see myself as this or that, but not this or that. I'm part of that crowd, but not that one. How this piece of kit will enhance or diminish the illusion of grandeur that I have built through all my crazy adventures and hardcore badass overlander attitude I have. How can I improve my love of myself, that great pleasure I get when I think about how awesome I am compared to all these normal people around me. Oh how soothing it is to not be ordinary, how soothing it is to avoid facing my own mortality and unimportance in the greatness and vastness of the universe.

;)

Of course I'm sure most of you are well aware of these thoughts in your head. It's more or less part of human nature at different extent for everyone. The only reason I can express their true nature is because I'm plagued with those myself. I like to recognize it, explore it, but also distance myself from it, I guess with more or less success. I think this post is in that spirit as well.

That being said, for me it's those head light guard. Seriously how useful is that? I mean I can see that it might be for a very little niche of very agressive dirt riders, but even dakar rally bikes don't have that. Never had it on my KLR going down South America and I went through some really rough stuff, never ever feared some rock would break my headlight, not a second. It looks damn cool, I'll grant that, makes the bike look agressive, combat ready, so macho.

Anyway for most people who are touring, the money you put on the bike is money you can't put on the trip itself so:

(What I can afford) X (what I really need) = No Bling

I've broken my lamp twice, and at least four on other bikes. This has been when doing some friendly group-travelling on gravel roads. :innocent:


No HU sticker anymore..

Wow I was really not aware that could happen so easily.

Now I must get headlight guards.

;)

Maybe you have better friends then me? :(

I have just totally de-blinged my R80G/S with a cans of matt black and olive drab paint, does this make me some sort of leader in anti-bling fashion and is this something to be embarrassed about in itself?

anti-bling and anti-theft ;)

Nope, it just means you got some ex WD paint cheap :)

Now the rat-bike crowd are going to tell you you've created a fake rat :rofl:

You may also get drummed out of the BMWC for not following the required back-to-factory or look-like-plod restoration requirements.

There is also bad news though. Matt black looks filthy after about 2 seconds outside:(

Andy

I've 2 matt black Trannies and they both look filthy in the garage, let alone after 2 seconds outside! :helpsmilie:

And they both have HU stickers. I find stickers stand out better on a black background. That's why I do it :cool4: :rolleyes2:

I also have a lamp guard on the XC (the bike I now use for more adventurous touring/ "harder" stuff). The mate from whom I bought the bike had already fitted it following a waltz around the TT catalogue with his credit card. Unfortunately I can't confirm if this has actually saved my headlight or is just there to make me look manly. jeiger

The DRZ I also ride in the UK mud and that has been off road in Romania/ France/ Morocco doesn't have a lamp guard and the light casing has never broken. Having said that, I'm often the man with the gps and the tracks, so I'm leading :scooter:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R...51_cegV7-M.jpg
All loaded up for ADVENTURE! (????)

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-d...IMG_0499-1.jpg
Lots of bikes on trailers and in trucks round these parts. Lots of Stickers too ...
not a fan of either.

I've heard it said that the ability of the rider is inversely proportional to the amount of stickers on the bike ....... :rolleyes2:

Yeh, I've got loads. Some of them are structurally important mind.

Andy

I dont want any air pressure sensors were you cant change the battery your selfe. For some new bikes you have to replace the whole sensor for 100 Dollar + laber + tax if simply the battery is empty every few years for every wheel...

Another one
 

Just seen a bike in town - Colour coded brake and clutch levers.

Red on one side green on the other? He might just have a bad memory.

Andy

I'm don't ride nor have I ever owned a bike but this thread is gold. Very funny read!

Oh?......... yes...................erm........was that you then? :oops2:

An ABR sticker doh

Well I don't really recall but......:rofl:

Knee sliders and leather baby grows. Not my thing as at 40 with a mid-20's bmi I am at the younger and thinner end of UK motorcycling and the things still look stupid. Practically we live in a tiny country with more cars and cameras than most, no-one is going to ride like Rossi on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Andy

Anything made by Touratech. Its all overpriced sh**e..

Anything BMW branded for the same reason..

A pillion holding a young cow, that wants to get off........... Seriously! In Nepal and it was bloody funny :rofl:

I goes with the special update for sat nav....

In 100 Meters turn green, then take the second turning on the red. You have arrived.......


:blushing:

I don't mind the odd bling here and there, as long as it's not some hipster stuff.