Sorry. pick up truck, or Ute.

Thanks. It's odd that every continent seems to have its own unique term for a small truck. I've never heard the word Bakkie before!

That is because you don't speak English on your side lol. like why on earth call the boot of a car a trunk? It is not an elephant so doesn't have a trunk. And a bonnet is a hood? like in a hoodie?? At petrol is a liquid, not a gas!!! bwahahaha!

A bakkie is an Afrikaans term for a small open container. Which is what is in the back of the vehicle. But a pick up?? The truck doesn't pick things up like a back actor. It carries them. lol.

Makes you wonder who invents these words! Someone translating from another language would be stumped. Imagine looking up gas in a dictionary.!

Below are details from the bike trac website. It seems that the security is a little more robust than just needing a satellite reception. I do appreciate that nothing's ever completely secure. But there's no harm in making it as difficult as possible!

Bike Trac is a small GPS, GPRS, GSM & RF tracking device. It uses both GPS and RF technology - meaning that even if the GPS signal is lost, the location of the unit can be tracked and recovered.

Well. I chose Hostal Blumen in Algeciras for the night before the ferry to Morocco, because there is a garage. But my bike was run over by a red car...you could see the color on my suitcases. The clor fits to the one of a bartender of Bar Blumen. It was minor damage but anyway no one felt responsible. It was a big hassle. So be careful there. They are bastards when it comes to take responsibilty for what they promise. I should have been suspicious, as they didn' charge the fees for the garage...they must have known about the accident. And they pretended not having heard my alarm. Which is at 125 dezibel for 20 min....This hostal is the worst place to stay. Not really cheap no security and the rooms are worn out with A/C not working. So be warned.

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Decent U lock and a cover - little flashing LED but no alarm.

Lock all my riding gear in a Paksafe on the seat, cover over and walk off.

Cover keeps the twidlers off and the seat sitters.

If in a room, all my gear comes in usually. 20 mins loading in the morning is a whole lot faster than going shopping to replace gear - cheaper as well.

I've had bikes for 25 years in the UK, and know hundreds of bikers. I only know one who had a bike stolen and he left the key in it.

Park wise !!

Pacsafe again. Coupled with a cable lock.
However I've not used it on this trip, I've been told to park in the lobby or stairwell, most hostels or home stays have had secure overnight parking. In Romania I didn't want to stop I felt too much of a target I had the feeling some there would steal your fillings if you slept. In the Stans and China the bikes get loads of attention with people stopping their cars to look. I've had an adjustable wrench stolen at a workshop in Kazakhstan and that was my own fault for being too stupid and having my photo taken, my back to the tools of course.


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Leaving a loaded bike while I've gone sightseeing or for lunch or something is something I've never been happy with or managed to figure out the safest way of doing. Opportunistic thefts are not the end of the world but they can be inconvenient and I'd prefer not to have to spend the best part of a day again trying to replace a battery stolen when I was sightseeing.

In contrast with other posters I've had enough stuff stolen over the years to make me worry about what might vanish this time and when I'm staying in a hotel all the luggage comes off. Many years ago six of us on three bikes stayed overnight in a hotel in central Spain and paid extra for secure parking with a night watchman. Confident that everything would be ok we left all the luggage on the bikes only to return in the morning to find every lock forced and anything of value taken. The watchman had "seen nothing" and the hotel pointed us at their no liability small print. No Trip Advisor in those days sadly. Ever since it all comes with me and the easiest way to do it is remove pannier and contents in one piece.

Some hotels have been helpful and rather than leave the bikes in the street have suggested we bring them into the foyer, something easier said than done with a loaded GoldWing. Even as one hotel did, have someone sleep overnight under the bike, didn't really put my mind at rest as I wasn't sure whether it more or less safe like that. It didn't help in the morning that I wanted to leave before he woke up either.

This is probably the best anti-theft device I've ever come across but can be a little difficult to pack away when you want to leave :rofl:


http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps01fdc83c.jpg

(A friend's trip in Georgia or North Florida a few years ago)

Yep, gone through similar issues ... those mid day stops at tourist sites, a market or shopping area ... are some of the hardest ones to sort out regards security of your bike and everything on it.

I've done a few different things ... but always an "improvise" moment:
1. Hire a young (hopefully trust worthy) boy to keep an eye on your bikes.
Pay him some money UP front, promising MORE when you return and when bikes are all OK. Done this MANY times, never an issue. Usually a dollar or two.

2. If near Police station or Kiosk, ask if you can park in front. I've had them insist I park in their "Staff" lot!

3. Private parking. Certainly not always available, but if it is ... just another option if a private lot is there or near by.

Every situation is different, sometimes it's just not safe to walk away from your fully loaded bike ... so you miss that site or go in shifts. This is why I like to check in somewhere, clean up, change, then go out ... sans bike ...
into the town.

Hotels:
Hotels are different all over the world. I only have experience in EU, Latin America, parts of Asia and all US and Canada. Did two major EU rides, 6 week ride, about 4 weeks in Spain. Hotels every night.

They almost always had a locked "Bodega" or garage. I did not have "inner bags" then, so had to lug my bags inside along with tail bag. Now, I would leave panniers and carry inner bags inside. I never had an issue and never was nervous about the bike. Just lucky I guess.

In Latin America most Hoteliers are more concerned about security than you are. If your bike is in their inner court yard, in my experience, it's pretty damned safe.

This based on 7 years living, working and traveling throughout Latin America ... with and without a bike. In fancy places they're not going to let you "ride in", but often have a secure Bodega or car garage.
But as most here have experienced, many Hostels and average small Hotels will let you ride in and park inside. :thumbup1:

Most Hotels like these in Latin America LOCK the main front doors at night ... you'll know about this if you've had a late night out and have to wake the grumpy Senora up at 2am! :innocent: Once those doors are locked not even La Policia or para militars can get in .... at least not for a while. (been there, seen it)

As I've mentioned earlier, in Latin America the "gerente" typically assumes responsibility for you and your bike when you are a paid guest. I'm sure there are exceptions now ... as the world of liability/responsibility are changing, even in the "Old World". :(