Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear?
Camourflage shiny bits and paintwork Camourflage shiny bits and paintwork
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 15 Jul 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Perth West Australia
Posts: 152
Camourflage shiny bits and paintwork
Hi

This may sound a bit silly but I was thinking.

I have bright blue bike, I want to tone it down a bit, making it less noticable.

I was thinking of putting dark or black sticky contact stuf over most paint and any shiny bits to lessen the attraction to passers by and the like.

Yes I will be putting a cover over it at night but wanted to try and make it look less conspicuous through the day as well.

I read something about someone once doing similar kind of thing, I think they used sticky back plastic (contact) but I was concerned that it would ruin the paintwork. It will be on for around 12 weeks.

Anyone have any bright ideas on how to achieve this?

Thanks.
__________________
Steven
Perth to Perth 2012
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 15 Jul 2012
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Rockhampton, Australia
Posts: 868
A slight negative comment from an Aussie in Russia

fly the flag, you are a foreigner in a strange country

Unless you are wanting to hide in the bushes and do stealth camping, then clean the bike(if you wish) then camp or do whatever you want

In fact I am considering deleting my replies, why?? Because this whole site is about getting out there in strange places and meeting people. So, why would you bother joining an Adventure Rider site unless you were interested in something different

Anyway, good luck in your endeavours

Travellingstrom
__________________
www.travellingstrom.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 16 Jul 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Perth West Australia
Posts: 152
interesting
Quote:
Originally Posted by TravellingStrom View Post
A slight negative comment from an Aussie in Russia

fly the flag, you are a foreigner in a strange country

Unless you are wanting to hide in the bushes and do stealth camping, then clean the bike(if you wish) then camp or do whatever you want
Travellingstrom
Hi Travelling Strom.

I should have been a bit more precise, I'm not trying to hide in the woods, I'm trying to tone the bike down so that when I leave it unattended, it's not so ... welll bling bling bling!!!. Bright blue is very noticeable, especially in dull and grey places. This might not make any difference but as I mentioned before, it might sound silly.

I have a black one the same and there is a fair bit of difference. I cant use that one as its not kitted out for off road.

Maybe lack of washing (the bike that is) will be the answer.

My wee adventure is not about following the ethos of this site in full. I'm doing my own thing and this is just part of it. This website is the best thing for travellers on bikes. I don't necessarily agree or go with everyones else ideas, but its the best source for info as you know. That's why I joined the site.

Maybe water colours, one for everyday of the week perhaps?
__________________
Steven
Perth to Perth 2012
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 16 Jul 2012
Big Yellow Tractor's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: England
Posts: 649
Go along to your local sign shop (one that does vans)

There are various types of vinyl; thick and thin, permanent(ish), temporary. Also, some are made specially to take compound curves so would be great to "wrap" bits of bike.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 16 Jul 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 141
I understand where you're coming from haggis. Fear that the bike might not be there or might be damaged is always there in the back of my mind

You try not to let it spoil the trip and usually it's fine but its always there.

An Almax chain and a great big visible lock might also do wonders to put off opportunists
__________________
That concrete whizzing by five inches below your foot is the real thing...
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 16 Jul 2012
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: London
Posts: 404
Lightweight cover
For parking, very lightweight bike covers are available these days that roll up to about the size of a shoe.

For example:
Travel Motorcycle Covers that are Light Weight. Free Shipping.
Get a nice drab grey or olive one. Not psychedelic like some you can buy.

They make your bike disappear.

Camped somewhere in Africa, my daughter came up to me and asked "Where's your bike?"
"A couple of yards from yours," I replied. She'd walked right past it and not noticed.
So it seems to work.
__________________
TTR250 - London to Cape Town
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 16 Jul 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 738
Ditto for McCrankpin's suggestion for the lightweight bike cover. Easy, cheap and effective.

I met a couple of American riders two years ago in Angola that were worried about standing out too much in Africa. They taken it to the extreme and had taken steel wool to their bikes to dull them a bit. INMO, it wasn't effective as foreign bikes stand out anyways and it just made their bikes stand out fof different reasons.

The not washing angle is a good approach too. Just be careful if you ever let a local mechanic do any work at all, they usually like to automatically give it a good polish thus offsetting all your hard work of avoiding any form of cleanliness!
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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

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

 
 

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

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

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...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 06:56.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top