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...

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CURRENT RR WITH REGULAR UPDATES: The Wife Takes on Chlamydia: A South American Retrospective

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

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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.


No HU sticker anymore..

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

Now I must get headlight guards.

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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?

Attached Thumbnails

 

anti-bling and anti-theft

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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

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!

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

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.

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

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CURRENT RR WITH REGULAR UPDATES: The Wife Takes on Chlamydia: A South American Retrospective

All loaded up for ADVENTURE! (????)


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 .......

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...