What is the correct etiquette... publicly parked bike?

[NutsyUk]

So, what is the correct etiquette when looking at some ones bike they parked in a public place.... When your not wearing your bike gear...

As some of you know, I want a bigger bike. While I have some targets now I still cant help but walk up to and look at a nice bike I see in the street...

Obviously I dont want to give the wrong impression... "Alright mate, just scoping out your motor....!!!!!!!!!!!" and such...

So I cant be alone in this. Surly others some times take a look at some ones bike...

So whats the best way to do it without getting a baseball bat around the head for being mistaken for a bike thief? :p
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Yamaha FZ8/Fazer800 (split headlight one) 2014, gingerly getting used to the massive increase in HP and not killing myself in the process! That was easy to get used to.
Kawasaki ER6F 2007 650 Gonna sell as a project bike!
Lexmoto XTR S 125 Sold!

[tom_e]

If you can't lick the seat/rider you're not close enough.

[Evil Hans]

[owl]

if it's a bike nice enough to make me stop and gawk I try to be polite and not dribble on it
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Observation is the greatest source of wisdom.

[Rogerborg]

Wipe the jizz off, is all.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Bonnie Lad]

Just look at it

Dont touch it

Don't overly inspect the security devices attached to it

Seriously, how the fuck would this simple concept be worthy of more than a second's contemplation?

[Holdawayt]

I love to push the bike over, remove the wheel and loosen the forks, cover it in a shitty tarp and call the council.

I did it recently to this hilariously fucked CBR125 down in Oxford. No idea what the outcome was but my god it was worth it.

Tom.

[Evil Hans]

[Tigerlea]

I remember being lectured by a biker once about the "correct" way to admire a bike.

I just keep my hands in my pockets and admire. As Bonnie Lad said – don't examine the security too closely or you'll look like a dodgy potential thief.


Don't start climbing all over the thing, no matter how tempting.

[andyscooter]

I walk past think that's nice and keep walking

then I go into a dealer and look touch and sit on bikes without risking someone smacking me
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gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet

[orac]

never been on the giving end of this.
Did have a guy take a picture once, seemed kinda odd. but at least he asked.
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Current rides - 2016 Triumph Street Triple Rx, 1994 Suzuki Bandit 400 VM, TGB 204 Classic 125cc
"with nothing left to lose, there is everything to gain. It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog"

[chickenstrip]

"You looking at my bird bike, mate?"

[Rogerborg]

Those photons touched my bike! Stop stealing them with your eyes!

</Adam Aarons logic>
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Azoth]

Look but don't touch. If you aren't at a biker cafe or meet, it's inevitable that the first thought the owner will get in his head when he sees you is 'thief'. Unless you're in some sort of uniform or costume and it's obvious who you are and what you're doing, there's nothing you could change in your body language or demeanour to change that first impression. So you will get a funny look, but don't take it personally. You can't really blame anyone for being a bit overprotective in these times. Polite chatting can go a long way. Doesn't have to be with the owner - can even be with someone else around you. If the owner actually accuses you of being a thief directly or indirectly, and to your face, then you know he's just a cock. If you genuinely believed someone was a thief, you would do something - whether some kind of physical intervention, a rapid escape on the bike or calling for assistance. So I wouldn't give this too much thought. Admire away. People can think what they like. You know you aren't a thief, and that's what matters.
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Safety in numbers

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Show the owner you appreciate his bike by festooning it with garlands and praying to it.

https://www.royalenfieldblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/cimg0016-1014x487.jpg
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Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[chickenstrip]

[Bozzy]

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/91/ca/d4/91cad4df9f8efcac716ffb7c42c10b43.jpg
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2004 SV650S >>> 2009 Street Triple R

[sickpup]

Best to not apply to DVLA for the log book on someone elses bike

[notabikeranym...]

In London you gotta be careful eyeing up bikes. The owner will think you're planning on stealing it. (Unless you're at Ace on bike night or something)

For this reason you have to preemptively mitigate any suspicions that your intentions may be nefarious by exaggerating your appreciation for the bike, even if it isn't that great of a bike and you were just curious what make/model it was.

Something like this:

https://media.giphy.com/media/XreQmk7ETCak0/giphy.gif

And if the owner does catch you looking at his bike, you compliment him and make this face:

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CGaSuGBLsRc/UGLMKhb_PsI/AAAAAAAADNw/BMAoRdgtxqo/s1600/Chris-o-Dowd.jpg

To some, we are an odd breed. Especially to those in any direction 10 miles or further out of the city.

[talkToTheHat]

So much as think about laying a finger on my oh-so-exotic bandit and there is a non-zero chance of injury. I can only assume people with cleaner / rarer / nicer / newer / vintager bikes feel this way only more so.

Some owners like to be engaged with bike chat when they park in a public place, others get peeved if you don't shut up and get out of the way after a sorry mate, i'm in a hurry, or a this is my quiet cup of coffee /glare.

I think there's a pick your moments thing. If it's at squires or similar pose venue then try not to drool/jizz as you seat-sniff. If it's chained to railings in a city centre and blinds twitch every time someone walks past, it's not a good time to go running up to it and start pointing out the bits that have scraped the ground.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[pepperami]

[toby1]

Don't touch it............and don't call me Shirley.

[chickenstrip]

[AshWebster]

Whenever I see a Harley I like to sit on it and make the revving noises off South Park. brem brem brem brem brem
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Honda cg125 J reg peice of shit ---> CB650F ---> 2016 CBR600RR
Ford KA ---> 93' MR2 ---> 94'MR2 ---> 98' Subaru WRX STI Ver 3 (track car)

[Mudshark]