most people would argue it's kindof hard to care when i currently ride a GN, but that is totally beside the point. if it aint yours, keep your mits off. i apply the same rules to myself, if i see a nice bike i will go and have a good look and drool next to it (not on it!), but will not touch or straddle it without the owner being there and approving. i have very occasionally taken pictures, but try to avoid the numberplate. on the couple of occasions i have got the plate in the photo, i grey it out when i load the photo's onto the 'puter, as i never know where they may end up.
i've had little kids wander up and drool over my bike (yes, even GN's are cool to little kids!) when i pull up, and have asked a couple of the cleaner looking ones if they'd like to sit on it (after checking with mum, of course). Had one or two sit on it and give the throttle a mild twist (after my encouragement, heheh), and i dont mind it at all (as i am there and keeping a careful eye on them). It makes the kids day, and gives me a little smile. but i always make the point of showing them a couple of hot things not to touch, and when they're done i always squat down on their level and tell them "now you know to always ask before you touch, dont you?"
i figure a little friendliness and training now might go some way to stopping that same little so-and-so going and messing with an un-attended bike, potentially burning or crushing himself, damaging the bike, and earning a whoopin from the owner.
of course many of them are probably too young or dumb to take it in, but i figure it cant hurt.
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