Your average scumbag isn't going to go out cruising the streets looking for make/model to take down plate numbers. Just bring up any sales site online and take your pick. Hence why people obscure them in public photos.
I couldn't tell you the last time I saw an XR on the road, but I could find one for sale online in seconds.
It's reasonable for this guy to want to protect his asset, he knows a genuine buyer would put more legwork into the deal and make those checks when viewing the bike, a thief would already have moved on to the next target.
Like you say; it's an unfortunate side affect of the modern world.
