All kinds of motorcycles get stolen from all sorts of places. They can be stolen on impulse by joy riders, by unscrupulous characters just because they were easy targets, or professional thieves because they have a market for the parts or the bike can be exported to a waiting buyer. You may have trouble fending off the latter group once they have spotted your bike, but you can more effectively defend against the first two types. The 10 top tips below should help.
- Stay out of sight
The less your bike is seen, the less likely a thief will pay attention to it. If you don’t have a garage, keep it covered or hidden. Not knowing what’s there makes it harder to assess the difficulty of stealing it ot to know if it’s even a bike they want. By just putting a cover on your bike it can also fool thieves into thinking the bike isn’t the desirable machine they need, or if it’s covered it may fool a passing thief into thinking it’s not roadworthy as it’s covered up. - Get a decent lock… or maybe 2 or 3
Although usually easily defeated, your bike’s steering lock can be a first-step defence and will discourage easy manoeuvring of the bike. It is even more useful if your locks are separate, so the thief needs to defeat two locks to escape with your bike if the steering is locked & also perhaps one of the wheels secured with a big chain or U-lock. It’s best to use locks of different types in as a thief probably won’t be prepared to tackle different kinds of locks. And if one of them anchors the bike to something immovable, a gang won’t be able to carry it into a van. If buying a bike for the 1st time, always factor in part of your budget for security of your bike as well as things like the clothing, the legal documentation etc you will be wise to buy a good lock when you buy your bike. - Be Smart
Whatever lock you use, don’t rest it on the ground, where the thief is more likely to be able to get enough leverage to break it apart. If you attach any lock, keep it up away from the ground, the thief probably won’t be able to find that extra leverage to pry the lock. The lock should be attached through the framework if possible, around the front forks & through the wheel or across the rear wheel around the swinging arm or frame. Also don’t be tempted to just use locks intended for pedal cycles, though they may look the same, motorcycle locks are usually more robust & your insurance company may not pay out if they believe your locks were not substantial enough should the worst happen. - Secure the bike as best you can
A big chain or lock is a great visual deterrent although can be awkward to carry. A disc lock is easier to carry & might inconvenience joy-riders enough, but determined thieves can simply hoist a bike into a waiting van. If you add a cable to it, anchor that to something solid. Even bikes locked inside garages should be securely locked somehow, perhaps using a ground anchor or a wall mounted bracket to feed a chain or cable lock through a hoop secured to the building. - Buy the best
Go for the best you can for security: Alarms, disc locks, U-locks of hardened steel, heavy duty chains etc there is plenty out there to choose from & your local motorcycle dealer or accessory shop should be able to advise you on what is best for your particular bike & lifestyle. Don’t be tempted by using cheap padlocks & decorative garden chain or buying low price products off internet auction sites unless you intend for these just to be a visual deterrent. Give yourself a decent budget & if needs be spend a little more than you can probably afford. You may also consider having your bike tagged or digitally tracked by a specialist. Some security can be really expensive but if you tell your insurance company it may lead to a hefty discount off your annual premiums. - Be cunning
You can also be creative. If you’re really determined to fool the crooks, hidden kill-switches or a separate switch that must be held down when the start button is depressed, it all helps. Also some home made theft devices can be just as good a professional methods as thieves don’t tend to know what you have done to modify the bike to immobilise it. Some riders have foiled attempted thefts by simply removing the main fuse or pulling a plug lead when they parked their bikes. Some bikers even go as far as dismantling part of their bike such as removing the handlebars, petrol tank, seat or even the drivechain if leaving the bike stored over the winter months… some even get a friend to look after their bike if they are going away on holiday by storing it in a friends garage for a while. - Keep your keys secure
One that is often overlooked but worth mentioning.. Make a record of your key numbers, then perhaps dremel any key numbers off the locks if they’re stamped on. Anyone with a number can have a key cut to fit. Also when carrying your keys, be tempted to put them on a clasp to clip them to your jacket, on a lanyard around your neck or just keep them inside a zipped pocket. Many riders tend to put their keys in their helmet as they are carrying it, then what may happen is the keys fall out & get lost or they may fall out near your bike & then left lying next to the bike making it a very easy target. - If you have to park in the street
If you park outside, choose a well-lit area preferable where a lot of people are passing by who can spot something as thieves will operate more if nobody is around or where people are likely to be watching. If you can’t lock your bike to something solid and stationary, try another bike (preferably not one belonging to a stranger). Even plastering your bike with “Alarm Installed” or “security tagged” stickers could discourage the thieves. - Come on, make a noise
Alarms may seem like a good way to attract attention to the fact that someone is attempting to purloin your bike, but sometimes sounding alarms can go of so regularly people don’t investigate or even bother to look. But everyone pays attention to sounds such as glass being broken or bins being kicked over. Now it may seem bizarre but positioning metal bins or tin buckets with loose stones inside, even empty beer bottles near your bike could alert people to look if a thief walks towards your pride & joy & knocks over things likely to make a lot of noise when it’s dark or even when unexpected. - Keep ’em peeled
Professional thieves often find the bikes they want to steal (probably because they have orders for them) by following them to where they are parked during the day or night. So, as you approach your destination, especially if it’s home, watch your mirrors & see if someone suspicious is about. If someone seems to be following you, try to lose them, pull over and let them pass (leaving an escape route in case they are bikejackers), make a U-turn or go around the block. Anyone who continues to follow you is probably trouble. Just don’t go home or into your workplace if you suspect someone is tailing you.
Please remember Last but not least, remember to remove your chain, cable, disc lock or U-lock before riding away. it sounds obvious but many of us have done it (maybe from being in a hurry) & tried to ride away then come a cropper or just end up looking like a total plonker because the bike is still secure. You may find many bikers have a sticker or note on the headstock or handlebars reminding them you need to check your lock isn’t still attached before riding off.