Our list is not exhaustive or comprehensive but they are all measures that will reduce the chances of having your bike nicked. Due to increased motorcycle insurance premiums and the excess on your policy, it is worth investing in several different methods to secure your bike, not only at home but also when you pop to the shops for 5 minutes. If you scrimp on your bike's security you may pay the price in the long run. It isn't worth the risk!
Lets face it, no-one likes to see their pride an joy vanish without trace, the inconvenience caused, claiming from your insurance company (if they pay up), buying a new one, informing the police etc, the whole process could take months.
Bike Theft - The Facts;
Only 26% of stolen bikes are recovered with the majority having suffered major damage.
50% of riders don't lock their bike.
80% of stolen bikes are taken from the owners home.
60% of bikes stolen are broken-up for parts.
The theft rate is twice that of cars.
The professional can steal your bike in as little as 15 seconds, even with a lock.
Datatag - an indelible code etched on your bike's panels makes it difficult for a thief to sell on. Transponders in the petrol tank and wheels can be picked up by a police scanner.
Garage Alarm - Buy a motion sensitive garage alarm and fix it at the far end of the garage, this gives the thief less time to attack it. Check the location, don't block the sensor, test it, when does it go off?
Ground Anchor - Don't place it in the middle of the garage so the thief has more space to use their disc cutter, crowbar etc.
Garage Lock - Use a lock similar to the Garage Defender, fit in the middle of the door to prevent the corner being forced.
Brake lever lock - Often overlooked but very portable and a good supplement to other security devices, it clamps the front brake lever fully on.
Disc lock/U-Lock - Lock your U-lock to an immovable object or ideally fit through the rear wheel and over swing arm, use as well as a disc lock. Fit a disc lock snugly to the caliper.
Bike alarm - A opportunist bike thief will think twice if the alarm starts screaming
Disc/U-Lock - Very transportable if you're on the move but not a deterrent on their own.
Kill Switch - Fit an alternative well-hidden kill switch.
Side door - Don't ignore the side-door to your garage, make sure it's properly secured, it's no good securing the garage door if you have a side- door made out of balsa wood!
Block the exit - If you own a car, use it to block the entry to your bike, into a corner, against a wall or to prevent the garage door being opened.
Neighbours - The more people that know you and the fact that you own a bike, the more pairs of eyes you have to report suspicious activity. Join the local neighbourhood watch scheme, twitching curtains may be enough to make a bike thief think twice
Routine - Wherever possible, avoid parking your bike in the same place, if your regular movements are being watched by an organised bike gang they will know exactly when best to steal your bike. The less opportunities they have the better.
Helmet - Don't lock your helmet to the bike, you will make the theft more desirable and increase the likelihood of theft.
Guard dog - No-one is likely to argue with a rottweiler, not even a bike thief. Give the impression you own one by erecting a sign 'Beware of Rottweiler'. Or a photo of yourself.
Ultraviolet Pen - Cheap and effective way of marking various parts of your bike and only visible under an ultraviolet light.
Padlock - Use a tiny padlock of the chain, they are unlikely to notice it and if they do attempt to ride it away, it will throw them off.
Spare Parts - If you order secondhand spares for your bike, make sure you are dealing with a reputable breaker, an unscrupulous breaker will be aware of their next potential bike for breaking.
Fit an alarm to the light switch in your garage, set to off between midnight and 7am. A small job for an electrician.
CCTV - If you cannot afford a camera to monitor your bike 24-7, fit a false CCTV camera, they are readily available and a good preventative measure.
Police - Ask the advice of your local constabulary (remove your race cam before you go down there!). They will have experience of dealing with the scum that want to nick your bike.
Safety - don't try to carry your locks in a rucksack, many bikes have U-lock compartments under the seat or even behind the number plate, use a disc lock bag, specially for transporting your locks.
If you wish to be extreme, then you can also try the following methods;
Buy a house next to a police station that's open 24 hours
Park your bike in the living room, we've yet to hear of a thief that's prepared to nick it from there.
generally good advice.
"Padlock - Use a tiny padlock of the chain, they are unlikely to notice it and if they do attempt to ride it away, it will throw them off."
Hmm, no problem breaking a thiefs neck, but I don't want the bike back if it's been down the road!
"Buy a house next to a police station that's open 24 hours"
Seem to remember one of the bike mags simulating a theft from outside a police station. They took the same notice as Joe Public - naff all
*Imagines the big grin on GB's chops as he finally completes his Triumph rebuild. But then he tries to wheel the bike out of the room thru the narrow doorway, and ....oh shit!*
Seems it's still the case that Triumph owners still accumulate bits whether they want to or not.
Do they still come with a tow bar and trailer fitted to catch the "flotsam" ?
***runs and hides***
Speaking of Triumphs! ours is in the garage.Kitchen,behind the couch in the living room!
why do men insist on collecting triumph bits? the mind boggles........
Just a note for those who rent their homes, especially from the local council, it's against their regulations to park a vehicle inside the property, it's against the health and safety rules.
You're not even allowed to work on a vehicle outside the property, I've no idea why tho.
Like anyone takes any notice of either rule
I'd have my bike in bed wi' me if it meant it was safe from theft
Hmm, fixing a tiny padlock onto it ehh,... and what happens when you forget to take the thing off,.. you end up in a heap? I saw a bloke on an old R80 do it a few years ago. And then probably the bloke who comes to help you will then nick your pride and joy,.. or what's left of it!!
dont most bikes get stolen by being physically lifted by two people into a van??
has anyone on here with a tracker ever had a bike stolen and recovered... are they worth the money?
The tracker type things fitted to bigger stuff, plant etc, are easily defeated, but I'm not telling you how on here,.. hehe sorry! Dunno if the ones for bikes work on the same technology. Just hire someone with a AK-47 to sit on the bike,... then the hooligans would have to lift him too!
you can pick them up that run off a sim card ... quite easy, I had one fitted to a car once, you just have to remember every so often to use the sim so it stays active, they can be programmed to text a number with a pre set message if the bike/car moves.
hey kwak its also illegal to keep pigs in your front garden in a council house... no wonder my ex used to sunbathe in back garden lmao
Was she hiding from the police?
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