While it’s fine to have a nicely maintained, clean bike, it’s no bloody good if you’ve just spent hours tweaking and polishing your ride only to have some a-hole come along and pinch the thing after you’ve gone inside to have a well-earned beer. Below are some tips on what to do to ensure your bike stays where it belongs…
According to statistics, motor vehicle thefts are on the rise, and among the vehicles being targeted are motorcycles.
It’s one thing to have your property stolen, but if it is something you love and have become attached to, that is a different story altogether. And only 25 to 30 percent of motorcycles are recovered after theft.
Thieves steal motorcycles to re-sell the whole bike or to strip it down and sell the parts. The fact that motorcycles are small and relatively easy to move makes them particularly vulnerable to theft.
Smart thieves will find a way to steal your pride and joy if they really want it, but there are things you can do to protect your investment and make your motorcycle less appealing to a thief.
Keep your bike out of sight
The best bet is to keep your motorcycle in a locked garage. For some this might not be an option. But if you have to keep your bike parked outside, start by keeping it in a well-lit area and out of direct view from the street. It should be covered with a plain cover that is free of logos or brand names. If the thief can’t tell by the cover what type of motorcycle is underneath, they may be more inclined to pass it over.
In addition, you should keep the cover locked to the bike with a cable lock. However, this won’t prevent a thief from picking up the whole bike and taking it, cover and all. That’s why it is important to use this in conjunction with other security measures.
Lock your bike to a stationary object
Even if you have your bike in a locked garage when not in use, it is a good idea to also have it locked to something immovable. One method would be to cement a steel eye to the floor to put a chain or cable through. When using a chain or cable lock, be sure to loop it through the frame or another stable part of the bike.
When you’re out riding and leave your bike parked outside, always use your steering lock – this is your first step of defense. In addition, you should use two or more locks of different types. If possible, park your bike where you can see it and check on it periodically.
Make good lock choices
When choosing locks, it’s not a good idea to spare expense. Choose good locks. Types of locks include serpentine link locks, u-locks, disc locks and chains. Record key numbers and then file them off the locks if they are stamped on them.
Locks attached to your bike should not touch the ground. If a lock is lying on the ground, it is easier for a thief to use a hard item to pound the lock until it breaks.
Even if you keep your motorcycle in a locked garage, it’s always a good idea to look around to make sure you’re not providing a thief with the tools to dismantle your locks. There are usually a lot of tools in a garage and with time and determination, a thief will be able to remove the locks from your bike.
Other devices
There are several new mechanical devices that can help ensure you’ll find your bike where you left it. Many manufacturers are now fitting motorcycles with alarms as a standard feature, as well as similar anti-theft devices.
An alarm alone is not an effective deterrent, but in combination with other methods, a wailing alarm is liable to make a thief think twice. Even if your motorcycle isn’t equipped with an alarm, you can get stickers that say that there is an alarm installed and put them on your bike.
You can also purchase anti-prying devices, pick-resistant lock mechanisms or you can install one or more kill switches to make the motorcycle impossible to start.
Common sense
The best way to protect your motorcycle from theft is to use common sense. Don’t leave the keys in the ignition or anywhere within close proximity to the bike. Make sure that you choose the safest places possible to park or store your bike. And don’t lock your bike down to something that can easily be moved or broken and assume it’s still going to be there when you come back.
Insure your investment
No matter how well you’ve locked up and covered your bike, it may very well be stolen. In addition to being confident that you are doing what you can to protect your motorcycle, it’s important that you have the right insurance. You need an insurance policy that offers the coverage that is important to your specific bike and lifestyle.
If you think your motorcycle is adequately covered when you add it through your existing home, vehicle and contents policy, chances are you’re mistaken...a lesson that you don’t want to learn first-hand come claim time. There are several insurance companies in NZ that have specialised motorcycle insurance, if you haven’t already then check them out.
For more information visit www.kiwibike.co.nz and www.swanninsurance.co.nz
